2nd PUC The Gardener English Notes Question Answer

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7. The Gardener

P. lankesh

Comprehension I (TEXT BOOK)

1. What qualities of the old man impressed the narratorc

The narrator was impressed with the old man’s physique. He was tall, with grayish hair, a long beak-like nose and strong muscular arms. His eyes were suffused with strange memories and native Intelligence.

2. Is it a significant factor that the old man came to the garden after walking hundreds of miles?

Yes. The narrator learns from the old man that he had come to that garden after he had walked hundreds of miles. This fact becomes significant because, when he left his place, his intention was to die but once he came there the coconut grove and the place probably convinced him that he could live there comfortably. Moreover, before reaching this place he may have received the news of Basavaiah’s death and must have realized that life or death had no meaning for him. This transformation in his mindset may have prompted him to settle there.

3. The owner of the garden became lethargic because

Ans : (c) there was nothing much left for the owner to do.

4. Why did the owner’s wife stort worrying about the strange ways of her husband?

The owner of the coconut plantation was quite normal. He was working hard to bring about improvement in his earnings. Probably he had little expertise in managing agricultural workers Therefore, he was looking for someone who would help him. That is why the moment he spoke to the old man (Tammanna) he felt that he had got the kind of man he wanted. His expectations proved right and the old man helped him in every way and solved all his problems, which eventually resulted in an increase in his income. Once his worries disappeared and he had hardly any work to engage himself in, his personal attention went towards acquiring property and social prestige. It is quite natural that with social prestige also follow certain vices among which adultery was one. Adultery affects any woman. All along, her husband had been faithful to her and once his wife came to know that he was spending his money and time with other women, she got seriously worried. She found it hard to decide whether the arrival of the old man had done good or bad to her husband.

5. When did the old man decide to narrate his story?

The old man, who had settled there in the coconut plantation for good, had watched the activities of the owner. Initially, the owner used to show interest in improving his plantation. Once the old man had solved all the problems, the owner had plenty of leisure and he became lary. Secondly, he had more money which led him to expand his plantation. Then he had turned his gaze towards acquiring property and social prestige. Then he cultivated certain vices among which adultery was one One day, he saw the owner’s wife on the plantation. He saw her looking worried. He guessed that her husband’s activities had given her worries. Therefore, when he saw her on the plantation, he thought he should narrate his own story and try to caution her about her husband. He understood the way we face ups and down in our life. By doing so, he probably believed that she might be able to convince her husband about his mistakes and set his life right.

6. Tammanna considers his rival, Sangoji/Basavalah, an important possession because

Ans : (c) rivalry offers new possibilities in life for him.

7. “No, his name was not Sangoji, but Basavalah” said the old man because

Ans : (c) he was fictionalizing his past.

8. What unique strategy did Tammanna conceive to annihilate Basavalah?

When Tammanna came to know that Basavalah had forcibly acquired two hundred acres of his land, he could not tolerate this invasion. Though his supporters explained to him all the means available to him, he was not satisfied with them because he knew that sooner or later Basavalah would again try to outdo him by hook or by crook. Tammanna did not want Basavalah to trouble him again. So, he hit on a unique plan. He took recourse to singing ballads and telling the people through them about the cruelty and the meanness of Basavajah. This way he thought he could annihilate him completely.

9. Why does Basavalah start inviting scholars and musicians to his place?

OR

How did Basavalah try to overcome his humiliation?

Once Tammanna started making a mention of Basavalah’s cruelty and meanness in his songs, Tammanna became very popular among scholars of folklore and critics. Basavalah watched all this in humiliation. Basavaiah tried to redress his humiliation by acquiring material wealth. He bedecked himself with gold, diamonds and other precious stones, and started living in a palatial mansion.

But the visitors to his house told him that his house looked dull and empty because Tammanna’s bricks were not there. Basavalah thought of Investing his home with meaning by inviting scholars, poeta a musicians to his place.

10. What was Basavalah’s ray of hope in his attempts to outwit Tammanna?

When Basavalah failed in all his attempts to outwit Tammanna he came to know that Tammatta had fallen ill. This news cheered up Basavalah’s spirits. This gave him a ray of hope that by keng himself healthy he could outwit Tammanna who was ill. Tammanna’s disease became Basavatar’s becameBasavalah’s health.

11. Tammanna decides to give up everything and leave the place because

Ans : (b) he wants to create an impression that he is dead.

12. Tammanna forgets his songs and ballads because

Ans : (b) he doesn’t need them anymore.

Comprehension II (TEXT BOOK)

1. How did the owner’s lifestyle change after the arrival of the old man?

OR

“The old man’s stay on the farm led to many changes in the owner’s lifestyle.” Illustrate with details from the short story to support this statement.

OR

Trace the changes in the life of the plantation owner after the arrival of the old man de ‘The Gardener’,

The owner had been working hard to improve his plantation, but there were many problems that he had not been able to solve. However, when the old man met him, he came to know that the old man was well-versed in agriculture and had native intelligence. Therefore, be appointed him immediately His expectations proved right. The old man proved his worth in solving all the problems. Consequently the income from the garden improved dramatically. This caused a perceptible change in the lifestyle of the owner. He expanded his plantation. However, he became lethargic and shied away from hand work. His wealth and social prestige also increased. He acquired a number of friends in the next tows as well as in his own village. Even though he had precious little to do, his life became crowded wit colourful events. He cultivated umpteen vices including adultery

2. What advice did the supporters of Tammanna give for getting back his land?

When Basavaiah acquired Tammanna’s two hundred acres fuecibly, Tammanna could put tolerate this invasion. Tammanna’s supporters advised him about the various methods available kar getting back his land. They told him that he could go to a court of lave He could also take recourse to the police. If he did not want to do either there were any number of persons ready to attack Basa and use force and violence to wrest his land from him.

3. How did Tammanna react to lasavalah’s encroachment on his land?

When Tammanna came to know that Basavalah had forcibly taken away two hundred acres of his land, he could not tolerate this invasion. When his supporters advised him to either go to the court or seek the help of the police or ask some persons to attack Basavalah and take back his land forcibly Tammanna hit on a unique idea, of annihilating Basavalah. He thought of getting all his experiences composed in the form of ballads and telling the people through them about the cruelty and the mess of Basavaiah.

4. How did Basavajah try to overcome his humiliation?

When Tammanna started singing ballads through which he told the people about lasavalal’s cruelty and his meanness, he became very popular. Many scholars of folklore and literary critics translated his songs and earned their share of the fame. All this made Basavalah shrink in humillation However, he tried to redress his humiliation by acquiring more material wealth and luxuries. He got a palatial mansion built for himself. He appointed a number of persons just to praise him. He bedecked himself with gold, diamonds and other precious stones. He even started inviting scholars, poets and musicians to his place with the intention of investing his home with meaning.

Comprehension III (TEXT BOOK)

1. The rivalry between Tammannu and Basavalah keeps moving from the visible domain to the invisible. Comment.

For answer refer Q.No. 7.26.

2. How does Tammanna adopt a counter-strategy to challenge the material wealth of Basavalah?

When Tammanna came to know that the rivalry between him and Basavalah had reached a peak and that two hundred acres of his land had been forcibly taken away from him and had been even fenced up. Tammanna hit on a plan of annihilating Basavalah completely. He got all his bitter experiences with Basavalah composed in the form of ballads and started singing them before the people, announcing to everyone Basavaiah’s cruelty and his meanness. This way his reputation as an artist started spreading fast and critics and scholars of folklore thronged him and translated his songs.

3. Tammanna turns reflective in the course of his life. What does this tell us about human nature?

The Gardener is the story of Tammanna, an old man, now employed in a coconut plantation. Though the story is initially narrated by the author, Tammanna himself becomes the narrator later. Tammanna is the protagonist in the story and he tells the story of the rivalry between two farmers Tammanna and Basavalah. Though Tammanna is one of the characters in the story, the narrator does not disclose his identity till the end. The second narrator tells us that Tammanna was a farmer, had ten acres of land, a comfortable house and people too ready to carry out his orders. Then he tells us about his rival Basavalah. We learn from the narrator that Tammanna did not perceive Basavalah as his rival initially. Tammanna led a normal life and became prosperous gradually and came to possess 1000 acres of land. Until some point whatever Basavalah did to keep himself on par with Tammanna was seen as healthy competition.

But, one day, Basavaiah asks Tammanna to sell him his two hundred acres of land and Tammanna refuses. Basavaiah takes the land forcibly. Though there were various options available for getting bis land back, Tammanna searches for a method that could annihilate Basavalah completely. Instead of proving might is right or seeking justice from the court of law, Tammanna uses a different strategy He composes and sings ballads about Basavalah’s meanness and cruelty. Very soon Tammanna becomes very popular and Basavaiah has no answer to his brainy ideas. Secondly, Tammanna having found meaningful engagement in ‘art’ forgets Basavaiah’s bad deeds. Just when Basavaiah is contemplating what to do next to spite Tammanna, he comes to know that. Tammanna is ill. Basavaiah is pleased with the news. But their rivalry does not end there. Tammanna decides to outbeat him by manipulating the situation itself. He gives up everything and goes away to Chennarayapatna to spread the news that Tammanna is dead. Later Basavaiah dies a natural death. When Tammanna comes to know about his death, he becomes reflective. Though there is no cause-effect relationship between the rumour of Tammanna’s death and Basavalah’s real death, Tammanna is shaken out of his senses. Until then both Basavaiah and Tammanna indulged in rivalry to satisfy their ego. With the death of Basavajah, Tammanna loses his identity and he becomes a non-entity. This makes Tammanna reflect on human nature and comes to the conclusion that man needs some issue to fight for or cling on th. in this game.

when the loser dies it is natural for the winner to feel guilty. He suffers from a sense of guilt that he was responsible for Basavalah’s death. Naturally, when Tammanna is accused by his own conscience he becomes reflective. When one becomes reflective, one tends to review one’s own actions objectively We do not normally attach emotions to our thinking and then we discover what went wrong and where. Here, both Tammanna and Basavatah have not done anything “bad” intentionally. They only fought imaginary battles and lived in a dream world of their own. Man is mortal and all the glory that man believes to enjoy is created by our mind. Man is a dreamer and lives in a dream world of his own Since man’s life has its own limitations, man’s dreams and reality rarely go in unison. When reality overtakes man, the man comes to realize that he is only a puppet in the scheme of things and man is in reality ‘nothing, but builds up his own image to boost his confidence so that life becomes meaningful as long as he is alive.

4. How does the reference to Russia and America provide another dimension to the story?

The Gardener presents the story of two farmers who get actively involved in rivalry and each one tries to overtake the other in earnings, wealth and social prestige. But, at one point, Basavalah takes recourse to force and forcibly occupies a part of Tammanna’s land holdings. Until now both of them had tried to upstage the other using tangible means. But now Tammanna realizes the limitations of muscle power and so uses his ‘intellect’ to unleash a strategy by which he wishes to annihilate Basavatah completely. He gets all his bitter experiences with Basavalah composed in the form of ballads and songs and sings them in public. Thus, Tammanna tries to give a fitting reply to Basavalah’s use of physical force and so their fight takes a psychological dimension. Basavalah falla to match up to the manipulatory tactics of Tammanna and shrinks in humiliation.

