8 Bholi by K.A. Abbas 10

 Bholi  by K.A. Abbas 

Read and Find Out – Questions & Answers

Q1. Why is Bholi’s father worried about her?

Ans: Bholi was not like other children. She didn’t speak clearly and had pock marks on her face because of smallpox. Her father was worried that no one would marry her.

Q2. Why is Bholi sent to school?

Ans: The Tehsildar came to their village and said every girl should go to school. Bholi’s parents sent her because they thought no one would marry her anyway, so sending her to school didn’t matter.

Q3. Does Bholi enjoy her first day at school?

Ans: At first, she was scared. But later, she liked her teacher because she was kind. The teacher smiled at her and spoke gently, so Bholi felt happy.

Q4. Does she find her teacher different from people at home?

Ans: Yes, very different. At home, people shouted at her and made fun of her. But her teacher was caring and loving. She spoke softly and made Bholi feel safe.

Think About It – NCERT Questions & AnswersQ5. Why do Bholi’s parents accept Bishamber’s marriage proposal?

Ans: Bishamber was rich and didn’t ask for dowry at first. Bholi’s parents were worried no one else would marry her, so they agreed quickly.

Q6. Why does the marriage not happen?

Ans: On the wedding day, Bishamber saw Bholi’s pockmarks and asked for ₹5,000 dowry. Bholi felt insulted and said no. She refused to marry him.

Q7. What makes Bholi feel school is better than home?

Ans: At school, her teacher was kind. She was washed, dressed nicely, and treated with respect. No one had ever done that for her at home.

Q8. How did the teacher help change Bholi’s life?

Ans: The teacher was loving and patient. She taught Bholi to read, speak, and believe in herself. Slowly, Bholi became confident and strong.

Q9. Why did Bholi first agree to marry Bishamber, then refuse?

Ans: She agreed because her parents wanted her to. But when Bishamber asked for dowry and insulted her, she stood up for herself and refused to marry a greedy man.

Q10. Why is she called “Sulekha” again at the end of the story?

Ans: "Sulekha" is her real name. The name is used again because she is no longer a weak girl. Now she is confident and educated. She has changed completely.

Main Message of the Story

The story tells us:

• Education can change a person’s life.

• Girls should be treated with respect.

• We must stand up against wrong things like dowry.

Word Meanings (Simple English)

Word	Meaning in Simple English
Simpleton	A person who is not very smart or clever
Stammer	To speak with difficulty, repeating sounds
Pock-marks	Small scars or holes on the skin from disease
Backward	Slow in learning or thinking
Numberdar	A rich and respected man in the village
Prosperous	Rich and successful
Disfigured	Made ugly or damaged in appearance
Envious	Feeling jealous
Contemptible	Something that deserves hate or disrespect
Dowry	Money or gifts given to groom during marriage
Self-reliance	Depending on yourself
Transformation	A big change

Q1. Why was Sulekha called Bholi?

Ans: Sulekha was called Bholi because she was slow to learn and didn’t speak clearly. People thought she was a fool, so they gave her this nickname.

Q2. What made Bholi different from other children?

Ans: Bholi had an accident when she was a baby and later got smallpox. She had scars on her face and couldn’t speak properly. That’s why people treated her differently.

Q3. What change happened in Bholi after she started school?

Ans: At school, a kind teacher helped her feel safe and confident. Slowly, she learned to speak and read. She became brave and started believing in herself.

Q4. Why did Bholi agree to marry Bishamber Nath?

Ans: Bholi agreed because her parents wanted it, and she thought no one else would marry her. He was rich and older but didn’t seem to mind her looks.

Q5. Why did Bholi refuse to marry Bishamber at the last moment?

Ans: Bishamber asked for dowry after seeing her face. Bholi felt insulted. She became brave and refused to marry him, even though everyone was watching.

Q6. What did Bholi decide to do after rejecting the marriage?

Ans: Bholi told her father she would never marry. Instead, she would stay with her parents and become a teacher to help others like her.

Q7. What is the main message of the story “Bholi”?

Ans: The story teaches us that education can change a person’s life. It also shows that girls should be treated with respect and should not be forced into unfair marriages.

Short Character Sketch of Bholi 

Bholi was a shy and scared girl in the beginning. She couldn’t speak properly and looked different. But after getting love and care from her teacher, she changed. She became strong and brave. She stood up for herself and refused to marry a greedy man. In the end, she became confident and independent.