Class 9 CBSE English – My Childhood
NCERT Beehive | Prose – Chapter 6
Author: Dr. A.P.J. Abdul Kalam
1. Summary in Simple English
My Childhood is an autobiographical extract from the life of Dr. A.P.J. Abdul Kalam, the former President of India. In this chapter, he describes his childhood, family, friends, teachers and the values he learned while growing up in Rameswaram, Tamil Nadu.
Family Background
Abdul Kalam was born into a middle-class Tamil Muslim family in Rameswaram. His father's name was Jainulabdeen, and his mother's name was Ashiamma.
His father was not highly educated or wealthy, but he was wise, generous and had great inner strength. His mother was kind and loving. They used to feed many people every day.
Kalam had three brothers and one sister. He lived in his ancestral house on Mosque Street in Rameswaram.
Childhood Friends
Kalam had three close childhood friends:
Sivaprakasan
They belonged to orthodox Hindu Brahmin families, while Kalam was Muslim. Despite their different religious backgrounds, they lived and played together happily.
The Incident in School
One day, a new teacher noticed Kalam sitting in the front row beside Ramanadha Sastry, who wore a sacred thread.
The teacher could not accept a Muslim boy sitting beside a Hindu Brahmin boy. He ordered Kalam to move to the back bench.
This incident deeply hurt both boys. Ramanadha Sastry's father, Lakshmana Sastry, strongly criticised the teacher and asked him to correct his behaviour.
The Science Teacher
Kalam's science teacher was Sivasubramania Iyer. He was a Brahmin but believed strongly in breaking social barriers.
He invited Kalam to his home for a meal. His wife initially refused to serve Kalam because he was Muslim. However, Iyer served him himself and encouraged him to visit again.
Later, his wife changed her attitude and welcomed Kalam into her kitchen.
Kalam's First Earnings
During the Second World War, the demand for tamarind seeds increased. Kalam collected and sold them, earning one anna a day.
He also helped his cousin, Samsuddin, distribute newspapers. This was his first opportunity to earn money.
Message of the Chapter
The chapter teaches us about religious harmony, equality, kindness, hard work, simplicity and the importance of good teachers and parents.
2. Important Characters
Character | Role |
|---|---|
Jainulabdeen | Kalam's father |
Ashiamma | Kalam's mother |
Ramanadha Sastry | Kalam's childhood friend |
Aravindan | Kalam's childhood friend |
Sivaprakasan | Kalam's childhood friend |
Lakshmana Sastry | Ramanadha Sastry's father |
Sivasubramania Iyer | Kalam's science teacher |
Samsuddin | Kalam's cousin who distributed newspapers |
3. Important Word Meanings
Word | Meaning |
|---|---|
Ancestral | Belonging to one's ancestors |
Generous | Willing to give and help |
Orthodox | Following traditional beliefs |
Discrimination | Unfair treatment |
Segregation | Separation of people |
Erupted | Suddenly burst out |
Conviction | Strong belief |
Innate | Natural or inborn |
Solitude | Being alone |
Dignity | Respect and honour |
Profoundly | Deeply |
Essential | Very important |
4. Important Questions and Answers
Q1. Where was Abdul Kalam born?
Ans. Abdul Kalam was born in Rameswaram, an island town in Tamil Nadu.
Q2. What were the names of Kalam's parents?
Ans. His father's name was Jainulabdeen, and his mother's name was Ashiamma.
Q3. What was the occupation of Kalam's father?
Ans. His father owned a boat and arranged boats for pilgrims travelling between Rameswaram and Dhanushkodi.
Q4. Who were Kalam's three close friends?
Ans. Ramanadha Sastry, Aravindan and Sivaprakasan were his three close childhood friends.
Q5. Why did the new teacher ask Kalam to sit at the back?
Ans. The teacher could not accept a Muslim boy sitting beside a Hindu Brahmin boy wearing a sacred thread. So, he ordered Kalam to move to the back bench.
Q6. How did Lakshmana Sastry react to the teacher's behaviour?
Ans. He strongly criticised the teacher and asked him not to spread the poison of social inequality and religious discrimination among innocent children.
Q7. Who was Sivasubramania Iyer?
Ans. He was Kalam's science teacher who believed in breaking social and religious barriers.
Q8. How did Kalam earn his first wages?
Ans. He helped his cousin Samsuddin distribute newspapers during the Second World War and earned his first wages.
Q9. What values did Kalam learn from his parents?
Ans. He learned honesty, self-discipline, kindness, generosity and faith in God.
Q10. What is the main message of the chapter?
Ans. The chapter teaches religious harmony, equality, hard work, tolerance and respect for all people.
5. Important Exam Facts
Date of birth
15 October 1931
Birthplace
Rameswaram, Tamil Nadu
Father
Jainulabdeen
Mother
Ashiamma
Science teacher
Sivasubramania Iyer
First earning
One anna per day from tamarind seeds
Newspaper distributor
Samsuddin
6. Interactive MCQ Examination – 50 Questions
Your examination
Section A – Family and Childhood
1. Who is the author of 'My Childhood'?
2. Where was Abdul Kalam born?
3. When was Abdul Kalam born?
4. What was the name of Kalam's father?
5. What was the name of Kalam's mother?
6. What was Kalam's family background?
7. Where was Kalam's ancestral house located?
8. What was Kalam's father's main quality?
9. How many siblings did Kalam have?
10. What did Kalam's parents regularly do?
Section B – Friends and Social Equality
11. Who was Kalam's close childhood friend?
12. Who were Kalam's other two close friends?
13. What religion did Kalam's close friends belong to?
14. What did Ramanadha Sastry wear?
15. Why did the new teacher ask Kalam to move to the back bench?
16. Who was Ramanadha Sastry's father?
17. How did Lakshmana Sastry respond to the teacher?
18. What did Lakshmana Sastry want the teacher to do?
19. What does this incident highlight?
20. What was the relationship among the four boys?
Section C – Teachers and First Earnings
21. Who was Kalam's science teacher?
22. What did Sivasubramania Iyer believe in?
23. Why did Iyer invite Kalam to his house?
24. Who initially refused to serve Kalam in Iyer's house?
25. How did Iyer respond to his wife's refusal?
26. What happened when Kalam visited Iyer's house again?
27. What did Kalam collect and sell during the Second World War?
28. How much did Kalam earn by selling tamarind seeds?
29. Who was Samsuddin?
30. What work did Kalam do with Samsuddin?
Section D – Understanding and Values
31. What event increased the demand for tamarind seeds?
32. What was Kalam's first opportunity to earn money?
33. What does 'orthodox' mean?
34. What is religious harmony?
35. What did Kalam learn from his parents?
36. What did Kalam's childhood friends show?
37. What is the main theme of the chapter?
38. What does 'dignity' mean?
39. Which quality best describes Sivasubramania Iyer?
40. What is the overall lesson of Kalam's childhood?
Answer all questions to see your marks and correct answers.
7. Important Long-answer Questions for the Exam
Describe Kalam's family background and his childhood in Rameswaram.
How did Kalam's parents influence his personality?
Describe the incident involving the new teacher and Ramanadha Sastry.
How did Lakshmana Sastry protest against religious discrimination?
How did Sivasubramania Iyer try to break social barriers?
Describe how Kalam earned his first wages.
What message does the chapter give about religious harmony and equality?
Exam preparation tip: Learn the names of Kalam's parents, three childhood friends, science teacher and cousin. Pay special attention to the two important incidents involving the new teacher and Sivasubramania Iyer.
