Summary: “Kindness” is Lesson 4 from the ASSEB (Assam State Board of Secondary Education) Class 7 English textbook Sunbeam English Reader II. The story is narrated in the first person and revolves around a group of Kashmiri vendors who visit the narrator’s city every year to sell their handcrafted goods — beautiful shawls, purses, blankets, and carpets. The narrator observes and describes their difficult life: they travel a long distance from Kashmir, stay in cheap hotels, carry heavy loads of merchandise, and spend the entire day walking the streets looking for buyers. Despite their hardships, the Kashmiri vendors are proud and self-respecting people who do not like to accept charity.
One day, the vendors visit the narrator’s home. The narrator’s brother-in-law, noticing how tired and hungry the vendors are, comes up with a thoughtful and sensitive plan. He pretends to be very interested in buying the vendors’ goods and asks them to show him their shawls and carpets one by one. While they are busy showing their wares, his wife quietly prepares tea and food. The brother-in-law then invites the vendors to eat and rest, making it appear as though it is a natural part of the transaction — not charity. The vendors, though hesitant at first because of their pride, eventually accept the food and tea gratefully. Before leaving, they promise to return with even better things the following year. The narrator feels both sad and guilty about the vendors’ hard lives, and the story leaves readers with a powerful lesson about the meaning of true kindness — helping others with sensitivity and respect for their dignity.
A. Understanding the Lesson
1. Why do Kashmiri vendors come to the city every year?
Answer: The Kashmiri vendors come to the city every year to sell their handcrafted goods. They bring beautiful shawls, purses, blankets, and carpets that are made in Kashmir and sell them door to door in the cities to earn their living.
2. How does the narrator describe the life of Kashmiri vendors?
Answer: The narrator describes the life of Kashmiri vendors as very hard and difficult. They travel a long way from Kashmir to the city, stay in cheap hotels, carry heavy loads of merchandise on their shoulders, and roam the streets all day long looking for buyers. Their life is full of hardship and struggle.
3. What was the brother-in-law’s real reason for pretending to be interested in the vendors’ wares?
Answer: The brother-in-law’s real reason for pretending to be interested in the vendors’ wares was to offer them food without hurting their pride. He knew that the vendors were proud and self-respecting people who would not accept charity. By showing interest in their goods and making it look like a normal part of a business transaction, he created an opportunity for his wife to prepare tea and food, which the vendors could accept without feeling they were receiving alms.
4. How did the narrator feel when the vendors shared their stories?
Answer: When the vendors shared their stories about their hard lives and the difficulties they faced, the narrator felt sad and guilty. The narrator was moved by the plight of these hardworking people who travelled so far from home and endured so many hardships just to make a living. The narrator felt a sense of guilt, perhaps feeling that people like them were not doing enough to help those in need.
5. What did the vendors promise before leaving?
Answer: Before leaving, the vendors promised to return the following year with even better things. They were grateful for the kindness shown to them and expressed their goodwill by promising to bring higher quality merchandise on their next visit.
6. What act of kindness did the brother-in-law display?
Answer: The brother-in-law displayed a very thoughtful and sensitive act of kindness. Noticing that the vendors were tired and hungry, he pretended to be keenly interested in buying their goods so that they would stay and show him their wares. Meanwhile, his wife prepared tea and food. By doing so, he gave the proud vendors a chance to eat without feeling that they were accepting charity — he preserved their self-respect while meeting their need. This was a truly compassionate and intelligent act of kindness.
B. Quick Recall
(a) Where do Kashmiri vendors come from, and what do they sell?
Answer: The Kashmiri vendors come from Kashmir. They travel a long distance to the city every year to sell their handcrafted goods — including shawls, purses, blankets, and carpets.
(b) “Their life is hard.” What details from the story support this statement?
Answer: Several details from the story support this statement. The vendors travel a very long way from Kashmir. They stay in cheap hotels, not comfortable accommodations. They carry heavy loads of merchandise on their backs. They roam the streets all day looking for buyers. Despite all this hard work, there is no guarantee that they will find enough buyers. This difficult routine shows just how hard their life is.
