The Day the River Spoke | Class VII | English | Poorvi Textbook

Lesson Architecture

Theme

Lesson Summary

Word-Meanings

NCERT Solution

Competency Based Questions & Answers

The River speaks to Janhavi

Theme | Poorvi | Class VII

The Day the River Spoke revolves around themes of self-belief, courage, gender equality, and the transformative power of education.

At its core, the story reflects the emotional journey of a young girl, Jahnavi, who dreams of attending school like her brothers but is denied the opportunity simply because she is a girl. This highlights the prevailing gender biases in many communities, where girls are expected to handle household responsibilities while boys pursue education.

The turning point comes through a symbolic and magical interaction with the River, which represents wisdom, nature, and inner strength. The River’s voice encourages Jahnavi to challenge the limitations placed on her. This interaction embodies how inspiration can arise from the most unexpected places and how nature can be a silent but powerful ally in the path to self-realization.

The story emphasizes that change begins with a single act of courage. Jahnavi’s decision to step into the classroom becomes a step toward breaking stereotypes and social norms. It also introduces the idea that one girl’s education can inspire and uplift an entire community. Overall, the story promotes empowerment, the value of inclusive education, and the importance of listening to one’s inner voice.

Lesson Summary | The Day the River Spoke

The Day the River Spoke tells the inspiring story of Jahnavi, a young girl from a coastal village who yearns to go to school. Unlike her brothers, she is denied an education by her family, who expect her to care for younger siblings and manage household chores. Saddened and frustrated, Jahnavi wanders to the riverbank where, to her surprise, she hears the River speak to her. The River, personified as a gentle and wise friend, listens to her problems and encourages her to act bravely.

Motivated by this magical conversation, Jahnavi musters the courage to visit the village school. There, the teacher welcomes her with warmth and kindness and assures her that she belongs in the classroom just like any other child. The teacher also promises to speak to her father. With the quiet support of her mother and the guidance of the River’s voice, Jahnavi begins her educational journey.

By the end of the story, Jahnavi not only fulfills her own dream but also pledges to help other girls in her village access education. The story is a touching account of how a child’s determination, combined with encouragement and empathy, can challenge social norms and plant seeds for lasting change.

Word Meanings

Word	Meaning	Example Sentence
Paddled	Moved a boat using a paddle	She paddled slowly across the river in a small boat.
Drifted	Moved slowly by the flow of water or air	A leaf drifted down the stream with the current.
Fluttering	Moving with a light, quick motion	The birds were fluttering above the riverbank.
Encouragement	Support or inspiration to act	The teacher’s kind words gave her encouragement to learn.
Beamed	Smiled brightly	Jahnavi beamed with joy when the teacher welcomed her.
Gurgled	Made a bubbling sound	The river gurgled softly as it passed the rocks.
Gasped	Took a sudden breath due to surprise	Jahnavi gasped when she heard the river speak.
Hesitated	Paused before acting or speaking	She hesitated before entering the classroom for the first time.
Hummed	Made a low, continuous sound	The river hummed like a lullaby in the background.
Twinkling	Shining with a flickering light	The stars were twinkling as she walked home that evening.

NCERT Solution

Let Us Discuss

1. What was Jahnavi’s dream? Was it important to her? Why?

Jahnavi’s dream was to go to school just like her brothers. Yes, it was very important to her because she wanted to learn, grow, and have a better future. She felt it was unfair that only boys were allowed to study while she was expected to stay home and care for her younger siblings. Her desire to study was strong, and it showed that she valued knowledge and equal opportunities. Education meant freedom and self-worth to Jahnavi.

2. Do you think the river can help her in fulfilling her dream? How?

Yes, the river played an important role in helping Jahnavi. Although it may not help physically, the river became her emotional support. It listened to her pain and gave her the courage and confidence to try going to school. The river’s kind and wise words made her feel less alone and more determined. In this way, the river acted like a friend or guide who gave her the strength to take the first brave step toward fulfilling her dream.

Extract-Based Questions & Answers

1. “You shouldn’t cry, you know,” the voice went on. “And you really shouldn’t be scared, when you have been coming here to see me every day, well, almost every day.” She was puzzled. It was such a voice, like the river. It couldn’t be the river! “Well, tell me all about it,” said the River, for it was the River. “I’ve got to hurry to reach the sea, you know.”

