Haryana State Board HBSE 8th Class English Solutions Honeydew Chapter 1 The Best Christmas Present in the World Textbook Exercise Questions and Answers.
Haryana Board HBSE 8th Class English Solutions Honeydew Chapter 1 The Best Christmas Present in the World
HBSE 8th Class English The Best Christmas Present in the World Textbook Questions and Answers
Comprehension Check – I
The Best Christmas Present In The World Summary HBSE 8th Class Question 1.
What did the author find in a junk shop?
लेखक को कबाड़ी की दुकान में क्या मिला?
Answer:
The author found a roll-top desk in a junk shop.
Class 8 Honeydew Chapter 1 HBSE Question 2.
What did he find in a secret drawer? Who do you think had put it in there?
गुप्त दराज में उसे क्या मिला? तुम क्या सोचते हो इसे वहाँ किसने रखा था?
Answer:
He found a small tin box in that secret drawer.lt had been kept by Mrs. Macpherson there according to me. It contained Jim’s last letter.
Comprehension Check – II
Class 8 Honeydew Chapter 1 Question Answer HBSE Question 1.
Who had written the letter, to whom, and when?
पत्र किसने, किसको और कब लिखा था?
Answer:
The letter was written by Jim Macpherson to his wife, Connie, on Christmas from the battlefield.
The Best Christmas Present In The World Question Answer HBSE 8th Class Question 2.
Why was the letter written-what was the wonderful thing that had happened?
पत्र क्यों लिखा गया था-वह क्या अद्भुत चीज थी जो हुई थी?
Answer:
The letter was written to describe a unusual event which happened on the Christmas eve at wartime. It was wonderful as they (Fritz and Tommy-the German and British soldiers respectively) celebrated Christmas in the terrible sight of war. They enjoyed together with German drinks and sausage. Enemies became friends for a while in the battlefield. So it was the wonderful thing that had happened.
The Best Christmas Present In The World Exercise HBSE 8th Class Question 3.
What jobs did Hans Wolf and Jim Macpherson have when they were not soldiers?
हैस वुल्फ और जिम मैकफेरसन के क्या काम थे जब वे सिपाही नहीं थे?
Answer:
Jim Macpherson was a school-teacher and Hans Wolf played a cello in the orchestra when they were not soldiers.
The Best Christmas Present In The World Question And Answer HBSE 8th Class Question 4.
Had Hans Wolf ever been to Dorset? Why did he say he knew it?
क्या हंस वुल्फ कभी डोरसेट गया था? उसने क्यों कहा कि वह इसे जानता था?
Answer:
No, he had never set foot in Dorset. He learned about it from school and reading books in English. So he said he knew it.
The Best Christmas Present In The World Solution HBSE 8th Class Question 5.
Do you think Jim Macpherson came back from the war? How do you know this?
तुम क्या आपको लगता है क्या जिम मैकफर्सन युद्ध से वापिस आया? तुम यह कैसे जानते हो?
Answer:
Jim Macpherson did not return from the war. We know this because on the tin box, it was written in a shaky handwriting “Jim’s last letter, received January 25, 1915. To be buried with me when the time comes.”
These line shows that Jim never came after the letter had reached to Connie.
Comprehension Check – III
8th Class The Best Christmas Present In The World HBSE Question 1.
Why did the author go to Bridport?
लेखक ब्रिजपोर्ट क्यों गया?
Answer:
The author went to Bridport to meet Mrs. Macpherson and to deliver her letter.
The Best Christmas Present In The World Question Answers HBSE 8th Class Question 2.
How old was Mrs. Macpherson now? Where Was she?
श्रीमती मैकफेरसन अब कितने वर्ष की थीं? वह कहाँ थी?
Answer:
She was 101 years old. She was in a nursing home on the Dorchester Road named as Burlington House.
The place was on the other side of the town.
Comprehension Check – IV
Class 8th Honeydew Chapter 1 HBSE Question 1.
Who did Connie Macpherson think her visitor was?
कोनी मैकफर्सन ने अपने आगंतुक को कौन माना था?
Answer:
Mrs. Macpherson thought that he was Jim Macpherson, her husband.
Question 2.
Which sentence in the text shows that the visitor did not try to hide his indebtify?
पाठ में किस वाक्य से प्रदर्शन है कि आगंतुक ने अपनी कृतज्ञता छिपाने की कोशिश नहीं की?
Answer:
The sentence, “I said I was a friend come to visit Mrs. Macpherson to bring her a Christmas present,” shows that the visitor did not try to hid his indebtify.
Working with The Text
Question 1.
How long do you think Connie had kept Jim’s letter? Give reasons for your answer.
तुम क्या लगता है कि कोनी ने जिम के पत्र को कब तक रखा था? अपने जवाब के लिए कारण दें।
Answer:
She kept the letter till the end. She got separated from it only when her house caught fire. There are enough evidence as the roll-top desk, in which the writer found the letter, was in a bad condition. It had bum marks over it.
Question 2.
Why do you think the desk had been sold, and when?
तुम क्या सोचते हो कि डेस्क को बेचा गया था, और कब?
Answer:
The author found the desk in a junk shop in Bridport. So it might have been sold as scrap after the house of Mrs. Macpherson got burnt by the fire completely.
Question 3.
Why do Jim and Hans think that games or sports are good ways of resolving conflicts? Do you agree?
जिम और हैंस क्यों सोचते थे कि क्रीड़ा या खेलकुर् विवादोम के निपटारे के अच्छे तरीके हैं? क्या तुम सहमत हैं?
Answer:
Jim and Hans thought that games or sports are good ways to resolve conflicts because no one dies in a sport. Neither the children got orphaned nor the wives become widows.
We agree with this concept also as war gives nothing but only disaster. If all the conflicts could be solved by playing games then it would be better for humanity and it will save many lives.
Question 4.
Do you think the soldiers of the two arm . are like each other, or different from each other? Find evidence from the story to support your answer.
तुम क्या सोचते हो दोनों सेनाओं के सिपाही एक जैसे थे, या एक दूसरे से अलग थे? अपने उत्तर के पक्ष में कहानी से साक्ष्य ढूँढो।
Answer:
The soldiers of the two armies are very talked with each other. They celebrated Christmas doing smoking, laughing, eating, drinking and they shared everything. We found Jim saying that “We agreed about everything and he was my enemy.” They were fighting against each other, they were enemies, yet they became friends. All of them just wanted to end the fight and they shared their time of peace and goodwill, as they got the chance to do so.
Question 5.
Mention the various ways in which the British and the German soldiers become friends and find things in common at Christmas.
उन विभिन्न तरीकों का उल्लेख कीजिए जिनसे जर्मन और ब्रिटिश सिपाही मित्र बन गए हैं और क्रिसमस पर क्या समान चीजों देखीं (पाई) गई?
Answer:
Both the armies were trying to make peace in the middle of war by celebration of Christmas. They wished each other ‘Happy Christmas’ and introduced themselves. They shared everything trey had. They had a common opinion about almost everything although they were enemies and fighting against each other. But they got intermixed with smoking, laughing, eating, drinking and talking. They played football also. They all longed for peace and hoped that they would all go home one day. .
