CBSE

CBSE Class 10 English Footprints Without Feet – Bholi Summary

✍️ Written By Arushi Kaul
🗓️ Publish on June 1, 2024

Chapter 8 of the Class 10 English Supplementary Reader ‘Footprints Without Feet’ consists of a prose titled – Bholi written by Khwaja Ahmad Abbas (K.A. Abbas). Bholi is the story of a young girl named Sulekha, also known as Bholi, who was looked down for her appearance and lack of intelligence. As she grew older, her marriage was arranged with a greedy middle-aged man, but she refused to marry him.
Here’s a simple summary of the prose– Bholi.

Summary of Bholi

This story is about a young girl named Sulekha, who everyone called ‘Bholi’ because she was simple and kind. When she was ten months old, she fell from her bed and hurt her brain, which made her stammer when she talked. Bholi was born pretty, but she got smallpox, which left dark marks on her face. These marks made her look different, and people often made fun of her because they thought she was not smart and because she stammered when she spoke.

Bholi’s father, Ramlal, had seven children: three sons and four daughters. Bholi was the youngest daughter. All of her siblings were healthy and strong, except for Bholi. Her parents were worried about how they would find her a husband when she grew up. One day, a government officer came to open a new girls’ school in the village. He told Ramlal to send all his daughters to school. When Ramlal talked about this with his wife, she was against it because she thought that no one would marry their daughters if they went to school. However, she agreed to send Bholi to school because they were unsure if anyone would marry her due to her looks and simple-mindedness.

At first, Bholi was unsure about going to school because she had never heard of it. But on her first day, she was dressed nicely and sent to school. She thought it might be better than her home. When she got there, she was happy to see girls her own age. She wanted to make friends but was too scared to talk because she stammered. When the teacher asked her name with a smile, she stammered in front of the whole class, and the other girls laughed at her. This made her very sad, and she started crying, thinking no one would want to be her friend.

Then, the kind teacher encouraged her to say her name again. Even though she stammered, she finally managed to say her full name. The teacher gave her some picture books and told her that reading them would help her with her stammering. She also told her to come to school every day. This made Bholi feel hopeful and gave her a new sense of confidence.

Many years went by, and the village grew into a small town with many improvements. One day, a marriage proposal came for Bholi. The man, Bishamber Nath, was an old man who limped and had grown-up children. He was almost as old as Bholi’s father. However, Ramlal’s family agreed to the match because they thought Bishamber was well-off. Her older sisters were jealous of the grand preparations for her wedding.

But when Bishamber was about to put the garland around Bholi’s neck, someone lifted her veil. Seeing the pockmarks on her face, Bishamber refused to marry her unless he was given a dowry of five thousand rupees. Bholi’s father, Ramlal, managed to gather the money and gave it to Bishamber Nath.

However, when the groom tries to put the garland on her, Bholi stops him and refuses to marry such a greedy man. Everyone at the wedding was shocked to see how confidently she spoke without stuttering. The groom felt insulted and went back to his village.
Afterward, Bholi assured her father that she would take care of him and her mother in their old age. She also said she would become a teacher at the same school where she had learned so many good things. Seeing this, Bholi’s teacher, who was watching from a distance, felt very relieved and satisfied with her courage and confidence in front of everyone.

Conclusion of Bholi

In the conclusion of the chapter “Bholi,” she transforms from a timid, insecure girl into a confident and self-assured young woman. Despite the challenges she faces due to her stammer and pockmarked appearance, Bholi gains confidence through the support of her kind teacher and the education she receives. When faced with the prospect of marrying a greedy and insensitive man, she bravely refuses, choosing her self-respect over societal pressure. She assures her father that she will care for her parents in their old age and decides to become a teacher, aiming to inspire and educate others as she was once inspired. Her teacher, witnessing this, feels a deep sense of pride and satisfaction in Bholi’s remarkable growth and courage.

We trust that this summary of the CBSE Class 10 English Footprints Without Feet Prose, “Bholi,” has provided you with a quick grasp of the chapter. Stay connected with GK Publications for the latest updates on CBSE and study materials. Explore sample papers and question papers from various years to enhance your preparation for the Board exams.