Today is our topic of discussion Reading narrations
Reading narrations
Read the story to write answers to the following questions.
When my husband Halim died from a snakebite, my heart broke. I asked myself, “What am I going to do now?” I just could not think of anything. My neighbour Kalim did not waste any time. He came to express his condolences to me and advised me to sell my land.
“How can you irrigate your field yourself?” said he. “Also people are not good. They will steal your standing crop. However, I can help you. I can buy your land for a good price.”
I knew he wanted to grab my land. So I told him politely, “I have to think about it. Please give me some time.”
I thought and thought. I thought for a whole week. Then I went to the Grameen Bank and talked to a Grameen worker for quite a long time. And when I came out of the Bank, I was very happy.
Next day I talked to some of my neighbours who like me had little or no land but big problems. I told them how we could get loans from the Grameen Bank. “And the good news is,” I said, “we can get the loans without any collateral.”
“What’s that?” asked Kariman.
“Collateral is jamanat”, I explained. “It’s money or property which is used as a guarantee that a loan will be repayed. That is why only a person who has money or assets can take a loan from other banks. But we the poor – we don’t need any money or asset as a guarantee to take a loan from the Grameen Bank.”
The women were all smiles to hear that. So we formed a group of five and I was made chairperson. Then I told them how we all should immediately apply for loans. On a Friday we went to a Grameen Centre. There, a Grameen worker explained how we would have to utilise our loans in productive activities and how we should work as a team.
Our loans were granted. Kariman got the loan money first for raising some goats. Then Sharifa got the money for running her puffed- rice business. And I got my loan to buy a treadle pump.
Questions
1. How did Majeda Begum feel when her husband died?
2. How did Kalim try to grab her land?
3. Majeda Begum was very happy after her meeting with a Grameen worker. Write the dialogue that you think was held between Majeda and the worker.
4. ‘We can get a loan from a Grameen Bank without collateral’. What does this statement mean?
5. Mention 10 productive activities including the 3 that have been mentioned in the text.
Study these words.
snakebite (n) – the bite of a poisonous snake
condolences (n) – expression of sympathy for someone whose friend or relative has died recently. We also send/ receive a message/ letter of condolence.
standing crop – crop that is in the field, not yet cut or harvested
grab (v) – to get something quickly, especially unfairly and for a selfish reason
collateral (n) – If you want to take a loan from a commercial bank you have to sign an agreement with the bank. And in that agreement you have to show proof that you have assets such as landed property, a factory or firm or money which is now invested in some business. And in case you fail to repay the loan the bank will have the right to claim your assets. Collateral means these assets.
all smiles (phrase) – puffed-rice If someone is all smiles, he or she looks very happy. muri or khoi which is prepared by frying rice or paddy on hot sand
Use v+how+n/pron and make a sentence with each of the following groups of words. Use past tenses.
1. He/tell her/he miss her while away from home. He told her how he had missed her while he was away from home.
2. They see the culprit/beat/by the mob
3. I/ask/Dr. Khan/he invent/the solar cooker
4. I not know/my land/make free from pests
5. You know/my brother study in England?
6. Rabeya narrate/her marriage a source of strength for her