Ø Answer ⊗:  ⇓⇔⇓

a. What is education to you?
Education is the process of acquiring knowledge, skills, values, and attitudes through various means such as schooling, training, and personal experiences. It is a lifelong journey that helps individuals develop their potential and understand the world around them. Education goes beyond formal classroom learning and includes informal experiences that shape our thinking and behavior.

b. What, according to you, is the ultimate goal of education?
The ultimate goal of education is to empower individuals to lead fulfilling lives, make informed decisions, and contribute positively to society. It aims to develop critical thinking, problem-solving skills, and ethical values, enabling individuals to pursue personal and professional growth. Education should also foster a sense of responsibility and empathy towards others and the environment.

c. Who and what do you associate with education?
I associate education with teachers, mentors, and educational institutions like schools and universities. It also involves family members and peers who contribute to one’s learning journey. Education encompasses a variety of resources such as books, online courses, and workshops. Additionally, it includes experiences outside traditional settings, such as travel and personal challenges, which contribute to a person’s growth and understanding.

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B. Here is a short story on education. Read the story and answer the questions that follow.

 

The Parrot’s Tale
Rabindranath Tagore
(Translated by Kaiser Hag)

Once upon a time there lived a bird. It was unlettered. It sang but couldn’t recite a word of scripture. It hopped and it flew but lacked all sense of manners.
The King said, “Such a bird is of no use. Yet it devours fruit from the forest, bringing down the profits of fruiterers in the royal market.”
He summoned the Minister and commanded, “Educate the bird!”

The task of educating the bird fell on the King’s nephews, his sister’s sons.
The learned men of the court deliberated long. They pondered the reasons behind the ignorance of the creature in question. The conclusion: the bird’s nest made of straw and twigs could not hold much knowledge. Therefore, the first thing needed was a proper cage.
The royal scholars received handsome fees and happily went home.

A goldsmith set to work on a gilded cage. It turned out to be of such exquisite workmanship that people from far and near crowded round for a look. Some said, “This is education par excellence.” Others said, “Even if it learns nothing, it has got the cage. What a lucky bird.”
The goldsmith was delighted to get a bagful of money as reward and went home at once.
A teacher came to give lessons to the bird.

He took a pinch of snuff and declared, “This isn’t a matter of just a few texts.”
One of the royal nephews sent for scribes. They made multiple copies of various texts until there was a veritable mountain. “Bravo!” exclaimed those who saw it, “There is no room for any more knowledge.”
The scribes loaded their wages onto bullocks and merrily headed home.

They would never again want for anything.
The nephews were constantly busy looking after the expensive cage. Repairs were always underway. Anyone who saw the endless dusting, wiping, and polishing had to agree that there was “marked improvement.”
A large maintenance crew was needed, and more personnel to supervise them. They all got handsome monthly salaries, which they saved in their wooden chests. Even their cousins came to live with them in cushioned comfort.

The world is short of many things but not detractors. They said, “The cage looks better no doubt, but has anyone taken notice of the bird?”
This was reported to the King. He said to a nephew, “What’s this I hear?”
“Your Majesty,” replied the nephew, “If you wish to hear the truth, the goldsmiths, the scholars, the scribes, the maintenance crew and their supervisors. Those who haven’t got a share of the royal bounty are resorting to slander.”
Everything became clear to the King and he rewarded his nephew with a gold chain.

The King wished to see for himself at what an awesome pace the bird’s schooling was going on. One day he turned up at the schoolroom with his friends, counselors, and courtiers. At once the musicians at the gate struck up on their many wind and percussion instruments. The teachers shook their sacred tufts of hair as they loudly chanted mantras, and all the workmen, laborers, goldsmiths, scribes, and their numerous cousins raised slogans in praise of the King.

A nephew commented, “Your Majesty can see how things are going on.”
“Astonishing!” replied the King, “the din isn’t negligible.”
“Not only the noise,” said the nephew. “The meaning behind it isn’t negligible either.”
The King was pleased and walked out the gate to mount his elephant when one of the fault-finders, who had been lurking behind bushes, shouted, “Have you seen the bird, Your Majesty?”

