How I Taught My Grandmother to Read is a touching and inspiring story written by Sudha Murty. It is included in the CBSE Class 9 English supplementary reading material and tells us how education can change a person’s life at any age.
The story beautifully highlights the relationship between a grandmother and her granddaughter. More importantly, it shows that there is no age limit for learning. With determination, patience, and love, the grandmother learns to read and becomes independent.
How I Taught My Grandmother to Read – Summary
The story is narrated by a young girl who shares a close relationship with her grandmother. The grandmother is an uneducated woman who cannot read or write. However, she has a strong desire to learn.
Every week, the narrator visits her grandmother’s village. The grandmother enjoys listening to her granddaughter read Kashi Yatre, a popular Kannada novel written by Triveni. The main character of the novel is an elderly woman who wants to visit Kashi.
The grandmother becomes deeply interested in the story. She waits eagerly for her granddaughter to read the next part of the novel to her.
One day, however, the granddaughter has to leave the village for a few days. During her absence, the grandmother is unable to read the story herself. This makes her realize how dependent she is on someone else for something as simple as reading.
When her granddaughter returns, the grandmother shares her feelings. She tells her that she wants to learn how to read and write.
The Grandmother’s Decision to Learn
The grandmother makes a firm decision to become literate. She does not use her age as an excuse. Although she is around sixty-two years old, she decides to start learning the Kannada alphabet.
She asks her granddaughter to become her teacher.
The granddaughter is initially surprised but happily accepts the responsibility. She teaches her grandmother how to read and write. The grandmother works extremely hard and practices regularly.
Her determination impresses her granddaughter. She wants to be able to read Kashi Yatre independently before the next Saraswati Puja.
The grandmother does not want to simply depend on someone else. She wants the freedom to read whenever she wishes.
The Grandmother’s Hard Work and Determination
One of the most inspiring parts of the story is the grandmother’s dedication.
Learning to read at an old age is not easy. She has to start from the very beginning, learning letters and words. Still, she does not give up.
She practices every day and eventually becomes capable of reading the novel herself.
Her achievement shows that learning is possible at any stage of life. What matters most is the willingness to learn and the determination to keep trying.
The Emotional Moment
After successfully learning to read, the grandmother does something that surprises her granddaughter. She touches her granddaughter’s feet as a sign of respect and gratitude.
The granddaughter feels emotional because she had never expected her grandmother to show such respect toward her.
The grandmother explains that she considers her granddaughter her teacher because she taught her something that gave her independence.
She then gives her granddaughter a gift of a new saree as guru dakshina, traditionally offered by a student to a teacher.
This moment beautifully shows the love and respect between the grandmother and granddaughter.
Main Themes of How I Taught My Grandmother to Read
1. Importance of Education
The biggest message of the story is the importance of education. Education gives people confidence, independence, and the ability to make their own choices.
The grandmother understands this after realizing that she cannot read her favorite novel without help.
2. No Age Limit for Learning
The grandmother proves that age should never stop someone from learning. Even at sixty-two, she starts from the basics and successfully learns to read.
Her example teaches students that it is never too late to learn something new.
3. Respect for Teachers
The grandmother considers her granddaughter her teacher and treats her with great respect. Her gesture of touching her granddaughter’s feet shows how highly she values education and her teacher.
The story reminds us that teachers can be found anywhere, including within our own families.
4. Determination and Self-Confidence
The grandmother’s success comes from her determination. She does not feel embarrassed about starting from the beginning.
Instead, she works hard until she reaches her goal.
Character Sketch of the Grandmother
The grandmother is one of the most memorable characters in the story. She is loving, traditional, determined, and humble.
Although she is uneducated, she is not unwilling to learn. Once she understands the value of reading, she takes complete responsibility for her education.
Her strong will and positive attitude make her an inspiring character for students.
Moral of the Story
The central moral of How I Taught My Grandmother to Read is that there is no age limit to education.
The story also teaches us that literacy provides freedom and confidence. We should never feel ashamed of learning something late in life. Instead, we should remain curious and continue improving ourselves.
The relationship between the grandmother and granddaughter also teaches us that learning can bring family members closer together.
Why Is How I Taught My Grandmother to Read Important for Class 9 Students?
This story is more than just a grandmother learning to read. It encourages students to understand the real value of education.
For Class 9 students, the story provides important lessons about determination, respect, family relationships, and lifelong learning. It also encourages young people to help others who may not have had the opportunity to receive an education.
The simple writing style and emotional storyline make the chapter easy to connect with and remember.
Frequently Asked Questions
Who wrote How I Taught My Grandmother to Read?
How I Taught My Grandmother to Read was written by Sudha Murty, a well-known Indian author.
What is the main theme of How I Taught My Grandmother to Read?
The main theme is the importance of education and lifelong learning. The story shows that anyone can learn if they have determination and a strong desire to improve.
How old was the grandmother when she decided to learn?
The grandmother was sixty-two years old when she decided to learn how to read and write.
Why did the grandmother want to learn reading?
She wanted to read Kashi Yatre independently because she had become interested in the story but had always depended on her granddaughter to read it aloud.
What does the story teach students?
The story teaches students that education creates independence, age should not prevent anyone from learning, and teachers deserve respect.
Conclusion
How I Taught My Grandmother to Read is a simple but powerful story about education, determination, and family love. The grandmother’s journey from being unable to read to becoming an independent reader proves that learning has no age limit.
For students, the story carries an important message: never be afraid to learn, no matter where you are in life. With patience, hard work, and determination, even a difficult goal can become achievable.