Atithi/Guest Workbook Answer: ISC Prism (Evergreen)

Tarapada meets Zamidar Motilal Babu
Tarapada, a young boy, not more than fifteen or sixteen, sought a lift in a boat to go to Nandigram. He was a fair-skinned boy very beautiful to look at. As Motilal Babu moored his boat near a riverside market, Tarapada made the request which was readily accepted by Motilal Babu and his wife Annapurna.
Tarapada’s sweet temperament and pleasing manners could not get n’ o’ from this couple, who offered him lunch also. He endeared himself with his readiness to help in any way they wished.

Tarapada invited to Motilal Babu Cabin
Motilal was attracted by the pleasant looks of Tarapada. Tarapada with his easy ways immediately joined in the cooking. He could be at ease with strangers of any age group of profession. Motilal’s wife Annapurna looked upon Tarapada as her son. After lunch Annapurna asked many searching questions to Tarapada about his family and his leaving home. He told her that he was the fourth child of his parents and had lost his father very early in life.

Tarapada’s wanderlust
Though Tarapada was an adorable boy, affectionate and intelligent, good at studies, his love for wandering and exploring life made him curious and restless. So he could not stick to one place. All efforts of his brother failed to rein in his hunger for wandering. After he had run away two or three times the family and the villagers gave up hope of him. He joined a jatra-troupe and won hearts of the group and the people, but soon he disappeared. In fact he was wary of ties as a young fawn and was like a deer in his love of music. This love of music impelled him to join a group of panchali Singers. But again he did not stay longer and joined a group of gymnasts. It was from this gymnastic group that he had escaped and was on his way to Nandigram when he happened to meet Motilal Babu.

Tarapada’s homeliness with the boat’s crew
Tarapada was ready to take up any job in helping the boatman or in steering the boat. He was actively involved in getting provisions and rowing the boat. Though his eyes and his fingers were very alert, yet he was indifferent and detached to the world around him.

Tarapada as a singer and flute player
One evening Motilal was reciting Ramayana when Tarapada came to him and told him that he could enact the story of Kush and Lav with songs on flute. His sweet voice mesmerised the boatman and the people passing by the boat. Annapurna felt like hugging him and Motilal Babu thought of adopting him as his son.

Charushashi jealous of Tarapada
Unlike her sweet-natured parents, Charushashi was a whimsical girl. She was wilful and obstinate and most unprediciable as regards her behaviour. At times she was amenable to anything when in good mood but threw tautantrums on flimsy grounds. When Tarapada was winning the hearts of Motilal and Annapurna with his talents of enacting the story of Lav and Kush, Charushashi felt jealous of Tarapada’s accomplishments. In order not to upset Charushashi, her parents preferred not to praise Tarapada in her presence. Nevertheless Tarapada was intrigued and amused by this black-eyed girl.

Zamidar’s arrival at his home
At last, Motilal, Annapurna, Charushashi alongwith Tarapada arrived at Kathaliya and settled at home. In no time did Tarapada become familiar with the neighbourhood and stole the hearts of the villagers. He was very natural and spontaneous in mixing with people of all age groups and classes. Only Charushashi did not come under his influence.

Tarapada’s contact with Charushashi and Sonamani
Charushashi’s friend Sonamani had not visited her for some time owing to her illness. When Sonamani came to Charushashi’s house, Charu was very eager to talk to Sonamani about Tarapada without knowing that Tarapada had already visited their house and was intimate with her family. This created jealousy in Charu’s mind. She would pick up quarrel with Sonamani over flimsy grounds. One day, anger overpowered her so much after a quarrel with Sonamani that she picked up Tarapada’s flute and smashed it badly. But this did not upset Tarapada who remained unperturbed. He rather engaged himself in studies more and more.

Charushashi’s endless tantrums
Charushashi insisted on learning literature from the same tutor as Tarapada did. But instead of being earnest, she would throw ink on Tarapada’s books and stationary. Even in this situation, Tarapada kept his poise. This created feelings of guilt in her mind. She wanted to seek Tarapada’s forgiveness, but she could not do so openly because of fear of hurting her pride and self-respect.

Parents think of marrying Charu to Tarapada
Charu’s parents thought that Tarapada could be suitable for their daughter. After making enquiries about Tarapada’s family ti was finally decided to arrange the marriage and solemnise it with great show. Everything was set in order, the provisions being brought, music arranged etc.

Tarapada disappears
When Tarapada’s parents arrived, Sonamani too came carrying sweets and pickles. But Tarapada was not to be seen. The thief of al hearts of the village could not be bound by love and emotional ties. He had returned to the free, unemotional arms of the mother Earth.