How I Taught My Grandmother to Read: Story

 📖 Detailed Summary

How I Taught My Grandmother to Read

“How I Taught My Grandmother to Read” is a touching autobiographical story by Sudha Murty that highlights the importance of education and proves that learning has no age limit. The story revolves around the deep emotional bond between a young girl and her grandmother, Krishtakka, who is illiterate but determined to learn.

The narrator, a twelve-year-old girl, lives with her grandparents in a small village in North Karnataka. Her grandmother, fondly called Avva, has never been to school due to the social conditions of her time, when girls’ education was not considered important. Despite this, she is wise, affectionate, and eager to learn new things. Every week, the family waits eagerly for the Kannada magazine Karmaveera, which contains a serialized novel titled Kashi Yatre written by Triveni.

Since Avva cannot read, the young narrator reads the story aloud to her every Wednesday. This becomes a special ritual that strengthens their bond. The novel Kashi Yatre tells the story of an old woman who wishes to visit the holy city of Varanasi, but sacrifices her dream to help a poor orphan girl get married. Avva feels a strong emotional connection with this story because she too dreams of visiting Kashi one day.

A turning point occurs when the narrator goes to a nearby village to attend a wedding and stays there for a few days. During her absence, a new issue of the magazine arrives. Avva eagerly takes it, hoping to read the next part of the story, but she is unable to read even a single word. This moment makes her realize how dependent she is on others due to her illiteracy. She feels helpless, ashamed, and frustrated, understanding that her lack of education limits her independence.

When the narrator returns, she finds her grandmother deeply upset. Avva shares her feelings and regrets that she could not receive an education as a child. However, instead of remaining helpless, she decides to change her situation. She resolves to learn reading and writing and sets a goal to become literate by Saraswati Pooja (during Dassara festival).

The young girl willingly takes on the role of a teacher, and Avva becomes a dedicated student. Despite her age, Avva works very hard, practicing reading and writing every day with determination and patience. Her efforts show that strong willpower and commitment can overcome any obstacle.

Finally, on the day of Saraswati Pooja, Avva achieves her goal. She reads a passage independently, marking her victory over illiteracy. In a deeply emotional moment, she touches her granddaughter’s feet as a mark of respect. Though it is usually the younger ones who touch the elders’ feet, Avva explains that she is honoring her teacher, who has helped her gain independence. The narrator then gifts her the complete novel Kashi Yatre, which Avva reads on her own for the first time.

The story conveys a powerful message that education is essential for independence and dignity. It also teaches that learning can happen at any age and that determination can help achieve any goal.

Step by step explanation 

 1. Introduction: The Bond and Background

The narrator, a 12-year-old girl, lives in a small village in North Karnataka with her grandparents. Her grandmother, Krishtakka (called Avva), is about 62 years old and is illiterate.

•  Explanation:

In earlier times, especially in villages, girls were often not sent to school.

This shows the social condition of women’s education in the past.

Despite being illiterate, Avva is very intelligent and emotionally sensitive.

 2. The Weekly Reading Ritual

Every Wednesday, the narrator eagerly waits for a Kannada weekly magazine called Karmaveera.

It contains a popular serial story titled Kashi Yatre written by Triveni.

Since Avva cannot read, the granddaughter reads the story aloud to her.

•  Explanation:

Reading becomes a shared emotional activity.

It shows the close bond between grandmother and granddaughter.

It also highlights dependence due to illiteracy.

 3. Emotional Attachment to the Story

The story Kashi Yatre is about an old woman who wishes to go to Varanasi (Kashi), a holy place.

However, she(The character) sacrifices her dream to help a poor orphan girl get married.

Avva becomes deeply attached to this story because:

She also has a dream of visiting Kashi

She relates emotionally to the main character

•  Explanation:

Literature connects with real life

Shows empathy and emotional depth

Reflects traditional Indian values of sacrifice

 Shows emotional attachment and spiritual longing.

 4. The Turning Point (Crisis Situation)

One day, the narrator goes to a nearby village for a wedding and stays there for a week.

During this time:

A new issue of Karmaveera arrives

Avva opens the magazine eagerly

But:  She cannot read even a single word.

•  Explanation:

This is the most important turning point

Avva realizes:

She is dependent on others

She lacks independence despite having money and experience

•  Emotional impact:

She feels helpless, ashamed, and frustrated

 5. Realisation and Determination

When the narrator returns, she finds Avva in tears.

Avva explains:

She could not study as a child because:

• Her mother died early
• Her father was busy
• Society did not support girls’ education

 Then she makes a powerful decision: ➡️ She will learn to read and write.

