The Window by Ruskin Bond: Notes, Questions and Answers Class 6 Wind Chimes

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Summary of “The Window” by Ruskin Bond

In “The Window,” the narrator moves into a room on the roof of a building in the spring. The room has a window that offers a view of a banyan tree, a garden, and the surrounding neighbourhood. Through this window, the narrator observes the world and feels a sense of ownership over the view.

One early summer day, a tonga arrives, bringing a girl named Koki and her aunt to stay in the building for the summer. Koki, who is about ten or eleven years old, meets the narrator and they quickly become friends. They spend their days together at the window, watching the world go by and finding excitement in the changing weather and the activities of the people and animals outside.

During the rainy season, Koki and the narrator enjoy the drama of the heavy rains, which turn the path into a river and flood the room. Koki also suggests making a garden on the roof, and they work hard to create flower beds, but their efforts are washed away by a storm.

As autumn arrives, Koki tells the narrator she is leaving. The narrator is surprised and sad but tries to reassure her that the window will remain. The next day, Koki departs with her aunt, waving to the narrator as she leaves. After Koki is gone, the narrator closes the window, resolving to open it again when spring and Koki return.

The story captures the fleeting but meaningful friendship between the narrator and Koki, highlighting the beauty of simple moments and the passage of time.

Word – Meanings

Banyan tree: A large, tropical tree with spreading branches that often has aerial roots. Inhabitants: People or animals that live in a particular place. Mynah: A type of bird known for its ability to mimic sounds.Flying-foxes: Large bats with long wingspans. Horizon: The line where the earth’s surface and the sky appear to meet. Ayah: A nanny or maid in South Asia. Pram: A baby carriage or stroller. Postman: A person who delivers mail.Fruit-seller: A person who sells fruits.Toy-seller: A person who sells toys. Wares: Goods or merchandise that are sold.Rent-collector: A person who collects rent from tenants. Posse of cyclists: A group of people riding bicycles. Lame beggar: A beggar who is unable to walk properly due to injury or disability.

Tonga: A light, horse-drawn carriage used in India. Rattling: Making a series of short, sharp knocking sounds. Jingling: Making a light ringing sound. Snorting: A noise made by the horse by forcefully exhaling air through its nose. Suspiciously: In a way that shows distrust or doubt. Flattering: Praising or complimenting in a way that pleases. Mocking: Making fun of someone or something in a cruel way. Hesitated: Paused before saying or doing something, often due to uncertainty. Cautiously: In a careful way to avoid danger or risk. Uncomprehendingly: Without understanding.

Excitement: A feeling of great enthusiasm and eagerness. Rumbling: A continuous deep, resonant sound. Vengeance: With great force or intensity. Bog: Wet, muddy ground that is difficult to walk on. Frisking: Moving or playing energetically. Detachment: A state of being objective or aloof. Cinema: A place where movies are shown. Propose: To suggest a plan or idea. Predicted: To say that something will happen in the future. Species: A group of living organisms consisting of similar individuals. Bougainvillaea: A flowering.

Whispering: Making a soft, quiet sound. Branches: Parts of a tree that grow out from the trunk. Rays: Narrow beams of light.Window-sill: The ledge at the bottom of a window. Fluffy: Soft and light in texture. Surprised: Feeling or showing shock or astonishment. Flicked: Moved something with a sudden sharp movement. Reins: Long, narrow straps attached to a horse’s bit used for guiding. Creaked: Made a long, high sound like the sound of a door opening. Spray: A small branch or stem with leaves or flowers.

Theme of “The Window” by Ruskin Bond

The main theme of “The Window” by Ruskin Bond revolves around friendship and the passage of time. The story captures the fleeting yet impactful connection between the narrator and Koki, showcasing how brief encounters can leave lasting impressions.