However, he tries to console his wounded pride by indulging in luxurious living. No matter what he does, he does not succeed in upstaging Tammanna. It is at this stage higher forces play their own role. Tammanna fala ill and Basavaiah enjoys psychologically telling himself that Tammanna’s disease is Basavaiah’s health This way, Basavalah gets the satisfaction of finding a reason to keep himself happy So, here the story has now passed from the physical dimension to the psychological dimension. At this stage, Tammanna comes out with another plan. He plans to use something beyond man’s life. Tammanna thinks that as long as Basavaiah knows that he is alive, Basavajah will continue to take him as his rival. So, Tammanna hits on an idea that works at a level higher than the physial and psychological level. His plan is to beat Basavalah on another plane, which is beyond man’s limita He knows for sure that if Basavalah comes to think that Tammanna is dead, Basavalah will stop treating him as his rival. Tammanna goes away to Chennarayapatna and spreads the news that Tammanna is dead. It is a sheer coincidence that Basavalah dies a natural death. But Tammanna comes to fee guilty that he was the cause of his death. This incident brings him back to his senses and he reflets on his life. Now, after the death of Dasavalah, Tammanna has become a non-entity When he reflects on their mutual game plans, Tammanna realizes that man invents several reasons to make his l meaningful. He also realizes that man can go on indulging in whims and fancies until a certain age only Later, when the man comes to confront reality, he comes to see the truth. Then he becomes spiritual That is when man realizes his limitations. Thus, we see the plot taking several dimensions from physial to psychological and then to spiritual.

But this story also takes another dimension. Earlier, stories that used to focus on man’s vice like cruelty, meanness, greed, jealousy, rivalry, etc, used to be portrayed on a smaller canvas and the stories used to be confined to people living in towns, cities and kingdoms. We are now in a post-moden society and the common man is now being influenced by global forces. In traditional societies, soluticel to man’s mundane, existential problems used to be found locally. A king or a Lord or a chieftain ora zamindar used to dispense justice. But this story is situated in a post-modern society.

When Basavalah acquires Tammanna’s land forcibly, Tammanna’s followers offer three solutions – seek the help of the police, seek a legal solution, or take recourse to use muscle power The three strategies suggested by Tammanna’s followers saturate this story in the post-modern scenario.

Their thinking exhibits a modern world where police, law court and mafia exist. Even at the national and international levels, big countries like Russia and America follow such strategies.

The fact that Tanimanna makes a reference to Russia and America, is only a hint by the author that the problems of ‘man’ in modern society cannot be confined to the war between ‘virtues and vices of the yesteryears but man’s problems are complex and are reflected at the global level also.

Similarly, when Tammanna makes a reference to Russia’s declaration to America that America is not their enemy and she will not wage a war against America, it is only a strategy by the writer to suggest that Tammanna and Basavaiah belong to a post-modern society One can also infer that a literary artist in the modern world cannot be blind to man’s problems in general and try to suggest solutions at the local level. Man’s problems are deep-rooted and have implications at different levels. Man’s problems go beyond a nation and though problems of human society are the same, they assume different dimensions as human society becomes more and more complex every day.

5. Observe how the story employs multiple narratives. How does this technique unveil the mystery of human relationships?

In the short story The Gardener by P. Lankesh, there is a story within a story and there are two narrators.

In the first story, the author in the persona of the first person narrator introduces the protagonist Tammanna and the story of the owner of the coconut plantation. Then, the first narrator makes way for the second narrator to take over Interestingly, in the story, the narrator is the protagonist and tells his own story to the second owner’s wife. However, the narrator employs third-person nartative style and distances himself from the story. Thus The Gardener is an example of the use of multiple narratives. Tammanna is the protagonist in both stories.

In the first story, we learn how Tammanna uses his own biography to indirectly give a message to the owner’s wife. He gives to the lady his own perspective of human life and experience. The author has used this technique of multiple narrative to reveal the mystery of human relationships.

In his own life, Tammanna has learned lessons of being proactive in a rivalry with Basavalah bey phy st refe re eha spir pl He plays his game with Basavajah, only until he dies. Basavatah’s death comes as a revelation to him about human nature. Only then does he theorise saying ‘man does not live with the intention of acquiring wealth, or education or art but for some kind of unbearable vengefulness Until then, both Basavalah and Tammanna showed a keen interest in fighting and a zest for life. But once Basavalah dies, Tammanna loses all enthusiasm for life. He says he is a non-entity now. Now he has become philosophical. Therefore, when he finds the owner of the coconut plantation cultivating all kinds of vices and the lady getting desperate about her husband, the ‘guilt about Basavaiah’s death that was pricking his conscience gets transformed into a virtue or a positive force and that motivates him to tell his own story objectively to the owner’s wife.

Had not the author used multiple narrative structure, Tammanna’s story could not have come out as a story to educate the owner’s wife. Thus, the multiple narrative structure is able to unveil the mystery of human relationships.

ADDITIONAL QUESTIONS:

I. Answer the following questions in a paragraph of 80-100 words each:

1. Why does Tammanna feel that human nature can be strange?

OR

‘Man goes on living for some revenge’. How is this presented in ‘The Gardener’?

One afternoon, Tammanna finds the owner’s wife coming towards the coconut grove. She looked worried and anxious. However, Tammanna knew why she looked so. Then, he narrates the story of Tammanna and Basavalah and finally confesses that he was Tamnsanna, Basavaiah’s rival, and how he had given up all his property and come to Chennarayapatna. Before telling her that Basavalah had died, Tammanna tells her he had come to realize that human nature is very strange. He offers an explanation of wity he thinks so. According to Tammanna, though man needs wealth, educaties sod many more things, they do not give him a compelling reason to live. In his opinion Man lives for so kind of unbearable vengefulness. He arrives at this inferente based on his own experience st As long as he was staying in his volage, Basrvalah had considered him his rival and had gone on trying to outbeat him in wealth, health, art and so on. The very fact that there was a rival to him and he had strive to compete with him in every aspect, gave him sufficient reason to live. It is here that one fin human nature strange. All through his life, though man struggles to earn wealth, education, food he does not find real happiness in these things llut he derives a kind of pleasure when he finds the there is someone competing with him in these areas. Though it is the making of his own Imung yet he finds pleasure in accepting his imaginary rival as real and fighting to outbeat him. This he him the real reason for his existence.

Having come away from Basavalah, to punish him realizes that human nature is very strange. After the death of flasavajah, he realises that he had become with the news of his death, Taroun a non-entity and had lost his name and fame. He tells his own story along with the truth that the ba realized, only to convince the owner’s wife that she needs to mend her husband.

2. What nieasures did Tammanna ndopt to humiliate Baxavaiah? Explain.

OR

Give an account of the strategies used by Tammanna to destroy Basavaiah in ‘The Gandeser’,

When Tammanna came to know that the rivalry between him and lasavalah had reaches peak and that two hundred acres of his land had been forcibly taken away from him and had been even fenced up, Tammanna hit on a plan of annihilating Basavalah completehs. He got all his bim experiences with Basavalah composed in the form of ballads and started singing them before the people, announcing to everyone Basavalah’s cruelty and his meanness. This way his reputatios a artist started spreading fast and critics and scholars of folklore thronged him and translated his song As days rolled by, Tammanna’s popularity increased, and Basavalah began to shrink in humilia Basavalah tried to undo the damage to his self-esteem by showing more interest in acquiring al kinds of material wealth. He got a palatial manzion built for himself. Then he bedecked himself w gold, diamonds, and other precious stones. Then he started inviting scholars, poets and musicians t his place and tried to invest his home with meaning, However, one day Tammanna suddenly took This news cheered up Basavalah’s spirits. Tammanna’s disease became Basavaiah’s health. Tamm thought of yet another method of punishing Basavalalt. Tammanna thought Basavalah could no longe compete with him if he came to know that Tammanna had died. Therefore, Tammanna avengi himself by leaving his town, abandoning all his property and walking away hundreds of milks When Basavalah came to know that Tammanna was not there in the village, he had no more rea to live and he passed away.

3. Why did the plantation owner’s wife find it hard to decide whether the old man’s arri was for the better or for the worse?

Before the arrival of the old man, the owner had only ten acres of land. Though the ow himself was in charge of the work on the plantation, there used to be petty thefts and he could sa prevent them. Secondly, he was very busy and hard-working and hardly had any time to spend wit his friends. So, he had hardly any friends at all.

Once the old man was appointed as an overseer on the farm, the old man being well-versed in agriculture, understood the problems of the workers and solved all the problems. His efficient supervis resulted in a dramatic increase in the earnings of the farm. Consequently, the owner expanded his farm became lethargic and shied away from hard work, leaving the plantation in charge of the old man.

Furthermore, the owner’s wealth and social prestige also increased. Along with that, he acqu a number of friends in the next town as well as in his own village. Even though he had precious little do, his life became crowded with colourful events. He also cultivated umpteen vices including adultery These changes in her husband’s lifestyle made the wife wonder whether the old man’s arrival was for the better or for the worse.

4. How did the rivalry between Tammanna and Basavaiah move towards an invisible, abstract domain?

OR

Trace the course of the rivalry between Tammanna and Basavaiah that moved from a visible domain to an abstract domain.

OR

Give an account of the strategies used by Tammanna to destroy Basavalah.

OR

Trace the rivalry between Tammanna and Basavalah.

OR

The rivalry between Tammanna and Basavaiah started moving from the visible to the Invisible domain. Explain.

Explain the methods adopted by Tammanna to humiliate Basavalah.

OR

Explain how the healthy competition between Tammanna and Basavaiah turned into rivalry.

In the beginning, there appeared to be healthy competition between Tammanna and Basavalah. Tammanna did not take Basavaiah as his rival at all. Therefore, when Basavaiah acquired fifteen admirers to outdo Tammanna’s ten friends, it did not come to Tammanna’s notice at all. Tammanna did whatever he wanted without bothering about Basavalah. But Basavalah did not keep quiet. When he came to know that Tammanna possessed one thousand acres of land, and he had only eight hundred, he could not tolerate this. He sent word to Tammanna asking him to sell two hundred acres to him. Tammanna did not agree. On the contrary, he offered to buy all the land that belonged to Basavaiah. Therefore, Basavalah went along with his people and acquired two hundred acres of Tammanna’s land forcibly and got a fence built around it. Tammanna could not tolerate this invasion. Later, when his supporters suggested to him that he could go to the court of law or the police or use his own people to attack him and forcibly wrest his land from him, Tammanna did not accept their suggestion. Tammanna probably thought that competing with Basavajah by physical means has no end to it because it depends on who is able to muster more muscle power. Muscle power has its own limitations. Secondly, muscle power needs the involvement of many more people apart from Tammanna.