Question 6.
What is Connie’s Christmas present? Why is it “the best Christmas present in the world”?
कोनी का क्रिसमस उपहार क्या है? यह “संसार का सर्वोत्तम क्रिसमस उपहार” क्यों है?
Answer:
Jim’s last letter was Connie’s Christmas present. Connie’s husband was away in the battle field during Christmas. She had been 101 years old waiting for his husband’s return. She had lost everything when her house caught fire. So, getting her husband’s last letter, as a memory, back after so many years just on the Christmas Eve was like a present for her. No other gift could be the best except that one.
Question 7.
Do you think the title of this story is suitable for it? Can you think of any other title (s)?
तुम क्या सोचते है कि इस कहानी का शीर्षक इसके लिए उपयुक्त है? क्या आप किसी अन्य शीर्षक (शीर्षकों) के बारे में सोच सकते हैं?
Answer:
The title of the story is quite apt for it. The story revolves around a letter that belongs to Mrs. Macpherson. It is an account of receiving the letter, losing the letter and then again receiving it. The letter is really valuable for Connie as it is the last letter of her husband. It was the best Christmas gift for her.
Some other titles for the story may be: A Unique Christmas Celebration, Jim’s Last Letter or ‘A Unique Christmas Gift’.
Thinking About Language
Question 1.
Look at these sentences from the story:
→ I spotted it in a junk shop in Bridport…. The man said it was made in the early 19th century… This one was in bad condition…
The italicised verbs are in the past tense. They tell us what happened in the past, before now.
(i) Read the passage below and underline the verbs in the past tense:
A man got on the train and sat down. The compartment was empty except for one lady. She took her gloves off. A few hours later the police arrested the man. They held him for 24 hours and then freed him.
Answer:
A man got on the train and sat down. The compartment was empty except for one lady. She took her gloves off. A few hours later the police arrested the man. They held him for 24 hours and then freed him.
Now look at these sentences:
→ The veneer had lifted almost everywhere. Both fire and water had taken their toll on this desk.
Notice the verb forms had lifted, had taken (their toll).
The author found and bought the desk in the past.
The desk was damaged before the author found it and bought it.
Fire and water had damaged the desk before the author found it and bought it.
→ We use verb forms like had damaged for an event in the ‘earlier past’. If there are two events in the past, we use the ‘had…’ form for the event that first occurred in the past.
→ We also use the past perfect tense to show that something was wished for, or expected before a particular time in the past. For example, I had always wanted one…
→ Discuss with your partner the difference in meaning in the sentences below.
When I reached the station, the train left.
When I reached the station, the train had left.
(ii) Fill in the blanks using the correct form of the verbs in brackets.
My little sister is very naughty. When she ……………… (come) back from school yesterday, she had ……………. (tear) her dress. We ……………… (ask)
her how it had ……………… (happen). She ……………… (say) she ……………. ……………. (have, quarrel) with a boy. She (have, beat) him in ……………. ……………. a race and he ……………. (have, try) to push her. She ……………. (have, tell) the teacher and so he …………. the (have, chase) her, and she …………. …………… (have, fall) down and ……………. ……………. (have, tear) her dress.
Answer:
came, tom, asked, happened, said, had quarrelled, had beaten, had tried, had told, had chased, had fallen, had torn.
(iii) Underline the verbs and arrange them in two columns, past and earlier past.
(a) My friends set out to see the caves in the next town, but I stayed at home, because I had seen them already.
(b) When they arrived at the station, their train had left. They came back-home, but by that time I had gone out to see a movie !
(c) So they sat outside and ate the lunch I had packed for them.
(d) By the time I returned, they had fallen asleep!
Past – Earlier past
…………. – …………..
…………. – …………..
…………. – …………..
…………. – …………..
…………. – …………..
…………. – …………..
…………. – …………..
Answer:
| Past | Earlier Past |
| 1. Set out to see the caves, I stayed at home. | 1. I had seen them already. |
| 2. They arrived at the station, they came back home. | 2. Train had left, I had gone out to see a movie. |
| 3. They sat outside, ate the lunch. | 3. I had packed. |
| 4. I returned. | 4. They had fallen asleep. |
2. Dictionary Work
By the end of the journey, we had run out of drinking water.
Look at the verb run out of in this sentence. It is a phrasal verb: it has two parts, a verb and a preposition or adverb. Phrasal verbs often have i meanings that are different from the meanings of their parts.
Find these phrasal verbs in the story:
burnt out, lit up, looked on, run out, boarded up, keep out
Write down the sentences in which they occur. Consult a dictionary and write down the meaning that you think matches the meaning of the phrasal verb in your sentence.
Answer:
Burnt out: destroyed by fire.
→ No. 12 turned out to be nothing but a burned-out shell, the roof gaping, the windows boarded up.
Lit up: became bright with happiness and excitement.
→ That was the moment her eyes lit up with recognition and her face became suffused with a sudden glow of happiness.
Looked on: to look each other and to talk.
→ Hans Wolf and I looked on and cheered, clapping our hands and stamping our feet, to keep out the cold as much as anything.
Run out: to disappear from the scene.
→ The time came, and all too soon, when the game was finished, the schnapps and the rum and the sausage had long since run out and we knew it was all over.
Boarded up: to be dislocated.
→ No. 12 turned out to be nothing but a burned out shell, the roof gaping, the windows boarded up.
Keep out: to be safe from something.
→ Hans Wolf and I looked on and cheered, clapping our hands and stamping our feet, to keep out the cold as much as anything.
3. Noun Phrase
Read the following sentence.
I took out a small black tin box.
→ The phrase in italics is a noun phrase.
→ It has the noun box as the head word, and three adjectives preceding it. .
→ Notice the order in which the adjectives occur-size (small), colour (lack) and material of which it is made (tin).
→ We rarely use more than four adjectives before a noun and there is no rigid order in which they are used, though there is a preferred order of modifiers / adjectives in a noun phrase, as given below:
| determiner | modifier 1 (opinion, feeling) | modifier 2 (size, shape, age) | modifier 3 (colour) | modifier 4 (material) | head word |
| a/an/ the | nice/ lazy beautiful | old/ young/tall/round | red/white/light/dark | silk/cotton/woollen | woman/man/table/chair |
4. The table below contains a list of nouns and some adjectives. Use as many adjectives as you can to describe each noun. You might come up with some funny descriptions !
| Nouns | Adjectives |
| elephant | circular, pool, striped, enormous, multicoloured |
| face | round, cheerful, wild, blue, red, chubby, large |
| building water | medium-sized, brick, cold. |
Answer:
A circular enormous water pool. The cheerful round chubby face. The cold blue pool of water. The striped red medium-sized face. A round multicoloured enormous building, The enormous wild chubby elephant etc.
Speaking
Question 1.
In groups discuss whether wars are a good way to end conflicts between countries. Then present your arguments to the whole class.
Answer:
Wars bring destruction. It results in the loss of resources as well as lives. Wars are not the solution of any problem or conflict. Mutual understanding and conversation are the basis of better results for any conflict. Wars bring down the economic conditions of the country as well. So wars are not at all a good way to end conflicts between countries.
Question 2.