1. Friendship: The bond between the narrator and Koki highlights the joy and innocence of childhood friendships. Their shared experiences and adventures, especially those viewed from the window, create a magical and memorable time for both of them.
2. Change and Impermanence: The changing seasons symbolize the passage of time and the inevitable changes in life. Koki’s departure and the narrator’s closing of the window signify the end of a chapter, with the hope of renewal in the future.
3. Nature and Observation: The window serves as a portal to the world, offering a unique perspective on nature and everyday life. The narrator’s observations of the outside world emphasize the beauty and variety of life, even in the simplest of scenes.
4. Nostalgia and Memory: The story evokes a sense of nostalgia for the past and the precious moments shared with friends. The narrator’s reflections on the time spent with Koki highlight the importance of cherishing memories and the impact they have on our lives.

In essence, “The Window” is a touching story about the connections we make, the changes we experience, and the beauty of observing the world around us.

Character Sketches

The Narrator

The narrator of the story “The Window” by Ruskin Bond is a reflective and observant individual. He finds solace in the small world he observes from his window, where he is deeply connected to nature and the simple happenings of life outside. Though initially lonely, he discovers companionship in Koki, a young girl who shares his love for the world beyond the window. The narrator is thoughtful, cherishing the moments he spends with Koki, and he values the beauty in everyday life. He is also sensitive and introspective, understanding the fleeting nature of time and relationships.

Koki

Koki is a lively and curious young girl, full of energy and imagination. She quickly befriends the narrator and brings joy and excitement into his otherwise quiet life. Koki is adventurous, as seen in her eagerness to explore the world from the narrator’s window and her enthusiasm for activities like dancing in the rain and climbing the mango tree. She has a playful nature, evident in her teasing but friendly interactions with the narrator. Koki is also caring and considerate, shown when she worries about the creeper growing through the window. Despite her youthful spirit, she understands the importance of her friendship with the narrator and expresses a sense of longing when it’s time to leave.

Textbook Question & Answers

Comprehension

A. Answer these questions in brief.

1. Who were the inhabitants of the banyan tree?
2. What do you think rattled and jingled as the tonga came down the path?
3. What did the women do when it started raining?
4. When did the writer and Koki become friends?
5. What did Koki do when it rained?
6. What made the bed look like an island?
7. ‘So we returned to the window. When does the writer say this and why?

Answers:

1. Who were the inhabitants of the banyan tree?
   • Ans. The inhabitants of the banyan tree were two squirrels, a few mynahs, a crow, and at night, a pair of flying foxes.
2. What do you think rattled and jingled as the tonga came down the path?
   • Ans. The wheels of the tonga rattled, and the bells attached to it jingled as it came down the path.
3. What did the women do when it started raining?
   • Ans. When it started raining, the women rushed outside to retrieve the clothes that were hanging on the clothesline to dry.
4. When did the writer and Koki become friends?
   • Ans. The writer and Koki became friends after she came up to his room, and he showed her the view from his window.
5. What did Koki do when it rained?
   • Ans. When it rained, Koki would run out on the roof, shout, and dance in the rain.
6. What made the bed look like an island?
   • Ans. The rain came through the open door and window, flooding the floor, which made the bed look like an island.
7. ‘So we returned to the window.’ When does the writer say this and why?
   • Ans. The writer says this after their garden on the roof gets washed away by the heavy rain. They returned to their usual activity of watching the world through the window because their gardening attempt failed.

B. Answer these questions with reference to the context.

1. ‘I don’t believe you,” she said.
   a. Who is speaking to whom?
   b. What is it that she does not believe?
   c. What is the response of the person she is speaking to?
2. I didn’t think her remark particularly flattering, but I had asked for it.
   a. Who is the speaker talking about?
   b. What remark is he referring to?
   c. What does he mean by ‘but I had asked for it’?
3. ‘or someone will close the window!’
   a. Who says this and to whom?
   b. Why does the speaker not want the window to be closed?
   c. Does the listener keep the window open? Why?

Answers:

1. ‘I don’t believe you,’ she said.

• a. Who is speaking to whom?
  • Ans. Koki is speaking to the narrator.
• b. What is it that she does not believe?
  • Ans. Koki does not believe that the narrator has magic in his room.
• c. What is the response of the person she is speaking to?
  • Ans. The narrator invites Koki to come up to his room and see the magic for herself.