Moreover, as long as both of them were fighting by visible means people will not know who was trying to compete with whom. Until then, Basavaiah was the first one to show the people he had more land, more friends, more wealth, etc. Tammanna never did anything to spite Basavalalı. Whatever Tammanna did, was on his natural inclination and not to spite Basavaiah. Therefore, Tammanna realized the limitations of competing with Basavalah by physical means. That is why he thought of putting an end to the unhealthy rivalry of Basavalah by taking recourse to something invisible. He took recourse to singing ballads and telling the people through them about the cruelty and the meanness of Basavalah.

5. How did Basavalah try to surpass Tammanna? Why wasn’t he successful?

OR

How did Basavalah try to surpass his rival in The Gardener?

OR

How did Basavaiah react to Tammanna’s popularity?

OR

How did Basavalah start filling his life with all kinds of material wealth?

When Tammanna came to know that the rivalry between him and Basavalah had reached a peak and that two hundred acres of his land had been forcibly taken away from him and had been even fenced up, Tammanna hit on a plan of annihilating Basavaiah completely. He got all his bitter experiences with Basavalah composed in the form of hallads and started singing them before De people, announcing to everyone Baxavalah’s cruelty and his meanners. This way his reputation artist started spreading fast anal critics and scholars of folklore thronged him and translated his songs Hasavatali tried to surpass Tammanna’s fame by filling his life with all kinds of material wealth Hegit to praise him and himself with gold, diamonds and other precious stones. llut he was not successful. We can conclade khechise the dors to his house told him that without lasavalah’s books his house looked dulland empty.

6. How does Tummonna tuke revenge on Basavolah through invisible means?

OR

Explain the invisible means by which Tammanna decided to destroy Basavalah

OR

What Invisible means did Tammanna use to annihilate Basavoiah completely? Explain.

When his supporters advised him to either go to the court or seek the help of the police or ask some persons to attack Basavalah and take hack his land forcibly, Tammanna hit upon a unique idea of annihilating Basavatah through Invisible means. He thought of getting all his experiences composed in the form of ballads and singing them before the public. When Tammanna started singing ballads through which he told the people about Basavaiah’s cruelty and his meanness, he became very popular Many scholars of folklore and literary critics translated his songs and earned their share of fame All this made Basavalah shrink in shame. This way, Tammanna took revenge on Basavalah through Invisible meaNA

7. How did Tammanna and Basavalah manage their rivalry in the beginning in The Gardener?

In the beginning, there appeared to be healthy competition between Tammanna and Basavalah Tammanna did not take Basavalah as his rival at all. Therefore, when Basavaiah acquired fifteen admirers to outdo Tammanna’s ten friends, it did not come to Tammanna’s notice at all. Tammanna did whatever he wanted without bothering about lasavalah. But Basavalah did not keep quiet. When he cane to know that Tammanna possessed one thousand acres of land, and he had only eight hundred, he could not tolerate this. He sent word to Tammanna asking him to sell two hundred acres to him. Tammanna did not agree. On the contrary, he offered to buy all the land that belonged to Basavalah. Therefore, Basavajah went along with his people and acquired two hundred acres of Tammanna’s land forcibly and got a fence built around it. Tammanna could not tolerate this invasion. Later, when his supporter suggested to him that he could go to the court of law or the police or use his own people to attack him and forcibly wrest his land from him, Tammanna did not accept their suggestion. Tammanna realized the limitations of competing with Basavalah by physical means. That is why he thought of putting an end to the unhealthy rivalry of Basavalah by taking recourse to something invisible.

8. What did Basavalah do to invest his home with meaning in The Gardener? Explain.

As Tammanna’s popularity increased, Basavalah began to shrink in humiliation. Basavalah tried to undo the damage to his self-esteem by showing more interest in acquiring all kinds of material wealth. He got a palatial mansion built for himself. He appointed a number of persons just to praise him. Then he bedecked himself with gold, diamonds, and other precious stones. Then he started inviting scholars, poets and musicians to his place and tried to invest his home with meaning.

9. Describe the circumstances that led Tammanna to become a non-entity in ‘The Gardener’

Tammanna is the protagonist in the story and he tells the story of the rivalry between himself and Basavalah. Tammanna was a farmor, had ten acres of land, a comfortable house and people too ready to carry out his orders. Besides, he also had a rival. It was Basavalah. Tammanna did not perceive Basavaiah as his rival initially. Tammanna led a normal life and became prosperous gradually and came to possess 1000 acres of land. Until some point whatever Basavalah did to keep himself on par with Tammanna was seen as healthy competition.

But, one day, Basavaiah asks Tammanna to sell him two hundred acres of his land and Tammanna refuses. Basavajah takes the land forcibly Though there were various options available for getting his land back. Tammanna searches for a method that could annihilate Basavaiah completely. Instead of proving might is right or seeking justice from the court of law, Tammanna uses a different strategy He composes and sings ballads about Basavajah’s meanness and cruelty: Very soon Tammanna becomes very popular and Basavaiah has no answer to his brainy ideas, Just when Basavaiah is contemplating what to do next to spite Tammanna, he comes to know that Tammanna is ill. Basavalah is pleased with the news. But their rivalry does not end there. Tammanna decides to outbeat him by manipulating the situation itself. He gives up everything and goes away to Chennarayapatna so as to spread the news that Tammanna is dead. Later Basavaiah dies a natural death. Though there is no cause-effect relationship between the rumour of Tammanna’s death and Basavaiah’s real death, Tammanna is shaken out of his senses. With the death of Basavalah, Tammanna loses his identity and becomes a non-entity.

10. What circumstances led to the unhappiness of the owner’s wife in The Gardener?

The owner of the coconut plantation was quite a normal person. He was working hard to bring about improvement in his earnings. Probably he had little expertise in managing agricultural workers. Therefore, he was looking for someone who would help him. That is why the moment he spoke to the old man (Tammanna) he felt that he had got the kind of man he wanted. His expectations proved right. and the old man helped him in every way and solved all his problems, which eventually resulted in increasing his income. Once his worries disappeared and he had hardly any work to engage himself in, his personal attention went towards acquiring property and social prestige. It is quite natural that with social prestige follow certain vices among which adultery was one. Adultery affects any woman. All along, her husband had been faithful to her and once his wife came to know that he was spending his money and time with other women, she got seriously worried and was very unhappy. She found it hard to decide whether the arrival of the old man had done good or bad to her husband.

11. Describe the old man, when the writer met him for the first time.

The writer had a chance encounter with the old man who was standing in a coconut grove near Chennarayapatna. The old man had come to the grove after walking hundreds of miles. The writer was impressed with the old man’s physique. He was tall, with greyish hair, a long beak-like nose, and strong muscular arms. His eyes were suffused with strange memories and native intelligence. He was a labourer, overseer, and philosopher, all rolled into one. He was well-versed in agriculture and could understand the problems of workers.

II. Answer the following questions in about 200 words each:

1. How did Tammanna and Basavajah try to outdo each other?

OR

Describe the rivalry between Tammanna and Basuvaiah.

OR

How did Tammanna avenge himself?

OR

How does Tammanna successfully outsmart his rival Basavalah?

In the beginning, there appeared to be healthy competition between Tammanna and Basavasah. Tammanna did not take Basavalah as his rival at all. Therefore, when Basavalah acquired fifteen admirers to outdo Tammanna’s ten friends, it did not come to Tammanna’s notice at all. Tammanna did whatever he wanted without bothering about Basavaiah. But Basavalah did not keep quiet. When he came to know that Tammanna possessed one thousand acres of land, and he had only eight hundred he could not tolerate this He sent word to Tammanna asking him to sell his two hundred acres to him.

Tammanna did not agree. On the contrary, he offered to buy all the land that belonged to Basavaiah Therefore, Basavalah went along with his people and acquired two hundred acres of Tammanna’s lazd forcibly and got a fence built around it. Tammanna could not tolerate this invasion. Later, when his supporters suggested to him that he could go to the court of law or the police or use his own people to attack him and forcibly wrest his land from him, Tammanna did not accept their suggestion.

Moreover, as long as both of them were fighting by visible means people will not know whe was trying to compete with whom. Until then, Basavalah was the first one to show the people he had more land, more friends, more wealth, etc. Tammanna never did anything to spite Basavalah. Whatever Tammanna did, was on his natural inclination and not to spite Basavajal. Therefore, Tammanna realized the limitations of competing with Basavalah by physical means. That is why he thought of putting an end to the unhealthy rivalry of Basavalah by taking recourse to something invisible. He took recourse to singing ballads and telling the people through them about the cruelty and the meanness of Basavalah.

As days rolled by Tammanna’s popularity increased, and Basavalah began to shrink in humiliation. Basavaiah tried to undo the damage to his self-esteem by showing more interest in acquiring all kinds of material wealth. He got a palatial mansion built for himself. Then he bedecked himself with gold, diamonds, and other precious stones. Then he started inviting scholars, poets and musicians to his place and tried to invest his home with meaning.

However, one day Tammanna suddenly took ill. This news cheered up Basavalah’s spirits Tammanna’s disease became Basavalali’s health. Tammanna thought of yet another method of punishing Basavalah. Tammanna thought Basavalah could no longer compete with him if he came to know that Tammanna had died. Therefore, Tammanna avenged himself by leaving his town, abandoning all his property and walking away hundreds of miles. When Basavajali came to know that Tammanna was not there in the village, he had no more reason to live and he passed away.

2. Without vengefulness, there would be no reason for man’s existence. How does “The Gardener bring this out?

Tammanna did not take Basavalah as a rival at all. But, Basavalah took him as his rival seriously and tried to outdo Tammauna in everything. Therefore, when Tammanna bought four more acres adjacent to his land, Basavalah also did the same. If Tammanna had ten friends, Basavalah would acquire fifteen admirers. Gradually, it rose to such a pitch that there was no land left in the village for them to buy. All land belonged to either Tammanna or Basavalah. Tammanna owned one thousand acres and Basavalah eight hundred. Basavalah could not tolerate this. He sent word to Tammanna asking him to sell two hundred acres. Tammanna did not agree. He was prepared to buy all the land that belonged to Basavaiah. Basavajah went mad with rage. He went along with his people and acquired two hundred acres of Tammanna’s land forcibly. A fence was built around that land. Tammanna could not tolerate this invasion. Though his supporters explained to him all the means available to him, he was not satisfied with them because he knew that sooner or later Basavajah would again try to outdo him by hook or by crook. Tammanna did not want Basavalah to trouble him again.

As days rolled by, Tammanna’s popularity increased, and Basavaiah began to shrink in humiliation. Basavajah tried to undo the damage to his self-esteem by showing more interest in acquiring all kinds of material wealth. He got a palatial mansion built for himself. Then he bedecked himself with gold, diamonds, and other precious stones. Then he started inviting scholars, poets and musicians to his place and tried to invest his home with meaning.

