Class 9 English | Chapter- 7 |Reach for the Top | On Killing a Tree

Summary of Reach for the Top :

This text is about Santosh Yadav, an extraordinary woman from India who achieved a remarkable feat: she is the only woman in the world who has climbed Mt. Everest twice. Born in a small village where having a son was highly valued and a daughter was less celebrated, Santosh was determined to break away from traditional expectations.

From a young age, Santosh defied societal norms by wearing shorts instead of traditional dresses and insisting on continuing her education. Despite her parents’ initial reluctance, she managed to get a good education by moving to Delhi and then Jaipur. Her interest in mountaineering began when she saw people climbing hills near her hostel and decided to join them.

She trained rigorously, and her hard work paid off when she became the youngest woman to summit Mt. Everest in 1992. She not only excelled in climbing but also showed great compassion by helping fellow climbers in distress. Her achievements were recognized when she scaled Everest again, earning the prestigious Padmashri award from the Indian government. She also cared for the environment by bringing back garbage from the Himalayas.

Explanation :

Santosh Yadav's story teaches us about determination, breaking barriers, and the importance of education. Despite the challenges she faced as a girl in a traditional society, Santosh followed her passion for mountaineering and made history. Her journey shows that with hard work and perseverance, we can achieve great things and make a positive impact on the world. Santosh's respect for both people and the environment also highlights the value of kindness and responsibility.

Maria Sharapova

Summary :

Maria Sharapova, a famous tennis player, became the world number one in women’s tennis on August 22, 2005. She reached this top position in just four years as a professional, but her journey to success started much earlier and required significant sacrifices.

When she was only nine years old, Maria moved from her home in Siberia to Florida, USA, to train in tennis. She had to leave her mother behind in Siberia due to visa issues, and her father was busy working to support her training. During this time, Maria felt very lonely and had to deal with challenges like being woken up late at night by other students. Despite these hardships, she remained determined and focused on her dream of becoming a top tennis player.

Maria's determination and hard work paid off when she won the Wimbledon women’s singles title in 2004 and became the world number one in 2005. She is very competitive and considers tennis both her job and passion. Although she lives in the US, Maria proudly identifies as Russian and is eager to represent Russia in the Olympics if given the chance.

In addition to tennis, Maria enjoys fashion, singing, dancing, and reading novels by Arthur Conan Doyle. Despite her glamorous image, she also loves simple pleasures like pancakes with chocolate spread. Her success in tennis has brought her wealth, but Maria emphasizes that becoming number one was her main motivation.

Explanation :

Maria Sharapova’s story shows how dedication, hard work, and willingness to make sacrifices can lead to great success. Even though she faced loneliness and difficult conditions at a young age, Maria’s strong desire to become the best kept her going. Her achievements in tennis are a result of her relentless effort and determination. This story teaches us that pursuing our dreams often requires overcoming obstacles and making tough choices, but with perseverance, we can achieve our goals.

Class 9 English | Chapter- 7 |Reach for the Top | On Killing a Tree

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Summary of On Killing a Tree :

The poem describes the process of destroying a tree, emphasizing that it takes a lot more effort than just cutting it with a knife. Trees take a long time to grow and become strong by absorbing sunlight, air, and water from the earth. Even if you cut a tree, it can still grow back because it has the ability to heal and regenerate from its trunk.

To completely kill a tree, you must pull out its roots from the ground. The roots are the tree’s source of strength, hidden deep in the earth. Once the roots are exposed, the tree must be left to wither and dry out in the sun and air until it is entirely destroyed.

Explanation :

The poem uses the destruction of a tree as a metaphor to show that some tasks require more than just a simple effort to complete. It teaches us that to truly remove or end something, we need to address its core or fundamental parts, not just deal with the surface. In the case of the tree, merely cutting it isn't enough; its roots, which provide the tree's life and strength, must be removed and allowed to wither. This idea can be applied to other areas of life where understanding and addressing the root cause of a problem is essential for solving it effectively.

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