Summary (English)
"Thank You Ma'am" is a touching story about an unexpected encounter between a large woman named Mrs Luella Bates Washington Jones and a teenage boy named Roger. Late one night, Roger attempts to snatch Mrs Jones's purse but fails and falls down. Instead of handing him over to the police, Mrs Jones takes him to her home. She makes him wash his face, feeds him a meal, and treats him with kindness and respect. During their time together, Mrs Jones shares that she too was young once and wanted things she could not afford. She does not ask embarrassing questions about his family or background. Roger admits he wanted the purse to buy blue suede shoes. Before letting him go, Mrs Jones gives him ten dollars to buy the shoes and advises him to behave properly in future. The story demonstrates how unexpected kindness and understanding can transform a person's life more effectively than punishment.
സംഗ്രഹം (Malayalam)
"താങ്ക് യു മാം" മിസ്സിസ് ലുവെല്ലബേറ്റ്സ് വാഷിംഗ്ടൺ ജോൺസ് എന്ന വലിയ സ്ത്രീയും റോജർ എന്ന കൗമാരക്കാരനും തമ്മിലുള്ള അപ്രതീക്ഷിത കണ്ടുമുട്ടലിനെക്കുറിച്ചുള്ള ഹൃദയസ്പർശിയായ കഥയാണ്. ഒരു രാത്രി പതിനൊന്ന് മണിയോടെ റോജർ മിസ്സിസ് ജോൺസിന്റെ പേഴ്സ് തട്ടിയെടുക്കാൻ ശ്രമിക്കുന്നു, പക്ഷേ പരാജയപ്പെട്ട് താഴെ വീഴുന്നു. അവനെ പോലീസിൽ ഏൽപ്പിക്കുന്നതിനുപകരം മിസ്സിസ് ജോൺസ് അവനെ തന്റെ വീട്ടിലേക്ക് കൊണ്ടുപോകുന്നു. അവൾ അവനെ മുഖം കഴുകാൻ പ്രേരിപ്പിക്കുകയും ഭക്ഷണം നൽകുകയും ദയയോടും ബഹുമാനത്തോടും കൂടി പെരുമാറുകയും ചെയ്യുന്നു. അവരുടെ സംഭാഷണത്തിനിടയിൽ, താനും ഒരിക്കൽ ചെറുപ്പമായിരുന്നപ്പോൾ താങ്ങാനാവാത്ത കാര്യങ്ങൾ ആഗ്രഹിച്ചിരുന്നുവെന്ന് മിസ്സിസ് ജോൺസ് പങ്കുവെക്കുന്നു. അവന്റെ കുടുംബത്തെക്കുറിച്ചോ പശ്ചാത്തലത്തെക്കുറിച്ചോ ലജ്ജാകരമായ ചോദ്യങ്ങളൊന്നും അവൾ ചോദിക്കുന്നില്ല. നീല സ്വീഡ് ഷൂസ് വാങ്ങാനാണ് തനിക്ക് പേഴ്സ് വേണ്ടിയിരുന്നതെന്ന് റോജർ സമ്മതിക്കുന്നു. അവനെ വിടുന്നതിനുമുമ്പ്, ഷൂസ് വാങ്ങാൻ മിസ്സിസ് ജോൺസ് അവന് പത്ത് ഡോളർ നൽകുകയും ഭാവിയിൽ ശരിയായി പെരുമാറാൻ ഉപദേശിക്കുകയും ചെയ്യുന്നു. ശിക്ഷയേക്കാൾ അപ്രതീക്ഷിതമായ ദയയും മനസ്സിലാക്കലും എങ്ങനെ ഒരു വ്യക്തിയുടെ ജീവിതത്തെ മാറ്റിമറിക്കുമെന്ന് കഥ പ്രകടമാക്കുന്നു.
About the Author - Langston Hughes
- Langston Hughes was born in 1902 and died in 1967.
- He was a famous American writer who wrote poems, novels, plays, and stories. He was also a social activist and columnist who fought for the rights of African Americans.
- Some of his famous works are "Shakespeare in Harlem", "A New Song", "Lament For Dark Peoples", "Black Misery", and "Black Nativity".
- His poems were collected and published in a book called "The Collected Poems of Langston Hughes" in 1994.
- Hughes is remembered as one of the most important voices in American literature who wrote about the lives and struggles of Black people with honesty and compassion.
While We Read (2 Mark Questions and Answers)
Question 1: How does the boy try to snatch the purse from the lady?
Answer: The boy ran up behind the lady and tried to snatch her purse. The strap of the purse broke, but the boy lost his balance and fell on his back on the sidewalk.
Question 2: What did the lady do when the boy fell down?
Answer: The lady simply turned around, reached down, picked the boy up by his shirt front, and shook him until his teeth rattled. She did not let him go.
Question 3: Why didn't the woman turn the boy loose?