What kinds of presents do you like and why? What are the things you keep in mind when you buy presents for others? Discuss with your partner.
(For example, you might buy a book because it can be read and re-read over a period of time.)
Answer:
I like the presents that have some real worth, like books Because such presents increase knowledge and intellect. Suppose I buy a book, it can be read and re-jread over a period of time. It will be a knowledgeable time-pass. No one can snatch our knowledge gained from books also. I want to buy the same worth-giving, presents for others so that they will be benefited from it.
Writing
Question 1.
Imagine that you are Jim. You have returned to your town after the war. In your diary record how you feel about the changes you see and the events that occur in your town. You could begin like this
25th December
Its Christmas today, but the town looks….
Ans.
25th December 20…..
Its Christmas today, but the town looks quiet. My house, Copper Beeches No. 12 turned out to be nothing but a bumed-out shell, the roof looked gaping and the windows boarded-up.
It had become a solitary piece of land. My neighbour told me that my wife hadheen in the house when it caught fire. Now she is in a nursing home. I have come after meeting her. She was quite happy at my return. We , will start a new life soon, after she recovers a good health. She took my arrival as a Christmas present for her. I am happy as well as worried. But hope that situation will be improved soon. May God bless us all!
Jim
Question 2.
Given below is the outline of a story. Construct the story using the outline:
A young, newly married doctor …………… freedom fighter …………… exiled to the Andaman and Nicobar Islands by the British infamous
Cellular Jail …………… prisoners tortured …………… revolt by inmates doctor hanged …………… wife waits for his return …………… becomes old continues to wait with hope and faith.
Answer:
A young newly married doctor was a great freedom fighter. He was exiled to the Andaman and Nicobar Islands by the British. He was imprisoned in infamous Cellular Jail. Prisoners were tortured there. Some of his inmates did revolt. The doctor was hanged till death. But his wife did not know anything about it. She waits for his return but he never comes back. She becomes old and continues to wait with hope and faith that one day her husband will return and they will live a happy life once again.
The Best Christmas Present in the World Important Passages for Comprehension
Read the passages carefully and answer the questions that follow:
Passage – 1
I spotted it in a junk shop in Bridport, a roll¬top desk. The man said it was early 19th century, and oak. I had always wanted one, but they were always far too expensive. This one was in a bad condition, the roll-top in several pieces, one leg clumsily mended, scorch marks all down one side. It was going for very little money. I thought I could restore it. It would be a risk, a challenge, but I had to have it. I paid the man and brought it back to my workroom at the back of the garage. I began work on it on Christmas Eve.
Questions:
(i) Name the lesson.
(ii) What did the author spot and where?
(iii) Why did he need to work on it?
(iv) Use ‘condition’ in your own sentence.
(v) Which words in the passage mean the opposites of(i) ‘Cheap’ and (ii) ‘Never’?
Answers:
(i) The name of the lesson is ‘The Best Christmas Present in the World’.
(ii) The author spotted a roll-top desk in a junk shop in Bridport.
(iii) He needed to work on it because it was in a very bad condition.
(iv) Condition: The condition of developing countries is improving.
(v) Cheap – Expensive Never – Always.
Passage – 2
One of the Germans was waving a bottle above his head. “It is Christmas Day, Tommy. We have schnapps. We have sausage. We meet you? Yes?” By this time there were dozens of them walking towards us across no man’s land and not a rifle between them. Little Private Morris was the first up. “Come on, boys. What are we waiting for?” And then there was no stopping them. I was the officer. I should have stopped them there and then, I suppose, but the truth is that it never even occurred to me I should. All along their line and ours I could see men walking slowly towards one another, grey coats, khaki coats meeting in the middle. And I was one of them. I was part of this. In the middle of the war we were making peace.
Questions:
(i) Where does the author get this reference from?
(ii) Who does ‘Tommy’ refer to?
(iii) Which place has been mentioned here?
(iv) Make adjective from: Truth.
(v) Make verb from: meeting, making.
Answers:
(i) The author gets this reference from a letter written by Jim Macpherson to his wife Connie.
(ii) ‘Tommy’ refers to British soldiers.
(iii) The warfield (no man’s land) has been mentioned here.
(iv) Truth – True.
(v) Meeting – To meet, Making – To make.
The Best Christmas Present in the World Para Wise Translation in Hindi
Before You Read
There are some dates or periods of time in the history of the world that are so significant that everyone knows them and remembers them. The story you will read mentions one such date and event: a war between the British and the Germans in 1914. Can you guess what war it was?
Do you know which events the dates below refer to?
(a) August 6,1945
(b) January 30,1948
(c) July 4,1776
(d) December 17,1903
(e) April 12,1961
(f) July 20,1969
विश्व के इतिहास में कुछ समय-अंतराल या तारीखें उतनी महत्त्वपूर्ण हैं कि हर कोई उन्हें जानता है और याद रखता है। यह कहानी जो तुम पढ़ोगे ऐसी ही एक कथा और घटना का उल्लेख करती है। ब्रिटिश और जर्मनों के बीच 1914 का युद्ध। क्या तुम अनुमान लगा सकते हो यह कौन सा युद्ध था?
क्या तुम जानते हो नीचे दिए गए दिनांक किन घटनाओं को प्रदर्शित करते हैं?
(a) 6 अगस्त, 1945
(b) 30 जनवरी, 1948
(c) 4 जुलाई, 1776
(d) 17 दिसम्बर, 1903
(e) 12 अप्रैल, 1961
(e) 20 जुलाई, 1969
Answer:
(a) 6 अगस्त 1945: हिरोशिमा दिवस-इस दिन हिरोशिमा, जापान पर बम गिराए गए थे।
(b) 30 जनवरी 1948: महात्मा गाँधी की हत्या।
(c) 4 जुलाई 1776: अमेरिकी स्वतंत्रता की घोषणा।
(d) 17 दिसंबर 1903: विलबर और अर्विल रॉइट ने अपनी पहले उड़ान ली और वायु में 12 सेकंड तक दोनों ने 120 फीट की ऊँचाई पूरी की।
(e) 12 अप्रैल 1961: यूरी ए. गागरिन पृथ्वी के अक्ष का चक्कर लगाने वाले प्रथम मानव बने। 0 20 जुलाई 1969: नील आर्मस्ट्रांग चन्द्रमा पर कदम रखने वाले प्रथम व्यक्ति बने।
I
1. I spotted it in a junk shop in Bridport, a roll-top desk. The man said it was early 19th century, and oak. I had always wanted one, but they were always far too expensive. This one was in a bad condition, the roll-top in several pieces, one leg clumsily mended, scorch marks all down one side. It was going for very little money. I thought I could restore it. It would be a risk, a challenge, but I had to have it, I paid the man and brought it back to my workroom at the back of the garage. I began work on it on Christmas Eve.