(c) Why were the vendors hesitant to accept the food offered to them?
Answer: The vendors were hesitant to accept the food because they were proud and self-respecting. They did not want to accept charity or appear as though they were begging. They had come as businessmen to sell their goods, and accepting food freely felt like it would hurt their dignity and self-respect.
(d) “To offer them food without hurting their pride.” What does this tell us about the brother-in-law’s character?
Answer: This tells us that the brother-in-law was a very kind, sensitive, and perceptive person. He understood human psychology — he recognised that the vendors, despite being hungry and tired, would refuse direct charity because of their pride. Rather than offering food bluntly, which would embarrass them, he devised a clever and compassionate way to help them while fully preserving their dignity. He was not only generous but also wise and thoughtful in how he expressed his generosity.
C. Fill in the Blanks
Fill in the blanks with the correct words from the lesson:
1. Kashmiri vendors sell __________, purses, blankets, and carpets.
Answer: Kashmiri vendors sell shawls, purses, blankets, and carpets.
2. The vendors travel from __________ to the city.
Answer: The vendors travel from Kashmir to the city.
3. They stay at __________ hotels.
Answer: They stay at cheap hotels.
4. The brother-in-law’s wife was making __________.
Answer: The brother-in-law’s wife was making tea.
5. The vendors hesitantly accepted __________ offered to them.
Answer: The vendors hesitantly accepted the food offered to them.
6. He pretended to be interested in the wares to offer them __________.
Answer: He pretended to be interested in the wares to offer them food (without hurting their pride).
D. True or False
State whether the following statements are True or False:
1. The Kashmiri vendors carry light loads when they travel.
Answer: False. The vendors carry heavy loads of merchandise when they travel from place to place.
2. The brother-in-law genuinely wanted to buy the vendors’ goods.
Answer: False. The brother-in-law was only pretending to be interested in buying. His real motive was to create an opportunity to offer the vendors food without hurting their pride.
3. The vendors stay in expensive hotels when they travel.
Answer: False. The vendors stay in cheap hotels, not expensive ones, as they try to save money.
4. The vendors were hesitant to accept the food at first.
Answer: True. The vendors were hesitant to accept the food because of their pride and self-respect.
5. The Kashmiri vendors are proud and self-respecting people.
Answer: True. The vendors are proud people who do not want to accept charity, which is why the brother-in-law had to find an indirect way to offer them food.
6. The narrator chose not to buy anything from the vendors.
Answer: True. The narrator did not buy anything from the vendors.
E. Word Study
Word Meanings
| Word | Meaning |
|---|---|
| vendor | a person who sells goods, especially on the street or by going from place to place |
| handcrafted | made by hand with skill, not by machine |
| merchandise | goods for sale; articles of trade |
| shawl | a piece of fabric worn over the shoulders or head, often as a covering or wrap |
| carpet | a thick woven fabric used as a floor covering |
| purse | a small bag for carrying money and personal items |
| roam | to walk or travel from place to place without a fixed destination; wander |
| pride | a feeling of self-respect and dignity; not wanting to appear inferior |
| pretend | to behave as if something is true when it is not; to act or feign |
| hesitant | slow to act or speak due to uncertainty or unwillingness; reluctant |
| dignity | the quality of being worthy of honour and respect; self-respect |
| gratefully | in a way that shows thanks and appreciation |
| sensitive | showing awareness of and care for others’ feelings and needs |
| guilty | feeling that one has done something wrong or failed in a duty |
| charity | giving money, food, or other help to those who need it without asking for anything in return |
F. Grammar
Simple Present Tense and Simple Past Tense
The Simple Present Tense is used to describe habits, facts, and regular actions. It tells us what someone does regularly or what is generally true.
