A Short Monsoon Diary | Class 8 English Notes

Diary Entries: June 24 and June 25

These diary entries mark the beginning of the monsoon season in the hills. On June 24, the author describes the arrival of the monsoon mist, which brings a profound silence to the forest as all the birds fall silent. The mist is described as 'melancholy' because it not only conceals the hills but also blankets them in silence, creating a somber atmosphere. The author notes that only an hour earlier, the trees were ringing with birdsong, highlighting the dramatic change brought by the mist. The author hears Bijju calling his sister but cannot see him due to the mist's concealment.

On June 25, the diary notes the arrival of genuine early-monsoon rain, characterized as warm and humid rather than cold. The plants respond to this rain, with the first cobra lily emerging from the ferns. The mist is said to afford a certain privacy, suggesting a sense of intimacy with nature. A schoolboy asks the author to describe the hill station and valley in one sentence, to which the author replies, 'A paradise that might have been,' indicating a nostalgic or wistful appreciation of the landscape.

The entries also introduce new visitors to the area: a leopard and thousands of leeches. The leopard's attacks on domestic animals are recounted, showing the interaction between wildlife and human habitation. The author mentions getting used to daily bloodletting caused by leeches. Additionally, brightly colored scarlet minivets and aggressive drongos are observed, highlighting the diversity of birdlife during the monsoon. The presence of insectivorous birds like the tree creeper is noted, as the rains bring an abundance of insects, providing ample food.

These entries vividly capture the sensory and ecological changes at the start of the monsoon season, blending personal observation with natural history.

📊 Diagram: fern: a flowerless plant with feathery green leaves; See figure_1 and figure_2 for images of the hill station and the cobra lily fern.

🧪 Activity: Answer comprehension questions: Why is Bijju not seen? How do the hills change with the mist?

🔗 Connection: Prepares the reader for further diary entries describing the progression of the monsoon and its effects.