   
   

(i) Complete the sentence with the correct option from those given in the brackets.

The tone of the River in the given extract is assuring. ✅(Correct option: assuring)

(ii) Select a phrase from the extract which shows that Jahnavi was a frequent visitor to the spot.

Phrase: “you have been coming here to see me every day, well, almost every day”

(iii )Choose the correct option to complete the sentence.

The use of an exclamation mark at the end of the line “It couldn’t be the river!” expresses

D. disbelief ✅

(iv)Choose three qualities of the River highlighted in the extract from the words in the box below:

 affectionate forgiving thoughtful impatient kind-hearted

Answer:

• Affectionate

• Thoughtful

• Kind-hearted

2. “You shouldn’t cry, you know,” the voice went on. “And you really shouldn’t be scared, when you have been coming here to see me every day, well, almost every day.” She was puzzled. It was such a voice, like the river. It couldn’t be the river! “Well, tell me all about it,” said the River, for it was the River. “I’ve got to hurry to reach the sea, you know.”

(i) Complete the sentence with an appropriate reason.

According to the River, there was no difference between girls and boys because girls are just as capable—they swim as fast and can do everything boys can do.

(ii) Identify whether the following statement is true or false:

The River encourages Jahnavi to have faith in herself and fulfill her desire to go to school.

✅ True

(iii) Choose the correct option to complete the sentence:

When the River suggests that Jahnavi should ‘slip along’, it means that she should move:

 A. quickly B. casually C. quietly D. confidently

✅ C. quietly

(iv) What does the repetition of the phrase “I couldn’t” tell us?

The repetition shows Jahnavi’s fear, lack of confidence, and hesitation. It reflects her internal struggle and how deeply scared she is of being rejected or scolded.

II. Answer the following questions ( Page 8 )

1. Why does the writer describe different aspects of nature in great detail at the beginning of the story? Why do you think the writer does this?

The writer uses nature’s vivid imagery to set a calm, reflective tone. It connects the reader with Jahnavi’s surroundings and prepares for the magical moment when the River speaks, blending realism with imagination.

2. How did the River know so much about Jahnavi?

The River had been observing Jahnavi daily as she visited its banks. Through her tears, expressions, and murmurs, it understood her emotions, becoming a silent witness to her hopes, dreams, and struggles.

3. Jahnavi says, “And I’m so old now, they’ll never let me go.” What can you infer about Jahnavi and the school from this line?

Jahnavi feels insecure and believes she’s missed the chance to learn. It shows how social norms delayed her education, and that the school likely enrolls younger children, making her feel excluded.

4. Why did the River laugh when Jahnavi said she would be scared at school?

The River laughed kindly because it found Jahnavi’s fear unnecessary. It believed in her strength and knew school was a place of learning, not fear. The laugh encouraged her to overcome hesitation.

5. Why should Jahnavi follow the River’s advice?

Jahnavi should follow the River’s advice because it motivates her to believe in herself, take the first step, and not let fear stop her from pursuing education, which she deeply desires.

6. How does the conversation between Jahnavi and the River make the story more appealing?

The magical conversation adds warmth, wonder, and imagination. It personifies nature as a wise friend, making the message of courage and empowerment more engaging and memorable for young readers.

7. What is the main message that the writer intends to convey?

The writer emphasizes the right of every child, especially girls, to education. The story inspires courage, challenges gender stereotypes, and shows that small acts of bravery can lead to big change.

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I. Nouns and Capitalization

Question:You have learnt that naming words are called nouns and only proper nouns begin with a capital letter. Why has the author used a capital letter for the ‘River’ even when it is a common noun?

Answer: The author uses a capital letter for the word ‘River’ because the River has been personified—it speaks, listens, and gives advice like a human being. By giving it human qualities, the River becomes a character in the story, and like names of people, it is treated as a proper noun.