The Simple Past Tense is used to describe actions that were completed in the past. It tells us what someone did at a specific time in the past.
| Simple Present | Simple Past |
|---|---|
| The vendors come to the city every year. | The vendors came to the city last year. |
| They sell shawls and carpets. | They sold shawls and carpets. |
| He pretends to be interested. | He pretended to be interested. |
| She makes tea for the guests. | She made tea for the guests. |
| They carry heavy loads. | They carried heavy loads. |
| The narrator feels sad and guilty. | The narrator felt sad and guilty. |
| The vendors promise to return. | The vendors promised to return. |
| They stay in cheap hotels. | They stayed in cheap hotels. |
Exercise: Change the tense
Change the following sentences from Simple Present to Simple Past:
1. The Kashmiri vendors come to the city every year.
Answer: The Kashmiri vendors came to the city every year.
2. They carry heavy loads of shawls and carpets.
Answer: They carried heavy loads of shawls and carpets.
3. The brother-in-law pretends to buy their goods.
Answer: The brother-in-law pretended to buy their goods.
4. The vendors accept the food gratefully.
Answer: The vendors accepted the food gratefully.
5. They promise to bring better things next year.
Answer: They promised to bring better things next year.
G. Writing Activity
1. Write a paragraph on “True Kindness”
Activity: Based on the lesson “Kindness,” write a short paragraph (80–100 words) on what true kindness means.
Answer (Sample Paragraph):
True kindness is not just about giving — it is about giving in a way that does not hurt the dignity of the person receiving help. In the lesson “Kindness,” the brother-in-law shows us that real kindness requires sensitivity and understanding. He could have simply offered the vendors money or food directly, but he knew that their pride would not allow them to accept charity. So he found a thoughtful way to help them without making them feel small. True kindness thinks about the feelings of others and acts with both a generous heart and a wise mind.
2. Write a Dialogue
Activity: Write a short dialogue (6–8 exchanges) between the narrator and a Kashmiri vendor.
Answer (Sample Dialogue):
Vendor: Sahib, would you like to see our shawls? We have the finest Kashmiri work — very beautiful!
Narrator: Yes, please come in. You must have travelled a long way?
Vendor: Ji, Sahib. We come from Kashmir every year. It is a long journey, but we must earn our living.
Narrator: Where do you stay when you are here?
Vendor: We stay at a small hotel near the market. It is not very comfortable, but we manage.
Narrator: It must be very tiring — walking all day with such heavy loads.
Vendor: That is true, Sahib. But what can we do? Our families wait for us back home. We work hard so they can live well.
Narrator: I admire your dedication. Please, rest a while and have some tea before you go.
3. Write a Letter
Activity: Imagine you are the narrator. Write a letter to a friend describing the Kashmiri vendors’ visit and the act of kindness shown by your brother-in-law.
Answer (Sample Letter):
12, Rajgarh Road
Guwahati – 781 003
15 December, 20XX
Dear Rajan,
I hope you are keeping well. I am writing to tell you about something that happened at my home a few days ago and has stayed on my mind ever since.
A group of Kashmiri vendors came to our door to sell their shawls, blankets, and carpets. As always, I was struck by how difficult their life is — they travel all the way from Kashmir, carry heavy loads, stay in cheap hotels, and walk the streets all day just to find buyers. I felt quite sad listening to their stories.
But what really moved me was the way my brother-in-law responded. He noticed that they were tired and hungry, but he also knew that they were proud people who would never accept charity. So he cleverly pretended to be very interested in buying their goods, keeping them engaged while his wife quietly prepared tea and food. When the food was ready, the vendors were invited to eat — and because it felt like a natural part of the visit, they accepted, though a little hesitantly at first. Before they left, they promised to return next year with better things. The look of gratitude on their faces was something I will not forget.
It made me think — true kindness is not just about what you give, but how you give it. My brother-in-law understood that, and his quiet, thoughtful gesture was more valuable than any grand donation.
Do write back soon.
Yours sincerely,
[Your Name]
Additional Questions and Answers
1. What kind of goods do Kashmiri vendors sell? How are these goods made?
Answer: Kashmiri vendors sell beautiful handcrafted goods such as shawls, purses, blankets, and carpets. These goods are made by skilled artisans in Kashmir using traditional techniques that have been passed down for generations. They are known for their fine craftsmanship, intricate designs, and high quality. Items like Pashmina shawls and hand-knotted carpets from Kashmir are famous all over the world for their beauty and durability.
