About the Author
K.A. Abbas
K.A. Abbas was a kind Indian writer and film-maker. He was born in 1914 in a small town in Uttar Pradesh. He loved to write stories about poor people, girls, and village life. His words are simple and full of love.
He made many movies too, like Dharti Ke Lal. He wanted everyone to get respect and school. He died in 1987.
Bholi is his sweet story about a shy girl who finds her voice.
What’s the Story About?
This is a heart-warming village story about a little girl everyone calls Bholi (which means “simple” or “slow”). But she is not slow – she is brave and smart inside! Let’s read it like a bedtime tale.
Bholi’s Early Days
- Bholi’s real name is Sulekha.
- When she was a baby, she fell and hurt her head. This made her speak slowly.
- When she was 2, she got smallpox (a bad sickness with marks). Her face got black spots.
- Other kids laughed at her. “Bholi! Bholi!” they shouted. She became very shy.
Bholi Goes to School
- No one sent girls to school in the village.
- But a new girls’ school opened. The rich village head (Tehsildar) asked every family to send one girl.
- Bholi’s dad, Ramlal, had 7 kids – 3 boys, 4 girls. The big sisters were married. Bholi was the youngest.
- He thought, “Bholi will never marry with her looks and slow talk. Let her go to school.”
- First day, Bholi cried. But the kind teacher smiled and said, “Don’t be afraid. I will help you.”
Bholi Loves School
- The teacher gave her a picture book with bright birds and cows.
- Bholi touched the pictures and laughed! First time in life.
- She started going daily. She learned to read, write, and speak better.
- She made friends. She felt happy and strong.
The Big Marriage Day
- Bholi is now grown up.
- A rich man, Bishamber, comes to marry her. He is old, limps, and has grown-up kids. But he is rich, so Ramlal agrees.
- On wedding day, Bishamber sees Bholi’s smallpox marks.
- He says, “I will marry only if you give 5000 rupees extra!”
- Ramlal cries. He begs. He brings the money from the safe.
Bholi’s Brave Moment
- Bholi sees her dad sad. She hears the village laugh.
- She stands up tall. She says in a clear voice: “No! I will NOT marry this greedy man!”
- Everyone is shocked. Bholi never spoke like this!
- She says, “He wants money for my face. I am not a thing to sell.”
- Bishamber gets angry and leaves.
Happy Ending
- Ramlal is sad. “Who will marry you now?”
- Bholi smiles. “I don’t need marriage. I will teach in the same school. I will take care of you and mother.”
- The teacher is proud. The village is quiet.
- Bholi becomes a teacher! She helps other little girls.
Simple Idea: Love yourself. School gives power. Say NO to wrong things.
Who’s Who in the Story
- Bholi (Sulekha) – The main girl in the story. She is shy and scared at first but becomes brave and confident in the end.
- Ramlal – Bholi’s father and the village numberdar (head). He worries about her future and tries to arrange her marriage.
- Bholi’s Mother – A traditional woman who only cares about getting Bholi married. She loves her but doesn’t understand her feelings.
- Bishamber – A greedy, middle-aged man who agrees to marry Bholi for a dowry of 5000 rupees.
- The Teacher – A kind and patient lady who helps Bholi learn to read, speak clearly, and believe in herself.
- Village Kids – Other children in the village who laugh at Bholi in the beginning but later see her change.
Themes and Moral
Main Themes
- Education is Magic: School changed Bholi from shy to strong.
- Self-Respect: Bholi said NO to wrong marriage.
- Greed is Bad: Bishamber wanted money, not love.
- Girls are Equal: Bholi proved girls can teach and live alone.
Moral Lessons
- Go to school every day – it gives voice and courage.
- Love your face and heart – marks don’t make you small.
- Say NO to greed – money can’t buy respect.
- Help your parents – Bholi cared for her dad.
Important Vocabulary and Phrases
Very easy words with baby-simple meanings
Words
- Smallpox – A sickness that leaves black marks on the skin. In the story: Bholi got smallpox as a baby.
- Numberdar – The village head who collects taxes. In the story: Ramlal was the numberdar of the village.
- Dowry – Money or gifts given by the bride’s family at marriage. In the story: Bishamber demanded a dowry of 5000 rupees.
- Stammer – To speak with breaks or pauses (like “b-b-bholi”). In the story: Bholi used to stammer when she spoke.
- Limped – Walked with one weak or injured leg. In the story: Bishamber limped when he walked.
- Garland – A necklace made of flowers, used in weddings. In the story: Bholi put the garland on, then removed it to stop the marriage.
- Courage – Bravery to speak the truth or stand up for oneself. In the story: Bholi showed courage by refusing to marry Bishamber.
Phrases
- Fell ill – Became sick. Example: Bholi fell ill with smallpox.
- Heart sank – Felt very sad or disappointed. Example: Ramlal’s heart sank when Bholi refused the marriage.
- Put her foot down – Said “no” firmly or stood by her decision. Example: Bholi put her foot down against the unfair demand.
- Live with head held high – To live proudly and with self-respect. Example: Bholi said she would live with her head held high.
Tip: Act the wedding scene with friends! Say Bholi’s brave words loudly. ðŸŽ
Fun Activity
- Draw Bholi with a book in hand.
- Write 3 things she learned in school.
- Tell your mom: “I will study hard like Bholi!”
This story tells every girl: You are special. School is your wings. Fly high, little Bholi! 🦋