Summary of All chapters - Moments Textbook Class IX English

### Chapter Summaries of "Moments" Class 9 NCERT Book

#### 1. **The Lost Child**

"The Lost Child" by Mulk Raj Anand is a touching story about a little boy who goes to a village fair with his parents. The boy is fascinated by the vibrant fair, eagerly expressing his desires for toys, sweets, and balloons. However, each time he asks for something, his parents distract him with another spectacle. As they move through the fair, the child is enchanted by a roundabout swing and, in his excitement, gets separated from his parents. Panic-stricken, he searches for them frantically, his previous desires for the fair's attractions vanishing. In his desperation, he cries out for his parents, attracting the attention of a kind-hearted stranger. The stranger tries to comfort him by offering him the very things he previously longed for—balloons, sweets, and the roundabout ride—but the child only wants his parents. The story poignantly highlights the bond between parents and children, illustrating how material possessions pale in comparison to the security and love of family.

#### 2. **The Adventures of Toto**

Ruskin Bond's "The Adventures of Toto" narrates the humorous escapades of a mischievous monkey named Toto. The narrator's grandfather brings Toto home, much to the initial displeasure of the narrator's grandmother. Toto is kept hidden in a closet, but his curiosity and playful nature soon become evident. He causes chaos by tearing things apart and creating messes, but his antics also endear him to the family. Toto's most notable adventure occurs when he is taken to the zoo to be kept with other animals. However, Toto’s rebellious spirit leads him to create trouble there too. Eventually, the family realizes that Toto is too much to handle and decides to sell him back to the tonga driver from whom he was bought. Through Toto’s adventures, the story humorously explores themes of freedom and the challenges of domesticating wild animals, highlighting the unpredictable nature of pets.

#### 3. **Iswaran the Storyteller**

R.K. Laxman’s story revolves around Mahendra, a junior supervisor in a firm that provides on-site supervisors for various construction projects. Mahendra’s cook, Iswaran, is an excellent storyteller who narrates captivating and often exaggerated tales. Iswaran’s stories are so engaging that they bring a sense of excitement to Mahendra’s otherwise mundane life. One of Iswaran’s stories involves a supernatural encounter with a ghost, which he claims to have seen in the forest near their temporary living quarters. Initially, Mahendra dismisses these stories as mere fabrications, but he starts experiencing eerie occurrences himself. One night, he sees a ghostly figure, which terrifies him. The story ends with Mahendra deciding to leave the place, influenced by Iswaran’s tales. The narrative highlights the power of storytelling and its impact on listeners, blurring the lines between reality and imagination.

#### 4. **In the Kingdom of Fools**

A Kannada folktale adapted by A.K. Ramanujan, "In the Kingdom of Fools" tells the story of a kingdom where the king and his ministers are fools. The people of this kingdom must work at night and sleep during the day. One day, a guru and his disciple visit the kingdom and are puzzled by the odd rules. The disciple, enticed by the cheap food available, decides to stay despite the guru’s warning about the dangers of living among fools. Eventually, a merchant accuses a poor man of causing his brother’s death. The king and his minister’s absurd sense of justice lead to a series of comical events where they keep changing the person to be executed. The situation spirals out of control until the guru returns and cleverly manipulates the king into executing himself and his minister. The kingdom is then handed over to the guru and his disciple, who restore normalcy. The story humorously critiques the incompetence and irrationality of those in power, emphasizing the value of wisdom and common sense.

#### 5. **The Happy Prince**

Oscar Wilde’s "The Happy Prince" is a poignant story about a statue of a prince covered in gold and precious stones, standing high above a city. The prince, in life, had lived a sheltered, carefree existence, oblivious to the suffering of his people. Now a statue, he witnesses the city’s poverty and misery. A swallow, on its way to Egypt, takes refuge at the statue’s feet and becomes the prince’s messenger. The prince asks the swallow to distribute his jewels and gold leaf to the needy, alleviating their suffering. Despite the swallow’s growing frailty due to the cold, it faithfully carries out the prince’s wishes until it dies at his feet. The prince, now stripped of his finery, is no longer admired and is taken down and melted. However, the prince’s lead heart and the dead swallow are deemed the most precious things in the city by God and are taken to heaven. The story emphasizes themes of compassion, sacrifice, and the true value of love and generosity.

#### 6. **Weathering the Storm in Ersama**

Harsh Mander’s story recounts the true events of the devastating cyclone that struck the coastal town of Ersama in Odisha in 1999. The protagonist, Prashant, a young man, visits his friend’s village when the cyclone hits. The village is destroyed, leaving people homeless and in dire need of food and shelter. Despite his initial shock and despair, Prashant rallies the villagers, organizes food distribution, and takes care of the injured and the elderly. He motivates people to rebuild their lives, showing remarkable leadership and resilience. The story showcases the human spirit’s strength and the importance of community and collective effort in overcoming natural disasters.

#### 7. **The Last Leaf**

O. Henry’s story is set in Greenwich Village, New York, where two young artists, Sue and Johnsy, share a studio. Johnsy falls seriously ill with pneumonia and loses the will to live, convinced that she will die when the last leaf falls from a vine outside her window. Their neighbor, an elderly artist named Behrman, who has always talked about painting a masterpiece, is deeply affected by Johnsy’s plight. One stormy night, Behrman paints a realistic leaf on the wall to give Johnsy hope. Johnsy, seeing the leaf still clinging to the vine, finds the strength to recover. Tragically, Behrman catches pneumonia while painting the leaf and dies, but his selfless act saves Johnsy. The story underscores themes of hope, sacrifice, and the transformative power of art.

#### 8. **A House is Not a Home**

Zan Gaudioso’s autobiographical story describes his experiences of losing his home to a fire and the emotional upheaval that follows. As a teenager, Zan struggles with the loss of his possessions and the feeling of displacement. His schoolmates and community rally around him, providing support and donations, which help him realize that home is not just a physical space but a place of love and support. Zan’s mother’s resilience and the kindness of others restore his sense of security and belonging. The story highlights the importance of community, the strength of human connections, and the idea that true home is where love and support reside.

#### 9. **The Accidental Tourist**

Bill Bryson’s humorous essay recounts his frequent travel mishaps, showcasing his tendency to be a clumsy and forgetful traveler. From spilling drinks to losing tickets, Bryson describes his travel experiences with self-deprecating humor. His anecdotes include struggles with technology, such as seat belts and electronic devices, and his attempts to manage his belongings during flights. Despite his best efforts, he often finds himself in embarrassing situations, much to the amusement of his readers. The essay celebrates the lighter side of travel and the idea that sometimes, our imperfections and mistakes make for the best stories.

#### 10. **The Beggar**

Anton Chekhov’s story focuses on the transformation of a beggar named Lushkoff, who is helped by a kind and determined advocate named Skvortsov. Initially, Lushkoff lies about his circumstances to elicit sympathy and money from people. Skvortsov offers him work instead of money, hoping to reform him. Lushkoff reluctantly accepts, and through the efforts of Skvortsov’s cook, Olga, who quietly does most of the work for him, Lushkoff’s life begins to change. Over time, he reforms and becomes a responsible, self-sufficient man. Years later, Lushkoff reveals his gratitude to Skvortsov and Olga, acknowledging their roles in his transformation. The story highlights themes of kindness, redemption, and the impact of genuine support on an individual’s life.