ICSE Total English Class 10 Solution : Chapter 15

Write a composition (300 – 350 words) on any one of the following: [20]
(i) Write an original or imaginative story which brings out the truth of the statement, ’A bird in the hand is worth two in the bush.’

Answer:- Antara was a bright and talented girl who loved Western music. Every day after school, she took lessons to perfect her singing, dreaming of becoming a famous singer. Her school’s Annual Day was approaching, and she was chosen to perform on stage—an opportunity she cherished.

One day, she saw an advertisement for a prestigious singing competition based on Indian classical music. The winner would get a chance to perform on a popular TV channel. Excited by the bigger prize, Antara decided to participate, even though Indian classical music was not her strength. Her friends and family warned her, “Focus on what you know. Don’t risk what you already have.” But Antara was stubborn.

She began practicing relentlessly—juggling Western music for the Annual Day and classical ragas for the competition. She stayed up late, straining her voice, determined to excel in both. Two days before the Annual Day, her throat burned, and her voice turned hoarse. The doctor said she had overworked her vocal cords and needed complete rest.

Heartbroken, Antara watched as another student took her place at the Annual Day. Worse, she couldn’t participate in the classical competition either. Her greed for more had cost her everything.

As she sat in silence, her grandmother gently said, “Beta, a bird in hand is worth two in the bush. You had a sure chance to shine, but you lost it chasing an uncertain dream.”

Tears filled Antara’s eyes as she realized the truth—sometimes, holding onto what we already have is wiser than risking it for something uncertain. From that day, she learned to value her opportunities and never let overambition blind her again.

Moral: It’s better to appreciate and secure what you have than to risk it for something greater but uncertain.

(II) ‘Our deeds determine us as much as we determine our deeds’. Narrate an incident to support this statement.

Answer:-I never understood how deeply actions shape character until the monsoon of 2018. That year, our school announced a community service program in a nearby slum. Reluctantly, I signed up – not out of compassion, but because college applications demanded “social work experience.”

On the first day, we were assigned to teach basic literacy to children. My group got eight-year-old Rohan, whose tattered notebook bore smudged alphabets. With disinterest, I half-heartedly guided his pencil through English letters, counting minutes until the session ended. But when Rohan suddenly grasped ‘B’ after fifteen attempts, his radiant smile struck me strangely.

The next morning, I found myself adding colorful stickers to my teaching materials. This small effort made Rohan clap with joy. His enthusiasm became infectious – I started arriving early to prepare simple word games. What began as forced obligation gradually turned into genuine investment. By the third week, I was spending pocket money to buy notebooks for all twelve children in our group.

The transformation became evident during final assessments. Rohan could now write his name and read simple sentences. But the real change was in me – the boy who had joined for selfish reasons now found himself applying for a permanent volunteer position. My initial artificial deeds of charity had, through repetition, reshaped my very nature.

When college interviews came, I spoke passionately about education inequality rather than reciting rehearsed answers. Surprisingly, this authenticity earned me a scholarship. The selection committee remarked they could “see the dedication in my eyes” – a dedication that hadn’t existed before those teaching sessions.

This experience proved how deeds and character exist in constant dialogue. My first actions were empty performances, but their continuation cultivated real compassion. That cultivated compassion then generated more meaningful actions. Just as a sculptor’s chisel shapes both the marble and the artist’s skill, our deeds simultaneously express and mold who we are.

Today, as I mentor new volunteers, I share this lesson: We become what we repeatedly do. Every action is both a product of our current self and a architect of our future being.

(III) ‘Competition destroys creativity.’ Express your views either for or against this statement.

Answer:- For the View: Creativity thrives in freedom—freedom to explore, experiment, and express without fear. However, competition imposes rigid expectations, turning art into a race and originality into conformity. While some argue that competition fuels innovation, the truth is that it often stifles true creativity by prioritizing winning over genuine expression.

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In conclusion, while competition may push people to polish their skills, it often does so at the cost of true innovation. Creativity cannot be rushed or ranked—it needs freedom, not rivalry. A world less obsessed with winning would likely see far more original and meaningful art.

Against the View: The notion that competition stifles creativity is fundamentally flawed. Rather than destroying innovation, healthy competition serves as a powerful catalyst that pushes individuals and organizations to think beyond conventional boundaries and unlock their creative potential.

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Rather than viewing competition as creativity’s enemy, we should recognize it as a crucible that purifies and strengthens innovative thinking. When properly structured with fair rules and meaningful rewards, competition doesn’t constrain imagination – it gives creativity purpose, direction, and the motivation to reach its fullest expression. The most creative societies throughout history have been those that embraced healthy competition while maintaining collaborative spirit.

(IV) Space travel is no longer a fantasy. It would not be long before we are able to visit other planets. Describe an imaginary account of your visit to another planet.

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(v) Study the picture given below. Write a story or a description or an account of what it suggests to you. Your composition may be about the subject of the picture or you may take suggestions from it; however, there must be a clear connection between the picture and your composition.

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