She sets a clear goal:  To become literate by Saraswati Pooja

•  Explanation:

Shows goal-setting and determination

Saraswati Pooja symbolizes learning and knowledge

 6. Role Reversal (Teacher–Student Relationship)

The granddaughter becomes the teacher, and the grandmother becomes the student.

Avva:

Practices daily

Works very hard

Shows great discipline

•  Explanation:

This is a role reversal

Highlights:

• Respect for knowledge
• Learning has no age limit

 7. Hard Work and Dedication

Avva puts in more effort than expected:

She writes repeatedly

Learns alphabets

Reads slowly but steadily

Practices daily

Works very hard despite her age

 Key idea:

Strong determination can overcome any limitation

•  Explanation:

Success depends on:

• Hard work
• Consistency
• Determination

 8. Climax: Achievement on Saraswati Pooja

On the day of Saraswati Pooja:

Avva successfully reads a passage on her own

She achieves her goal

•  Explanation:

This is the moment of victory

Symbolizes:

• Freedom
• Independence
• Self-respect
• Achievement

 9. Emotional High Point (Touching Scene)

In a touching moment:

Avva touches her granddaughter’s feet.

 This is unusual because: 

Elders are usually respected, not the other way around

Normally, younger people touch elders’ feet

Avva says:  “You are my guru (teacher).”

•  Explanation:

Shows:

Respect for knowledge

Teacher is greater than age

 10. Conclusion: Independence Achieved

The narrator gifts Avva the complete novel Kashi Yatre.

For the first time:  Avva reads it independently.

•  Final Message:

Education brings:

• Independence
• Confidence
• Dignity

 All Key Highlights 

✅ Turning Point

Avva fails to read magazine → realizes helplessness

✅ Goal

Learn reading by Saraswati Pooja

✅ Climax

Reads independently

✅ Emotional Scene

Touches granddaughter’s feet

 Deep Meaning / Interpretation

• Illiteracy is a form of dependence
• Education = true empowerment
• Learning is lifelong
• Respect for teachers is universal

 Key Themes 

 1. Lifelong Learning

• Learning has no age limit
• Even at 62, Avva becomes literate

 2. Power of Women’sEducation

Education gives:

• Independence
• Confidence
• Dignity

 3. Self-Reliance ,Self-respect and independence

• Avva realizes:  “Money is useless without education.”

 4. Respect for Teachers

• A teacher deserves respect regardless of age
• The role matters more than the person

 5. Emotional bonding and Intergenerational Bond

• Strong emotional connection between grandmother and granddaughter.
• Learning becomes a shared journey

About the Author

Sudha Murty is a well-known Indian writer and social worker.

Her works are simple, emotional, and based on real-life experiences.

This story is autobiographical (based on her own childhood).

 Setting of the Story

A remote village in North Karnataka

Time period: When access to education for girls was limited

Cultural background: Traditional Indian joint family system

 Character Sketch

🔹 Grandmother (Krishtakka / Avva)

• Illiterate but intelligent
• Determined and hardworking
• Emotionally sensitive
• Values self-respect

 Transformation: Dependent → Independent

🔹 Narrator (Young Sudha)

• Caring and patient
• Responsible
• Good teacher
• Emotionally mature

 Important Literary Features

• Autobiographical Style – Based on real-life experience
• Simple Language – Easy to understand yet impactful
• Emotional Appeal – Strong feelings of love and respect

Symbolism:

• Reading = Freedom
• Book = Independence

 Important Values / Lessons

• Education is essential at every stage of life
• Determination leads to success
• Respect knowledge and teachers
• Never feel ashamed to learn something new
• Independence is true wealth

 Quick Revision Points

• Grandmother = Illiterate but determined
• Turning point = Cannot read magazine
• Goal = Learn by Saraswati Pooja
• Teacher = Granddaughter
• Message = Education = Independence

Exam-Ready Long Summary (120–150 words)

“How I Taught My Grandmother to Read” by Sudha Murty is an inspiring autobiographical story about the importance of education. It describes the bond between a young girl and her illiterate grandmother, Krishtakka. The narrator, a young girl, reads aloud a weekly story to her illiterate grandmother who enjoys listening to it deeply. When the girl goes away for a few days, the grandmother realizes her helplessness as she cannot read the story on her own. Determined to become independent, she decides to learn reading and writing and sets Saraswati Pooja as her deadline. With the help of her granddaughter, she works hard and succeeds in her goal. In a touching moment, she touches her granddaughter’s feet as a mark of respect for her teacher. The story highlights the importance of education and lifelong learning.the learning has no age limit and education is the key to independence.

