Unseen passage for Class 9 - Passage 15

Unseen passage - The ship, serving as humanity's oldest and most crucial mode of transportation, plays a pivotal role in contemporary global connectivity. With thousands of ships traversing oceans, navigating sea coasts, and navigating inland waterways, international trade heavily relies on these vessels. Various types of ships cater to the transportation of goods and people, ranging from massive tankers carrying liquids like petroleum and vegetable oil to vessels transporting bulk cargoes such as grain, ore, and sand. Passenger liners traverse the vast oceans, facilitating global travel.

The evolution of ships traces back to primitive forms, where man initially utilized logs to cross rivers. Progressing from makeshift logs, humans developed rafts by lashing logs together. In ancient Egypt, the innovation extended to constructing rafts from bundles of reeds, eventually leading to the creation of boats by securing reed bundles. Around 4000 B.C., Egyptians pioneered galleys—long boats propelled by rows of paddles. The introduction of sails around 3200 B.C. marked a significant advancement, enabling boats to harness wind power for propulsion. This innovation laid the foundation for ship design, with shipbuilders subsequently focusing on crafting larger and more advanced vessels.

The 20th century witnessed the emergence of some of the largest ships globally, exemplified by transatlantic liners like the 'Michelangelo,' 'Raffaello,' and 'Queen Elizabeth II,' which were launched in the 1960s. Looking ahead, the ships of the future are anticipated to be more efficient and cost-effective, reflecting ongoing advancements in maritime technology and design.

Unseen passage - From my earliest memories, I always carried a sense of inadequacy, a belief that I was profoundly unintelligent. Losing my father at the tender age of three, I, a victim of polio, resided with my grandmother in Mumbai to access advanced medical facilities. Childhood for me meant spending entire days on the streets, either engaged in play or simply lazing around.

By the time I reached the age of ten, my mother and sister joined me in Mumbai. While my sister excelled academically, consistently securing high grades, both she and my mother attempted to motivate me to study.

However, despite their encouragement and numerous lectures on the significance of education, I found it impossible to concentrate on any subject. Opening my books would inevitably lead to boredom and drowsiness. Even threats from my mother failed to ignite a spark; the deep-seated belief that I was inherently unintelligent persisted, rendering any effort futile.

One afternoon, under a school tree, munching on potato wafers, I encountered Aditi, a former classmate who had topped the previous year. Though I initially greeted her with disinterest, she persisted in engaging me in conversation. Aditi, noticing my lack of academic success, suggested that my sister, Devika, could help me improve. At first, skeptical of her intentions, I eventually acknowledged her sincerity. However, my response conveyed my entrenched belief that I lacked the intelligence necessary for academic success. Aditi, challenging my self-deprecating mindset, asserted that everyone possesses intelligence, and it's a matter of learning how to utilize it. Despite my resistance, she offered to prove that I was not unintelligent and proposed to teach me how to study. Although I clung to my low self-esteem, her unwavering belief in my potential eventually prevailed, and I reluctantly agreed to give it a try.