Summary of Game of Chance

Rasheed Pays a Visit to the Eid Fair and a Lucky Shop
Each year, on the occasion of Eid, a fair was held. The fair lasted many days and visitors could purchase almost everything there. Rasheed was accompanied to the fair by his uncle and their domestic helper Bhaiya. At the fair, there was a sizable crowd. His uncle was introduced to a couple of his pals.

His uncle departed with his buddies, but urged Rasheed not to purchase anything or travel far. Rasheed assured him that he would be waiting for him. The shopkeeper was a man in his forties. He did not appear to be overly intelligent or overly slothful. On the table were discs with the numbers one to 10 pointing downward. Pay 50 paise and choose up any six discs; put the discs’ numbers together to determine their total. The individual will receive the article labelled with that number.

An Old Man and a Young Boy Tried Their Luck, and Rasheed did as well.

An elderly gentleman paid 50 pence and received six discs. He was handed his number and a lovely clock. Because the elderly gentleman did not want the clock, the shopkeeper gave him fifteen. A small child gambled and won a comb valued 25 paise. The child tried his luck one more and won a fountain pen for three dollars. For the third time, the child tried his luck and won a table lamp worth more than ten dollars. The boy got content.

He paid 50 paise and walked away with six CDs. He was not as fortunate and received two pencils. He attempted again and was rewarded with a bottle of ink. Rasheed took another chance, but this time he was not fortunate. He hoped to earn a large award but was always unsuccessful. He was treated with kindness by the shopkeeper. Rasheed depleted his funds. People laughed at him and showed no sympathy for him. He and Bhaiya proceeded to the location where his uncle had abandoned him. His uncle arrived and inquired as to the source of his unhappiness.

Rasheed’s Uncle learned of the incident.

Bhaiya disclosed everything to him. His uncle expressed neither anger nor sadness. He purchased Rasheed a lovely umbrella, as well as biscuits and candies. Rasheed’s uncle informed him that the shopkeeper had duped him. This did not occur as a result of good or bad fortune. The elderly gentleman and the child who acquired expensive items were friends of the merchant. They were concocting ruses to seduce Rasheed. They desired and obtained his money. His uncle advised him to put the incident behind him and move on.

WORD MEANINGS

1. Tradesmen – shopkeepers  or people who have goods to sell
2. Far and wide – a  large number of distant places
3. Leading – giving  direction
4. Promised – to  give one’s word
5. Warned – to  alert
6. Pleased – happy, delighted
7. Obliged – to  do a favour
8. Encouraged – to  inspire, to motivate
9. Trifle – a  thing of little value or price
10. Sympathy – feelings of pity

Questions and Answers

A. complete the following sentences from memory choosing a phrase from those given in brackets. 

1. A big fair was held at the time of the Eid festival. (A big show, A big fair, A big competition) 
2. Tradesmen came to the village with all kinds of goods to sell. (to display, to buy, to sell) 
3. Uncle told me not to buy anything while he was away. (not to buy anything, not to go anywhere, not to talk to anyone) 
4. The owner of the Lucky Shop wanted everybody to try their luck present. (to play the game , to win a prize, to try their luck) 
5. The first time I took a chance I got two pencils. (a bottle of ink, two pencils, a trifle) 

6. Uncle told me that the shopkeeper had made a fool of me. (a fool of me, a good profit, friends with many people)

B. Answer the following questions. 

1. Why do you think Rasheed’s uncle asked him not to buy anything in his absence? 
Ans. Rasheed’s uncle asked him not to buy anything in his absence because the shopkeepers could make him fool and take away his money.

2. Why was the shop called ‘Lucky Shop’?       
Ans. The shop was named ‘Lucky Shop’ so that it could persuade people to try their luck and play the game. 

3. An old man won a clock and sold it back to the shopkeeper. How much money did he make?       
Ans. The old man made 15 by selling the clock to the shopkeeper again.

4. How much prizes did the boy win? What were they?       
Ans. The boy won four prizes – a comb, a fountain-pen, a wrist-watch and a table lamp. He was very happy.

5. Why was Rasheed upset?       
Ans. Rasheed was upset because he thought he was unlucky to win any big prize in the game.

6. In what way did the shopkeeper make fool of Rasheed?       
Ans. The shopkeeper gave Rasheed things of little value. He persuaded Rasheed to try his luck again and again. Rasheed spend all his money on a trifle.

WORKING WITH  LANGUAGE

A. The words given against the sentences below can be used both as nouns and verbs. Use them appropriately to fill in the blanks. 

1. (i) The two teams have played three matches already. (play) Verb
(ii) The last day’s play was excellent. Noun
2. (i) She has a lovely face. (face)   Noun
(ii) India is facing a number of problems these days. Verb
3. (i) He made mark in essay-writing. (mark)  Noun
(ii) Articles made ‘sold’ are reserved. Verb
4. (i) The police are combing the area to catch the burglars. (comb) Verb
(ii) An ordinary plastic comb costs five rupees. Noun
5. (i) He gave a smile in answer to my question. (smile) Noun
(ii) We also smiled to see him smile.   Verb
6. (i) He said he hoped to be invited to the party. (hope) Verb
(ii) We gave you hope of his joining the party. Noun
7. (i) The boy put up a good athletic show. (show) Noun
(ii) The soldiers showed great courage in saving people from floods. Verb
8. (i) You deserve a pat on the back for your good performance. (pat) Noun
(ii) The teacher patted the child on the cheek to encourage her. Verb