Chapter 9 Bholi:

 Footprints Without Feet, 

Chapter 9 Bholi:

Word Meanings – Chapter 9: Bholi

Word	Meaning
Bholi	Innocent
Pockmarks	Scars
Stammer	Hesitate (in speaking)
Backward	Slow
Cot	Bed
Prospects	Chances
Matted	Tangled
Fear-laden	Nervous
Mildly	Gently
Encouraged	Motivated
Tenderly	Softly
Affection	Love
Respectable	Decent
Shabby	Dirty
Scornfully	Rudely
Greedy	Selfish
Dowry	Gift (marriage-related)
Stunned	Shocked
Disgrace	Shame
Dignity	Honour
Companion	Friend
Differently-abled	Disabled
Assert	Declare
Rights	Entitlements
Simpleton	Foolish
Sulekha	Educated

1. Why was Bholi called a simpleton?
Bholi was called a simpleton because she was slow in learning and stammered while speaking. Everyone thought she was dull-minded and made fun of her, so they called her a simpleton.

2. How did Bholi gain confidence?
Bholi gained confidence when she started going to school. Her teacher treated her kindly and encouraged her to speak without fear. Slowly, she learned to read and speak clearly, which made her feel brave and confident.

Read and Find Out (Page 54)

Question 1:
Why is Bholi’s father worried about her?
Answer: Bholi was different from other children. She fell down as a baby and her brain got a little damaged. She spoke late and stammered.Her face and whole body was covered with pockmarks. Because of this, her father worried if she would get a good marriage.

Question 2:
For what unusual reason is Bholi sent to school?
Answer: Bholi’s father was a government officer. The Tehsildar told him to send his daughters to school. Bholi’s mother didn’t want to send daughters to school because she thought it would spoil their chances of marriage. But since Bholi was not expected to get married because of her looks and health, they sent her to school just to obey the Tehsildar.

Page 55

Question 1:
Does Bholi enjoy her first day at school?
Answer: At first, Bholi was scared and cried when the teacher asked her name. She sat quietly in a corner. But she liked the pictures on the classroom wall. The teacher was kind and gentle, which made her feel comfortable. By the end of the day, she liked going to school.

Question 2:
Does she find her teacher to be different from the people at home?
Answer:
Yes. At home, Bholi was ignored and made fun of because of her looks and stammering. But her teacher was kind and never teased her. The teacher encouraged her with love, which made Bholi happy and confident.

Page 58

Question 1:
Why do Bholi’s parents accept Bishamber’s marriage proposal?
Answer:
They accepted Bishamber’s proposal because he was a rich shopkeeper and did not ask for dowry.

Question 2:
Why does the marriage not take place?
Answer:
On the wedding day, Bishamber asked for five thousand rupees as dowry after seeing Bholi’s pockmarked face. Her father had to pay. But Bholi refused to marry a greedy man. She stood up for herself and stopped the marriage.

Think About It (Page 62)

Question 1:
What made Bholi feel that school was better than home?
Answer:
Before going to school, her parents dressed her nicely, bathed her, and combed her hair. At home, she was not cared for. This special treatment made her feel school was a better place.

Question 2:
How did Bholi’s teacher change her life?
Answer:
The teacher helped Bholi overcome her fears and stammering. She taught her to read and write and helped her become confident and strong. The teacher made Bholi independent and aware of her rights.

Question 3:
Why did Bholi first agree to marry Bishamber? Why did she later refuse? What does this tell us about her?
Answer:
At first, Bholi agreed to please her parents. But when Bishamber demanded dowry, she refused. This shows Bholi was brave, aware of her rights, and respected her own dignity.

Question 4:
Why is Bholi called Sulekha at the end?
Answer:
Bholi means a simple, shy girl. Sulekha means a smart and educated girl. At the end, when she stands up for herself, she becomes Sulekha — confident and educated.

Talk About It (Page 62)

Question 1:
How can you help change social attitudes like those in the story?
Answer:
We should say no to dowry and stop discrimination between boys and girls. Both boys and girls should get equal chances to study and grow. We should respect everyone, including those who are different.

Question 2:
Should girls know their rights and stand up for them? Are boys and girls treated equally?
Answer:
Yes, girls should know their rights and stand up for them. Boys and girls should be equal. But in society, boys often get more freedom and opportunities, while girls are expected to only do household work. Girls must use education to become strong and demand their rights.

Question 3:
Did the characters speak English in the story? Which language did they speak?
Answer:
No, they did not speak English. They spoke Hindi. This is clear from the names like Ramlal and words like “Tehsildar,” “pitaji,” and “izzat.”