Page 72 - English Class 06

Pinky was standing at the kitchen window when she first saw the bird fly past. A small

black and brown bird with a patch of pure, dazzling white on the wings. In its beak, it held a
wisp of straw. Pinky strained hard to peep out of the window, but the bars held her back.
She only saw the bird turn the far corner of the kitchen and fly out of sight. And just then,
her grandmother called out sharply, “Pinky, Pinky, why haven’t you made your bed, yet?”

strained : tried hard
bolted : ran towards
grudge : accept

“Coming, Nani,” cried Pinky. She bolted the kitchen door behind her, ran across the

courtyard and burst into her room. “Oh, Nani, Nani, I just saw a bird with a wisp of straw in
its beak. I am sure it is building a nest!”

Nani frowned. “Maybe, but we have no time to stand around watching birds. Now, clean
up your room, fast.”

“Yes, Nani,” said Pinky meekly. She picked up her pillow and shook it out. From one
corner of her eyes, she looked at Nani, busy tidying up the big cupboard in the corner. Nani
had her points. She did not grudge pocket money and she really was a super cook. But,
everyone was scared of her as she scolded a lot. Now, Amma (mother) was different. One

felt close to Amma…
Pinky made her bed in record time, swept the floor and went to the kitchen. Nani

handed her a heap of rice on a plate. “Now, clean that for lunch and peel those potatoes,”

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