Introduction
This is a fun story about a boy named Gopi who finds a hockey ball in his garden. Curious to know who it belongs to, he decides not to keep it for himself and goes out to find the owner. He talks to his friends at the playground, and soon, they all start playing an exciting hockey match with the ball. But something funny happens at the end that makes them all laugh! This story teaches us about honesty, friendship, and how simple moments can turn into unforgettable memories.
Detailed Summary
One hot summer afternoon, Gopi was reading in the veranda when he heard a sound coming from the garden. Thinking it might be a mango falling, he rushed outside to check. He searched through the thick grass near the fence and then among the bushes, but didn’t find anything. Finally, he saw a white hockey ball lying on a heap of dry leaves. Curious and surprised, he picked it up and began wondering who it might belong to.
He looked around the garden and even outside the gate, but there was no one nearby. As it was too hot, his mother called him inside. Gopi went in, drank some water, and lay down to rest. While resting, he decided not to keep the ball without finding its owner. In the evening, he went to the nearby playground where his friends usually played hockey, hoping someone would recognise the ball.
At the playground, Gopi asked his friends if any of them had recently lost a ball. Manoj said he had lost his ball months ago, and Ramani claimed it might be his but couldn’t describe it. Deepak proudly spoke about his new football, but Gopi reminded them that the ball he found was a hockey ball. Everyone laughed and passed the ball around, but soon they all agreed to play a quick match before it got dark.
As the game began, Gopi passed the ball to Deepak, who sent it to Ramani, and then it reached Jay. Jay hit the ball with great force, and it accidentally flew out of the playground. It landed in the basket of a passing scooter, and the rider, unaware, drove away with it. The children ran after it, but it was too late. Even though the ball was gone, they all laughed and enjoyed the moment. It turned into a happy memory they would always remember.
Theme/Message
- The story showcases the importance of honesty and sharing. Gopi’s decision to return the lost ball instead of keeping it for himself highlights his integrity.
- Friendship is another key theme. The story emphasises how friends come together to play and enjoy each other’s company.
- The excitement of playing games and the spirit of teamwork are central to the story, showing how working together can lead to fun experiences.
- Lastly, the story teaches a lesson about unexpected events. Even when things do not go as planned, like losing the ball, it can still lead to laughter and joy among friends.
Try yourself:
What does Gopi’s decision to return the lost ball show?
- A.His integrity
- B.His strength
- C.His speed
- D.His skill
View Solution
Difficult Words
- Discovered: Found something that was hidden or not known before.
- Curious: Wanting to know about something..
- Resolved: Made a decision to do something.
- Exciting: Causing great enthusiasm and eagerness.
- Goalkeeper: The person who protects the goal in a game.
- Wrist: The joint connecting the hand to the arm.
- Dribbled: To move the ball along the ground by repeatedly tapping it with a stick or foot.
- Realising: Understanding or becoming aware of something.
- Boasted: Talking too proudly about something one has done.
- Excitement: A feeling of great enthusiasm and eagerness.
- Unexpected: Something that happens suddenly and without warning.
- Cooperation: Working together to achieve a common goal.