However, one day Tammanna suddenly took ill. This news cheered up Basavajah’s spirits. Tammanna’s disease became Basavalah’s health. Tammanna thought of yet another method of punishing Basavalah. Tammanna thought Basavalah could no longer compete with him if he came to know that Tammanna had died. Therefore, Tammanna avenged himself by leaving his town, abandoning all his property and walking away hundreds of miles to her Baravaiah came to know that Tammanna was not there in the village, he had no more reason to live and he passed away.

3. The arrival of the old man in the garden caused both good and bad things. How is this brought out in ‘The Gardener’?

The owner of the coconut plantation was quite a normal person. He was working hard to bring about improvement in his earnings. Probably, as he did not have much experience and expertise in managing agricultural work, he was not able to reap the benefits of his hard work. Often, there used to be thefts and worker-related problems. He also felt that he needed the assistance of a person well- versed in dealing with such problems. Once he had spoken to the old man for a few minutes, he was convinced that he had found the right person and so hired him immediately. Thus, the old man became an employee in the coconut grove and stayed on.

The old man was so experienced in agriculture that he easily understood the problems of workers. The petty thefts in the garden came to an end, and naturally, the income from the garden increased dramatically. Consequently, an increase in income brought a perceptible change in the lifestyle of the owner. The plantation expanded, but the owner became lazy and shied away from hard work. Once his worries disappeared and he had hardly any work to engage himself in, his personal attention went towards acquiring property, and fame. His life became crowded with colourful events. On account of his newly acquired clout, he cultivated umpteen other vices including adultery. He became a source of worry for his wife. The owner’s wife found it hard to decide whether the old man’s arrival was for the better or for the worse. On the whole, one can conclude that the arrival of the old man in the garden caused both good and bad.

4. Rivalry can make one both aggressive and reflective. How does Tammanna’s narrative in The Gardener’ prove this?

Yes. “Rivalry can make one both aggressive and reflective”.

In ‘The Gardener’, Tammanna is both the protagonist as well as the narrator. He narrates the story of the rivalry between two farmers Tammanna and Basavajah. From his narration, one can easily infer how aggressively he has fought with Başavaiah for saving his self-esteem.

In the beginning, he did not even imagine that he had a rival. But he becomes aware of the rivalry between himself and Basavajah, when the latter takes his land forcibly and he is made to feel helpless. He becomes alert and starts planning strategies to outbeat Basavaiah’s moves. He composes and sings ballads and publicises Basavaiah’s meanness and cruelty Very soon Tammanna gains popularity and Basavalah is made to feel that he has been defeated in his own game. Soon after that, when Tammanna alls ill Basavalah is pleased with the news. But their rivalry does not end there. Tammanna’s next move shows how aggressive and vengeful he can be. He gives up everything and goes away to Chennarayapatna so as to spread the news that Tammanna is dead. Later, Basavalah dies a natural death. Though there is no cause-effect relationship between the rumour of Tammanna’s death and Basavalah’s real death, Tammanna is shaken out of his senses. He becomes reflective. He understands that with the death of Batavaiah, he had lost his identity and had become a non-entity. Finally, he realizes that both he and Basavalah had indulged in rivalry only to satisfy their ego.

5. Write about Basavalah’s cruelty and meanness as brought out in the lesson ‘The Gardener’.

‘The Gardener’ presents the story of two farmers-Tammanna and Basavaiah – who get actively Involved in rivalry and try to overtake each other in earnings, wealth, and social prestige. In the beginning, the competition between them appeared to be healthy. Tammanna did not take Basavalah as his rival at all. Tammanna did whatever he wanted without bothering about Basavalah. But Basavalah did not keep quiet. When he came to know that Tammanna possessed one thousand acres of land, and he had only eight hundred, he could not tolerate this. He sent word to Tammanna asking him to sell two hundred acres to him. Tammanna did not agree. On the contrary, he offered to buy all the land that belonged to Basavalah. Basavalah became furious. He went along with his people and forcibly acquired two hundred acres of Tammanna’s land. It was then that Tammanna became aware of the walry between Basavaiah and himself. Tammanna thought that competing with Basavalah by physical means has no end to it. So, he took recourse to singing ballads and telling the people through them about the cruelty and meanness of Basavalah. As days rolled by, Tammanna’s popularity increased, and Basavaiah began to shrink in humiliation. He tried to undo the damage to his self-esteem by filling his life with all kinds of material wealth. He appointed a number of persons just to praise him. Then he started inviting scholars, poets, and musicians to his place and tried to invest his home with meaning But he was not successful. However, one-day Tammanna suddenly took ill. This news cheered up Basavaiah’s spirits. Tammanna’s disease became Basavalah’s health. Tammanna thought Basavalah could no longer compete with him if he came to know that Tammanna had died. Therefore, Tammanna avenged himself by leaving his town, abandoning all his property, and walking away hundreds of miles. When Basavaiah came to know that Tammanna was not there in the village, he had no more reason to live and he passed away. Thus, Basavaiah’s meanness and cruelty were responsible for his own death.

Vocabulary: (TEXT BOOK)

Antonym is a word opposite in meaning to a given word.

Note the use of antonyms for the following words found in the lesson:

1. Impoverish – enrich

2. Elaborate – concise

3. Petty – grand

4. Suffused – removed

5. Lethargic – active

6. Annihilate – preserve

7. Vengeful – benevolent

8. Agony – ecstasy

9. Flourish – languish

10. Wealth – poverty

11. Famous – obscure

12. Cruelty – kindness

13. Best – worst

14. Enemy – friend

15. Stiff – flexible

What do the following expressions from the lesson mean?

1. in a flash 2. flesh and blood

3. out of hand 4. vanish into thin air

Ans : 1 very suddenly or quickly.

2. the human body or nature.

3. out of control.

4. go away suddenly, unexpectedly and without trace.

GRAMMAR EXERCISES

A) Complete the following by filling in the blanks using the right form of the verbs given in brackets:

1. Tammanna came to the plantation after walking hundreds of miles. He _________ (appoint) to look after the garden. The workers were happy as their problems. _________ (solve). The income improved dramatically but a change in the owner’s lifestyle _________ (notice) by his wife.

Ans : was appointed; had been solved; was noticed.

2. Basavaiah had 200 acres less land than Tammanna. So Tammanna _________ (ask) to sell his 200 acres to Basavaíah. This _______ (reject) by Tammanna. Instead, a demand ________ (place) that Tammanna was ready to buy all his land.

Ans : was asked; was rejected; was placed,

3. Basavaiah tried to outshine Tammanna in his own way. A palatial house ________ (build) by him. A number of persons __________ (appoint) just to praise him. Scholars, poets and musicians __________ (invite) to his place.

Ans : was built; were appointed; were invited.

4. A fence ________ (build) around Tammanna’s land by Basavaiah, Both of them ________ (encourage) by their supporters. Tammanna ________ (advise) by his supporters about the various means available for getting back his land.

Ans : was built, were encouraged, was advised.

5. Afence _______ (build) around Tammanna’s land by Basavaiah. Both of them ________ (encourage) by their supporters Tammanna _________ (advise) by his supporters about the various means available for getting back his land.

Ans : was built, were encouraged, was advised.

B) Fill in the blanks by choosing the appropriate expressions given in brackets.

1. The quarrel between Tammanna and Basavalals rose to such a pitch that it started to _________ all their supporters. When Basavaiah forcibly acquired Tammanna’s land. Tammanna was advised by his supporters to ________ to the police. (take recourse, push in, suck in)

Ans : suck in; take recourse.

2. Tammanna _________ everything and went to a far-off place. Basavatah was left with no reason to live. After some time Basavalah ________. (gave up, chance upon, passed away)

Ans : gave up; passed away.

3. Tammanna was _________ in agriculture. As a result, the owner of the garden started to _________ from hard work. (shy away, well versed, better at)

Ans : well versed: shy away.

4. The narrator says he conceived the story “The Gardener’ _________. The old man he met in a coconut grove had come to the garden seeking work The owner needed a man exactly like him and asked the old man to ________. (in a flash, stay on, vanish into thin air)

Ans : in a flash; stay on.

5. Tammanna thought of yet another method of punishing Basavajah. He wanted to separate his songs from his own __________. He wanted his fame to _________. Therefore he gave up everything and became a non-entity. (flesh and blood, vanish into thin air, out of hand)

Ans : flesh and blood; vamsh into thin air.

6. The rivalry between Tammanna and Basavalah _________ and it gradually _________ all their supporters in the village. (took recourse to, rose to a pitch, sucked in)

Ans : rose to a pitch; sucked in.

7. The owner’s wife became apprehensive about her husband’s lifestyle. She thought that their life was getting _________. The old man met her and narrated his story when she was _______ like this. (out of hand, hit upon, in a fix)

Ans : out of hand; in a fix.

8. After the arrival of the old man the owner of the garden became lethargic and ________ from hard work. Then gradually he was addicted to adultery and other vices. His wife became helpless and had to _________ him. (put up with, shied away, umpteen)

Ans : shied away, put up with.

C) Fill in the blanks with the appropriate linkers given in brackets:

1. The gardener started narrating the story of Tammanna and Basavalah to the owner’s wife. _________ proceeding with the story, he started fumbling for words ________ he had made a mistake. The owner’s wife was not interested in the story. She felt like going away ________ stayed back _________ she did not want to hurt the old man. (but, ofter, as though, as)

Ans : After, as though, but as.

2. Rivalry between Tammanna and Basavatah looked like healthy competition in the beginning. ________ it rose to such a pitch ________ they started competing in buying each acre of land in the ________ no land in the village. was left for buying. Even then Basavalah was not happy ________ he had 200 acres less than Tammanna. (because, finally, gradually, that)

Ans : Gradually that, Finally, because.

3. Rasmalah sent word that he was prepared to buy Tammanna’s 200 acres of land. This made Tamamanna furious. __________ he said he was prepared to buy all the land ________ belonged to Basavalah. _________ the enmity betwen them became fierce and sucked in all their supporters. (as a result, in turn, which instead)

Ans : in turn, which, Instead: As a result.

4. _________ Tammanna bought four more acres adjacent to his land. Basavalah _________ followed suit. If one had ten friends _________ the other acquired fifteen admirers. All this looked like healthy competition. ________ this competition turned to rivalry. (However, at first, also, then)

Ans : At first, also, then, However.

5. The old man came to the garden one day ________ walking hundreds of miles. The owner the garden was free and relaxed. _________ the owner’s wife was worried ________ her husband became lethargic and shied away from hard work. (dur, when, becaure, else)

Ans : after But, because.

6. Basavajah started filling his life and house with all kinds of material wealth. __________ his house looked dull and empty __________ Tammanna’s books were not there. _________ he started inviting scholars, poets, and musicians to his place. (because, therefore, but)

Ans : But, because: Therefore.

7. Tammanna and Basavalah were rivals. _________ Tammanna bought four acres of land, Basavalah _________ followed sult. _________, all this looked like healthy competition. (initially, also, if)

Ans : If, also, Initially.

8. He acquired a number of friends in the next town and an equal number in his own village. ________ he had precious little to do, his life became crowded with colourful events. His wife became apprehensive _________ his adultery and umpteen other vices. Their farm which was merely ten acres had grown ________ their imagination. (about, beyond, even though)

Ans : Even though, about beyond.

