What had remained the routine for Abdul Kalam’s father even when he was in his late sixties? What does Abdul Kalam say about his emulation of his father?

Abdul Kalam’s father woke up at 4 a.m. every day and started his day by reading the namaz before dawn. After reading the namaz, he used to walk down to their small coconut grove and return with a dozen coconuts tied together thrown over his shoulder. Then he would have his breakfast. This had been Abdul Kalam’s father’s routine even in his late sixties. 

Abdul Kalam tried to emulate his father, throughout his life, in his own world of science and technology.

He had struggled to understand the fundamental truth revealed to him by his father. He was convinced that there exists a divine power that could lift one up from confusion, misery, melancholy, failure and would guide one to one’s actual place.

How did his father’s attitude to adversity influence the young Kalam?

Kalam’s father Jainulabdeen believed that adversities provide the best opportunities for introspection. So one should try to understand the relevance of his suffering instead of fearing it. Then only one can truly judge their own mistakes. Owing to their natural instinct, human beings look for help and company of others when they find themselves alone in the grip of difficulties. They look for someone to show them the way out. When the distressed came to Jainulabdeen he acted as a “go- between” in their effort to pacify the demonic forces with prayers and offerings. But that is a wrong approach as one must not be fear-ridden of destiny but should try to find the enemy of fulfilment that resides within oneself. Kalam understood that it is important for us to judge our own actions. He was convinced by his father that the divine power is omnipresent who always helps us to get rid of misery, melancholy and failure. At the same time, the Almighty guides us to follow the right path and helps us to attain peace of mind.

How did Kalam’s father influence Kalam’s perception and interpretation of divine power? How, according to Abdul Kalam, can an individual achieve freedom, happiness and peace of mind?

What do you learn from APJ Abdul Kalam’s autobiography?

How does Abdul Kalam express his gratitude towards his father?


Discuss the central idea of the story “Thank You Ma’am.”

Discuss the significance of the title of “Thank You Ma’am”.


What features of the character of Mrs Luella Bates are exposed in the short story “Thank You Ma’am”?

“The boy wanted to say something else other than “Thank you, ma’am” to Mrs Luella Bates Washington Jones’ – Who was the boy? Why did he want to say something else other than “Thank you, Ma’am” to the woman?


Sketch the character of Roger.

“…and shook him until his teeth rattled.” Who is mentioned as “him'”? Who shook him? Why was he shaken?


“I’m very sorry, lady, I’m sorry,”—Who said this to whom? Was the speaker really sorry? Why did he apologise?

“You ought to be my son. I would teach you right from wrong.”-Who speaks to whom? 35 Did the speaker manage to teach what he/she claimed to teach? Give reasons for your answer.


“I would teach you right from wrong.”-Who said this, to whom and when? How did the speaker transform the person spoken to here?

“When I get through with you, sir, you are going to remember Mrs. Luella Bates Washington Jones.”-Why do you think the woman would prove to be unforgettable for Roger and what kind of a person would he remember her as?


“Sweat popped out on the boy’s face and he began to struggle.”-When did sweat pop out on the boy’s face? Why did he struggle? What next happened to the boy?

“You gonna take me to jail?”-Who said this? Why did the speaker think so? Was the speaker eventually taken to jail? If not, why?


“I wanted a pair of…shoes.”-What reply did the speaker get and how did he react?

“You could of asked me.”-What did the speaker expect to be asked? What light does it throw upon the character of the speaker?