Word Meaning:
Spotted: saw, found = (देखा, पाया), Junk: (कूड़ा-करकट, कबाड़ी), Clumsily: rough, awkward = (भद्दी, बेढंगी), Mended:repair, set right = (मरम्मत करना, किसी टूटी-फूटी चीज को सही दशा में करना), Scorch marks: burn marks = (जले हुए के निशान), Risk: danger = (जोखिम)।
ब्रिडपोर्ट में एक कबाड़ी की दुकान में, मैंने ऊपरी गोलाकार सिरे वाला एक डेस्क देखा। व्यक्ति ने कहा यह आरंभिक 19वीं शताब्दी और ओक (की लकड़ी) का था। मैं हमेशा ऐसा एक डेस्क चाहता था, पर वे हमेशा काफी मंहगे थे। यह एक बुरी अवस्था में था, ऊपरी गोलाकार सिरा कुछ टुकड़ों में, एक टाँग बेढंगे रूप से सही की गई थी, एक तरफ नीचे जले के निशान थे। यह बहुत कम पैसों में जा रहा था, मैंने सोचा मैं इसकी मरम्मत कर सकता था। यह एक जोखिम और चुनौतीपूर्ण कार्य होगा पर यह मुझे लेना ही था। मैंने व्यक्ति को पैसे दिए और गैरॉज के पीछे से अपने काम करने के कक्ष में ले आया। मैंने इस पर क्रिसमस की संध्या पर काम शुरू किया।
2. I removed the roll-top completely and pulled out the drawers. The veneer had lifted almost everywhere it looked like water damage to me. Both fire and water had clearly taken their toll on this desk. The last drawer was stuck fast. I tried all I could to ease it out gently. In the end I used brute force. I struck it sharply with the side of my fist and the drawer flew opine to reveal a shallow space underneath, a secret drawer. There was something in there. I reached in and took out a small black tin box. Sello-taped to the top of it was a piece of lined notepaper, and written on it in shaky handwriting: “Jim’s last letter, received January 25, 1915. To be buried with me when the time comes.” I knew as I did it that it was wrong of me to open the box, but curiosity got the better of my scruples. It usually does.
Word Meaning:
Veneer: a thin layer of plastic or decorative wood on furniture of cheap wood = (सजावटी लकड़ी की ऊपरी पतली परत), Struck: (छेदा, दूंसा), Fist: hand when tightly closed = (मुट्ठी, घूसा), Shallow:of no great depth = (कम गहरा), Seruples: feelings that make you hesitate to do something wrong = (नैतिकता) ।
मैंने ऊपरी गोलाकार सिरा पूरी तरह से हटा दिया और दराज खींच कर बाहर निकाल दिए। प्लास्टिक की परत लगभग हर जगह से उत्तर रही थी-यह मुझे पानी से नुकसान पहुंचा हुआ लग रहा था। आग और पानी दोनों ने इस डेस्क पर अपना कहर बरपाया था। अंतिम दराज बहुत की कड़ा फंसा हुआ था। मैंने इसे आराम से बाहर निकालने की सब कोशिश की जो मैं कर सकता था। अंत में मैंने क्रूर बल का प्रयोग किया। मैंने तेजी से अपनी मुट्ठी की तरफ से इसे चूंसा मारा और दराज खुल के गिर गया, अपने नीचे एक कम गहरी जगह में एक गुप्त दराज को उजागर करते हुए। वहाँ उसमें कुछ था। मैं अन्दर पहुंचा और एक छोटा काला टिन का डिब्बा लेकर बाहर आया। इसके ऊपर सेलो-टेप से लगा हुआ एक रेखांकित नोट-पेपर का टुकड़ा था और इस पर काँपते हुए हस्तलेख से लिखा था- “जिम का अंतिम पत्र, 25 जनवरी 1915 को प्राप्त हुआ, जब समय आए, मेरे साथ दफनाया जाए”। जैसे ही मैंने ये किया मैं जानता था कि डिब्बे को खोलना मेरी गलती थी, पर उत्सुकता मेरी नैतिकता के ऊपर हावी थी। जैसा आमतौर पर होता है।
3. Inside the box there was an envelope. The address read: “Mrs Jini Macpherson, 12 Copper Beeches, Bridport, Dorset.” I took out the letter and unfolded it. It was written in pencil and dated at the top December 26, 1914.
Word Meaning: Envelope: covering for a letter = (लिफाफा);Unfolded:to open out = (खोलना)।
डिब्बे के अंदर एक लिफाफा था। पता था: “श्रीमती जिम मैकपर्सन, 12 कापर बीन्स, ब्रिडपोर्ट, डोरसेट।” मैंने पत्र निकाला और इसे खोला। यह पेन्सिल से लिखा हुआ था और ऊपर तारीख डली थी-26 दिसम्बर, 19141
II
1. Dearest Connie,.
I write to you in a much happier frame of mind because something wonderful has just happened that I must tell you about at once. We were all standing to in our trenches yesterday morning, Christmas morning. It was crisp and quiet all about, as beautiful a morning as I’ve ever seen, as cold and frosty as a Christmas morning should be.
Word Meaning:
Trenches:long narrow shelter like a ditch in war = (युद्ध में छिपने के लिए खाई जैसा लंबा पतला स्थान),Crisp: cold and dry = (शीतल और शुष्क), Frosty:frozen vapour = (सर्दी के कारण जमने की अवस्था, बर्फीली)।
प्यारी कोनी,
मैं तुम्हें दिमाग की बहुत खुशनुमा हालत में लिख रहा हूँ क्योंकि कुछ अद्भुत अभी घटित हुआ है जो मैं तुम्हें एक बार में ही बताना चाहूँगा। कल सुबह, क्रिसमस की सुबह, हम सभी अपनी सुरक्षित सुरंगों (खाईयों) में खड़े थे। यह सभी शुष्क और शांत था, ऐसी सुंदर एक सुबह जो मैंने आज तक नहीं देखी, ऐसी ठंडी और बर्फीली जैसा कि एक क्रिसमस की सुबह को होना चाहिए।
2. I should like to be able to tell you that we began it. But the truth, I’m ashamed to say, is that Fritz began it. First someone saw a white flag waving from the trenches opposite. Then they were calling out to us from across no man’s land, “Happy Christmas Tommy! Happy Christmas!” When we had got over the siirprise, some of us shouted back, “Same to you Fritz! Same to you!” I thought that would be that. We all did. But then suddenly one of them was up there in his grey greatcoat and waving a white flag. “Don’t shoot, lads!” someone shouted. And no one did. Then there was another Fritz up on the parapet, and another. “Keep your heads down,” I told the men, “it’s a trick.” But it wasn’t.
