KSEEB Class 9 · English (1st language) · KTBS Revised 2024-25
Balai
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
Rabindranath Tagore (1861–1941), Nobel laureate in Literature, wrote "Balai" as part of his sharp stories about rural Bengal's power relations. The tale exposes zamindar arrogance and the casual cruelty of privileged families toward servants. Tagore's sympathy lies with the child-like devotion of the boy Balai.
Summary
Balai serves in the zamindar's house, caring for garden, animals, and the boy he admires.
Balai serves in the zamindar's house, caring for garden, animals, and the boy he admires.
A guest admires fruit from a particular tree; the zamindar orders it cut down to please him.
A guest admires fruit from a particular tree; the zamindar orders it cut down to please him.
Balai begs to save the tree - it fed birds, shaded play, held his affection.
Balai begs to save the tree - it fed birds, shaded play, held his affection.
For speaking out of turn, he is struck and shamed before masters and guest.
For speaking out of turn, he is struck and shamed before masters and guest.
The guest receives "hospitality" built on violence to a child and destruction of life.
The guest receives "hospitality" built on violence to a child and destruction of life.
The story closes with readers judging a system that crushes tenderness to perform generosity.
The story closes with readers judging a system that crushes tenderness to perform generosity.
Hard words & meanings
| zamindar | wealthy rural landowner with tenant farmers |
| servant | person employed to serve in a household |
| hospitality | generous treatment of visitors - here hollow |
| humiliation | making someone feel disgraced before others |
| hypocrisy | pretending virtue while acting cruelly |
| indictment | strong criticism of wrongdoing - Tagore's story as social charge |
| privilege | benefits rich enjoy at others' expense |
| compassion | sympathetic concern - Balai's trait |
| whim | passing desire of guest that destroys tree |
Model exam answers, grammar & audio
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