Class 9 English - BIHAR
Prose: My Childhood
My Childhood is an inspiring autobiographical extract from Dr. A.P.J. Abdul Kalam's book Wings of Fire. It details his early life in Rameswaram, his middle-class Tamil family, and the foundational values instilled by his parents. The chapter highlights the religious harmony in his hometown, his experiences with caste discrimination at school, and how his science teacher, Sivasubramania Iyer, influenced his thinking. For BSEB Class 9 students, this chapter is crucial for understanding narrative prose, learning moral values of tolerance and hard work, and scoring well in English literature exams through value-based and textbook questions.
Start Learning FreeKey Concepts
Autobiographical Extract
A self-written account of a person's life; this chapter is taken from Dr. A.P.J. Abdul Kalam's autobiography, Wings of Fire.
Communal Harmony
The peaceful coexistence of different religious communities, beautifully illustrated by Kalam's close friendships with Hindu boys like Ramanadha Sastry.
Childhood Influences
Kalam inherited honesty and self-discipline from his father, Jainulabdeen, and faith in goodness and deep kindness from his mother, Ashiamma.
Overcoming Discrimination
A new teacher tried to separate Kalam from his Hindu friend, but social barriers were successfully challenged by teachers like Sivasubramania Iyer.
Childhood Economy
During the Second World War in 1939, Kalam earned his first wages by collecting tamarind seeds and selling them, and later by helping his cousin Shamsuddin distribute newspapers.
Important Formulas
Board Exam Info
In the Bihar School Examination Board (BSEB) Class 9 English exams, this chapter typically carries around 5 to 8 marks. Questions frequently include short-answer questions about Kalam's parents, his childhood earnings, the incident with the new teacher, and long-answer questions focusing on the central theme of communal harmony and moral values.
Frequently Asked Questions
Who is the author of the chapter 'My Childhood'?
The chapter is written by Dr. A.P.J. Abdul Kalam, India's 11th President and renowned scientist.
How did Kalam earn his first wages?
Kalam earned his first wages during the Second World War by collecting tamarind seeds and selling them to a provision shop in Rameswaram.
What lesson does the incident with the new teacher teach us?
It teaches us that narrow-mindedness and social divisions like caste prejudice poison young minds, and they must be actively resisted through progressive thinking.
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