The King was startled. He said, “There! I’d forgotten about it. We haven’t seen the bird.”
He went back and said to the teacher, “We must see the manner in which you conduct the lessons.”
A demonstration followed. It pleased the King no end. The manner was so advanced that the bird was hardly visible. It seemed not at all necessary to see the bird.

The King was satisfied that there was no flaw in the arrangements.
Inside the cage, there was neither any grain nor a drop of water. Only reams of texts were being torn and the pieces of paper thrust into the bird’s mouth with the point of a quill. Not only had the singing stopped, there wasn’t even scope for screeching. It was thrilling to watch.
This time, as the King mounted the elephant he ordered the officer entrusted with twisting the ears of mischief-makers to deal with the fault-finder.

Predictably, the bird weakened with every passing day, and lay half-dead. The tutors considered it a good sign. Still, out of innate bad habit, it would look out at the morning light and flutter its wings in a reprehensible manner. In fact, on some days it would try to cut the wires of the cage with its feeble beak.
“What impudence!” the Inspector of Police commented.
Then the blacksmith arrived with his furnace, bellows, and hammer and anvil. What thunderous hammering began then. A chain was fastened on the bird’s foot and its wings were trimmed.

The King’s brothers-in-law looked greatly annoyed as they shook their heads and said, “It’s not just that the birds in this kingdom are stupid, they are also ungrateful.”
Then the teachers, armed with quill in one hand and lance in the other, gave a memorable demonstration of teaching.
The blacksmith’s trade flourished to such an extent that gold ornaments bedecked his wife’s body, and the Police Inspector’s alertness earned him a medal.

The bird died. When it died was not known. Thanks to the godforsaken detractors, the rumor went around, “The bird is dead.”
The King called his nephew and said, “What is this I hear?”
“Your Majesty,” the nephew replied, “the bird’s education has been completed.”
The King asked, “Does it hop?”
“God forbid,” said the nephew.
“Does it still fly?”
“No.”
“Does it still sing?”
“No.”
“Does it screech if it isn’t fed?”
“No.”

“Bring it to me so that I can see it,” said the King.
The bird came. Along with it came the Inspector, a guard, a cavalry officer. The King pressed the bird; it made no sound, not even a squeak. Only its stomach let out the rustling noise of dry pieces of paper.
Outside, the green shoots of early spring sighed in the southerly breeze, filling the sky above the budding forest trees with wistful melancholy.

 

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C. Read the following words/phrases/expressions taken from the story and write their contextual meanings in your own language in the blank spaces.

 

1. scriptures
2. educate the bird
3. pinch of snuff
4. veritable mountain
5. dusting, wiping and polishing
6. marked improvement
7. cushioned comfort
8. What is that I hear?
9. maintenance crew
10. sacred tufts of hair
11. hardly visible
12. mischief-maker
13. furnace, bellows and hammer and anvil
14. hop
15. green shoots of early spring
16. wistful melancholy

 

Ø Answer ⊗:  ⇓⇔⇓

Here are the contextual meanings of the words/phrases/expressions from the story:

1. Scriptures
   পবিত্র গ্রন্থসমূহ: Religious or holy texts that are considered authoritative and sacred in various religions.
2. Educate the bird
   পাখিটিকে শিক্ষা প্রদান করা: To provide knowledge or training to the bird, although in the story it refers to the superficial and ineffective education given to the bird.
3. Pinch of snuff
   এক চিমটি স্নাফ: A small amount of powdered tobacco, used here metaphorically to signify a small or trivial part of the process.
4. Veritable mountain
   বিশাল পরিমাণ: A very large amount, often used to describe an overwhelming quantity of something, in this case, texts.
5. Dusting, wiping and polishing
   ধুলা মোছা, মুছা এবং পালিশ করা: The act of cleaning and maintaining the cage meticulously, indicating a focus on appearance rather than substance.
6. Marked improvement
   প্রধান উন্নতি: Significant or noticeable improvement, though in this context, it is more about the outward appearance rather than actual progress.
7. Cushioned comfort
   নরম আরাম: Soft and luxurious comfort, suggesting a high level of comfort provided to the nephews and their cousins.
8. What is that I hear?
   আমি কী শুনছি?: Expression used to indicate surprise or disbelief about what one has just heard.
9. Maintenance crew
   রক্ষণাবেক্ষণ দলের সদস্য: A group of people responsible for maintaining and fixing the cage and related facilities.
10. Sacred tufts of hair
    পবিত্র চুলের আঁচড়: Refers to the ritualistic or formal appearance of the teachers, often used to signify their authority and respect in the story.
11. Hardly visible
    কষ্টে দেখা যায়: So faint or small that it is barely noticeable, in this case, referring to the bird being almost invisible due to the focus on the cage.
12. Mischief-maker
    শায়লকার: Someone who causes trouble or mischief, often used to describe the bird’s disruptive behavior in the story.
13. Furnace, bellows and hammer and anvil
    ভাটা, বেলোশ এবং হ্যামার ও আঞ্জেল: Tools used in blacksmithing, representing the work done to maintain the cage and control the bird.
14. Hop
    ঝাঁপ: To jump or move with short leaps, often used to describe the bird’s movement.
15. Green shoots of early spring
    বসন্তের প্রথম শস্য: New growth or early signs of spring, symbolizing new beginnings and potential renewal.
16. Wistful melancholy
    উদাস এবং বিষণ্ণতা: A feeling of gentle sadness or longing, evoking a sense of reflective sadness about the bird’s fate and the beauty of the natural world.

