A Ride on the Bus | Class 10 English Notes
By ConceptScroll Team · Published on 17 July 2026 · 5 min read
A Ride on the Bus – this guide gives you a concise, exam-ready overview of A Ride on the Bus from Class 10 English, written by ConceptScroll editors and reviewed against the latest NCERT textbook.
I
This section introduces the protagonist, Valliammai, affectionately called Valli, an eight-year-old girl known for her curiosity. Valli's favorite pastime is standing in the front doorway of her house, observing the street outside because she has no playmates her age nearby. This simple activity provides her with a window to the world beyond her immediate surroundings.
The most captivating sight for Valli is the bus that travels between her village and the nearest town. It passes her street twice daily, once going to the town and once returning. Each time, the bus carries a new set of passengers, which fascinates Valli endlessly. Over time, her fascination grows into a strong desire to ride the bus herself, even if only once.
Valli's longing intensifies as she watches people board and alight from the bus, imagining their experiences. She even uses the English slang 'Proud! proud!' to express jealousy when friends describe the town's sights, though she doesn't fully understand the phrase. Through listening to neighbors and asking discreet questions, Valli learns important details about the bus journey: the town is six miles away, the fare is thirty paise each way, and the trip takes about forty-five minutes. She calculates that she can take the one-o'clock bus, reach the town by 1:45 pm, and return by 2:45 pm if she pays another thirty paise.
This section highlights Valli's intelligence, curiosity, and determination as she plans her journey carefully, reflecting a child's growing awareness and desire for independence.
📊 Diagram: Illustration of Valli standing at the front doorway watching the street, capturing her curiosity and anticipation.
🧪 Activity: Oral Comprehension Check: Questions about Valli's pastime, her joy in watching the bus, her desire to ride it, and how she gathered information.
🔗 Connection: Prepares for the narrative of Valli's actual bus journey and her interactions with the conductor and passengers.
Frequently asked questions
(i) In the story Valli has to save money and make plans to be able to ride the bus. In pairs, discuss how you spent your pocket money last month. Did you spend it on yourself, or on someone dear to you? (ii) Valli’s enthusiasm is dampened and the memory of the dead cow haunts her. In groups, discuss an incident which may have troubled or discouraged you.
This is a discussion-based question aimed at encouraging students to share personal experiences and thoughts. There is no single correct answer. Students should reflect on their own spending habits and experiences of discouragement or trouble, and discuss these with their peers.
1. Who are the characters in this poem? List them with their pet names. 2. Why did Custard cry for a nice safe cage? Why is the dragon called "cowardly dragon"? 3. "Belinda tickled him, she tickled him unmerciful..." Why? 4. The poet has employed many poetic devices in the poem. For example: "Clashed his tail like iron in a dungeon" — the poetic device here is a simile. Can you, with your partner, list some more such poetic devices used in the poem? 5. Read stanza three again to know how the poet describes the appearance of the dragon. 6. Can you find out the rhyme scheme of two or three stanzas of the poem? 7. Writers use words to give us a picture or image without actually saying what they mean. Can you trace some images used in the poem? 8. Do you find The Tale of Custard the Dragon to be a serious or a light-hearted poem? Give reasons to support your answer. 9. This poem, in ballad form, tells a story. Have you come across any such modern song or lyric that tells a story? If you know one, tell it to the class. Collect such songs as a project.
1. Characters and their pet names:
- Belinda
- Ink (the little black kitten)
- Blink (the little grey mouse)
- Mustard (the little yellow dog)
- Custard (the pet dragon)
2. Custard cried for a nice safe cage because he was a cowardly dragon who was afraid of danger and preferred safety. He was called 'cowardly dragon' because unlike the other brave pets, he was scared and wanted protection.
3. Belinda tickled Custard unmercifully to tease him because he was cowardly and cried for safety, which
Have fun writing your ballad. Gather information (choose/decide an idea/theme), organise your materials under characters and story and then write. Revise and edit your ballad to make it entertaining. Use the following guidelines to write your ballad. - Purpose of writing the ballad: to entertain and interest - To whom I am writing: decide for whom you are writing - How should I structure features?: - Tell a simple narrative - A few major characters - A strong rhythm and rhyme - May have a refrain (single or two line(s) repeated often) - Divide into verses
Students should select a theme or idea for their ballad, plan the characters and storyline, and write a ballad following the guidelines provided. The ballad should have a simple narrative, include a few major characters, maintain a strong rhythm and rhyme, and may include a refrain. After writing, students should revise and edit their work to make it entertaining and interesting.
(i) In the story Valli has to save money and make plans to be able to ride the bus. In pairs, discuss how you spent your pocket money last month. Did you spend it on yourself, or on someone dear to you? (ii) Valli’s enthusiasm is dampened and the memory of the dead cow haunts her. In groups, discuss an incident which may have troubled or discouraged you.
Answer will vary. (i) Students should discuss their pocket money spending habits, whether on themselves or others, reflecting on saving and planning as Valli did.
(ii) Students should share personal experiences of discouragement or troubling incidents, discussing feelings and how they coped.
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