9. There was a perceptible change in the lifestyle of the owner __________ the arrival of the old man. The plantation expanded. _________ the owner became lethargic ________ shled away from hard getting out of hand work. His wife found all this very strange. _________ their life was getting out of hand. (but, and, gradually, after)

Ans : after, But, and, Gradually

10. Basavalah acquired two hundred acres of Tammanna’s land forcibly. __________ Tammanna was advised by his followers about the various means available to get back his land. _________ he wanted a method _________ could annihilate Basavalah completely (that, so, but)

Ans : So, But, that.

11. Tammanna thought that his death alone could destroy Basavaiah. ________ he gave up everything ________ left the village. A few days after he left, Basavaiah passed away ________ he had no more reason to live (because, so, and)

Ans : So, and, because.

12. Tammanna’s reputation spread all around. Basavalah could not tolerate it. ________ one day he learnt that Tammanna was ill. Basavalah found the means of surpassing his rival _________ he thought that health was wealth. _________ by this time Tammanna had thought of yet another method of punishing Basavalah. (however, because, then)

Ans : Then, because, However.

13. Basavajah shrunk in humillation. ________ he started filling his life with material wealth. He got a palatial mansion built for himself. _________ his house looked dull and empty without Tammanna’s books. _________ he started inviting scholars and poets to his place. (but, therefore, nevertheles)

Ans : Nevertheless, but. Therefore.

14. At first Tammanna bought four more acres adjacent to his land. Basavalah ________ followed suit. If one had ten friends _________ the other acquired fifteen admirers. All this looked like healthy competition. _________ gradually it rose to such a pitch that there was no land left in the village. (then, however, also)

Ans : also, then, However.

15. Basavalah forcibly occupied 200 acres of Tammanna’s land _________ made the supporters of _________ Tammanna furious. _________ they were ready to attack Basavaiah he did not agree to it and did not take it to the police. ________ Tammanna thought of a strange idea to annihilate Basavalah completely. (but, though, which)

Ans : which, Though, But.

16. After proceeding with the story the old man started fumbling for words _________ he had made a mistake. The owner’s wife was not interested in the story and she felt like going away. __________ she stayed back ________ she did not want to hurt the old man. (as but, as though)

Ans: as though, But, as.

17. The old man told the owner’s wife _________ his name was Tammanna. He told her that he had forgotten all his songs and ballads __________ Basavaiah’s death. He gave up everything and started off. ________ he avenged himself. (thus, that, after)

Ans : that, after, Thus.

18. The old man came to the garden one day _________ walking hundreds of miles. His arrival Increased the plantation’s income. _________ the plantation owner’s wife was worried _________ there was a perceptible change in her husband’s lifestyle. (because, however, after)

Ans : after, However, because.

19. Tammanna forgot all his songs ________ Basavalah’s death. He _________ was once famous as the best poet, became a non-entity _________ he avenged himself (thus, after, who)

Ans : after, who, Thus.

20. The owner’s wife was in a fix about her husband’s changed lifestyle. One day the old man met her ________ behaved __________ he knew all about her plight. He sat on the embankment of the well after offering tender coconuts to her. She had to sit ________ him as she had no alternative. (and, beside, as though)

Ans : and, as though, beside.

21. Tammanna came to the plantation __________ walking hundreds of miles. He was well-versed in agriculture __________ could understand the problems of workers. The owner of that plantation who needed a person exactly like him, hired him. _________ Tammanna settled in that plantation. (and, thus, after)

Ans : after, and, Thus.

Multiple Choice Questions:

I. Answer the following questions by choosing the right option:

1. The coconut grove where the narrator met the old man was near __________

a) Channapatna

b) Chennarayapatna

c) Mysore

d) Hassan

2. The old man was standing in a _________ near Chennarayapatna.

a) coconut grove

b) street

c) park

d) restaurant

3. The old man had tucked a/an _________ under his arm when the narrator met him.

a) umbrella

b) spade

c) tender coconut

d) newspaper

4. The narrator met the old man by chance in a coconut grove near __________

OR

The author noticed the old man standing with a spade in one hand and a newspaper tucked under his arm near _________

a) Chennarayapatna

b) Hassan

c) Channapatna

d) Mysore

5. After the old man’s arrival at the garden, __________ come to an end.

a) water problem

b) petty thefts

c) coconut thefts

d) cattle thefts

6. The old man was well versed in __________ in ‘The Gardener’.

a) singing songs

b) singing ballads

c) agriculture

d) stopping petty thefts

7. The owner of the garden became lethargic because ___________

a) the income from the garden improved dramatically

b) he had become dependent upon the gardener

c) there was nothing much left for the owner to do

d) his wealth and prestige had risen higher

8. The owner of the plantation became lethargic after the arrival of _________

a) the old man

b) Basavalah

c) Sangoji

d) his friends

11. The plontation was about ________ acres when the old man took over.

OR

The owner’s farm was merely _________ acres before the arrival of the old man.

a) 10

b) 200

c) 1000

d) 800

10. The owners wife found thorit to decide stucker the old man’s arrival was for the worse because _________

a) the plantations expanded

b) the income frues the garden improved dramatically

c) her husband becane lethargic and shind way from hard work

d) All of the above

11. The old man smiled at the owner’s wife and brought down an offering of __________ from a nearby tree.

a) coconuts

b) mangoes

c) tender coconuts

d) jack fruits

12. _________ became apprehensive about the plantation owner’s vices.

a) The old man

b) The owner’s wife

c) Tammanna

d) Bazarsiah

13. Tammanna had _________ acres of wetland initially.

a) 1000

b) 800

c) 600

d) 10

14. __________ narrated his story to the wife of the plantation owner.

a) Tammanna

b) Basavatah

c) Sangoji

d) Lokya

15. Tammanna considered his rivul Sangoji/Basavalah an important possession because _________

a) competition helps in the development of an individual

b) Sangoji/Basavaiah led a more colourful life

c) rivalry offered new possibilities in life for him

d) without him there was no reason for his existence

16. The most important possession of Tammanna was ________

OR

Tanimanna considered ___________ as the most important among all his passeions.

a) his lands

b) Sangoji/Basavalah

c) his songs and ballads

d) his friends

17. The old man mentioned the name of Basavajah as _________ at the beginning of his narration.

a) Sangoji

b) Lokya

c) Mara

d) Tammanna

18. “No, his name was not Sangoji, but Basuvulah”, soid the old man because ___________

a) he had really forgotten the name

b) he wanted to keep the identity of his rival a secret

c) he did not want to reveal that it is his own story

d) he was fictionalizing his past

19. Basavaiah acquired _________ acres of Tammanna’s land forcibly.

a) 300

b) 600

c) 200

d) 800

20. Tummanna’s rival was __________

a) Lokya

b) the plantation owner

c) the plantation owner’s wife

d) Basavaiah

21. One of the ways not suggested by Tammanna’s followers to get back hit encroached land was _________

a) taking recourse to the police

c) going to the court of law

d) taking Basavalah’s land forcibly

22. Tammanna was finally left with __________ acres of land.

a) 800

b) 200

c) 1000

d) 1200

23. The theme of Tummanna’s songs was the cruelty, meanness and the mjustice done to him by _________

OR

Tummanne’s songs made a mention of the cruelty and meunnest of __________

a) Lokya

b) Basavaiah

c) the plantation owner

d) the owner’s wife

24. The rivalry between Tummanna and Basavalah moved from the visible to the abstract level when ___________

a) Tammanna composed ballads about Basavatah’s cruelty and his meanness

b) Basavalah Invited scholars and poets to his place

c) Basavalah appointed a number of people to praise him

d) Tammanna was felicitated as the best poet of his times

25. __________ was felicitated as the best poet of his times in ‘The Gardener’.

a) Tammanna

b) Basavalah

c) Lokya

d) Sangoji

26. ___________ hit upon the idea of composing and singing ballads.

a) Basavalals

b) Sangoji

c) Tammanna

d) The plantation owner

27. Tammanna’s ___________ storted spreading all around after he started composing ballads.

a) reputation

b) cruelty

c) meanness

d) fame

28. In ‘The Gardener’, Tammanna was felicitated as ___________ of his time.

a) the best singer

b) the best composer of ballads

c) the best poet

d) the best scholar

29. ___________ appointed a number of people to pruise him, in ‘The Gardener’.

a) Basavaiah

b) The plantation owner

c) Tammanna

d) Lokya

30. Tammanna’s reputation started spreading all around after he __________

a) left the village

b) started inviting scholars, poets and musicians to his house

c) appointed a number of persons just to praise him

d) started composing ballads

31. To counter Tammanna’s fame as a poet, Basavaiah _____________

a) went along with his people and forcibly acquired Tammanna’s land

b) bedecked himself with gold, diamonds, and other precinus stones

c) started inviting scholars, poets, and musicians to his place

d) appointed a number of persons just to praise him

32. The palatial mansion of __________ looked dull and empty without Tammanna’s books.

a) Tammanna

b) Basavaiah

c) Lokya

d) the plantation owner

33. Tammanna’s disease was Basavaiah’s ___________

a) health

b) weakness

c) strength

d) wealth

34. Basavaiah invested his home with meaning by __________

a) appointing a number of persons just to praise him

b) inviting scholars, poets and musicians to his place

c) filling his life with all kinds of material wealth

d) filling his house with Tammanna’s books

35. Besavaiah found the means of surpatung Tammanna only when __________

a) Tammanna passed away

b) Tammanna disappeared

c) Tammanna forgot his songs and ballads

d) Tamanna fell ill

36. Tammanna’s disease was _________ health, according to the narrater.

a) the old man’s

b) the plantation owner’s

c) Basavaiah’s

d) Lokya’s

37. ___________ thought his death alone could destrey Batuvaiah.

a) Lokya

b) Sangoji

c) Tammanna

d) The plantation owner.

