Introduction
Young Kim O’Hara, who knows all the ways and wiles of the dusty streets of Lahore, has promised to help a Tibetan monk beg for his dinner. He has high hopes of a certain grocer’s wife, but she is not disposed to dole out charity to yet another holy man.
“I AM tired of new priests! They settle on our wares like flies. Is the father of my son a well of charity to give to all who ask?’
‘No,’ said Kim. ‘Thy man is rather yagi [bad-tempered] than yogi [a holy man]. But this priest is new. The Sahib in the Wonder House has talked to him like a brother.* O my mother, fill me this bowl. He waits.’
‘That bowl indeed! That cow-bellied basket! Thou hast as much grace as the holy bull of Shiv.* He has taken the best of a basket of onions already, this morn; and forsooth, I must fill thy bowl. He comes here again.’
The huge, mouse-coloured Brahminee bull of the ward was shouldering his way through the many-coloured crowd, a stolen plantain hanging out of his mouth. He headed straight for the shop, well knowing his privileges as a sacred beast, lowered his head, and puffed heavily along the line of baskets ere making his choice.
Up flew Kim’s hard little heel and caught him on his moist blue nose.
The ‘Wonder House’ is Lahore Museum, founded in 1865 and designed by local architect Sir Ganga Ram. Kipling’s father John Lockwood Kipling was curator from 1875 to 1893. Kipling emphasises that the curator in his tale regarded the Tibetan as a fellow-scholar, and eagerly disregarded any other considerations or social distinctions. He even gives him his glasses.
Shiv or Shiva, one of the principal deities of Hinduism. In Hindu mythology, the bull-figure Nandi is the gate-guardian deity of Kailasa, the abode of Lord Shiva, and he is also Shiva’s chief mount.
Précis
After meeting a Tibetan monk at Lahore Museum, Kim O’Hara determined to beg a decent meal for him. He went to a grocer’s store, but the storekeeper’s wife was discouraging, weary of mendicant priests and also of the town’s sacred bull, which was helping itself to her wares. Kim, however, did not scruple to give the animal a sharp kick. (60 / 60 words)
After meeting a Tibetan monk at Lahore Museum, Kim O’Hara determined to beg a decent meal for him. He went to a grocer’s store, but the storekeeper’s wife was discouraging, weary of mendicant priests and also of the town’s sacred bull, which was helping itself to her wares. Kim, however, did not scruple to give the animal a sharp kick.
Variations: 1.increase the length of this precis to exactly 65 words. 2.reduce the length of this precis to exactly 55 words. 3.introduce one of the following words into the precis: despite, if, may, must, or, otherwise, until, whereas.
Word Games
Sevens Based on this passage
Suggest answers to this question. See if you can limit one answer to exactly seven words.
Variations: 1.expand your answer to exactly fourteen words. 2.expand your answer further, to exactly twenty-one words. 3.include one of the following words in your answer: if, but, despite, because, (al)though, unless.
Jigsaws Based on this passage
Express the ideas below in a single sentence, using different words as much as possible. Do not be satisfied with the first answer you think of; think of several, and choose the best.
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