Back to: Karnataka Board Class 8th Notes & Solutions
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Introduction
The story”A lesson for Nakul”revolves around an unhappy, gloomy and failed boy, Nakul, who always had a negative outlook towards the world and his life. He always looked at the darker side of the world. On the contrary, there is another boy in the story named Akash, who was always cheerful and brave in facing challenges of life. He was optimistic and wanted to spread joy in his own way.
The story begins with the students of class six coming out of their examination hall after completing their Mathematics paper. Akash asked Tarun how he had written the mathematics paper to which Tarun replied that it was difficult but he had answered all the questions. Nakul on the other side was quite stressed as he could not answer all the questions in his mathematics exam because he began with tough questions and left the easy ones to solve them at the last moment but unfortunately, he could not complete his paper. Akash consoled him saying it was not the final exam. He suggested Nakul to write faster the next time or set his watch ten minutes ahead so that he could solve all the problems.
Pessimism and Confusion
Nakul panics after realising that he had not even written his name or roll number on his answer paper. That night Akash woke up and found Nakul sitting on his bed and asked what was wrong with him. Nakul was worried thinking that he had forgotten to write his name or the roll number on his answer paper. Akash took him to their teacher Mr. Verghese and gets the doubt cleared. The teacher took out the answer papers, checked them and informed Nakul that he had written his name and roll number. He also said that there was no need for him to panic.
A few days later the boys were getting ready to celebrate the annual function day. Nakul was given an important role in a drama. Nakul was discouraged because he had to learn a number of lines. Akash promised to help him, and with Akash’s help Nakul learned all the lines. Nakul acted well in the drama and thanked Akash for his support.
The next day they went to a picnic. Nakul thought it was going to rain but Akash replied that it was going to be a fresh and sunny day. He further asked Nakul why he always looked at things with a negative attitude and advised him not to be a wet blanket all the times. Nakul was annoyed at his comment and left the place to join other friends.
In Celebration of being alive
Nakul was hiding behind some rocks,where he overheard his teachers talking about Akash. Mr. Verghese admired Akash because he was always cheerful despite his lame leg. The Games teacher agreed with him and said he liked Akash for his courage. Akash’s parents did not want to admit him into a boarding school and expose him to the difficulties of boarding school life. But, Akash had insisted that he would join the boarding school. The teachers thought that Akash with his cheerful attitude was a good example to the other students. This conversation made Nakul realise his mistake and appreciate Akash’s optimistic attitude. He recalled the instances when Akash had helped him. He understood that it was Akash’s cheerful and positive outlook was like a bracing tonic which influenced his own way of thinking. Nakul also admitted to himself that his constant grumbling must be irritating others. He decided to develop a positive outlook towards all things. He went and apologised to Akash for his rude behaviour. Nakul asked Akash how he remained cheerful despite his disability, which did not allow him to join others and play.
Akash confessed that he felt hurt at first but when his grandmother advised him that no one would weep with him if he was always sad, he would not be lonely if he was brave and happy, he would always find a silver lining and even if the day was grim and grey there would always be a brighter tomorrow with a fresh morning everyday.
In this way,Nakul realised his mistakes and learnt a lesson that a positive and cheerful attitude would definitely help him to lead a happy life and he should celebrate everyday in being alive.