38. According to Tammanna, Basavaiah would go onering stiff competition until he _________

a) was alive

b) disappeared

c) gave him all his lands

d) made friendship with him

39. According to the old man, man goes on living for some revenge till __________

a) his marriage

b) his death

c) he acquires land

d) he writes songs and ballads

40. According to Tammanna, “Man is to complicated that he goes on living for some ___________ or the other”.

a) challenge

b) destructim

c) reward

d) revenge

41. Tammanna decides to give up everything and leave the place because ___________

a) he sees no purpose in living there

b) he is afraid of Basavatah

c) he wants to put an end to the rivalry

d) he wants to create the impression that he is dead

42. According to the narrator of “The Gardener”, man would lose his name _________

a) on becoming wealthy

b) on composing ballads

c) after a particular age/reaching old age

d) on acquiring friends

43. After Tammanna gave up everything and left the town, Basavalah ____________

a) passed away

b) sold his lands

c) also left the town

d) went in search of him

44. According to Tammanna, Basavalah had no more reason to live the moment __________

a) Basavaiah came to know that Tammanna was ill

b) Tammanna left the town and disappeared

c) Tammanna forgot all his songs and ballads

d) Tammanna became a non-entity

45. Tammanna forgets his songs and ballads because __________

a) he found them futile

b) he did not need them anymore

c) he had avenged himself

d) he had outsmarted his rival

46. The enmity between Tammanna and Basavaiah ultimately resulted in ___________

a) Tammanna getting back his lands

b) the death of Basavaiah

c) Basavalah having more land than Tammanna

d) the death of Tammanna

47. __________ says that he avenged himself by becoming a non-entity.

a) Basavaiah

b) Sangoji

c) Tammanna

d) The plantation owner

48. Tammanna forgot all his songs and ballads after the death of __________

a) Basavaiah

b) the plantation owner

c) the owner’s wife

d) the old man

49. That young child who paints well, as mentioned in the lesson “The Gardener’, is __________

a) Ponnappa

b) Lokya

c) Mara

d) Sethu

50. According to the old man, __________ is not amenable to any advice.

a) Tammanna

b) Basavalah

c) Sangoji

d) the plantation owner

51. One of the things that the old man carried with him was ____________

a) a bucket

b) a spade

c) an umbrella

d) a tender coconut

52. The petty thefts in the garden came to an end ___________

a) after the old man’s arrival

b) after Basavalah acquired 200 acres forcibly

c) after the plantation owner acquired a number of friends in the next town

d) after the plantation expanded

53. Basavaiah’s cruelty and meanness were mentioned in the songs and ballads of ___________

a) Tammanna

b) Sangoji

c) the plantation owner

d) Lokya

54. __________ became lethargic ofter the old man’s arrival.

a) Tammanna

b) Basavaiah

c) The plantation owner

d) The owner’s wife

55. In ‘The Gardener’, Basavaiah’s house looked dull and empty without __________

a) precious stones

b) gold and diamonds

c) Tammanna’s books

d) Tammanna’s followers

56. __________ had become the raison-d’etre of Tammanna’s life.

a) Material wealth

b) Art

c) Agriculture

d) Music

57. Who became lethargic after the arrival of the old man, in “The Gardener’?

a) The plantation owner

b) Tammanna

c) Basavaiah

d) Sangoji

58. People who visited Basavalah’s house told him that his house looked dull and empty because

a) he did not have Tammanna’s books in his house

b) he could not compose and sing ballads

c) after a particular age, man loses his name

d) petty thefts had increased.

59. What were the reasons that made the owner of the garden become lethargic, in a sequence?

OR

Identify the sequence of events that made the owner of the garden lethargic, in The Gardener

OR

Identify the sequence of the changed life of the owner of the plantation, in “The Gardener’.

a) Old man arrived-thefts stopped-income improved-owner’s lifestyle changed

b) Income improved-thefts stopped-owner’s lifestyle changed – old man arrived

c) Old man arrived – owner’s lifestyle changed-income improved-thefts stopped

d) Owner’s lifestyle changed-old man arrived – income improved-thefts stopped

60. Match column A with column B and choose the correct option:

i. Coconut grove a) Sangoji

ii. Tammanna b) Chennarayapatna

iii. Basavalah c) Ballads

a) i-cii-b, iii-a, b) i-b, ii-a, iii-c, c) i-b, ii-ciii-a

61. Son of Lokya was bedridden with __________

a) headache

b) malaria

c) fever

d) stomach pain

62. Identify the sequence of events that made Tammanna compose all his experiences in the form of ballads and sing them.

a) Basavajah was Tammanna’s rival – Tammanna had 1000 acres – Basavalah owned 800 acres -Angry Basavalah acquired Tammanna’s 200 acres forcibly

b) Angry Basavalah acquired Tammanna’s 200 acres forcibly – Basavaiah was Tammanna’s rival-Basavalah owned 800 acres – Tammanna had 1000 acres

c) Basavalah owned 800 acres – Tammanna had 1000 acres – Basavaiah was Tammanna’s rival-Angry Basavalah acquired Tammanna’s 200 acres forcibly

d) Tammanna had 1000 acres are fammanna’s 200 acres forcibly Basavalah owned 800 acres – Basavajah was Tammanna’s rival

63. Identify the correct sequence of events:

a) Owner’s life is colourful-wife in dilemma-old man narrative-Tammanna and Basavalah rivalry

b) Wife in dilemma old man narrative Tammanna and Basavalah rivalry-owner’s life colourful

c) Old man narrative Tammanna and Basavajah rivalry-owner’s life colourful wife in dilemma

d) Tammanna and Basavalah rivalry-owner’s life colourful old man narrative wife in dilemma

64. Identify the correct sequence of events after the arrival of the old man:

a) Petty thefts stopped – income increased-plantation expanded-owner became lethargic

b) Income increased – petty thefts stopped-owner became lethargic – plantation expanded

c) Plantation expanded – owner became lethargic-income increased – petty thefts stopped

d) Owner became lethargic-plantation expanded – petty thefts stopped – income increased

65. Identify the sequence of events that made Tammanna move from the visible to the invisible domain

a) Acquired 200 acres forcibly mechaniniate Basavalah – composed ballads – rivaj Sangoji Basavalah

b) Composed ballads – rival Sangoji – acquired 200 acres forcibly – method to annihilate Basavaiah

c) Rival Sangoji-acquired 200 acres forcibly – method to annihilate Basavaiah-composed ballads

d) Method to annihilate Basavaiah composed ballads – acquired 200 acres forcibly – rival Sangoji

66. Identify the sequence of events as to how an initial healthy competition between Tammanna and Basavalah become unhealthy, in “The Gardener’.

a) Acquires land forcibly-both fight for buying land-fence built – Basavalah’s rage

b) Basavaiah’s rage-fence built-both fight for buying land-acquires land forcibly

c) Both fight for buying land – Basavalah’s rage – acquires land forcibly – fence built

d) Fence built – acquires land forcibly – Basavalah’s rage – both fight for buying land

67. Identify the correct sequence of events in the life of the plantation owner.

a) Life became colourful – wealth and social prestige increased-change in lifestyle-income improved

b) Wealth and social prestige increased – life became colourful income improved – change in lifestyle

c) Change in lifestyle – income improved-life became colourful – wealth and social prestige increased

d) Income improved change in lifestyle – wealth and social prestige increased – life became colourful

68. What were the reasons that made the owner of the garden become lethargic, in a sequence, in “The Gardener’?

i) There was a change in the lifestyle of the owner, the plantation expanded

ii) He was well-versed in agriculture, so income from the garden improved.

(iii) The owner became lethargic and shied away from hard work.

iv) The old man came and stayed on with the owner of the plantation

a) ii, ii, iv, i

b) iv, ii, i, iii

c) ii, iv, i, iii

d) iv, i, iii, ii

69. What is the correct order of events, in a sequence?

a) Tammanna became ill Tammanna started composing and singing ballads Basavalah occupied Tammanna’s 200 acres – Basavalah increased his material wealth.

b) Basavajah occupied Tammanna’s 200 acres Tammanna started composing and singing ballads-Basavajah increased his material wealth-Tammanna became ill.

c) Tammanna started composing and singing ballads Tammanna became ili – Basavalah increased his material wealth-Basavalah occupied Tammanna’s 200 acres.

d) Basavajah increased his material wealth-Basavalah occupied Tammanna’s 200 acres Tammanna became ill-Tammanna [b] started composing and singing ballads.

72. Identify the sequence of events, in “The Gardener’.

a) Tammanna thought of a plan-he left the village-Basavatab died – Tammanna forgot all his songs.

b) Basavalah died-Tammanna forgot all his songs – he left the village -Tammanna thought of a plan.

c) Tammanna forgot all his songs – Basavalah died-he left the village -Tammanna thought of a plan.

d) He left the village – Tammanna thought of a plan – Basavalah died – Tammanna forgot all his songs.

71. Identify the sequence of events that made Tammanna the best poet of his times.

a) Tanumanna composing ballads critics analysing and translating his songs – Basavalah forcibly acquired Tammanna’s land-quarrel between them.

b) Crities analysing and translating his songs-Basavaiah forcibly acquired Tammanna’s land -quarrel between them – Tammanna composing ballads.

c) Quarrel between them – Tammanna composing ballads – critics analysing and translating his songs-Basavalah forcibly acquired Tammanna’s land.

d) Basavalah forcibly acquired Tammanna’s land – quarrel between them – Tammanna composing ballads – critics analysing and translating his songs.

72. Identify the sequence of changes in the lifestyle of the owner.

a) Became lethargic and shied away from hard work-wealth and social prestige increased – acquired a number of friends-life became crowded with colourful events.

b) Wealth and social prestige increased – became lethargic and shied away from hard work – life became crowded with colourful events-acquired a number of friends.

c) Life became crowded with colourful events acquired a number of friends – wealth and social prestige increased-became lethargic and shied away from hard work

d) Acquired a number of friends – wealth and social prestige increased-life became crowded with colourful events – became lethargic and shied away from hard work.

73. Identify the sequence of events that made it hard for the owner’s wife to decide whether the old man’s arrival was for the better or for the worse.

a) Wealth and social prestige increased-husband became lethargic and shied away from hard work-life was getting out of hand-acquired a number of friends.

b) Acquired a number of friends wealth and social prestige increased-husband became lethargic and shied away from hard work-life was getting out of hand.

c) Husband became lethargic and shied away from hard workwealth and social prestige increased-acquired a number of friends-life was getting out of hand.

d) Life was getting out of hand acquired a number of friends wealth and social prestige increased-husband became lethargic and shied away from hard work.

74. Identify the sequence of events after Basavalah shrunk in humiliation, in The Gardener

a) He appointed persons to praise him – Basavalah got a palatial mansion-his house looked dull and empty-he bedecked himself with gold and diamonds

b) Basavaiah got a palatial mansion-he appointed persons to praise him-he bedecked himself with gold and diamonds – his house looked dull and empty.

c) His house looked dull and empty he bedecked himself with gold and diamonds – he appointed persons to praise him – Basavalah got a palatial mansion.

d) Basavalah got a palatial mansion he bedecked himself with gold and diamonds he appointed persons to praise him – his house looked dull and empty.

75. Identify the sequence of events that made Basavalah mad with rage.

a) Sent word to Tammanna to sell 200 acres – Tammanna offered to buy all land that belonged to Basavalah-Tammanna did not agree – Tammanna had 1000 acres and Basavaiah 800.

b) Tammanna had 1000 acres and Basavalah 800-sent word to Tammanna to sell 200 acres- Tammanna did not agree – Tammanna offered to buy all land that belonged to Basavalah

c) Tammanna did not agree – Tammanna had 1000 acres and Basavalah 800-sent word to Tammanna to sell 200 acres – Tainmanna offered to buy all land that belonged to Basavalah

d) Tammanna offered to buy all land that belonged to Basavaiah-Tammanna did not agree – Tammanna had 1000 acres and Basavaiah 800-sent word to Tammanna to sell 200 acres.

