Back to: Andhra Pradesh Board Class 10th English Guide and Notes
Table of Contents
Characters
- The author: Main protagonist who is a government official.
- Father: Old father of the author.
Introduction
The Journey is a tale that depicts the value of human relationships. It portrays the feelings that a father and his son have for each other. The son is all set to re-join work after a long break of six months that he took for his marriage. He finds his trunk very heavy to carry up the hilly road. Noticing this, the father takes up the task of doing this. While waiting at the bus stand, the father quietly asks the son if he has a pair of old shoes to spare. It is then that the son notices that the father has been walking barefoot all along. He gives his father money to buy a pair of new shoes, which the latter politely refuses and insists on having only old shoes. Finally, the son hands over his hunting shoes to his dad. After this, both of them begin the journeys of their lives in opposite directions.
Summary
The author didn’t want to leave the village
In this story “The Journey” the author is sharing his experience he had with his father during the walk from his house to bus stop. The author was a government official. He came to his village to get married. His parents had arranged his marriage, according to the customs of their tribal society. After spending six months at home, he was about to return to his workplace. But he didn’t want to leave his new wed-wife behind. He also considered extending his leave. But his responsibilities pushed him to leave.
As there is hilly terrain with no motorable roads, the author always prefers to carry less luggage. Now his problem was that he needed someone to carry his luggage because his upbringing had made him avoid physical labour. As most of the villagers were busy in the fields, he couldn’t even find one who could help him carry the trunk to the bus stop. Eventually, the writer’s father told him he would see him in Dirang. He didn’t want to allow his old father to carry his trunk. But his father decided to take the trunk to the bus stop.
The father carries the luggage of his son
On the day of his departure, a large crowd gathered to wish him good luck and the author left for Dirang at 10:20 am. His father had already gone and he had to walk fast to catch up with his father. He was very tired when he found his father. He sat down on a rock to rest for a while. His father drank all the wine he had given him and resumed carrying the luggage on his back. The author followed his father. Neither of them spoke a word like they were strangers.
The author knew that his father had provided for his education. But he believed that it was thanks to him that his parents had won the admiration and respect of the villagers. He knew he was physically useless despite his youth and strength. He concluded that it was better to let his father carry the luggage and follow him in silence. After resting in two places for tiffin, they finally reached Dirang. They entered a tea shop and began to sip tea. His father asked him if he had a pair of old shoes. Then the author looked at his father’s bare feet and noticed that they were full of cracks.
The author departs
He noticed it for the first time. He offered his father money but he refused to take it. Instead, he wanted the author’s old pair. So the author gave him the hunting boots he was wearing. His father was filled with satisfaction when he saw the author take his pair of leather shoes out of the trunk. His father wanted to tell him something but the bus started to move. Eventually, the author realized that their two ways were different – his way was luxurious while his fathers was difficult.
Conclusion
A father-son relationship is a beautiful and blessed one. From the birth of a son, the father plays an essential role in moulding his life. He constantly shares valuable lessons with his son and guides him in the right direction. He becomes his friend, guide, teacher, and best companion throughout his son’s childhood.
