Lit.Guruji

  “ Tithonus” by Alfred Lord Tennyson  "Tithonus" is Alfred Lord Tennyson's poem. Tithonus is a dramatic monologue based on a Greek myth. Tithonus, a mortal prince, was loved by the dawn goddess Aurora (Eos). At his request, Aurora granted him immortality, but she forgot to ask for eternal youth. As a result, Tithonus lives forever while growing older and weaker every day. Tennyson first drafted the poem in 1833, shortly after the death of his close friend Arthur Henry Hallam. He published a substantially revised version of the poem in the February 1860 edition of the Cornhill Magazine, and later collected it in his 1864 book Enoch Arden. The poem begins with Tithonus observing that everything in nature follows the natural cycle of birth, growth, and death. Trees decay, people work and die, and even beautiful swans eventually perish. He realizes that only he has been denied the peace of death because of his "cruel immortality." Living in Aurora's heavenly wo...

 Essay on Sir Roger at Church  Introduction   Sir Roger at Church is a famous essay written by Joseph Addison. It is one of the essays in The Spectator . This essay describes Sir Roger's behaviour in church and shows his kind and respectable nature. Sir Roger's Importance in the Village Sir Roger is a wealthy landowner who is loved and respected by everyone in his village. He is not proud of his wealth or position. Instead, he treats his servants and tenants with kindness and care. The villagers admire him because he is honest, generous, and always ready to help others. Every Sunday, Sir Roger goes to church with his servants and tenants. His arrival at the church is impressive, and everyone greets him with respect. He behaves with dignity and encourages others to do the same. His Interest in the Church Sir Roger takes a special interest in the church. He has repaired the church building at his own expense and has donated many useful things for its maintenance. He gives ...

Still I Rise by Maya Angelou  The poem Still I Rise is written by Maya Angelou, an African - American writer. She explores the oppression of white towards blackin terms of criticism, sexism, and other personal obstacles. As a writer she had faced the white oppressors with dignity, courage and self-confidence. The poetess depicts the hardships she had to overcome, just like an African - American writer.  The poem is written in the first person, where the speaker directly addresses those who try to put her down. She says that people may spread lies about her, insult her, and treat her unfairly, but they can never defeat her spirit. Like dust that rises from the ground, she will always rise above difficulties and challenges. Throughout the poem, the speaker shows great confidence. She asks whether her success, pride, and happiness upset others. She compares herself to a person who owns oil wells, gold mines, and diamonds. These images symbolize wealth, success, and self-worth. T...

The Princess and the God (Savitri and Satyavan) by Aaron Shepherd  The story of Savitri and Satyavan is a famous tale from the epic Mahabharata. It tells us about true love, devotion, and intelligence. Savitri was a brave and wise princess who brought her husband back from Yama through her courage and cleverness. Once, there was a king who had no children. He prayed for many years, and finally, he was blessed with a daughter named Savitri. She grew up to be very beautiful, intelligent, and strong-minded. When it was time for her marriage, no prince came forward, so her father asked her to choose her own husband. Savitri travelled and found a noble young man named Satyavan living in a forest. Though he was poor, he was kind and virtuous. Savitri decided to marry him. However, the sage Narada warned that Satyavan would die within one year. Even after knowing this, Savitri remained firm in her decision and married him. Savitri lived happily with Satyavan in the forest. As the predicte...

                       The Giant’s Wife                                    by William Carleton    Introduction :            The Giant’s Wife by William Carleton is an Irish folktale and a “tall tale” with exaggerated, humorous, and mythical elements. Fin MacCool and the Causeway : Fin MacCool, a giant in Ireland, built the Giant’s Causeway—a path of rocks across the sea to Scotland. Fin’s Fear of Cuhullin: Fin becomes afraid when he hears that the powerful giant Cuhullin, who has a magic finger giving him strength, is coming to challenge him. Oona’s Plan : Fin seeks help from his intelligent wife Oona. She plans to trick Cuhullin into thinking Fin is stronger. Oona’s Tricks : Oona disguises Fin as a baby and deceives Cuhullin with clever tricks (like hard bread and showing strength), making him ...