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D. The following columns have some characters from the story. How would you like to portray them? Use the words in the box. You can also use your own words.

Ø Answer ⊗:  ⇓⇔⇓

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E. Read the texts below defining three types of literary work and decide what type of work “The Parrot’s Tale” is.

 

 

Satire: a genre of literature (and sometimes graphic and performing arts) in which vices, follies, abuses, and shortcomings are held up to ridicule, ideally with the intent of shaming individuals, corporations, government, or society itself into improvement.

Tragedy: a play dealing with tragic events and having an unhappy ending, especially one concerning the downfall of the main character.

Comedy: a kind of literary work that is amusing and satirical or humorous in tone. Generally, it has a happy ending.

 

Ø Answer ⊗:  ⇓⇔⇓

“The Parrot’s Tale” by Rabindranath Tagore fits best into the genre of Satire.

Here’s why:

• Satire: The story critiques and ridicules the superficial approach to education and the bureaucratic inefficiencies of the system. It highlights how the bird’s education becomes a spectacle with no real substance, emphasizing the vices and shortcomings of the authorities involved. The exaggerated portrayal of the bird’s education and the resulting tragedy serves to expose the absurdities of the system, aiming to provoke thought and encourage improvement.
• Tragedy: While the story does have a tragic ending with the bird’s death, its primary focus is on satirizing the system rather than exploring tragic events or the downfall of a character in a serious manner.
• Comedy: Although the story contains humorous elements, its main purpose is not to entertain but to criticize and reflect on societal issues. The ending is not happy but rather a somber commentary on the failures of the education system.

Thus, “The Parrot’s Tale” is best classified as a satire.

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F. Read the questions below and write short answers.

 

1. Why did the King comment — “Such a bird is of no use?”
2. What, according to the scholars, were the reasons for the bird’s ignorance and what measures were taken to educate it?
3. How did people react to see the bird caged?
4. Who were the ultimate beneficiaries of the parrot training?
5. Who were the King’s real friends? How were they rewarded?
6. How does the story reflect on the theme of education?
7. Do you like the story? Why/Why not?

Ø Answer ⊗:  ⇓⇔⇓

• Why did the King comment — “Such a bird is of no use?”
  The King commented that the bird was of no use because, despite its physical presence and ability to consume fruit, it lacked any valuable skills or knowledge, such as reciting scriptures or demonstrating good manners.
• What, according to the scholars, were the reasons for the bird’s ignorance and what measures were taken to educate it?
  The scholars believed the bird’s ignorance was due to its inadequate environment, specifically its nest made of straw and twigs. To address this, they first provided the bird with a lavish cage and then created a large volume of texts. They focused more on the appearance and maintenance of the cage rather than effectively teaching the bird.
• How did people react to see the bird caged?
  People reacted with mixed emotions. Some thought the extravagant cage was a sign of excellent education, while others were critical, noting that despite the impressive cage, the bird was not actually being educated.
• Who were the ultimate beneficiaries of the parrot training?
  The ultimate beneficiaries were the goldsmith, the scholars, the scribes, the maintenance crew, and their families. They profited from their involvement in the bird’s training through fees, wages, and rewards, while the bird itself gained nothing meaningful.
• Who were the King’s real friends? How were they rewarded?
  The King’s real friends were the individuals who flattered and supported the superficial efforts of the education process, such as the nephews and other courtiers. They were rewarded with money, status, and other benefits, while the genuine issues with the education system were ignored.
• How does the story reflect on the theme of education?
  The story reflects on the theme of education by illustrating how superficial measures and bureaucratic inefficiencies can overshadow genuine learning. It critiques how education systems can become more about appearances and self-interest rather than truly benefiting the learner.
• Do you like the story? Why/Why not?
  I find the story intriguing because it uses satire to highlight the flaws and absurdities in the education system. It effectively critiques the lack of substance in educational reforms and the prioritization of form over function. The story’s critical perspective prompts reflection on the true purpose of education and the need for meaningful improvements.