76. Identify the sequence of events in which Tammanna avenged himself

a) Basavalah passed away – Tammanna forgot all his songs and ballads – Tammanna became a non-entity-Tammanna gave up everything and left the village

b) Tammanna forgot all his songs and ballads-Tammanna became a non-entity-Tammanna gave up everything and left the village-Basavalah passed away.

c) Tammanna became a non-entity Tammanna gave up everything and left the village Basavalah passed away-Tammanna forgot all his songs and ballads.

d) Tammanna gave up everything and left the village – Basavalah passed away – Tammanna forgot all his songs and ballads – Tammanna became a non-entity.

About the writer:

P. Lankesh (1935-2000) is an Indian Writer and joirnalist who wrote in kannada. After graduating with an honours degree in English from Central College in Banglore, he completed his Master of Arts degree in English from Maharaja College, Mysore. P. Lankesh’s Frist work was ‘kereya Neerannu Kerege Chell’ Collection of short stories, published in 1963. This was following by several collection of short stories and poetry, three novels, critical essays, translations (including Charless Baudelaire’s ‘Les Fleurs du Mal’, ‘Oedipus Rex’, and Sophocles’ ‘Antigone’), as well as several plays and films. His 1976 film ‘pallavi’ – a cinematic narration told from the female protagonist’s point of view and based on his novel ‘Biruku’ – won India’s national award for best direction.

Summary:

[This short story is the translated English version of “Thotadavanu, taken from ‘When Stone Melts and Other Stories, a collection of short stories published by Sahitya Academi. It is translated Into English by H.S. Raghavendra Rao.)

It is said that in these short stories Lankesh shows his preoccupation with human meanness and attempts to explore the evolution of a post-Emergency political and cultural scenario. The title “When Stone Melts’ refers to the mystery at the heart of every transformation, the invisible and inescapable play of history and location that engender the process of change.

The narrator addresses the reader directly in the first person asking for an apology for being brief. He says that the story was conceived in a flash and hence if he elaborates on it, the story will lose its vitality. There are only four characters, besides the narrator. Tammanna, Basavalah or Sangoj and the owner of the coconut grove and his wife. There are two stories in this story. The first storyli narrated by the author in the first person and the second story is narrated by Tammanna who is alss the protagonist in the first story. In the second story, the narrator/protagonist tells his own story to the lady distancing himself from the main story.

The narrator says that this story originated in his chance encounter with an old man who was standing in a coconut grove near Chennarayapatna. The old man (who had been employed in the coconut grove), was a labourer, overseer and philosopher, all rolled into one.

One day the old man came to the coconut garden after walking hundreds of miles. Since the owner of that plantation needed a person of his qualifications, he hired him immediately after talking to him for a few minutes. Thus, the old man became an employee in the coconut grove and stayed on. The old man did useful work. He was so well-versed in agriculture that he easily understood the problems of workers. The petty thefts in the garden came to an end, and naturally, the income from the garden improved dramatically. Consequently, an increase in income brought a perceptible change in the lifestyle of the owner. The plantation expanded, but the owner became lazy and shied away from hard work.

The owner’s wife found the owner’s behaviour strange and puzzling. She found it hard to decide whether the old man’s arrival was for the better or for the worse. Her husband’s wealth and social prestige had risen higher, he had acquired a great number of friends in his own village and in the next town as well. Even though he did not do any useful work, his life became crowded with colourful events. On account of his newly acquired clout, he cultivated umpteen other vices including adultery Though their farm was initially merely ten acres, it had grown beyond their imagination. Therefor the owner’s wife realized that financially they had been doing well but her only source of worry wat that along with financial improvement, their life was also gradually getting out of hand. Thus, one day when she was in a fix like this, the old man met her. He smiled at her, brought down an offering of whder coconuts from a nearby tree, and sat on the embankment of the well. She had no alternate and so she sat next to him. The old man now begins his narrative and takes the action or plot to its climax.

The old man says that, in a far-off place, once there lived a man called Tammanna. He had everything: ten acres of land, a comfortable house and people too ready to carry out his orders or Instructions. Besides these possessions, he also had a rival and his name was Sangoji However, soon after uttering the name Sangoji, the old man started fumbling for words as if he had committed a mistake. The coconut grove owner’s wife, who was listening, felt that it was none of her concern and felt like going away Immediately. But, not wishing to hurt the old man, she continued to sit there quietly. The old man continued his story. He corrected himself once, saying his name was not Sangoji but Basavaiah. (At this moment in the story, the narrator gives a hint to the reader that the old man is telling a true account of his own experience disguising it in the form of a story).

Both Tammanna and Basavalalı were rivals. If Tammanna bought four more acres adjacent to his land, Basavalah would also do the same. If one of them had ten friends, the other would acquire fifteen admirers. Though initially, all this looked like healthy competition, it took a nasty turn later Their rivalry rose to such a pitch that there was no land left in the village for them to buy. All land belonged to either Tammanna or Basavajah. Tammanna had one thousand acres and Basavalah eight hundred. Basavaiah could not tolerate this. His men asked Tammanna to sell two hundred acres but Tammanna refused to do so. On the other hand, Tammanna offered to buy all the land that belonged to Basavalah. Basavalah became furious. He went along with his people and acquired two hundred acres of Tammanna’s land forcibly, and got it fenced up all around. Tammanna could not put up with this invasion.

Tammanna’s advisers told him that there were three ways by which Tammanna could get back his land. He could go to the court of law or he could also take recourse to the police. If he did not like to do either way, he could also use muscle power to get his land back. There were any number of persons ready to attack Basavalah and wrest his land from him. But Tammanna was in search of a method that could destroy Basavalah completely. Tammanna got all his experiences composed in the form of ballads and sang them in public. Their rivalry moved away from the visible to the invisible.

Basavalah could not do the same way. He tried to show his rivalry by doing agricultural tasks more diligently, but that was also in vain. Meanwhile, Tammanna’s reputation started spreading all around. His songs started making a mention of Basavalah’s cruelty and his meanness. Scholars and critics went after his songs and earned their share of fame. Basavaiah became desperate and angry and retaliated by encroaching on more and more of Tammanna’s land. But Tammanna was ignorant of all this and blissfully enjoyed his singing. Art had become the raison d’etre of his life. He was even felicitated as the best poet of his time.

Basavalah felt humiliated, which he tried to hide by acquiring all kinds of luxuries. He got a palatial mansion built for himself; appointed a number of people to praise him and bedecked himself with gold, diamonds and other precious stones. But his house looked dull and empty because Tammanna’s books were not there. He attempted to fill the lacuna by inviting scholars, poets and musicians to his place. This way, he tried to invest his home with meaning.

One day, Basavalah came to know that Tammanna was ill. The news made him happy. At that point, Basavalah found the means of surpassing Tammanna. Health is wealth. Tammanna’s disease was Basavalah’s health. But Tammanna thought differently. He had thought of yet another method of punishing Basavalah. Tammanna contemplated ‘death. As long as he continued his rivalry at the level of the body, Basavalah would go on offering stiff competition. But if he died, Basavalah could do nothing to defeat him The old man ends his story by telling the coconut garden owner’s wife that wishing to destroy Basavalah completely, Tamnanna gave up everything and ran off from his village.

As long as Tammanna was there, Basavalah had a reason to be alive, but once Tanimanna left the to live. Then her baresses to her that he is Tammanna himself. After Basavaiah’s death, Tammanna tells the lady that he forgot all his songs and ballads, lost his fame and became a non-entity. He concludes by telling her that, that way he avenged himself.

Tammanna tells the woman that the experiences of his life had made him realize that human nature is very strange. He sums up his experiences in one sentence. He tells her that though man works to fulfill his many needs like wealth, education, art and many more things, yet those things do not give him the right, compelling reasons to live. All through his life man lives for some kind of unbearable vengefulness. It is in this vengefulness that he finds a reason for his existence.

Finally, using his autobiographical account as an example, the old man tries to covertly give her a message. He tells her that her husband was flourishing as a rich man and was not amenable to any advice. Man is so complicated that till the day of his death, he goes on living for some revenge or the other, confronting one challenge or the other. He wants her to understand that she had better try to understand why her husband is living like that. Finally, he asks her to take the whole story as a dream and not to take his words seriously. We can infer here that he is saddened by the coconut grove owner’s lifestyle and wants to put an end to it by cautioning the lady about her husband and doing something to find out why her husband was doing so. As soon as the old man finishes his story, the first narrator reappears and tells the reader that he had seen all this in a dream and hence he is unable to elaborate.

ಸಾರಾಂಶ:

ಪಿ. ಲಂಕೇಶ್‌ರವರು ಬರೆದಿರುವ ಈ ಕಥೆಯಲ್ಲಿ ಮನುಷ್ಯ ಸಂಬಂಧಗಳ ಸಂಕೀರ್ಣತೆಯನ್ನು ವಿವರಿಸಲಾಗಿದೆ: ‘ಈ ಕತೆ ನನಗೆ ಚನ್ನರಾಯಪಟ್ಟಣದ ಹತ್ತಿರದ ತೆಂಗಿನತೋಟದಲ್ಲಿ ನಿಂತಿದ್ದ ಒಬ್ಬ ಮುದುಕನನ್ನು ನೋಡಿ ಹೊಳೆಯಿತು’ ಎಂಬ ಹೇಳಿಕೆಯೊಂದಿಗೆ ಲಂಕೇಶ್‌ರವರು ಕಥೆಯನ್ನು ಆರಂಭಿಸಿದ್ದಾರೆ. “ಆತನ ಕಣ್ಣುಗಳಲ್ಲಿ ಜಾಣತನ ಹಾಗೂ ವಿಚಿತ್ರ ನೆನಪುಗಳಿದ್ದವು. ಎತ್ತರವಾಗಿ, ಬಲಿಷ್ಠವಾಗಿದ್ದ ಆತ ಒಂದು ಕೈಯಲ್ಲಿ ಗುದ್ದಲಿಯನ್ನೂ ಇನ್ನೊಂದು ಕೈಯಲ್ಲಿ ವೃತ್ತಪತ್ರಿಕೆಯನ್ನೂ ಹಿಡಿದಿದ್ದ” ಎಂದು ಅವರು ಆತನ ವಿವರಗಳನ್ನು ನೀಡಿದ್ದಾರೆ.