Word Meaning:
Ashamed: feeling shame = (लज्जित, शर्मिदा), Across: from side to side of = (पार), Parapet: low protective wall at the edge of a roof = (मुंडेर)।
मैं तुम्हें बताने के योग्य होने चाहता हूँ कि इसे हमने आरंभ किया। पर वास्तव में, मैं शर्मिंदा हूँ कहते हुए, कि फ्रिट्ज ने इसे वाली जमीन (युद्धभूमि) के उस पार से हमें पुकार रहे थे, ये कहते हुए कि “शुभ क्रिसमस टॉमी। शुभ क्रिसमस।” जब हम इस अचरज से बाहर आये, हममें से कुछ वापिस चिल्लाये, “तुम्हे भी, फ्रिट्ज तुम्हें भी।” मैंने सोचा बस यही सब होगा। हमने सब किया। लेकिन तभी अचानक उनमें से एक अपने स्लेटी बड़े कोट में और झण्डे को हिलाते हुए वहाँ ऊपर था। “लड़कों, गोली मत चलाना” कोई चीखा। और किसी ने नही चलाई। तब वहाँ ऊपर मुंडेर पर दूसरा फ्रिट्ज था, और दूसरा। “अपने सिर नीचे रखो,” मैंने आदमियों को बताया, “यह एक चाल है।” पर यह नहीं थी।
3. One of the Germans was waving a bottle above his head. “It is Christmas Day, Tommy. We have schnapps. We have sausage. We meet you? Yes?” By this time there were dozens of them walking towards us across no man’s land and not a rifle between them. Little Private Morris was the first up. “Come on, boys. What are we waiting for?” And then there was no stopping them. I was the officer. I should have stopped them there and then, I suppose, but the truth is that it never even occurred to me I should. All along their line and ours I could see men walking slowly towards one another, grey coats, khaki coats meeting in the middle. And I was one of them. I was part of this. In the middle of the war we were making peace.
Word Meaning:
Schnapps:a German drink made from grain = (गेहूँ से बना जर्मन पेय),Sausage: __minced meat = (मसालेदार गोश्त), Dozens: twelve = (एक दर्जन, बारह), Rifle: (बन्दूक)।
जर्मनों में से एक अपने सिर के ऊपर एक बोतल हिला रहा था। “यह क्रिसमस का दिन है, टॉमी। हमारे पास जर्मन पेय है। हमारे पास मसालेदार गोश्त है। हम तुम्हें मिलते हैं? हाँ?” इतने समय में उनमें से दर्जनों युद्धभूमि को पार कर हमारी तरफ चले आ रहे थे और उनके बीच एक राइफल (बन्दूक) नहीं थीं। छोटा निजी मौरिस सबसे पहले ऊपर था। “आओ, लड़कों। हम किसके लिए इंतजार कर रहे हैं?” और फिर वहाँ उन्हें कोई रोकने वाला न था। मैं अधिकारी था। मुझे उन्हें तब वहाँ रोकना चाहिए था, मैं मानता हूँ, पर सच्चाई यह है कि मुझे ऐसा कभी नहीं लगा कि मुझे ऐसा करना चाहिए। हमारी रेखा के साथ-साथ और उनकी, मैं व्यक्तियों को एक दूसरे की तरफ धीरे-धीरे चलता देख सकता था, स्लेटी कोट, खाकी कोट बीच में मिल रहे थे। और मैं उनमें से एक था। मैं इसका हिस्सा था। युद्ध के बीच में हम शांति बना रहे थे।
Word Meaning:
Approached: go to somebody with a request or offer = (प्रस्ताव या प्रार्थना लेकर किसी के पास जाना),Outstretched: outspread = (फैले हुए), Orchestra: a company of performers playing musical instruments = (कई प्रकार के बाद्यों को बजाना, आर्केस्टा)।
4. You cannot imagine, dearest Connie, my feelings as I looked into the eyes of the Fritz officer, who approached me, hand outstretched. “Hans Wolf,” he said, gripping my hand warmly and holding it. “I am from Dusseldorf. I play the cello in the orchestra. Happy Christmas.”
“Captain Jim Macpherson,” I replied. “And a Happy Christmas to you too. I’m a school teacher from Dorset, in the west of England.”
प्यारी कोनी तुम मेरी भावनाओं की कल्पना नहीं कर सकती, जैसे ही मैंने फ्रिट्ज अधिकारी की आँखों में देखा, जो अपने हाथों को पूरा फैलाकर, मेरे निकट आया। “हेन्स वाल्फ” उसने कहा, मेरे हाथों को गर्मजोशी से जकड़ते और इन्हें पकड़ते हुए। “मैं डसलडोर्फ से हूँ। मैं ऑर्केस्टा में एक बाद्य यंत्र बजाता हूँ। शुभ क्रिसमस”।
“कप्तान जिम मैकपर्सन,” मैंने उत्तर दिया। “और आपको भी शुभ क्रिसमस। मैं डोरसेट, इंग्लैंड के पश्चिम में एक स्कूल अध्यापक हूँ।”
5. “Ah, Dorset,” he smiled. “I know this place. I know it very well.” We shared my rum ration and his excellent sausage. And we talked, Connie, how we talked. He spoke almost perfect English. But it turned out that he had never set foot in Dorset, never even been to England. He had learned all he knew of England from school, and from reading books in English. His favourite writer was Thomas Hardy, his favourite book Far from the Madding Crowd. So out there in no man’s land we talked of Bathsheba and Gabriel Oak and Sergeant Troy and Dorset. He had a wife and one son, bom just six months ago. As I looked about me there were huddles of khaki and grey everywhere, all over no man’s land, smoking, laughing, talking, drinking, eating. Hans Wolf and I shared what was left of your wonderful Christmas cake, Connie. He thought the marzipan was the best he had ever tasted. I agreed. We agreed about everything, and he was my enemy. There never was a Christmas party like it, Connie.
Word Meaning:
Favourite:very dear = (बहुत प्रिय),Huddles: crowd together = (भीड़ लगाना), Smoking: (धूम्रपान करना), Marzipan: a sweet covering on a cake made from sugar, eggs and almonds = (केक की ऊपरी मीठी परत चीनी, अंडे और बादाम से बनी हुई)।
“अहा, डोरसेट,” वह मुस्कुराया। “मैं इस स्थान को जानता हूँ। मैं इसे बहुत अच्छी तरह से जानता हूँ।” हमने उसका उत्तम मसालेदार गोश्त और मेरा रम राशन बाँटा। और हमने बात की, कोनी, हमने कैसे बात की। वह लगभग शानदार अंग्रेजी बोलता था। पर यह मालूम पड़ा कि उसने कभी डोरसेट में पैर नहीं रखा, न ही कभी इंग्लैंड में था। इंग्लैंड के बारे में वह जो भी जानता था, उसने स्कूल में सीखा था, और अंग्रेजी की किताबें पढ़ने से। उसका पसंदीदा लेखक थॉमस हार्डी था, उसकी पसंदीदा पुस्तक ‘फार फ्रॉम द मैंडिंग क्राउड’ थी। तो वहाँ युद्धभूमि में हमने बॉथ्सहेबा और गेबरियल ओक और सार्जेण्ट ट्रॉय और डोरसेट की बात की। उसकी एक पत्नी थी और एक बेटा, जो सिर्फ छह महीने पहले ही पैदा हुआ था। जैसे ही मैंने अपने लिए देखा वहाँ सब जगह खाकी और स्लेटी (सैनिकों) की भीड़ लगी हुई थी, युद्ध भूमि में चारों ओर धूम्रपान करते हुए, हँसते, बतियाते, खाते-पीते। कोनी, तुम्हारे क्रिसमस के अद्भुत केक में जो बचा मैंने और हंस बुल्फ ने बांटा। उसने सोचा केक की ऊपरी परत उसके द्वारा अब तक खाये गए व्यंजनों में सर्वोतम थी। मैं सहमत था। हम हर चीज के बारे में सहमत थे और वह मेरा शत्रु था। ऐसी क्रिसमस पार्टी कभी नहीं हुई थी, कोनी।
6. Then someone, I don’t know who, brought out a football. Greatcoats were dumped in piles to make goalposts, and the next thing we knew it was Tommy against Fritz out in the middle of no man’s land. Hans Wolf and I looked on and cheered, clapping our hands and stamping our feet, to keep out the cold as much as anything. There was a moment when I noticed our breaths mingling I in the air between us. He saw it too and smiled. “Jim Macpherson,” he said after a while, “I think this is how we should resolve this war. A football match. No one dies in a football match. No ” children are orphaned. No wives become widows.”