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G. Project work: Work in groups. Suppose you are the pundits who have come to teach the bird, what would you do? Why? Or,
Suppose you are the King. What would you do after seeing the bird’s tragic end?

 

Ø Answer ⊗:  ⇓⇔⇓

1. Suppose you are the pundits who have come to teach the bird, what would you do? Why?

As pundits tasked with teaching the bird, I would approach the situation with a focus on meaningful education rather than superficial measures:

• Assess the Bird’s Needs: First, I would assess the bird’s natural abilities and needs to tailor the teaching methods accordingly. Understanding the bird’s characteristics would help in creating an appropriate and engaging learning environment.
• Create a Stimulating Environment: I would ensure that the bird’s environment is stimulating and supportive of learning. This includes providing adequate space, enrichment, and opportunities for interaction and learning.
• Implement Practical Training: Instead of focusing on large volumes of text or elaborate setups, I would use practical and interactive methods to teach the bird. This could involve simple, repetitive tasks that are enjoyable and aligned with the bird’s natural behavior.
• Monitor and Adjust: Regularly monitor the bird’s progress and adjust the teaching methods as needed to ensure that the education is effective and beneficial. The focus would be on genuine improvement rather than just appearances.
• Involve Experts: I would involve experts who understand the specific needs of the bird to provide the most effective training and support.

Why? This approach ensures that the education provided is meaningful, practical, and aligned with the bird’s needs, rather than just a show of extravagance. It aims to genuinely benefit the bird and address its educational needs effectively.

2. Suppose you are the King. What would you do after seeing the bird’s tragic end?

As the King, after witnessing the bird’s tragic end, I would take the following actions:

• Investigate the Cause: I would conduct a thorough investigation into the education process and the reasons behind the bird’s tragic end. This would involve questioning those involved in the training and understanding the shortcomings of the system.
• Reform the Education System: Based on the findings, I would implement reforms to address the issues identified. This could include setting clear goals for education, ensuring that teaching methods are practical and beneficial, and focusing on genuine learning outcomes rather than superficial appearances.
• Hold Accountable: I would hold the individuals responsible for the ineffective education accountable for their actions. This might involve reviewing their roles and contributions and ensuring they are not rewarded for failure.
• Improve Oversight: I would establish better oversight mechanisms to ensure that future educational endeavors are conducted with integrity and effectiveness. This could include regular evaluations and checks to prevent similar issues.
• Promote Transparency: Ensure transparency in the educational process, involving stakeholders in planning and decision-making to prevent the recurrence of such issues.

Why? These actions aim to address the root causes of the problem, prevent future failures, and ensure that education serves its true purpose of benefiting individuals and improving systems. It is essential to learn from the failure and make constructive changes to foster a more effective and meaningful approach to education.

 

 

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Write a story about Parrot

 

Once upon a time in a faraway kingdom, there was a king who had a beautiful bird, known as the parrot. This story became famously known as the Parrot’s Tale. The king admired the bird’s colorful feathers and joyful song, but the bird was uneducated. People in the kingdom whispered, “The parrot may be lovely, but what is beauty without knowledge?” Thus began the journey of the Parrot’s Tale.

The king, disturbed by the gossip, decided that the parrot must be educated. He ordered his ministers, “Educate the parrot!” The ministers, fearing the king’s wrath, gathered scholars, teachers, and officials to begin the process. This was the turning point of the Parrot’s Tale, where the focus shifted from the parrot’s natural abilities to the artificial process of learning.

