Introduction:
Journey By Night is written by “Norah Burke” It is one of the most popular short story of her collection: Jungle Picture Sher Singh exhibited courage and showed fraternal love towards his brother Kunwar to take out him from the mouth of death. As the family was suffering from extreme poverty, this type of courage and bravity saved his brother’s life as well as his family. At the age of twelve he brought back the peace and happiness of the family.
Summary of Journey by Night
Sher Singh was a 12 year old brave boy; who lived in Laldwani village. He lived with his younger brother, mother and father. Sher Singh Bahadur was father of Sher Singh. Sher Sing’s younger brother’s name was Kunwar. He was a farmer by occupation but he was a famous hunter too.
Whenever there was an expedition in the village, people used to send him (Sher Singh Bahaur). He was an experienced man at hunting.
When Sher Singh’s brother was seriously ill, his father had gone for a photography expedition with other villagers of Laldwani as beaters. His mother had experience of controlling capital for carrying load and it was their also earning source. They were very much poor, therefore his mother was unable to leave her job to bring her ailing son to a doctor.
Actually Kunwar was suffering from influenza. In Laldwani village diseases Cholera and Influenza had taken many lives . Kunwar had a bad stomach ache and his body temperature was more than normal. Sher Singh’s father was not present . Family member tried every domestic treatment but it didn’t work. There was no improvement and the family condition was very pathetic as there was no supporting hand to carry Kunwar for treatment. At last Sher Singh’s mother said with dull expression ” He must be carried to the hospital at Kalaghat.”
Finally Sher Singh made up his mind that he will carry his brother to the hospital. He promised himself that he would work in the absence of his father. Sher Singh’s mother made a sling and put the Kunwar in that sling, Sher sing knew that the journey was not easy, but he was ready to sacrifice everything for his brother Kunwar. Sher Sing crossed a primeval forest, two rivers and finally reached his destination, the hospital at Kalaghat. In the forest he met with cobra, a herd of elephant and also saw track of bears in the dark night. He crossed the first river; which water was icy cold and waist deep. The second river’s bridge was submerged in the flooded water. It has got damaged due to flood. It was throwing its bamboo ribs like a fan. But Sher Singh managed to cross the river for his brother.
At last , he was helped by people in a bullock cart; when he was crawling. Then he managed somehow to reach the hospital by boarding on a truck. He worked in the railway yard of loading coal. He earned little money and bought things to prepare his meal. He lived in the hospital compound till his brother was under doctor’s consideration. He was called out aloud by doctor , Sher Singh Bahadur and said ” your brother will live.”
Also read this ‘Journey By Night’ Revolves Rround a Task of Small Boy Sheltering his Sibling Comments Class 10 ICSE
Most asked Questions on Journey by Night
These are the 16 marks question asked in ICSE examination. It is asked to comment about the centre theme of the story or the character. Its quality of writing is the prime criteria to secure good marks in the examination.
Norah Burke
Question: Journey By Night is such a story; which revolves around the supreme task entrusted with a small boy sheltering his sibling against all odds. – COMMENT.
Sher Singh and his younger brother lived in a small Hamlet surrounded by forest modeled with all odds for survival. Things were not easy for the people of Sher Singh’s village as danger were lurking around every Luke and corner waiting to pounce on these innocent villagers. Things became murkier when the younger brother of Sher Singh was downed with acute stomach pain. All the in house portion and treatment failed to bring the abated result.
It was then Sher Singh decided that he is going to traverse the distance fro his village Laldwani to the hospital carrying his brother. His father an ace hunter was out off for some unknown expedition. Sher Shing understood that if his brother left untreated , They might loose him in the failing battle of death. The mother had to stay back for looking after their live stalk back in the village. The mother made a sling for Sher Singh to carry the younger son with the little ease. It was evening and the forest was looking threatening and dark. The destination waas at least fifty miles away and he will get help only if he crosses the jungle .
The first encounter which Sher Singh had was with that of a cobra wicked and venomous. He did not want any confrontation and therefore slipped off into the matted grass. Kunwar , his brother was twisting and groaning but Sher Singh that a lot of struggle lay ahead and it was not the right time to rest.
He then began his journey into the impenetrable forest. He came across the right of bear tracks in the dust. He was too tired to inch any further and that is why he decided to rest against the tree. He put down Kunwar’s sling and himself braced severing pain tearing through his muscles. He was jolted to consciousness of his position when he heard a trumpeting herd of animals. Sher ingh wa glad that he was outside the river and much above the elephants. The river bed shown like ivory but beads of perspiration had only accumulated on the forehead of Sher Singh, sensing eminent danger. The herd of elephants had given quite a squeal and Sher Singh awaited with abated breadth and waiting for the crisis to subside. The elephants were so near that he could smell their musky odor squelching under their feet. Sher Singh awaiting for him and his brother.
At last , Sher Singh was helped by some people on his way and he managed to reach the hospital by a truck. His journey was full of suffering and the task like this was beyond the limit of a child of twelve years. The courage and determination of Sher Singh to save his brother is an example of limitless approach for a child. He was called loudly by doctor as Sher Singh Bahadur during his brother’s treatment. He replied that his father is not present. Sher Singh has shown an exemplary determination and love towards the life of his beloved brother. “
The main theme of the story revolves around the courage and determination and fraternal love of Sher Singh.