Word Meaning:
Dumped: dirty or ugly place = (गन्दा स्थान), Piles: make into = (ढेरी लगाना), Stamping: strike foot down = (जोर से पैर पटकना), Mingling: mixing = (मिश्रित करना), Resolve: to solve = (हल करना)।
तब कोई, मैं नहीं जानता कौन, एक फुटबाल लेकर आया। लंबे कोट गंदगी के ढेर में गोलपोस्ट बनाने के लिए गाड़ दिये थे और अगली चीज जो हम जानते थे यह थी कि युद्ध के मैदान के बीच में टॉमी और फ्रिट्ज आमने-सामने थे। हंस वुल्फ और मैं देखते और प्रफुल्लित होते, ताली बजाते और अपने पैर पीटते थे, सर्दी को ज्यादा से ज्यादा ऐसे बाहर करने के लिए, जैसे कोई अन्य चीजा वहाँ एक पल के लिए मैंने अनुभव किया कि हमारी सांसें हमारे मध्य मौजूदा हवा में मिश्रित हो रही थीं। उसने भी यह देखा और मुस्कुराया। “जिम मैकपर्सन,” उसने कुछ देर बाद कहा, “मैं सोचता हूँ इस तरह से हमें इस युद्ध का हल करना चाहिए। एक फुटबाल मैच। एक फुटबाल मैच में कोई नहीं मरता। कोई बच्चे अनाथ नहीं होते। न ही पत्नियाँ विधवा बनती हैं।”
7. “I’d prefer cricket,” I told him. “Then we Tommies could be sure of winning, probably.” We laughed at that, and together we watched the game. Sad to say, Connie, Fritz won, two goals to one. But as Hans Wolf generously said, our goal was wider than theirs, so it wasn’t quite fair.
The time came, and t.J too soon, when the game was finished, the schnapps and the rum and the sausage had long since run out, and we knew it was all over. I wished Hans well and told him I hoped he would see his family again soon, that the fighting would end and we could all go home.
Word Meaning:
Probably:likely to occur = (संभवतः), Together in a company with = (किसी के साथ में). Generously:noble minded = (नेक, विनम्रता)।
“मैं क्रिकेट को प्राथमिकता दूँगा” मैंने उसे बताया। “शायद तब हम टॉमियों को जीतने का (पक्का) यकीन होगा”। हम इस पर हंसे, और हमने एक साथ खेल देखा। दुखपूर्वक कहता हूँ कोनी, फ्रिटज एक गोल के मुकाबले दो गोलों से जीत गए। पर जैसा कि हैंस वुल्फ ने विनम्रता से कहा था, हमारा गोल उनके से ज्यादा चौड़ा था, इसलिए यह जायज नहीं था।
समय बीता और जल्द ही, जब खेल खत्म हो गया, जर्मन पेय, रम और गोश्त काफी लंबे, रन आउट से चल रहे थे और हम जानते थे कि यह सब समाप्त हो गया था। मैंने हैंस को अच्छी तरह से शुभकामनाएँ दी और बताया कि मैं आशा करता हूँ कि वह जल्द ही अपने परिवार को देखेगा, लडाई समाप्त होगी और हम सभी अपने घर जा सकेंगे।
8. “I think that is what every soldier wants, on both sides,” Hans Wolf said. “Take care, Jim Macpherson. I shall never forget this moment, nor you.” He saluted and walked away from me slowly, unwillingly, I felt. He turned to wave just once and then became one of the hundreds of grey- coated men drifting back towards their trenches.
Word Meaning:
Soldier: (सिपाही), Saluted: raising of the hand to the forhead (सानक सलामी ), Unwillingly: (अनिच्छा से), Drifted: being carried along by currents = (बहाव)।
“मैं सोचता हूँ कि यही हर सिपाही चाहता है, दोनों तरफ”, हैंस वुल्फ ने कहा “सावधानी रखना, जिम मैकपर्सन। मैं यह पल कभी नहीं भूलूँगा, न तुम्हें”। उसने सलाम किया और मैंने महसूस किया, अनिच्छा से धीरे-धीरे मुझसे दूर चला गया। वह बस एक बार हाथ हिलाने को मुड़ा और फिर उन सैकड़ों स्लेटी कोटधारी व्यक्तियों में एक हो गया जो अपनी सुरंगों (खाईयों) की ओर वापिस जा रहे थे।
9. That night, back in our dugouts, we heard them singing a carol, and singing it quite beautifully. It was Stille Nacht, Silent Night. Our boys gave them a rousing chorus of While Shepherds Watched. We exchanged carols for a while and then we all fell silent. We had had our time of peace and goodwill, a time I will treasure as long as I live.
Dearest Connie, by Christmas time next year, this war will be nothing but a distant and terrible memory. I know from all that happened today how much both armies long for peace. We shall be together again soon, I’m sure of it.
Your loving, Jim
Word Meaning: Carol: song of joy = (आनंद का गीत), Rousing: stir up = (उत्तेजित करना), Chorus: group of singers = (गायक दल),Goodwill:friendly feeling = (मित्र भाव), Distant:far away in time = (सुदूर, लंबे समय तक), Terrible:fearful = (खौफनाक)।
उस रात, वापिस हमारी सुरंगों में, हमने उन्हें आनंद का गीत गाते सुना, और वे इसे काफी सुंदरता से गा रहे थे। यह Still Nacht शांत रात्रि था। हमारे लड़कों ने उन्हें उत्तेजित व्हाइल शेफर्ड वाचड का सामूहिक गान दिया। हमने कुछ देर तक आनंद-गीतों का आदान-प्रदान किया और फिर सब चुपचाप बैठ गए। हमारे पास अपनी शांति और मित्र-भाव का समय था, एक समय, जो मैं जब तक जिंदा रहूँगा, संजो के रखूगा। प्यारी कोनी, अगले वर्ष क्रिसमस के समय तक, यह युद्ध कुछ नहीं पर एक सुदूर और खौफनाक याद बन जाएगा। जो कुछ भी आज हुआ, उससे मैं यह जानता हूँ कि दोनों सेनाएँ शांति की इच्छा रखती हैं। हम दोबारा साथ होंगे – जल्दी ही, मुझे इसका विश्वास है।
तुम्हारा प्यारा, जिम
III
1. I folded the letter again and slipped it carefully back into its envelope. I kept awake all night; By morning I knew what I had to do. I drove into Bridport, just a few miles away. I asked a boy walking his dog where Copper Beeches was. No. 12 turned out to be nothing but a burned-out shell, the roof gaping, the windows boarded-up. I knocked at the house next door and asked if anyone knew the whereabouts of a Mrs. Macpherson. Oh yes, said the old man in his slippers, he knew her well.