ಆ ತೋಟಗಾರ ನೂರಾರು ಮೈಲಿನಡೆದು ಬಂದು ಈ ತೋಟದ ಯಜಮಾನನನ್ನು ಭೇಟಿಯಾಗಿದ್ದ. ಯಜಮಾನನಿಗೂ ಇಂತಹವನೇ ಒಬ್ಬ ವ್ಯಕ್ತಿ ಬೇಕಿದ್ದರಿಂದ ಆತ ಇಲ್ಲಿಯೇ ನೆಲೆಯೂರಿದ. ಒಳ್ಳೆಯ ಕೆಲಸಗಾರನಾದ ಆತನ ಕಾರಣದಿಂದಾಗಿ ತೋಟದ ವಿಸ್ತಾರ ಹಾಗೂ ಆದಾಯ ಹೆಚ್ಚಿತು. ಇದರಿಂದ ಯಜಮಾನನ ಅಹಂಕಾರ, ಆಡಂಬರಗಳು ಹೆಚ್ಚಿದವು. ಕಡೆಗೊಂದು ದಿನ ವ್ಯಭಿಚಾರಕ್ಕೂ ತೊಡಗಿದ ಎಂಬುದು ತಿಳಿದಾಗ ಆತನ ಹೆಂಡತಿ ಗಾಬರಿಗೊಂಡಳು. ಈ ಮುದುಕ ತೋಟಕ್ಕೆ ಬಂದದ್ದು ಒಳ್ಳೆಯದಾಯಿತೋ ಅಥವಾ ಕೆಟ್ಟದಾಯಿತೋ ಎಂದು ಗೊತ್ತಾಗದ ಗೊಂದಲದಲ್ಲಿ ಆಕೆ ಸಿಲುಕಿಕೊಂಡಳು.

ಇಂತಹ ಸಂದರ್ಭದಲ್ಲಿ ಆ ತೋಟಗಾರ ಒಂದುದಿನ ಆಕೆಯನ್ನು ಸಂಧಿಸಿದನು. ಆಕೆಗೆ ಎಳನೀರು ಕೆತ್ತಿಕೊಟ್ಟು ಒಂದು ಘಟನೆಯನ್ನು ನಿರೂಪಿಸತೊಡಗಿದ. ಅದೇನೆಂದರೆ ಒಂದು ಊರಿನಲ್ಲಿ ತಮ್ಮಣ್ಣ ಎಂಬ ಮನುಷ್ಯನಿದ್ದ, ಅವನ ಬಳಿ ಹತ್ತೆಕರೆ ಗದ್ದೆ ಅಚ್ಚುಕಟ್ಟಾದ ಮನೆ, ಅಭಿಮಾನಿಗಳು ಎಲ್ಲವೂ ಇದ್ದವು. ಅವನಿಗೆ ಬಸವಯ್ಯ ಎಂಬ ಒಬ್ಬ ಪ್ರತಿಸ್ಪರ್ಧಿ ಇದ್ದ. ಜಮೀನಿನ ಖರೀದಿ, ಅಭಿಮಾನಿಗಳ ಸಂಪಾದನೆ ಮೊದಲಾಗಿ ತಮ್ಮಣ್ಣ ಏನೇನು ಮಾಡಿದನೋ ಬಸವಯ್ಯನೂ ಎಲ್ಲವನ್ನೂ ಮಾಡುತ್ತಿದ್ದ. ಇಬ್ಬರೂ ಪೈಪೋಟಿಯ ಮೇಲೆ ಜಮೀನನ್ನು ಕೊಳ್ಳಲಾರಂಭಿಸಿದರು. ಕಡೆಗೆ ತಮ್ಮಣ್ಣನ ಬಳಿ ಒಂದು ಸಾವಿರ ಎಕರೆ ಹಾಗೂ ಬಸವಯ್ಯನ ಬಳಿ ಎಂಟುನೂರು ಎಕರೆ ಜಮೀನು ಒಟ್ಟುಗೂಡಿದವು. ಇದರಿಂದ ಕುಪಿತನಾದ ಬಸವಯ್ಯ ತನ್ನ ಹಿಂಬಾಲಕರ ಗುಂಪಿನೊಂದಿಗೆ ಹೋಗಿ ತಮ್ಮಣ್ಣನ 200 ಎಕರೆ ಜಮೀನಿಗೆ ಬೇಲಿ ಹಾಕಿ ತನ್ನದು ಮಾಡಿಕೊಂಡ.

ತನ್ನ ಸಲಹಾಗಾರರು ಜಮೀನನ್ನು ಮರು ಪಡೆಯಲು ಆನೇಕ ದಾರಿಗಳನ್ನು ಸೂಚಿಸಿದರೂ, ತಮ್ಮಣ್ಣ ಬಸವಯ್ಯನನ್ನು ಸಂಪೂರ್ಣವಾಗಿ ನಾಶಮಾಡಲು ದಾರಿಯನ್ನು ಹುಡುಕಲಾರಂಬಿಸಿದ. ಬಸವಯ್ಯ ಮಾಡಿದ ಅನ್ಯಾಯವನ್ನು ಪ್ರತಿಭಟಿಸಲು ತಮ್ಮಣ್ಣ ವಿನೂತನವಾದ ದಾರಿಯೊಂದನ್ನು ಕಂಡುಕೊಂಡ. ಆದೆಂದರೆ ತನ್ನ ಅನುಭವಗಳನ್ನೆಲ್ಲ ಲಾವಣಿ ಮಾಡಿ ಹಾಡುವುದು. ಇದರಿಂದ ತಮ್ಮಣ್ಣನ ಖ್ಯಾತಿ ಎಲ್ಲೆಲ್ಲೂ ಹಬ್ಬಿತು. ಸಮಾಜದ ಗಣ್ಯರು, ರಾಜಕಾರಣಿಗಳು, ಜಾನಪದ ವಿದ್ವಾಂಸರು, ವಿಮರ್ಶಕರು ಎಲ್ಲರೂ ತಮ್ಮಣ್ಣನನ್ನು, ಆತನ ಸಾಹಿತ್ಯ ಕೃಷಿಯನ್ನು ಹಾಡಿ ಹೊಗಳತೊಡಗಿದರು. ಇದನ್ನೆಲ್ಲ ನೋಡಿದ ಬಸವಯ್ಯ ಮೈಪರಚಿಕೊಳ್ಳತೊಡಗಿದೆ. ತಮ್ಮಣ್ಣನಂತೆ ತಾನೂ ಹಾಡಲು ಮಾಡಿದ ಯತ್ನ ವಿಫಲವಾಯಿತು. ತಮ್ಮಣ್ಣನ ಜಮೀನನ್ನು ಇನ್ನಷ್ಟು ಒತ್ತರಿಸಿದ್ದ ತನ್ನ ಭೂಮಿಯಲ್ಲಿ ಅತ್ಯುತ್ತಮವಾಗಿ ಬೆಳೆ ಬೆಳೆದ ಸಾಹಿತಿ, ಕಲಾವಿದರ ಸಂಗ ಬೆಳೆಸಿದ. ಆದರೆ ತಮ್ಮಣ್ಣನಿಗೆ ಇದಾವುದರ ಪರಿವೆಯೇ ಇರಲಿಲ್ಲ. ಆತ ತನ್ನ ಸಾಹಿತ್ಯರಚನೆಯಲ್ಲಿ ಮುಳುಗಿಹೋಗಿದ್ದ.

ಪರಿಸ್ಥಿತಿ ಹೀಗೆಯೇ ಮುಂದುವರೆಯುತ್ತಿದ್ದಾಗ ತಮ್ಮಣ್ಣನಿಗೆ ಕಾಯಿಲೆಯಾಗಿದೆ ಎಂಬ ಸುದ್ದಿ ಬಸವಯ್ಯನಿಗೆ ತಿಳಿಯಿತು. ಆರೋಗ್ಯದ ಮೂಲಕ ನಾನು ತಮ್ಮಣ್ಣನನ್ನು ಸೋಲಿಸುತ್ತೇನೆ ಎಂದು ಆತ ಲೆಕ್ಕ ಹಾಕತೊಡಗಿದ. ಆದರೆ ತುಣ್ಣನ ಲೆಕ್ಕಾಚಾರ ಬೇರೆಯೇ ಆಗಿತ್ತು. ತಾನು ಈಗ ಸತ್ತುಹೋದರೆ ಬಸವಯ್ಯನಿಗೆ ನನ್ನೊಂದಿಗೆ ಸ್ಪರ್ಧಿಸುವ ಅವಕಾಶವೇ ಇರುವುದಿಲ್ಲ ಎಂದು ಆತ ಯೋಚಿಸಿ ಒಂದುದಿನ ಎಲ್ಲವನ್ನು ಬಿಟ್ಟು ಹೊರಟುಬಿಟ್ಟ, ಎಂದು ಕಥೆಯನ್ನು ನಿರೂಪಿಸುತ್ತಿದ್ದ ತೋಟಗಾರ ಇದ್ದಕ್ಕಿದ್ದಂತೆ ತಾನೇ ಆ ತಮ್ಮಣ್ಣ ಎಂದು ತಿಳಿಸುತ್ತಾನೆ. ಅಷ್ಟೇ ಅಲ್ಲದೆ ತಾನು ನಾಪತ್ತೆಯಾದ ಕೆಲವೇ ದಿನಗಳಲ್ಲಿ ಬಸವಯ್ಯ ತೀರಿಹೋದನೆಂದೂ ಹೇಳುತ್ತಾನೆ. ಆದರೆ ಅದರೊಂದಿಗೇ ‘ಇದು ನಡೆದ ಕತೆ ಅಲ್ಲ, ಕೇಳಿದ ಕತೆ. ಪತ್ರಿಕೆಯಲ್ಲಿ ರಷ್ಯಾ ‘ನಾನು ಇನ್ನು ಮುಂದೆ ಅಮೆರಿಕಾದ ಜೊತೆ ಯುದ್ಧ ಮಾಡುವುದಿಲ್ಲ’ ಎಂದು ಹೇಳಿತು ಎಂಬುದನ್ನು ಓದಿದಾಗ ಇದು ಹೊಳೆಯಿತು ಎಂದೂ ಹೇಳಿದ.

“ಬಸವಯ್ಯ ತೀರಿಹೋದ ಮೇಲೆ ತಾನು ಲಾವಣಿಗಳನ್ನೆಲ್ಲ ಮರೆತುಹೋದೆ. ಹೆಸರುವಾಸಿಯಾಗಿದ್ದ ನಾನು ಈಗ ಅನಾಮಧೇಯನಾಗಿದ್ದೇನೆ” ಎಂದು ಹೇಳಿದ ತಮ್ಮಣ್ಣ ಕಡೆಯಲ್ಲಿ ”ತಾನು ಈ ಕಥೆಯನ್ನು ಹೇಳಲೇ ಇಲ್ಲ ಎಂದು ತಿಳಿದುಕೊಳ್ಳಿ ಎಂದು ಹೇಳಿದ” ಎಂದು ಲಂಕೇಶ್ ಕತೆಯನ್ನು ಮುಕ್ತಾಯಗೊಳಿಸಿದ್ದಾರೆ. ತಮ್ಮಣ್ಣನಂತೆಯೇ ಆಕೆಯ ಗಂಡನ ಸ್ಥಿತಿಯೂ ಆಗಬಹುದೆಂದು ಓದುಗರು ಊಹಿಸಿಕೊಳ್ಳುವಂತೆ ಕಥೆ ಮುಗಿಯುತ್ತದೆ.

Glossary:

Perceptible : : visible, noticeable

Lethargic : lazy, sluggish

Diligent : hard-working

Raison d’etre (n) (French) ( ರೇಸಾಜ್‌ ಡೆಟ್ರಿ) : reason, reason for existence

Annihilate : destroy