2. I didn’t think her remark particularly flattering, but I had asked for it.

• a. Who is the speaker talking about?
  • Ans. The narrator is talking about Koki.
• b. What remark is he referring to?
  • Ans. He is referring to Koki’s remark when she said, “You look like a ghost.”
• c. What does he mean by ‘but I had asked for it’?
  • Ans. The narrator means that he brought the remark upon himself by jokingly telling Koki that he was a ghost, so her response was expected, even if it wasn’t flattering.

3. ‘Or someone will close the window!’

• a. Who says this and to whom?
  • Ans. Koki says this to the narrator.
• b. Why does the speaker not want the window to be closed?
  • Ans. Koki doesn’t want the window to be closed because it represents the connection and experiences she shares with the narrator, including the view of the world outside.
• c. Does the listener keep the window open? Why?
  • Ans. Yes, the listener (the narrator) keeps the window open, because it holds sentimental value and symbolizes the bond with Koki. However, after Koki leaves, the narrator closes the window, deciding to open it again only when Koki returns in the spring.

C. Answer these questions.

1. What does the writer mean when he says, ‘But only from the window’?
   • Ans. The writer means that although he felt like he owned the world because of the view he had from his window, his sense of ownership and connection to the outside world was limited to what he could see from the window. He could observe and enjoy it, but he wasn’t truly a part of it.
2. Explain the line, ‘But then I discovered the power of my window’, in your own words.
   • Ans. The writer is expressing that he found a new sense of wonder and fascination through his window. It allowed him to observe the world, experience different scenes and seasons, and find companionship in what he saw, making the window a source of joy and connection.
3. ‘It gave us the power of detachment: we were deeply interested in the life around us, but we were not involved in it.’ What do you think the writer means by this?
   • Ans. The writer means that he and Koki were able to observe the world outside with curiosity and interest, but they remained separate from it. The window allowed them to watch life unfold without being directly affected or involved in the events they witnessed.
4. According to the writer, how much did he and Koki need to know about each other?
   • Ans. The writer felt that he and Koki didn’t need to know much about each other. Their friendship was simple and based on shared experiences rather than personal details. They enjoyed each other’s company and the moments they spent together, which was enough for them.
5. Explain in your own words, ‘When the rain came, it came with a vengeance, making a bog of the garden and a river of the path’.
   • Ans. This means that when it rained, it rained so heavily and forcefully that the garden turned into a muddy swamp, and the path became flooded like a river. The rain was intense and overwhelming, drastically changing the landscape.
6. What did the writer and Koki do during the mango season?
   • Ans. During the mango season, the writer and Koki spent a lot of time in the mango tree, eating mangoes together. They enjoyed the ripe mangoes, sometimes eating as many as five a day, and talked to each other while sitting in the tree.
7. How difficult was it for the writer and Koki to make a terrace garden?
   • Ans. Making the terrace garden was difficult because they had to carry buckets of mud up the steps to the roof and lay out the flower beds, which was hard work. Despite their efforts, their garden was washed away by heavy rain, showing how challenging and ultimately unsuccessful their attempt was.
8. Koki said, ‘Now we can’t shut the window without spoiling the creeper.’ What does this statement tell us about Koki?
   • Ans. This statement shows that Koki was thoughtful and cared about nature. She didn’t want to harm the creeper that had grown into the room through the window. It also shows her attachment to the window and the special connection it represented in her friendship with the writer.
9. What did the writer and Koki see from the window during the autumn season?
   • Ans. During the autumn season, the writer and Koki saw red leaves falling from the banyan tree, which the wind blew around like butterflies. They also watched the sun rise in the morning, turning the sky red, and in the evening, they observed the sunset with clouds that were sometimes pink and sometimes orange.
10. Imagine that the writer keeps a diary. What would he write on the following days:

• a. The day Koki arrived:
  • Ans. “Today, a tonga brought a little girl named Koki and her aunt to stay in the building. Koki has long black hair and sparkling eyes. We spoke from the window, and she came up to my room. There’s something special about her—I think we’re going to be good friends.”
• b. The day Koki left:
  • Ans. “Koki left today. I watched her go from the window, and she waved until she was out of sight. The room feels empty without her laughter. I closed the window, but I’ll keep it ready for when she comes back in the spring.”

