Page 23 - English Class 07

gaping hole in the bund where the water was gushing in from the swollen canal. He was

shocked to see all this. If the breach was not blocked, the water would get into the entire
wheat, its stalks would stoop down and the entire crop would be destroyed.

Nandu knew that he had to act quickly. He needed help but the villagers were away at
the wedding. He frantically began to shovel soil and gravel into the widening hole. He
worked with his hands and feet, putting everything he could. He laid his hands on, trying to
stem the powerful torrent. He was sweating profusely before he finally closed the breach,

putting the last big stone in place. Nandu felt the fever rise up and this makes the body heat
up. He was now shivering. He knew that the breach had not been repaired properly and the
force of the water could sweep the patch-work away any moment.

frantically : in an uncontrolled What would you do if you were Nandu?
manner
profused : too much

Then, as he watched the breach intently, a small stream of water sported through it.
Nandu did not hesitate for a moment. He lay down on the breach and pressed his body
against the patched breach with all his strength. The torrent stopped. He stayed there
for hours.

He shivered more violently now and the fever burned his body. It was almost dawn now.
Nandu felt a deep slumber engulf him.

A few of the zamindar’s men came along shortly after dawn. They looked around for
Nandu. But, he was found nowhere. He was found much later. His body had gone rigid in

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