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Why is Valli’s first bus ride so special?
What does ‘Madam Rides the Bus’ teach us about growing up?
How can this chapter help you score well in your Class 10 English exam?
If you're curious about these questions, you’ve landed at the right place! In this blog, you’ll find easy-to-understand notes for Class 10 English Chapter 9 – Madam Rides the Bus.
Written by Vallikkannan, this story follows Valli, a brave and curious girl, whose first solo bus journey teaches her valuable life lessons. These notes will help you grasp the key points, summary, and important questions for quick and smart revision. If you’re preparing for your Class 10 English exam, these notes will help you quickly revise the chapter, understand its core message, and prepare well for both short and long answer questions.
So, let’s dive into the summary, important points, and important questions for ‘Madam Rides the Bus’ and make your revision easy and effective!
‘Madam Rides the Bus’ is a heartwarming short story written by Vallikkannan. The chapter tells us about a curious and brave eight-year-old girl named Valli, who dreams of exploring the world beyond her small village. What seems like just a bus ride turns into a big learning experience for her.
Valli often watches people and vehicles from her house, especially the bus that passes through her street. She becomes so fascinated by the idea of travelling in the bus that she starts planning everything — from saving the ticket money to learning about the route and the bus timings.
One day, when her mother is asleep, Valli finally gathers enough courage to take the bus alone. She feels proud and independent, calling herself ‘madam’ while speaking to the conductor. During the ride, she notices beautiful sceneries like green fields, hills, and playful children. She enjoys every moment of her trip until she sees a heartbreaking scene: a young cow, which she had seen alive on her way, now lying dead on the road. This makes her realise the harsh reality of life and death.
By the end of the journey, Valli returns home safe but with a more mature understanding of the world. The story teaches us about curiosity, the excitement of new experiences, and the importance of learning through real-life situations.
In the story "Madam Rides the Bus" from Class 10, the title of the chapter — "Why?" — could refer to a few key aspects related to the protagonist, Mrs. Rukmani, and her actions. Let's break it down:
Mrs. Rukmani, despite her age, is curious about life and eager to experience the world outside her usual surroundings. She has lived a simple, routine life, and the bus ride represents her desire to break free from the limitations often imposed on the elderly. Her decision to take the bus symbolizes independence and the search for self-expression. She is also excited to prove that age should not be a barrier to trying new things.
Mrs Rukmani’s decision to wear her best clothes reflects her sense of self-worth and the importance she places on the journey. For her, it’s not just a simple ride; it’s an event, and she wants to experience it with dignity and pride. Her preparations show how she values the little things in life.
Throughout the story, Mrs. Rukmani observes the reactions of others around her, especially the way they treat her as an old woman. She realizes that despite her efforts, the passengers may not truly see her as a significant individual. This highlights a deeper theme in the story about society’s tendency to overlook or dismiss the elderly.
The chapter is about Mrs. Rukmani’s quest for freedom and the realization that, at times, others may not understand or value her actions. It's a reflection on ageing, independence, and human dignity.
Mrs. Rukmani:
Mrs. Rukmani is an elderly woman living in a small town, who defies the typical expectations of her age and society's view of the elderly. She is independent, curious, and filled with a sense of adventure. Unlike many people her age, who may prefer to stay indoors, Mrs Rukmani has a deep desire to explore the world around her and experience life beyond the confines of her home.
Her decision to ride the bus, despite her age, shows her courage and determination. She is not afraid to break free from routine or societal expectations. Mrs. Rukmani's appearance reflects her self-respect; she dresses up carefully for the journey, wearing her best clothes, as if the trip were an important event in her life.
Throughout the bus ride, she maintains a sense of grace and dignity, interacting with the conductor and enjoying the journey. She is proud of her small achievement and finds joy in experiencing something new.
However, the story also reveals her vulnerability. Although she feels proud and happy about the ride, she is unaware that the other passengers view her as a source of amusement. Her innocence and pride clash with the indifference of society, which often overlooks or trivializes the elderly. Despite this, Mrs Rukmani remains undeterred and continues to live with a sense of self-worth and independence.
In conclusion, Mrs. Rukmani is a symbol of self-expression and independence, teaching us that age should not limit one's desire to experience life and that dignity and self-respect are important at any stage of life.
Chapter-wise material like the summary, character sketches, and theme discussions for "Madam Rides the Bus" can be incredibly beneficial for students, especially when studying for exams or trying to grasp the deeper meanings of the story. Here's how:
Clear Understanding of the Story
Summaries provide students with a concise understanding of the key events and plot. This helps in quickly revising the story without having to re-read the entire chapter, which can save time and aid in better retention.
Character Insights
Character sketches give students a deep understanding of the protagonist, Mrs. Rukmani, and other key figures. Knowing the character’s motivations, actions, and traits helps students connect with the story emotionally and mentally. This can improve their analysis skills, particularly when answering character-based questions in exams.
Theme Exploration
Discussions about themes like ageing, independence, dignity, and self-expression help students reflect on the broader messages of the story. Understanding the themes not only prepares them for subjective questions in exams but also helps in fostering critical thinking.
Better Answer Writing
With chapter-wise material, students can practice writing answers more effectively. They will be able to use examples, quotes, and character references from the story to support their arguments and ideas.
Time Management
Using well-organized material allows students to revise efficiently and focus on the aspects of the chapter that are most important for exams. It helps in balancing the time spent on each chapter and ensures no crucial part of the story is missed.