11. In literature, windows often symbolize desire, longing, freedom, opportunity, and liberation. If given the opportunity:

• a. What kind of a window would you like to have in your room?
  • Ans. I would like to have a large, wide window that lets in plenty of natural light. It would have a cozy seat by the sill where I could sit and read or just look outside.
• b. What view would you like to see from that window?
  • Ans. I would like to see a view of a peaceful garden with colourful flowers, a few tall trees, and perhaps a small pond. The view would change with the seasons, offering something beautiful to see all year round.

Short Answers:

1. The writer felt connected to the world only through the window. He could see and enjoy it, but wasn’t part of it.
2. The window became a source of joy, allowing the writer to observe the world and feel connected to it.
3. The window let them watch life outside with curiosity, but without being involved in it.
4. They didn’t need to know much. Their friendship was based on shared moments, not personal details.
5. The rain was so heavy that it turned the garden into mud and flooded the path.
6. They spent time in the mango tree, eating mangoes and talking.
7. It was hard work carrying mud to the roof, but their garden was washed away by rain.
8. Koki cared about nature and didn’t want to harm the plant growing through the window.
9. They saw red leaves blowing like butterflies and watched colourful sunrises and sunsets.
10. Answer:
    • a. The day Koki arrived:
      • “Koki came today. We talked, and she visited my room. I think we’ll be friends.”
    • b. The day Koki left:
      • “Koki left today. The room feels empty. I closed the window, waiting for her return.”
11. Answer:
    • a. What kind of a window would you like to have in your room?
      • A large, sunny window with a cozy seat.
    • b. What view would you like to see from that window?
      • A peaceful garden with flowers, trees, and a small pond.

Another Set of Answers:

1. What does the writer mean when he says, ‘But only from the window’?
   • The writer means that his sense of ownership and connection with the world outside is limited to what he can see from his window. The window gives him a view of the world, but he is not physically a part of it.
2. Explain the line, ‘But then I discovered the power of my window,’ in your own words.
   • The writer realizes that his window allows him to observe the world around him in a unique way. It becomes a source of entertainment, connection, and even companionship, making him feel less lonely and more engaged with life.
3. ‘It gave us the power of detachment: we were deeply interested in the life around us, but we were not involved in it.’ What do you think the writer means by this?
   • The writer means that while he and Koki were fascinated by the events and people they watched through the window, they remained distant observers, not directly participating in those activities. This allowed them to enjoy the scenes without being affected by them.
4. According to the writer, how much did he and Koki need to know about each other?
   • The writer believes that he and Koki didn’t need to know much about each other beyond the basics. Their friendship was based on shared experiences and the joy they found in each other’s company, rather than deep personal details.
5. Explain in your own words, ‘When the rain came, it came with a vengeance, making a bog of the garden and a river of the path’.
   • This means that when it started raining, the rain was so heavy and intense that it turned the garden into a muddy swamp and the path into a flowing stream, flooding the entire area.
6. What did the writer and Koki do during the mango season?
   • During the mango season, the writer and Koki spent time climbing the mango tree, picking ripe mangoes, and eating them together. They enjoyed the fruits and the fun of being in the tree, often talking to each other from the branches.
7. How difficult was it for the writer and Koki to make a terrace garden?
   • It was quite difficult for the writer and Koki to make a terrace garden. They had to carry buckets of mud up the stairs to the roof and arrange the flower beds. Despite their hard work, their garden was washed away by heavy rain, showing the challenge of their task.
8. Koki said, ‘Now we can’t shut the window without spoiling the creeper.’ What does this statement tell us about Koki?
   • This statement shows that Koki is caring and considerate, even towards plants. She values the life of the creeper and doesn’t want to harm it, showing her appreciation for nature and her willingness to adapt her actions to protect it.
9. What did the writer and Koki see from the window during the autumn season?
   • During the autumn season, the writer and Koki saw red leaves falling from the banyan tree and being blown around by the wind, making them look like butterflies. They also watched beautiful sunrises and sunsets, with the sky filled with colorful clouds framed by the window.
10. Imagine that the writer keeps a diary. What would he write on the following days:

