ICSE Class 9 · English · Treasure Chest
Bonku Babu's Friend
Chapter summary, hard words and model exam answers for ICSE Class 9 English.
Free online summary and notes for Bonku (ICSE Class 9 English). Read it here, no PDF download needed.
About the author
Satyajit Ray (1962). Science-fiction story about Bonkubihari Dutta, a mild geography and Bengali teacher in Kankurgachhi, who meets an alien named Ang from planet Craneus and learns to stand up to bullies.
Summary
Bonkubihari Dutta ("Bonku Babu") teaches at Kankurgachhi Primary School. Students and villagers tease him, but he never loses temper.
Bonkubihari Dutta ("Bonku Babu") teaches at Kankurgachhi Primary School. Students and villagers tease him, but he never loses temper.
At Sripati Babu's house, local men make Bonku Babu the butt of jokes. He endures humiliation to keep company.
At Sripati Babu's house, local men make Bonku Babu the butt of jokes. He endures humiliation to keep company.
Walking home through Poncha Ghosh's bamboo grove, he sees a glowing dome - a spaceship humming in pink light.
Walking home through Poncha Ghosh's bamboo grove, he sees a glowing dome - a spaceship humming in pink light.
Alien Ang from Craneus speaks to him in English and Bengali, shows wonders through a viewing tube, and calls humans inferior but Bonku good-hearted.
Alien Ang from Craneus speaks to him in English and Bengali, shows wonders through a viewing tube, and calls humans inferior but Bonku good-hearted.
Ang criticises Bonku's meekness: protest when insulted without reason; do not accept injustice silently.
Ang criticises Bonku's meekness: protest when insulted without reason; do not accept injustice silently.
At the next gathering he boldly rebukes his mockers, mentions Ang, and leaves - shocking everyone with his self-respect.
At the next gathering he boldly rebukes his mockers, mentions Ang, and leaves - shocking everyone with his self-respect.
Hard words & meanings
| meek | timid and submissive |
| extraterrestrial | from another world |
| telepathic | mind-to-mind communication |
| tormentors | people who bully |
Model exam answers, grammar & audio
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