About the Author
This story is a part of the "Honeysuckle" textbook and does not have a single named author, as it is adapted from traditional tales or written for educational purposes. The NCERT team selects such stories to teach students valuable lessons through simple and engaging narratives. The focus is on teaching moral values and life lessons in a way that young students can easily understand.
What’s the Story About?
This story is about a boy named Rasheed, who goes to a village fair with his uncle and a friend. It’s a fun day with lots of shops, games, and food stalls. Rasheed is excited to explore everything. At the fair, he sees a game called the "Lucky Shop." The shopkeeper is loud and friendly, calling out to people to try their luck. The game looks easy: you pay a small amount, pick a disc with a number, and if your number wins, you get a prize.
Rasheed watches others play. Some people win small things like pencils or candies, which makes the game seem fair. The shopkeeper is clever and makes everyone feel like they can win big. Rasheed’s uncle warns him not to play, saying these games are tricks to take money. But Rasheed is curious and thinks he can be lucky.
Rasheed decides to try the game with his own pocket money. He pays and picks a disc, hoping for a big prize like a watch or a radio. But every time he plays, he only gets small, cheap things like a comb or a pen. He keeps playing, thinking his luck will change, but he loses all his money. The shopkeeper smiles and encourages him to try again, but Rasheed has nothing left.
Feeling sad, Rasheed tells his uncle what happened. His uncle explains that these games are not about luck—they are set up to make people lose. The shopkeeper designs the game so he always makes money, while players like Rasheed lose. Rasheed feels silly but learns a big lesson: don’t trust games that promise easy rewards, as they can trick you.
The story teaches that being careful with money and listening to wise advice can save you from trouble. Rasheed’s day at the fair starts with fun but ends with a lesson about trust and greed.
Who’s Who in the Story
- Rasheed: The main character, a young boy who loves the fair. He is curious and excited but gets tricked by the game because he believes in luck.
- Uncle: Rasheed’s wise uncle who takes him to the fair. He warns Rasheed about the game but lets him learn from his own mistake.
- The Shopkeeper: The man who runs the "Lucky Shop." He is clever and talks sweetly to make people play his game, but he tricks them to make money.
- Rasheed’s Friend: A minor character who goes to the fair with Rasheed and his uncle. He enjoys the fair but doesn’t play the game.
Themes and Moral
Themes:
- Trust and Caution: The story shows why we should be careful about trusting strangers who promise big rewards. Rasheed learns that not everything is as good as it seems.
- Greed: Rasheed wants to win big prizes, which makes him keep playing. His greed leads to losing his money.
- Learning from Mistakes: Rasheed makes a mistake by not listening to his uncle, but he learns to be wiser next time.
Moral: Don’t fall for tricks that promise easy rewards. Listen to good advice and be careful with your money to avoid being cheated.
Important Vocabulary and Phrases
Here are some key words and phrases from the story, explained in simple language:
- Fair: A big outdoor event with games, shops, and food stalls, like a village mela where people have fun.
- Luck: When something good happens by chance, like finding money on the road.
- Trick: A clever plan to fool someone, like hiding the truth to take their money.
- Prize: A reward you get for winning something, like a toy or a gift.
- Disc: A small, flat, round object, like a coin, used in the game to pick numbers.
- Encourage: To push someone to do something by giving them hope, like saying, “You can do it!”
- Cheat: To act dishonestly to win or get something, like lying to take someone’s money.
- Wise: Being smart and knowing what is right, like listening to good advice.
These words help you understand the story better. Try using them when you talk about the fair or games!