Building Analytical Skills
By analyzing character traits, actions, and underlying themes, students learn to think critically. This sharpens their ability to answer analytical and descriptive questions, which are often asked in English exams.
Preparation for Board Exams
For Class 10 students, chapter-wise material aligned with the curriculum can directly help them in exam preparation. The structured breakdown of important points ensures that students are well-prepared to handle both objective and subjective questions.
Increased Confidence
Understanding the material deeply increases confidence. Students can approach exams with the assurance that they have a strong grasp of the chapter’s concepts, characters, and themes.
Improved Writing and Communication
Chapter-wise analysis and summaries also help improve students' writing skills. By practicing how to express thoughts clearly and concisely, students can improve their overall communication, which will be valuable in all subjects.
Overall, chapter-wise material aids students in enhancing their comprehension, analytical, and writing skills, making it easier to engage with the text and perform well academically. At Educart we have provided these questions and other support materials, so teachers can help the students practice these types of questions thoroughly. These PDFs can be downloaded just with a click and user authentication.
If you want to score well in your Class 10 English exam, preparing proper notes for Chapter 9 – Madam Rides the Bus is very important. This chapter is not only about a simple bus ride but also about the journey of growing up, understanding life, and stepping into the real world. To make your revision smooth and effective, follow this step-by-step guide:
Read the Chapter Carefully
The first and most important step is to read the full story from your NCERT textbook at least twice. Don’t rush through it — try to focus on:
Understanding the emotions in the story will make it easier for you to answer both direct and value-based questions in exams.
Write a Simple and Clear Summary in Your Own Words
After reading, write a short summary covering:
Using your own words will help you remember the chapter better, especially for long-answer questions.
List the Important Characters and Their Roles
In your notes, create a small section for character sketches:
This will help you answer questions like “Describe the character of Valli” or “What kind of relationship does Valli share with the conductor?”
Highlight the Main Themes
Every English chapter has important ideas hidden in the story. Write them down in your notes:
Prepare Important Questions and Answers
Once your notes are ready, prepare some questions based on:
Writing answers in your own words will make you feel more confident during exams.
Note Down the Moral of the Story
At the end of your notes, always write the moral or the message of the chapter:
‘Madam Rides the Bus’ teaches us that life is a mixture of joy and sadness. Every new experience helps us grow and understand the world better.
Revise Regularly
Once your notes are complete, revise them at least twice before the exam. You can also practice writing answers without looking at your notes to test your memory.
Madam Rides the Bus is a delightful yet meaningful story from the First Flight English textbook for Class 10. Written by Vallikkannan, this chapter tells the story of a young village girl named Valli, who longs to explore the world beyond her small surroundings. The story beautifully captures her first independent bus journey and the lessons she learns along the way.
While the story seems simple, many students make small but important mistakes when preparing for their exams. Let’s go through these common errors so you can avoid them!
Misunderstanding the Main Theme
Many students think the story is only about a little girl who takes a bus ride. But the real theme goes much deeper.
Correct Understanding:
The story teaches us about:
Ignoring this will make your answers seem shallow.
Confusing the Author’s Name with the Character
Students often mix up the names.
Pro Tip: Remember — Valli is the child, Vallikkannan is the writer.
Spelling Mistakes
Spelling errors are common and reduce marks, especially in literature answers. Some typical mistakes include:
Always revise names and new words.
Overlooking Valli’s Character Sketch
When asked to describe Valli, many students only mention her age or her wish to ride the bus. Examiners expect you to highlight her:
These qualities make your answers stand out.
Ignoring the Life Lesson
The story teaches more than just adventure; it shows how new experiences shape young minds.
When Valli sees the dead cow, she realises life is not all fun and excitement. This moment teaches her about loss, change, and the unexpected nature of life. Many students skip this moral lesson, which can cost them marks in value-based questions.
Missing Chapter Keywords
Using correct terms and keywords shows the teacher that you understand the chapter well. Students often forget to mention:
Using such words helps improve your answer’s quality and matches CBSE marking schemes.
Writing Answers Like a Storybook
Instead of writing clear, direct answers, some students rewrite the entire story when asked even short questions. This wastes time and confuses the examiner.
Better Approach: Stick to the point, answer what is asked, and use complete sentences.
Example:
Q: What did Valli learn from her bus journey?
Correct Answer: Valli learned that life is full of surprises and sometimes even sad realities, like death. Her excitement turned into a mature understanding after seeing the dead cow.
Skipping Easy But Important Questions
Students often leave out questions they think are “too simple” or “too obvious,” but CBSE papers often focus on these!
For example:
Practising these will make you well-prepared for both MCQs and descriptive answers.
Bonus Exam Tips:
Preparing notes for Chapter 9 – Madam Rides the Bus is one of the smartest ways to make your exam revision easier and more organised. This chapter may seem simple on the surface, but it carries deep life lessons about curiosity, courage and the realities of growing up.
When you focus on understanding the story, writing clear summaries, and practising important questions, you will not only remember the chapter better but also improve your writing skills for exams. Well-prepared notes will save you time, reduce stress, and help you write strong answers with confidence.
So, follow these easy steps, stay consistent with your revision, and you’ll be fully ready to tackle any question from ‘Madam Rides the Bus’ in your Class 10 English exam!
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