🌸 Bholi – Summary (Class 10 English)
👤 Author Introduction – K.A. Abbas
Khwaja Ahmad Abbas (1914–1987) was an Indian writer, journalist, and filmmaker known for his strong social messages. His works often highlight the struggles of common people and emphasize education, equality, and justice. In “Bholi”, he tells the inspiring story of a shy, simple village girl who, through education and self-confidence, stands up for her dignity and self-respect. The story shows how education can change a person’s life completely.
Image: Bholi being sent to school
📖 Expanded Summary in English
The story “Bholi” revolves around a simple and innocent girl named Sulekha, who was called Bholi because of her dullness. She was the fourth daughter of Ramlal, a revenue officer of a small village. When she was ten months old, she fell off the bed and injured her brain, which made her slow to learn things. Later, she suffered from smallpox, which left her face full of scars. Because of her stammering and looks, everyone in the village made fun of her, and she grew up shy and fearful.
One day, a primary school for girls was opened in the village. The Tehsildar came to inaugurate it and urged Ramlal to send his daughters. Although he was not very progressive, he agreed to send Bholi to school, thinking she was least likely to get married anyway.
Bholi was frightened when she was told she had to go to school. She had never worn good clothes or gone anywhere outside the house. However, at school, she met a kind and gentle teacher who treated her with love and patience. For the first time, Bholi felt respected and cared for. The teacher encouraged her to speak and told her that one day she would become confident and educated.
“Her education gave her voice, confidence, and courage — the power to say no to injustice.”
Years passed, and Bholi grew into an educated and confident young woman. One day, a marriage proposal came from Bishamber, a rich but old widower from another village. He had a limp and was about her father’s age, but still, Ramlal agreed to marry Bholi off because he thought no one else would marry her. Bishamber also demanded a dowry of five thousand rupees, which Ramlal paid to ensure his daughter’s marriage.
During the wedding ceremony, when Bishamber saw pockmarks on Bholi’s face, he refused to marry her unless he received the money immediately. Bholi’s father fell at his feet and begged him not to humiliate the family. But to everyone’s shock, Bholi threw away the garland and refused to marry such a greedy and heartless man. She boldly declared that she would serve her parents instead of marrying a man like him.
Her courage amazed everyone. The same timid girl who once stammered and hid her face had now become brave and self-respecting. Her teacher was proud to see Bholi standing up for her dignity and realized that education had truly transformed her life.
“Bholi proved that true beauty lies in confidence, courage, and self-respect — not in appearance.”
Image: Bholi refuses to marry Bishamber during the wedding
📖 Summary in Hindi
“भोली” कहानी एक साधारण और मासूम लड़की सुलेखा की है, जिसे सभी भोली कहते थे। बचपन में सिर पर चोट लगने और चेचक के कारण वह बोलने में हकलाती थी और उसके चेहरे पर दाग रह गए थे। उसके माता-पिता उसे मूर्ख समझते थे और समाज में कोई भी उसकी परवाह नहीं करता था।
जब गाँव में लड़कियों का प्राथमिक विद्यालय खुला तो तहसीलदार ने रामलाल से अपनी बेटियों को भेजने को कहा। रामलाल ने सोचा कि भोली का विवाह तो कठिन ही है, इसलिए उसे ही स्कूल भेज देना बेहतर रहेगा। स्कूल में उसकी शिक्षिका ने उसे प्रेम और धैर्य से बोलना सिखाया और आत्मविश्वास दिया।
धीरे-धीरे भोली पढ़ी-लिखी और समझदार बन गई। जब उसकी शादी एक बूढ़े और लंगड़े व्यक्ति बिशम्बर से तय की गई, तो उसने शादी के समय उसका लालच देखकर मना कर दिया। उसने कहा कि वह ऐसे व्यक्ति से विवाह नहीं करेगी जो दहेज के लिए उसका अपमान करे। उसने अपने माता-पिता की सेवा करने का निश्चय किया।
भोली की यह हिम्मत देखकर सभी दंग रह गए। उसकी शिक्षिका को उस पर गर्व हुआ क्योंकि अब भोली एक शिक्षित, आत्मनिर्भर और स्वाभिमानी लड़की बन चुकी थी।
📝 Key Points to Remember
- Bholi was called Sulekha before, but her childhood accidents made her slow and shy.
- She was sent to school reluctantly but found love and confidence through her teacher.
- Education helped her become bold and self-respecting.
- She refused to marry a greedy man, Bishamber.
- The story shows the power of education and inner beauty.