Kabuliwala                   Rabindranath Tagore  Rabindranath Tagore was a renowned Bengali poet and playwright. He won Nobel Prize for literature in the year 1913 for his work Gitanjali. Kabuliwala is a short story which narrates the story of a 5 year old young girl named Mini and Kabul - based sweet vendor. The story depicts the theme of love, seperation and cultural barrier.  Mini is a five - year old girl who is curious, talkative and full of life. His real name is Rahman, an Afgan merchant who travels to Kolkata to sell dry fruits. The friendship between Mini and the Kabuliwala is the essence of the story.  The Kabuliwala sees his own daughter Parvathi in the face of Mini. For Mini Kabuliwala is a source of happiness and joy. The two had their own special jokes. He gave her plenty of nuts and raisins. The man would tease Mini asking her when she was going to her father-in-law's house which also meant prison. This the...

Taxi Driver              - K.S. Duggal Taxi Driver is a short story written by an Indian author K.S. Duggal. This story depict the life of a taxi driver named Dittu. He is a Pakistani and his real name is Hardit Singh. After partition he came to India and became a taxi-driver.  One day Dittu finds a wallet in his car seat. He understands that a passenger has left the wallet. He feels shocked and suprised as he is unable to restore the wallet. He claims  that rich people are so careless with their belongings. He reaches home with his wallet.  Dittu narrates his past experience in Pakistan. Once when he was travelling in a bicycle he found a parcel lying in the street. He picks up the bundle and was curious to know about the content.  He tries to open the parcel and finds layers of packing papers. He realises that it has been done by shop keepers to test the honesty of citizens. He feels ashamed about this act.  Dittu and his wif...

The Chinese Cinderella                             -  Adeline Yen Mah Adeline Yen Mah's The Chinese Cinderella is an autobiography. It narrates the life of Adeline Yen Mah. She was born in Hongkong. She grew up in a wealthy family. She suffered rejection and abuse from her family. At the age of 14, she left Hongkong for England.  The extract begins with Adeline playing Monopoly at the boarding school. Her father's chauffer arrives to take her home. This makes Yen feel dread. She feels fearful for going home to her family. She had a complex relationship with her family.  Adeline was taken to her parents new home for the first time. She arrived to her new home and discovered the absence of her step-mother and her children were gone out. Adeline saw her father who was sitting at his desk reading newspaper.  Yen mah calls his fathers room "the Holy of Holies". She is wary of her father. She sits ...

William Shakespeare's "The Merchant of Venice". William Shakespeare's "The Merchant of Venice" is a play. In this play Portia makes a famous speech "The Quality of Mercy". Portia disguised as a lawyer makes this speech. She makes an appeal to Skylock the Jew, who has demanded a pound of flesh from Antonio, on his failure to repay debt.  Portia begs Skylock for showing mercy on Antonio. She tells that mercy is not forced on anyone. It should flow naturally like a rain. The person showing mercy is blessed and the person receiving mercy is also blessed. Therefore mercy is twice blessed.  " It blesseth him that gives and him that takes" A King is mighty because of his earthly power. But when mercy is enthroned in his heart he becomes more mightier.  Mercy is a divine quality. The heart of a king is the seat of mercy. Mercy is far higher than earthly power. A man gets the status of a God when he softens justice with mercy. Portia begs Skylock ...

On Personal Mastery - Robin Sharma Robin Sharma is a Canadian writer. On Personal Mastery is one of his motivational essay. In this essay he stresses on the need to make a commitment and dedication to change our live. He begins the essay by stating the two Beautiful Words: Personal Mastery. This word creates inspiration, hope, challenges and provoke us for higher possibilities. Life is a gift with great responsibilites. It is not always fair. We have to face struggle and hardship. We feel lonely and isolated. At the same time life offers us with plenty of opportunities to shine and achieve personal mastery. To achieve personal mastery: Commitment and dedication are necessary. Think about your own thoughts. Know your real value and aim in life. Get to know your fears. Concentrate on your personal genius and potential. Get out of Emotional Baggages. Refuse to tolerate negativity. Read and learn more. Become good at your craft. Be friendly, nic...

Essay on “Of Truth” by Francis Bacon Francis Bacon’s essay “Of Truth” is a profound philosophical reflection on the nature, value, and importance of truth in human life. Written in a concise and aphoristic style, the essay examines why people often avoid truth, how falsehood attracts the human mind, and why truth ultimately brings peace and stability. Bacon begins the essay with the famous question, “What is truth?”, quoting Pontius Pilate, who asked the question but did not wait for an answer. Through this reference, Bacon suggests that many people question truth not to understand it but to avoid its demands. He observes that humans have a natural inclination toward falsehood because lies provide pleasure, imagination, and temporary comfort. Truth, on the other hand, is plain and serious, lacking the glamour that falsehood often possesses. The essay compares truth to daylight, which reveals things clearly and honestly, while lies are compared to candlelight, which distorts rea...

