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| Half a Day by Naguib Mahfouz | Summary and Question Answers | Major English Class 11 |
Summary
A little boy, newly dressed, was being taken to school for the first time by his father. As he was hesitant to ho school, he asked his father not to take him to school and he will never do anything to annoy him.
Assuring him that school is not a bad thing and he will be a good man from school, the father and the little boy reached the school gate. Twlling him that he will be waiting for him outside the school when the school is over, the father sent him inside the school.
As he entered to the school, he knew noone and felt like he was a stranger who had lost his way. Soon the headmaster along with some teacher came and all the students stood in line for assembly. She instructed that they will have fun here and that they will be educated.
Soon the boy began to make friends and fell in love with some girks. He played various games, learned numbers, language, geography, science, religion etc, ate delicious food and had lots of fun.
As life doesn't go smoothly, the boy began to feel pain and suffering as his schooling went on. He faved quarreling between friends for competition. He suffered scolding and physical punishment from the teacher and much more.
The final bell rang and it was the time to go home. He went outside the gate, peered around, but couldn't find his father ,who had promised to be there. He decided to go home on his own. On his way, a middle aged man came to him and asked him how was he. Little boy once thought that he knew him but couldn't figure out exaclty who he was. He went on.
As he passed on, he realised that everything that he had seen on his way when he was coming to school has changed. The gardens which were by the side of road have disappered, the fields have gone. There were only tall buildings, crowded vehicles and insect like so many people everywhere. He began to wonder how this much change is possible in half a day? He decided to ask his father when he will reach home.
But he could not cross the road because of the heavy traffic. As he was trying to cross the road, a boy from nearest ironing shop came to him and said, "Grandpa, let me take you across the road."