2. What does the lesson teach us about the way we should help those in need?
Answer: The lesson teaches us that when we help those in need, we must always be sensitive to their feelings and respect their dignity. Simply giving money or food to someone can sometimes hurt their pride, especially if they are hardworking and self-respecting. The brother-in-law’s act shows us that true kindness involves thinking carefully about how to help someone — not just whether to help. We should offer help in a way that allows the other person to receive it without feeling humiliated or inferior.
3. Why does the narrator feel guilty? Is the narrator’s guilt justified?
Answer: The narrator feels guilty because, after listening to the vendors’ difficult stories, the narrator realises the contrast between their own comfortable life and the vendors’ hard existence. The narrator perhaps also feels guilty for not doing more to help, while the brother-in-law acts with such compassion. The guilt is justified in the sense that it shows the narrator has empathy and a moral conscience. When we become truly aware of others’ suffering, it is natural and right to feel a sense of responsibility. The important thing is that such guilt motivates us to act with greater kindness in the future.
4. How does the title “Kindness” reflect the central theme of the story?
Answer: The title “Kindness” perfectly reflects the central theme of the story. The entire narrative builds toward one act of genuine kindness — the brother-in-law’s thoughtful gesture of offering food to the tired and hungry vendors without embarrassing them. The story shows that kindness is not merely about charitable giving; it is about caring deeply enough about another person’s dignity to find a sensitive and respectful way to help them. The title reminds readers that true kindness requires both a generous heart and a thoughtful mind.
5. Compare the brother-in-law’s attitude to the vendors with the narrator’s attitude. Who do you think showed more kindness?
Answer: The narrator felt sympathy for the vendors and felt sad and guilty listening to their stories, but did not take any concrete action to help them. The brother-in-law, on the other hand, not only felt sympathy but also acted upon it in a clever and sensitive manner — he devised a plan to offer them food without hurting their pride. In this sense, the brother-in-law showed much greater kindness. Sympathy alone is not enough; true kindness requires action. The narrator represents passive compassion, while the brother-in-law represents active and thoughtful kindness. The lesson encourages us to move from feeling sorry for others to actually helping them in meaningful ways.
6. What do you think the vendors felt when they left the narrator’s house?
Answer: When the vendors left the narrator’s house, they most likely felt grateful and warmly comforted. They had been shown kindness in a way that did not make them feel small or pitied — the brother-in-law had been careful to preserve their dignity while helping them. This must have made them feel respected as well as cared for. Their promise to return with better goods the following year shows that the experience left a positive and lasting impression on them. They left not just with food in their stomachs, but also with a renewed sense of warmth and goodwill toward the narrator’s family.
7. What values does this lesson promote? Discuss with examples from the text.
Answer: The lesson “Kindness” promotes several important values:
- Empathy: The narrator and the brother-in-law both feel for the difficult lives of the vendors. The narrator’s sadness and guilt show that empathy — the ability to understand and share the feelings of others — is the first step toward kindness.
- Respect for human dignity: The brother-in-law’s clever plan ensures that the vendors can accept help without feeling humiliated. This shows that true kindness always respects the other person’s self-worth.
- Thoughtfulness: Rather than acting impulsively, the brother-in-law thinks carefully about how to help in a way that is sensitive to the vendors’ pride. This shows that kindness requires wisdom, not just goodwill.
- Compassion in action: The lesson teaches that feeling sorry for others is not enough — we must act on our compassion to make a real difference in someone’s life.
8. Write a short note on the importance of self-respect as shown through the character of the Kashmiri vendors.
Answer: The Kashmiri vendors in the lesson are portrayed as proud and self-respecting people. Despite their difficult lives — the long journeys, the heavy loads, the cheap hotels, and the uncertainty of finding buyers — they maintain their sense of dignity. They are not beggars; they are hardworking businessmen who earn their living through honest labour. Their hesitation to accept the food freely shows that they value their self-respect greatly. This portrayal is admirable. Self-respect does not mean refusing all help, but it means not accepting help in a way that diminishes one’s dignity. The lesson reminds us that we should always preserve the self-respect of those we help, as the brother-in-law so wisely does.