Definition	Sound Word
1. Made a high-pitched piercing sound	shrieked
2. To cause liquid to strike or fall on something	splashed
3. A low continuous background noise	murmuring
4. Cry with loud uncontrollable gasps	wailed
5. To make a soft dry sound, like paper or leaves moving	rustled
6. Took a short quick breath through the mouth due to surprise, pain or shock	gasped
7. Shaking rapidly to make continuous short, sharp sounds	rattling
8. Making a lot of noise	noisy
9. Made a long, high cry, usually because of pain or sadness	screamed

III. Fill in the Blanks with Sound Words

Text:

The classroom grew (i) noisy as the students noticed the teacher carrying the answer papers. As the teacher turned the pages with a (ii) rustle, the children (iii) gasped, wondering what comments awaited. Someone (iv) wailed in frustration, and the (v) murmuring of the students steadily increased. Finally, when the teacher praised the students for their excellent performance, the students (vi) shrieked with excitement.

III The word ‘catamaran’ is used in the text. The word originates from Tamil language ‘kattu maram’ meaning ‘tied wood’. Find out the meanings of these words. From which Indian language these words were borrowed.

Word	Meaning	Language of Origin
1. karma	The belief that actions in this life will affect one’s fate in future lives.	Sanskrit
2. sahib	A respectful term used to address a man, especially a European.	Hindi/Urdu
3. chutney	A spicy or savory condiment made with fruits, vegetables, and spices.	Hindi
4. guru	A spiritual teacher or guide; also used for expert in a field.	Sanskrit
5. verandah	A roofed platform along the outside of a house; porch.	Hindi/Portuguese-influenced
6. jungle	A dense forest or wilderness.	Hindi
7. areca	A palm tree whose nuts (betel nuts) are often chewed in Asia.	Kannada/Malayalam
8. palanquin	A covered litter carried on poles, used to transport people.	Sanskrit (originally palanki) via Hindi

NCERT Text | Learning Together | Unit 1

Unit 1 Learning Together.pdf

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Competency-Based Questions (30 Words Each)

1. What qualities in Jahnavi helped her overcome societal restrictions?

   
   

   Jahnavi’s inner strength, courage, and determination led her to challenge the norms. Her desire to learn and the river’s support helped her take the first step.

   
   

2. How does the teacher influence the story’s outcome?

   The teacher acts as a change-maker. Her encouragement and promise to talk to Jahnavi’s father helped turn the girl’s dream into reality.

   
   

3. What role does nature play in the story?

   
   

   The river represents a comforting, wise friend who listens and empowers Jahnavi. It plays the role of motivator and guide, pushing her to chase her dreams.
   

4. What does Jahnavi’s willingness to approach the school alone reveal about her character?

   
   

   Jahnavi’s decision to go to school alone shows her courage, determination, and desire for change. Despite fear and rejection, she takes initiative, proving that inner strength can help overcome social barriers.

   
   

5. How does the river act as a symbol of empowerment in the story?

   
   

   The river represents wisdom, freedom, and strength. By speaking kindly and motivating Jahnavi, it becomes a symbol of nature's nurturing force, encouraging her to believe in herself and seek education.

   
   

6. Why is the support of Jahnavi’s mother important in the story?

   
   

   Though silent, the mother’s support reflects hope for change within the family. It shows that even quiet approval from a parent can make a difference in a child’s life decisions and self-worth.

   
   

7. How does the teacher contribute to breaking gender barriers in the story?

   
   

   The teacher’s kind and welcoming attitude challenges traditional gender roles. By encouraging Jahnavi and offering to speak to her father, she empowers girls to dream and pursue education equally.

   
   

8. How would the story change if Jahnavi had not listened to the River?

   
   

   If Jahnavi hadn’t listened to the River, she might have stayed silent and missed the opportunity to study. The River’s encouragement is the turning point that leads to her transformation.

   
   

9. What lesson can children learn from Jahnavi’s journey to school? Children can learn to be brave, to speak up for their dreams, and to believe that change is possible even when the odds seem against them. Small steps can lead to big changes.

   
   

10. How does the story encourage readers to question gender roles?

    
    

    The story shows how girls are often denied equal rights. By highlighting Jahnavi’s struggle and triumph, it encourages readers to reflect on fairness, challenge discrimination, and support equal opportunities for all.