📖 Extract-Based Questions

Extract 1

"I used to read the Kannada weekly magazine to my grandmother every Wednesday."

❓ Questions

1. Who is “I” in this extract?
2. Why did she read the magazine to her grandmother?
3. What does this activity show about their relationship?
4. Name the magazine referred to here.
5. Find a word that means “once every week”.

✅ Answers

1. “I” refers to the young narrator (Sudha Murty as a child).
2. Because her grandmother was illiterate and could not read.
3. It shows a loving and caring bond between them.
4. Karmaveera
5. Weekly

 Extract 2

"My grandmother never went to school, so she could not read or write."

❓ Questions

1. Why had the grandmother never been to school?
2. What does this line tell us about the past society?
3. How did this affect her life?
4. Give a synonym for “illiterate”.
5. What theme is highlighted here?

✅ Answers

1. Because in her time, girls’ education was not considered important.
2. It shows gender inequality in education.
3. She became dependent on others for reading and writing.
4. Uneducated / unable to read and write
5. Importance of education

 Extract 3

"I could not understand why she was so upset. She had all the material comforts."

❓ Questions

1. Who was upset and why?
2. What does “material comforts” mean?
3. Why were these comforts not enough for her?
4. What realization does this moment bring?
5. Find a word meaning “physical or worldly needs”.

✅ Answers

1. The grandmother was upset because she could not read the magazine herself.
2. It means physical comforts like money, food, and shelter.
3. Because she lacked education and independence.
4. Education is more valuable than material wealth.
5. Material

Extract 4

"I felt so helpless. I knew I could not read even a single word."

❓ Questions

1. Who felt helpless?
2. Why did she feel helpless?
3. What does this reveal about her condition?
4. What important turning point does this moment represent?
5. Find a word meaning “powerless”.

✅ Answers

1. The grandmother felt helpless.
2. Because she could not read the story herself.
3. It shows her dependence due to illiteracy.
4. It marks her realization to become independent.
5. Helpless

Extract 5

"I want to be independent. I want to read and write on my own."

❓ Questions

1. Who said these words and to whom?
2. What decision did she take?
3. What does this show about her character?
4. What theme is highlighted here?
5. Find a word that means “self-reliant”.

✅ Answers

1. The grandmother said this to her granddaughter.
2. She decided to learn reading and writing.
3. She is determined and strong-willed.
4. Self-reliance through education
5. Independent

Extract 6

"I will learn it before Saraswati Pooja(Dassara)."

❓ Questions

1. What does “it” refer to?
2. Which festival is mentioned here?
3. Why is Saraswati Pooja significant here?
4. What does this line show about her attitude?
5. What quality is reflected in setting a deadline?

✅ Answers

1. It refers to learning to read and write.
2. Saraswati Pooja(Dassara)
3. It is associated with learning and knowledge.
4. It shows determination and goal-setting.
5. Discipline and commitment.

Extract 7

"Avva was a wonderful student. She worked hard every day."

❓Questions

1. Who is Avva?
2. Why is she called a wonderful student?
3. What efforts did she make?
4. What message does this convey?
5. Find a word meaning “excellent”.
6. What qualities does she show?
7. How does this inspire readers?
8. Find a word meaning “put in effort”.

✅ Answers

1. Avva is the grandmother.
2. Because she was dedicated and hardworking.
3. She practiced reading and writing daily.
4. Learning has no age limit.
5. Wonderful
6. The qualities she shows are -Determination, discipline, and patience.
7. It shows that age is no barrier to learning.
8. Worked

 Extract 8

"She bent down and touched my feet."

❓ Questions

1. Who touched whose feet?
2. Why was this action surprising?
3. What reason did she give?
4. What value does this action highlight?
5. What does this show about her personality?
6. Which value is highlighted here?

✅ Answers

1. The grandmother touched the granddaughter’s feet.
2. Because elders are usually respected, not the other way around.
3. She said ,she was respecting her teacher.
4. Respect for teachers and knowledge.
5. She is humble and values learning.
6. Respect for knowledge and teachers

 Extract 9

"I could read the book myself."

❓ Questions

1. Who said this and when?
2. What achievement does it show?
3. How did she feel at that moment?
4. What is the significance of this moment?
5. Find a word meaning “accomplishment”.
6. What theme is reflected here?

✅ Answers

1. The grandmother said this after learning to read.
2. It shows her success in becoming literate.
3. She felt proud and happy.
4. It represents independence and confidence.
5. Achievement
6. Power of education