This presentation is based on Section 1 unit 2 of NEW BROADWAY text book series by OXFORD Publications.

1. MUNSHI PREMCHAND
THE FESTIVAL OF EID

2. This story of Eid, as it is celebrated
in a small village, stresses that
festivals are actually about
showing the love and concern that
we feel for our near and dear
ones.

3. The festival is brought alive
through the eyes of four-
year-old Hamid, a small
orphan boy who lives with
his old grandmother.

4. The story starts with the day of
Eid-ul-Fitr dawning after a whole
month of fasting. The excitement
of small children and the harried
anticipation with which the adults
go about their special chores,
brings the village scene to life.
Everyone gets up early and dresses in
their Eid best. The adults go about
ordering supplies like milk and sugar for
Eid specialities like 'seviyan' (vermicelli
pudding), while the children wait
impatiently to make their way to the
mosque for prayers.

5. Their anticipation is palpable. The children have received their
eidee (pocket money) and they are looking forward to visiting
the fair on their way back from the mosque. At the fair they will
buy new toys, take rides on the merry go round, gobble loads of
sweetmeats and gulp down glassfuls of sherbet (sweet drink).
But, for poor Hamid, who has only
three pice in his pocket, none of
these things is good enough to
spend his money on.
Hamid's friends have gone ahead.
They are at a stall drinking
sherbet. How selfish they are!
They bought so many sweets but
did not give him one. And then
they want him to

6. Hamid then catches sight of a pair
of tongs. Why is Hamid eying a
pair of tongs? Can he convince his
friends that his toy is the best?
How does his grandmother react
when she sees what he has
bought?
Find the answers to these questions in
this touching story of Eid - the festival
that symbolises love, caring and sharing.