KSEEB Class 9 · English (1st language) · KTBS Revised 2024-25
An Astrologer's Day
Chapter summary, hard words and model exam answers for Karnataka Board Class 9 English.
Free online summary and notes (Karnataka Board Class 9 English). Read it here, no PDF download needed.
About the author
R.K. Narayan (1906–2001) created the fictional town Malgudi, setting for most of his novels and stories. "An Astrologer's Day" is a compact masterpiece of irony: a man who pretends to read futures is confronted by his own past. Narayan writes with gentle humour and sudden moral shock.
Summary
Each morning he sets out sacred articles and a professional turban, though he knows no astrology - only human fear.
Each morning he sets out sacred articles and a professional turban, though he knows no astrology - only human fear.
He reads faces and lets clients talk first, appearing wise while earning a living.
He reads faces and lets clients talk first, appearing wise while earning a living.
Near night a man demands a reading. The astrologer senses danger and tries to refuse.
Near night a man demands a reading. The astrologer senses danger and tries to refuse.
In lamplight he realises the client is Guru Nayak, whom he attacked years ago in another town.
In lamplight he realises the client is Guru Nayak, whom he attacked years ago in another town.
To save himself he tells Guru Nayak that his enemy is dead and he must never go home again.
To save himself he tells Guru Nayak that his enemy is dead and he must never go home again.
Client leaves satisfied; astrologer returns home, tells his wife he has settled an old crime and will travel less.
Client leaves satisfied; astrologer returns home, tells his wife he has settled an old crime and will travel less.
Hard words & meanings
| astrology | practice of predicting fate - here faked |
| ironically | in a surprising contrary way |
| prophesy | to declare what will happen |
| fraud | cheating others for money or safety |
| recognition | realising who a person is |
| revenge | desire to punish one who injured you |
| confession | acknowledging a wrong done |
| Malgudi | imaginary South Indian setting for his stories |
| lamplight | dim evening illumination crucial to recognition scene |
Model exam answers, grammar & audio
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