Word Meaning:
Slipped: act of slipping = (फिसलना), Burned out:destroyed by fire = (आग द्वारा नुकसान), Shell:a hard outer covering = (ढाँचा, खोल), Gaping: break or opening in a wall = (दरार, खाली जगह), Slippers: light indoor shoe = (चप्पल)।
मैंने दुबारा पत्र को मोड़ा और सावधानी से वापिस लिफाफे में खिसका दिया। मैं सारी रात जगा रहा। अगली सुबह मैं जानता था कि मुझे क्या करना था। कुछ मील दूर, बिडपोर्ट के लिए मैंने गाड़ी चलाई। मैंने एक लड़के से पूछा कापर बीच कहाँ है, जो अपने कुत्ते को ले जा रहा था। 12 नं. कुछ नहीं निकला सिवाय एक आग द्वारा नष्ट हुए ढाँचे के अलावा, छत में दरारें तथा खिड़कियाँ लकड़ी के तख्तों से बंद थीं। मैंने अगले दरवाजे पर खटखटाया और पूछा यदि कोई श्रीमती मैकपर्सन के बारे में कुछ जानता हो तो। ओह हाँ, अपनी चप्पलों में बूढ़े आदमी ने कहा, वह उसे अच्छी प्रकार से जानता था।
2. A lovely old lady, he told me, a bit muddle-headed, but at her age* she was entitled to be, wasn’t she? 101 years old. She had been in the house when it caught fire. No one really knew how the fire had started, but it could well have been candles. She used candles rather than electricity, because she always thought electricity was too expensive. The fireman had got her out just in time. She was in a nursing home now, he told me, Burlington House, on the Dorchester road, on the other side of town.
Word Meaning:
Muddle headed: confused = (भ्रमित), Entitled:give a right to = (अधिकार प्रदान करना), Expensive: too costly = (महँगी)।
एक प्यारी बूढ़ी औरत, उसने मुझे बताया, और कुछ उलझी हुई, पर उसकी उम्र में ऐसा होना उसका अधिकार था, क्या नहीं था? 101 साल बूढ़ी। वह घर में थी जब इसे आग लगी। ठीक से कोई नहीं जानता कि आग कैसे शुरू हुई, पर यह मोमबती के कारण हो सकती है। वह बिजली के बजाय मोमबत्तियाँ प्रयोग करती थी, क्योंकि वह हमेशा सोचती थी कि बिजली बहुत मंहगी थी। अग्नि-कर्मचारी उसे समय से बाहर ले आये। वह शहर की दूसरी तरफ, डोरचेस्टर रोड पर, बर्लिंगटन हाउस के एक नर्सिंग होम में थी, उसने मुझे बताया।
IV
1. I found Burlington House Nursing Home easily enough. There were paper chains up in the hallway and a lighted Christmas tree stood in the comer with a lopsided angel on top. I said I was a friend cbme to visit Mrs Macpherson to bring her a Christmas present. I could see through into the dining room where everyone was wearing a paper hat and singing along to Good King Wenceslas. The matron had a hat on too and seemed happy enough to see me. She even offered me a mince pie. She walked me along the corridor. “Mrs Macpherson is not in with the others,” she told me. “She’s rather confused today so we thought it best if she had a good rest. She has no family you know, no one visits. So I’m sure she’ll be only too pleased to see you.” She took me into a conservatory with wicker chairs and potted plants all around and left me.
Word Meaning:
Lopsided:unbalanced = (असंतुलित),Matron: woman incharge of nursing in. hospital = (प्रधान परिचारिका), Mince: cut into small pieces = (छोटे टुकड़ों में कटा हुआ), Pie: (पक्षी), Corridor: (गलियारा), Wicker: plant twig = (टहनी, खपच्ची)।
मैंने बर्लिंगटन हाउस नर्सिंग होम को काफी आसानी से पा लिया। वहाँ हॉल के रास्ते में कागज की लड़ियाँ थीं। और एक रोशन क्रिसमस वृक्ष अपने सिरे पर एक अंसतुलित देवता के साथ कोने में खड़ा था। मैंने कहा मैं एक मित्र हूँ श्रीमती मैकपर्सन के लिए क्रिसमस का उपहार लेकर मिलने आया हूँ। मैं भोजन-कक्ष के अंदर देख सकता था जहाँ सब कागज की टोपी पहने थे और साथ में Good King Wenceslas गा रहे थे। परिचारिका ने भी टोपी पहनी थी और मुझे देखकर काफी खुश दिख रही थी। और उसने मुझे माँस के टुकड़े का भी प्रस्ताव दिया। वह मेरे साथ गलियारे तक चली। ” श्रीमती मैकपर्सन दूसरों के साथ नहीं हैं,” उसने मुझे बताया, “वह आज ज्यादा उलझन में है इसलिए हमने सोचा कि अच्छा होगा यदि वह काफी आराम करे। तुम जानते हों उसका अपना कोई परिवार नहीं है, कोई आता-जाता नही है। इसलिए मुझे विश्वास है कि वह तुम्हें देखकर बहुत खुश होगी।” उसने मुझे एक सुरक्षित जगह ले जाकर छोड़ दिया जहाँ चारों तरफ टहनियों से बनी कुर्सियाँ और गमलों में पौधे रखे थे।
2. The old lady was sitting in a wheelchair, her hands folded in her lap. She had silver white hair pinned into a wispy bun. She was gazing out at the garden. “Hello,” I said. She turned and looked up at me vacantly. “Happy Christmas, Connie,” I went on. “I found this. I think it’s yours.” As I was speaking her eyes never left my face. I opened the tin box and gave it to her. That was the moment her eyes lit up with recognition and her face became suffused with a sudden glow of happiness. I explained about the desk, about how I had found it, but I don’t think she was listening. For a while she said nothing, but stroked the letter tenderly with her fingertips.
Word Meaning:
Wispy: small bundle = (गुच्छा), Gazing: long steady look = (टकटकी लगाकर देखना), Lit up: became bright with happiness = (चमक उठी), Recognition: (पहचान), Suffused with: spread all over her face = (भर जाना, दमक उठना)।
बूढ़ी औरत पहियों वाली कुर्सी पर बैठी थी, उसके हाथ उसकी गोद में मुड़े हुए थे। उसके चांदी से सफेद बाल गुच्छेदार जूड़े में बँधे हुए थे। वह बाग में टकटकी लगा कर देख रही थी। “हेलो”, मैंने कहा। वह मुड़ी और खालीपन से मुझे देखा “शुभ क्रिसमस, कोनी”, मैं कहता गया “मुझे यह मिला है। मैं समझता हूँ यह तुम्हारा है।” जैसे मैं बोल रहा था उसकी आँखें मेरे चेहरे से नहीं उठीं। मैंने टिन का डिब्बा खोला और उसे दे दिया। यह वह क्षण था जब उसकी आँखें पहचान से चमक उठीं और उसका चेहरा खुशी की चमक से दमक उठा। मैंने डेस्क का विवरण दिया कि कैसे मैंने इसे पाया, पर मुझे नहीं लगता कि वह सुन रही थी। कुछ क्षण के लिए उसने कुछ नहीं कहा, पर पत्र को अपनी उंगलियों के सिरों से प्यार से सहलाती रही।
3. Suddenly she reached out and took my hand. Her eyes were filled with tears. “You told me you’d come home by Christmas, dearest,” she said. “And here you are, the best Christmas present in the world. Come closer, Jim dear, sit down.”