Still I Rise” by Maya Angelou – Summary “Still I Rise” is one of Maya Angelou’s most powerful and inspiring poems. It celebrates resilience, confidence, and the unbreakable spirit of Black women — and oppressed people in general — who rise above discrimination, prejudice, and hardship. Summary : The speaker addresses those who try to put her down through lies, oppression, and hatred. Despite the negativity and attempts to crush her spirit, she declares that she will always rise — like dust, like air, like the moon and the sun — with dignity and pride. She responds to oppression with self-assurance and defiance, showing that no matter how many times people try to humiliate or silence her, she will keep rising stronger. The poem’s tone shifts from personal resistance to a collective empowerment, representing the strength of the Black community and women through history. In the final stanzas, Angelou celebrates her ancestral heritage, rising from a history of slavery and pain into ho...

Robin Sharma on Listening – Summary Listening is the foundation of leadership and growth. Robin Sharma believes that true leaders listen more than they speak. Deep listening allows you to understand others ideas, earn trust, and inspire loyalty. Listening builds strong relationships.  When you truly listen, others feel respected, valued, and understood. Silence is strength. Sharma encourages developing the discipline of silence — stepping away from constant talking, noise, and digital distractions. In silence, you hear your inner voice and intuition. Listen with your heart, not just your ears. He teaches that powerful communication isn’t about replying fast; it’s about empathy. Listening with compassion allows you to connect deeply and respond wisely. Self-listening is equally important. In books like The 5 AM Club, Sharma emphasizes listening to your inner self — through journaling, meditation, and solitude — to align your life with your values and purpose. Listening is a daily...

In the Grove" Story by Ryūnosuke Akutagawa Ryūnosuke Akutagawa’s “ In a Grove” (1922) is one of the most famous works of modern Japanese literature.  Summary The story is structured as a series of testimonies given to the High Police Commissioner about the murder of a samurai named Takehiko and the rape of his wife, Masago, in a forest grove near Kyoto.  The Woodcutter’s Testimony The Wood Cutter found the body of the samurai in the grove. The man had been stabbed once in the chest and appeared to have died instantly. However, the woodcutter claims he saw no weapon nearby. The Priest’s Testimony The priest had seen the samurai and his wife traveling the previous day. He describes them as noble and calm. He also testifies that a suspicious-looking man, later identified as Tajōmaru, followed them. The Policeman’s Testimony The policeman reports that he has captured Tajōmaru, who was found injured and in possession of the samurai’s horse and belongings. Tajōmaru’s Confessio...

The Blue Ghost of Banff Springs Hotel – Summary: The Banff Springs Hotel, located in Alberta, Canada, is one of the most famous haunted places in the country. Among its many ghostly legends, the most well-known is that of the “Blue Ghost” or the “Ghost Bride.” According to the legend, sometime in the 1920s, a young woman was preparing for her wedding at the grand hotel. Dressed in her beautiful white gown, she began descending the grand staircase to meet her groom. Tragically, she tripped on her long dress — or, as some versions claim, her gown caught fire from nearby candles — and she fell down the stairs, dying instantly. Since that fateful day, guests and hotel staff have reported seeing her ghostly figure wandering the halls and staircases of the Banff Springs Hotel. She is often described as wearing her wedding gown with a faint blue glow, hence the name “Blue Ghost.” Some claim to have seen her dancing alone in the hotel ballroom, while others have felt sudden cold sp...

The Screaming Tunnel” is a famous Canadian ghost story set near Niagara Falls, Ontario. It’s one of the region’s most chilling legends, blending tragedy, mystery, and the supernatural. 🌉 Setting The tunnel is a small, arched stone passage under the railway tracks between Niagara Falls and St. Catharines. It was originally built in the early 1900s for water drainage and as a safe path for farmers and locals. 👻 The Legend According to the legend, many years ago, a young girl lived nearby in a farmhouse. One night, her home caught fire — or in some versions, she was escaping from an abusive father or a farmer who tried to harm her. The terrified girl ran into the tunnel seeking safety, but her clothes caught fire from the flames she carried, and she died screaming inside the tunnel. 🔥 The Haunting Locals say that if you stand in the middle of the tunnel at midnight and strike a match, it will: Instantly blow out, and You’ll hear a horrifying scream echo through the tunnel —...