Jalebis | Class 8 English Notes

II

In this section, the boy finally gives in to the temptation and buys a heap of jalebis with the four rupees he had intended for his school fees. He buys a whole rupee's worth first, which the halwai (sweet seller) heaps generously on a newspaper, reflecting the value of money in those times compared to the present. The boy hides from his chachajaan (uncle) returning from court and begins to devour the jalebis with great delight, eating so many that he humorously imagines jalebis might pop out of his ears and nostrils.

Soon, boys from the neighborhood gather around him, attracted by the sight and smell of the jalebis. Feeling generous and in a celebratory mood, the boy distributes jalebis liberally to the children, likening himself to a Governor saheb distributing rice to the needy on Independence Day. The crowd grows as more children and even beggars join, and the boy imagines himself as a leader with devoted followers ready to fight for him. He spends all the four rupees on jalebis, sharing them with the crowd, and then cleans himself at a public tap before returning home, trying to appear innocent as if he had not eaten any jalebis.

However, the boy suffers physically from overeating sweets. He experiences stomach ache and burping, fearing that jalebis might come out with every burp. He must also eat his dinner to avoid suspicion of illness, which would lead to a doctor being called and his secret revealed. The night is uncomfortable as he lies coiled up like a jalebi, regretting his indulgence. The section humorously contrasts children's seemingly insatiable appetite and digestion with the boy's discomfort.

The next day, the boy plans to pay the fees with the scholarship money he expects to receive, but he finds out the scholarship will be paid the following month. This realization causes him distress, and when the time comes to pay fees, he leaves school during recess and wanders towards the railway station, praying for divine help to get four rupees to pay his fees. He reflects on the elders' warnings about not crossing railway tracks and not eating sweets with fees money, which he had forgotten in his moment of temptation.

This section captures the joy and consequences of giving in to temptation, the social interactions of the boy with his peers, and the moral dilemma he faces afterward.

📊 Diagram: Very quickly, boys from the entire neighbourhood assembled in the gali. By that time I was so pleased with my stomach full of jalebis that I got into the mood for some fun. I started handing out jaleb

🧪 Activity: Comprehension Check with questions about why he didn't eat all jalebis, the fear he experienced, and his actions regarding fees payment.

🔗 Connection: Prepares the narrative for the boy's remorse and prayer in the next section, highlighting the consequences of his actions.