I sat down beside her, and she kissed my cheek. “I read your letter so often Jim, every day. I wanted to hear your voice in my head. It always made me feel you were with me. And now you are. Now you’re back you can read it to me yourself. Would you do that for me, Jim dear? I just want to hear your voice again. I’d love that so much. And then perhaps we’ll have some tea. I’ve made you a nice Christmas cake, marzipan all around. I know how much you love marzipan.”
Word Meaning:
Suddenly: unexpectedly = (यकायक, अचानक),Beside:close to = (समीप, निकट, बगल में), Perhaps: possibly, may be = (शायद)।
अचानक वह उठी और मेरा हाथ लिया। उसकी आँखें आंसुओं से भरी थीं। “प्रिय, तुमने मुझे बताया था कि तुम क्रिसमस के नजदीक घर आओगे।” उसने कहा, “और यहाँ तुम हो, संसार में क्रिसमस का सर्वोत्तम उपहार। नजदीक आओ, प्रिय जिम, बैठ जाओ।”
मैं उसके पास बैठ गया और उसने मेरे गाल को चूमा। “मैंने प्रतिदिन कई बार तुम्हारा पत्र पढ़ा, जिम। मैं अपने दिमाग में तुम्हारी आवाज सुनना चाहती थी। इससे हमेशा मुझे अहसास होता था कि तुम मेरे साथ हो। और अब तुम हो। अब तुम लौट आये हो और तुम खुद इसे मेरे लिए पढ़ सकते हो। प्रिय जिम, क्या तुम मेरे लिए यह करोगे? मैं दोबारा तुम्हारी आवाज सुनना चाहती हूँ। मैं इसे बहुत प्यार करती हूँ। और फिर शायद हम थोड़ी चाय लें। मैंने तुम्हारे लिए एक अच्छा क्रिसमस केक बनाया है, और चारों ओर मीठी परत के साथ। मुझे पता है तुम मीठी परत को कितना प्यार करते (पसंद करते) हो।”
The Best Christmas Present in the World Summary in English
The author purchased an early 19th century roll-top desk from a junk shop in Bridport. That one was in a bad condition. He began work on it on Christmas Eve. While mending it,’he saw a secret drawer of its stuck fast. He opened it and found a small black tin box in it. There was a piece of lined notepaper sello-taped to the top, having written on it “Jim’s last letter, received January 25, 1915. To be buried with me when the time comes.” The author opened the letter hesitatingly. It had been addressed to Connie (Mrs Jim Macpherson, 12 Copper Beeches, Bridport, Dorset) on December 26, 1914, by Jim. In this letter to his wife, Jim had given an account of Christmas celebration in the battle-field. He wrote that German soldiers (Fritz) wished them ‘Happy Christmas’ first, while hiding in their trenches. Although Fritzs and Tommy (British Soldiers) were in the warfield, yet they gave due importance to the sacred festival.
They celebrated with schnapps, sausage and the rum. They shared their lives’ thoughts with each-other. They exchanged carols. They had a precious time of peace and goodwill. It seemed that soon war would be nothing but a distant and terrible memory. It also showed how much both armies longed for peace. After reading the letter, the author went to 12, Copper Beeches but the house had been burned out. He came to know that Mrs. Macpherson had been 101 years old and w as in a nursing home. When the autlior went to see her, she mistook him Jim and started talking with him. She had spent all her life in the hope of her husband’s arrival. The author had arrived to meet her on Christmas Day and gave her Jim’s letter as a Christmas gift, which was the best Christmas gift for her in the world.
The Best Christmas Present in the World Summary in Hindi
लेखक ने ब्रिडपोर्ट में एक कबाड़ी की दुकान से 19वीं शताब्दी के प्रारंभ का एक ऊपरी गोलाकार सिरे वाला डेस्क खरीदा। वह बुरी दशा में था। उसने क्रिसमस की पूर्व संध्या पर उस पर काम करना शुरू किया। उसका सुधार करते हुए, उसने उसका एक गुप्त खाना बुरी तरह से फंसा हुआ देखा। उसने उसे खोला और उसमें एक छोटा काला टिन का डिब्बा पाया। उसमें ऊपरी सिरे पर सेलोटेप से चिपकाया हुआ एक रेखांकित कागज का टुकडा रखा था, जिस पर लिखा था-“जिम का अंतिम पत्र. 25 जनवरी 1915 को मिला.. जब समय आए तो मेरे साथ दफनाया जाए”। लेखक ने सकुचाते हुए पत्र खोला। वह जिम के द्वारा कोनी (श्रीमती जिम मैकॅपर्सन, 12 कॉपर बीन्स, ब्रिडपोर्ट, डोरसेट) के नाम 26 दिसम्बर 1914 को लिखा गया था। अपनी पत्नी को लिखे इस पत्र में, जिम ने युद्ध के मैदान में आयोजित क्रिसमस के उत्सव का विवरण लिखा था। उसने लिखा कि जर्मन सिपाहियों (फ्रिट्ज) ने उन्हें पहले शुभ क्रिसमस कहा, जबकि वे सुंरगों में छिपे हुए थे। यद्यपि फ्रिट्ज और टॉमी (ब्रिटिश सिपाही) युद्ध के मैदान में थे, फिर भी उन्होंने अपने जीवन के विचारों को एक-दूसरे के साथ बाँटा। उन्होंने उत्सव-गीतों का आदान-प्रदान किया।
उन्होंने इस पवित्र त्यौहार को पूर्ण महत्त्व दिया। उन्होंने जर्मन पेय, कबाब और रम के साथ उत्सव मनाया। उन्होंने शांति और ख्याति का कीमती समय बिताया। ऐसा प्रतीत हुआ कि जल्दी ही युद्ध कुछ नहीं बल्कि एक दूर की बात और भयंकर याद बनकर रह जाएगा। इससे यह भी प्रदर्शित हुआ कि दोनों सेनाओं को शांति की कितनी चाह थी। पत्र पढ़ने के बाद, लेखव. 12 कॉपर बीच्स गया परंतु वह घर आगे से पूरी तरह नष्ट हो चुका था। उसे पता चला कि श्रीमती मैकॅपर्सन 101 वर्ष की हो चुकी थी और एक नर्सिंग होम में थी। जब लेखक उससे मिलने गया, उसने गलती से उसे जिम समझ लिया और बातें करना शुरू कर दिया। उसने अपना सारा जीवन अपने पति के आने की उम्मीद में बिता दिया था। लेखक उससे क्रिसमस के दिन मिलने पहुंचा और जिम का पत्र उसे क्रिसमस के उपहार के रूप में दिया जो कि उसके लिए संसार में सर्वोत्तम क्रिसमस उपहार था।