• a. The day Koki arrived:
  • Today, a new friend entered my life. A young girl named Koki arrived with her aunt. She has long black hair and a playful spirit. We met when she looked up from the garden and saw me at my window. After some playful banter, I invited her up, and she brought a new kind of magic into my room. I feel less lonely now.
• b. The day Koki left:
  • Koki left today, and the room feels emptier without her. She waved to me from the tonga as it rattled down the path, and I watched her go until she was out of sight. The window is closed now, waiting for her return in the spring. Until then, the memories we made together will keep me company.

11. In literature, windows often symbolize desire, longing, freedom, opportunity, and liberation. If given the opportunity:
    • a. What kind of a window would you like to have in your room?
      • I would like to have a large, wide window that lets in plenty of natural light and offers a panoramic view of the outside world. It should be easy to open so I can let in fresh air and hear the sounds of nature.
    • b. What view would you like to see from that window?
      • I would like to see a peaceful, scenic view of rolling hills, a garden filled with colorful flowers, and perhaps a river flowing gently in the distance. Watching the sunrise and sunset from this window would be a daily source of joy and inspiration.

Grammar

A. Choose the correct options to complete these sentences.

1. Every child dread/dreads the darkness.
2. He are/is the target of my caricature.
3. Everybody is/are relaxed.
4. The art I have chosen rub/rubs everyone the wrong way.
5. They are/is very proud of me.
6. Go/Goes to the market at once if you want to have breakfast.

Answers:

1. Every child dreads the darkness.
2. He is the target of my caricature.
3. Everybody is relaxed.
4. The art I have chosen rubs everyone the wrong way.
5. They are very proud of me.
6. Go to the market at once if you want to have breakfast

B. Complete this letter by using the present continuous forms of the verbs in the brackets.

Dear Arun,
I am here at last in Canada. I ……… (have) a great time. My semester ……… (begin) in September. So I ……… (take) this opportunity to earn some money. I …….. (stay) with a family who had emigrated from Kenya. I …….. (learn) French from them. This weekend, I …….. (go) on a fishing trip with them. I (enjoy) life to the hilt here.
Do give me all the details about what you …….. (do) these days.
With love
Akram

Answers:

I am here at last in Canada. I am having a great time. My semester is beginning in September. So I am taking this opportunity to earn some money. I am staying with a family who had emigrated from Kenya. I am learning French from them. This weekend, I am going on a fishing trip with them. I am going on a fishing trip with them. I am enjoying life to the hilt here.
Do give me all the details about what you are doing these days.

C. Complete these sentences by using the present perfect forms of the verbs the brackets.

1. Ram (answer) all the questions.
2. Bobby (stop) painting.
3. Three hours (pass) and the exam is over.
4. The peon (ring) the bell.
5. The teacher (collect) all the papers.
6. All the students (do) their assignments well.

Answers:

1. Ram has answered all the questions.
2. Bobby has stopped painting.
3. Three hours have passed and the exam is over.
4. The peon has rung the bell.
5. The teacher has collected all the papers.
6. All the students have done their assignments well.

D. Fill in the blanks with since or for.

1. He has not met his brother last year.
2. Reena has not written to me a long time.
3. I have not read a good book some months.
4. The clinic has been open two hours.
5. This centre has been operational December 2009.
6. Our club has been organising this charity drive 1919.

Answers:

1. He has not met his brother since last year.
2. Reena has not written to me for a long time.
3. I have not read a good book for some months.
4. The clinic has been open for two hours.
5. This centre has been operational since December 2009.
6. Our club has been organising this charity drive since 1919.