The scholars suggested that the parrot’s current environment was too simple. The parrot’s straw nest was replaced with a gilded cage, something so magnificent that everyone in the kingdom came to marvel at it. “What a beautiful cage!” they exclaimed, forgetting about the bird inside. And so, the Parrot’s Tale continued, not as a story of education, but as a tale of showmanship.

Every day, teachers came to the cage. They brought with them scrolls and texts, piling them up so high that the parrot could barely see the sunlight. “This is education,” they declared, forcing the bird to stare at the words without any understanding. In the Parrot’s Tale, knowledge was not gained through experience or curiosity, but through forceful instruction. Yet, the parrot remained silent, its song fading away.

The cage needed constant maintenance. A crew of workers was hired to dust, polish, and repair it. The story of the Parrot’s Tale shifted again, as the workers became more concerned with the appearance of the cage than the bird’s wellbeing. The king, trusting his advisors, never questioned the parrot’s progress. He was shown the gleaming cage and the towering stacks of books, and he believed that the parrot was being educated.

However, there were some who questioned the process. Detractors in the kingdom whispered, “What of the parrot? Has anyone seen the bird lately?” But their voices were drowned out by the praise for the scholars and the beauty of the cage. The Parrot’s Tale was no longer about the parrot, but about the kingdom’s obsession with appearances and prestige.

As time passed, the parrot grew weaker. It stopped hopping, flying, and eventually, it stopped singing. The parrot’s beautiful, vibrant nature was lost, hidden beneath the weight of the forced education. Yet, in the twisted logic of the Parrot’s Tale, the scholars claimed this was progress. “The parrot is now disciplined,” they said. “It no longer screeches or flies. It is truly educated.”

The Parrot’s Tale took a dark turn when the bird’s condition worsened. The once lively creature, whose natural song had brightened the kingdom, now sat quietly in its gilded cage, drained of life. Still, the scholars and ministers praised their own efforts. They were rewarded with riches and titles, and the Parrot’s Tale became a symbol of success in the kingdom.

One day, the king decided to visit the parrot. He had heard the rumors about its silence but had not seen the bird in some time. When he approached the cage, the once vibrant parrot was barely recognizable. It sat motionless, its feathers dull and its spirit crushed. “What is this?” the king asked, alarmed.

The ministers quickly reassured him, “Your Majesty, the parrot’s education is complete! It no longer flies aimlessly, it no longer sings without reason. It has learned to be still and quiet, as all truly educated beings should.” But as the king gazed at the bird, he realized that the Parrot’s Tale had become a tragedy.

The parrot’s tale was no longer one of joy and freedom, but one of confinement and control. The king, overwhelmed with guilt, ordered the cage to be opened. But it was too late. The parrot, weakened by its forced education, had no strength left to fly. The Parrot’s Tale had come to a sorrowful end.

In the years that followed, the Parrot’s Tale was told throughout the kingdom, not as a story of success, but as a warning. The people learned that education should nurture one’s natural talents, not suppress them. The Parrot’s Tale became a lesson in how misguided intentions and a focus on appearances could lead to the destruction of something beautiful.

Thus, the Parrot’s Tale lived on, not just in the kingdom, but in every heart that heard it. The king, the scholars, and the people all learned that true education was about understanding, growth, and freedom, not about control or show. The Parrot’s Tale remains a timeless story about the importance of preserving one’s true nature and the dangers of forcing change without wisdom.

The story of the Parrot’s Tale serves as a reminder that in the pursuit of education or improvement, one must never lose sight of the essence of what makes each being unique. The parrot may have been caged, its wings clipped, and its voice silenced, but the message of the Parrot’s Tale continued to echo in the minds of those who valued genuine knowledge over empty appearances.

In the end, the Parrot’s Tale was not just the story of one bird, but a reflection of society’s tendency to value superficial achievements over true understanding. It is a tale that calls for a balance between learning and freedom, between discipline and creativity. And so, the Parrot’s Tale was passed down through generations, a story that, even today, teaches us to respect individuality and to nurture growth with care and wisdom.

This is the Parrot’s Tale—a story of lost freedom, misguided intentions, and the ultimate realization that education must be about growth, not control.

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