Answer: The woman did not turn the boy loose because when she asked him if he would run away, he honestly said yes. She wanted to teach him a lesson.
Question 4: Pick out the words that suggest the boy was frightened as the lady dragged him to her house.
Answer: The words are: dragging the frightened boy, sweat popped out on the boy's face, he began to struggle, and he looked as if he were fourteen or fifteen.
Question 5: Why did Roger snatch the pocketbook?
Answer: Roger snatched the pocketbook because he wanted to buy a pair of blue suede shoes. He did not have money to buy them.
Question 6: Why was Roger awe-struck by Mrs Jones's words?
Answer: Roger was awe-struck when Mrs Jones said "You could of asked me" for money to buy shoes. He never expected such kindness from someone whose purse he tried to steal.
Question 7: How does Mrs Jones treat Roger at the table?
Answer: Mrs Jones treats Roger with kindness and respect. She does not ask embarrassing questions about his family or background. She feeds him and talks to him about her own job.
Question 8: Could Roger express his gratitude in any other way than by saying "Thank you, ma'am"? Give reasons to support your answer.
Answer: Roger could not express his gratitude in any other way at that moment because he was overwhelmed with emotions. He wanted to say more but words failed him. His inability to speak showed how deeply Mrs Jones's kindness had affected him.
Let's Rewind (4 Mark Questions and Answers)
Question 1: What do Mrs Jones's actions reveal about her attitude to the boy?
Answer: Mrs Jones's actions reveal several important attitudes towards the boy:
- She believes in forgiveness and second chances rather than punishment
- She treats him with dignity despite his attempt to steal from her
- She understands that people sometimes make mistakes due to difficult circumstances
- She shows empathy by sharing that she too wanted things she could not afford when young
- She trusts him by leaving her purse unattended and not watching him constantly
- She cares about his basic needs like cleanliness and food
- She wants to guide him towards the right path through kindness rather than fear
Question 2: What, according to you, might the boy have learnt from his encounter with Mrs Jones?
Answer: The boy might have learnt several valuable lessons from Mrs Jones:
- Not everyone responds to wrong actions with anger or punishment
- Kindness and trust can be more powerful than harsh treatment
- People are willing to help if asked properly rather than through stealing
- Everyone makes mistakes and deserves a chance to correct themselves
- Basic human dignity and respect are important regardless of circumstances
- There are honest ways to get what you want
- One person's compassion can change another person's life
- Trust is precious and should not be betrayed
Question 3: Have you ever experienced unexpected kindness? How does it make you feel even now?
Answer: (This is a personal response question. Students should write from their own experience. Sample answer:)
Yes, I have experienced unexpected kindness. Once when I lost my bus fare, a stranger helped me by paying for my ticket without expecting anything in return. Even now, when I remember this incident, I feel:
- Grateful and touched by the person's generosity
- Inspired to help others in similar situations
- Reminded that there are good people in the world
- Motivated to pass on kindness to others
- Warmth and happiness in my heart
- More hopeful about humanity
Question 4: How does this story challenge conventional ideas of justice and punishment?
Answer: This story challenges conventional ideas of justice and punishment in several ways:
- Instead of punishment, Mrs Jones offers understanding and care
- She does not report Roger to the police despite the crime
- She treats the offender with dignity rather than shame or humiliation
- She addresses the root cause (poverty and need) rather than just the action
- She shows that rehabilitation through kindness is more effective than punishment
- She trusts Roger instead of treating him as a criminal
- She demonstrates that justice can be restorative rather than punitive
- The story suggests that understanding circumstances is important in achieving true justice
Additional Practice Questions
Question 5: Why does Mrs Jones share her own past with Roger?
Answer: Mrs Jones shares her past with Roger to show him that she understands his situation. By admitting that she too wanted things she could not get when young and did things she was not proud of, she establishes a connection with the boy. This helps Roger realize that he is not being judged harshly and that Mrs Jones sees him as a human being capable of change rather than just a thief.
Question 6: What is the significance of Mrs Jones leaving her purse unattended?
Answer: Leaving her purse unattended is a test of trust. Mrs Jones deliberately places the purse where Roger can see it to give him a choice. This act shows that she believes in giving him an opportunity to prove himself trustworthy. It demonstrates her faith in his ability to make the right decision and marks a turning point where Roger consciously chooses not to betray her trust.
Key Vocabulary
Snatch: To grab or take something quickly and often forcefully
Ashamed: Feeling embarrassed or guilty about something wrong
Struggle: To make forceful efforts to get free
Embarrass: To cause someone to feel awkward or uncomfortable
Presentable: Looking neat and suitable to be seen by others
Mistrust: Lack of trust or confidence in someone
Gratitude: The feeling of being thankful and appreciative
This story teaches us that kindness, trust, and understanding can change a person's life more effectively than punishment. It reminds us to treat everyone with dignity and give people second chances.