How I Taught My Grandmother to Read by Sudha Murthy

Introduction

The story "How I Taught My Grandmother to Read" is about how the author, Sudha Murthy, taught her grandmother to read. The author's grandmother was illiterate and had never gone to school. However, she was very intelligent and had a strong desire to learn. When the author was twelve years old, she started teaching her grandmother to read. The grandmother was a quick learner and soon she was able to read simple words and sentences. The author was very proud of her grandmother and she was happy that she had been able to help her achieve her goal.

Summary

The story is set in a small village in Karnataka, India. The narrator, who is about twelve years old, lives with her grandparents. Her grandmother is illiterate, but she has a strong desire to learn to read. One day, the narrator's grandmother tells her that she wants to learn to read the novel "Kashi Yatre" by Triveni. The narrator agrees to teach her grandmother how to read.

The narrator starts by teaching her grandmother the alphabet and simple words. Her grandmother is a quick learner and soon she is able to read simple sentences. The narrator is very proud of her grandmother and she is happy that she has been able to help her achieve her goal.

The grandmother is so excited about her new ability to read that she starts reading everything she can get her hands on. She reads newspapers, magazines, and even books that she doesn't understand. The narrator is amused by her grandmother's enthusiasm and she is glad that she has been able to open up a whole new world of knowledge to her.

On the day of Saraswati Puja, the grandmother gives the narrator a gift. It is a piece of material for a new frock. The grandmother tells the narrator that she is giving her the gift as a token of her appreciation for teaching her how to read. The narrator is touched by her grandmother's gesture and she is proud of the role she has played in helping her grandmother achieve her dream.

The story ends with the narrator reflecting on the importance of education. She says that education is a gift that can open up new possibilities for us in life. It can help us to understand the world around us and to make informed decisions. The narrator is grateful that she was able to help her grandmother learn to read and she hopes that her story will inspire others to never give up on their dreams.

Additional details about the story:

The grandmother's name is Krishtakka.

The novel "Kashi Yatre" is about an old woman who wants to go to Kashi, a holy city in India.

The narrator's name is not revealed in the story.

The story takes place in the early 1960s.

Analysis

The story of "How I Taught My Grandmother to Read" is a heartwarming tale of the power of education and the importance of never giving up on your dreams. The grandmother in the story is a shining example of the fact that it is never too late to learn. She was able to achieve her goal of learning to read at the age of sixty-two, thanks to the help of her granddaughter.

The story also teaches us the importance of family and community. The author's grandmother was supported by her entire family in her quest to learn to read. Her children and grandchildren were all very proud of her and they encouraged her every step of the way. The story shows the power of love and support to help us achieve our goals.

Central Idea

The central idea of the story is that education is a powerful tool that can help us achieve our goals, regardless of our age or circumstances. The grandmother in the story was able to achieve her dream of learning to read at the age of sixty-two, thanks to the help of her granddaughter. This story shows that it is never too late to learn and that education can open up new possibilities for us in life.

About the Author 

Sudha Murthy is a well-known Indian author, social worker, and philanthropist. She is the chairperson of the Infosys Foundation, a non-profit organization that works in the areas of education, healthcare, and rural development. Murthy has written several books, including the best-selling "How I Taught My Grandmother to Read". Her stories are often inspired by her own life experiences and they explore themes of family, love, and the power of education.