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Short Summary of the chapter: A Visit to Cambridge
This chapter is about a meeting between Firdaus Kanga and Stephen Hawking. Both are great men who use wheelchairs. Firdaus is a writer from Mumbai. Stephen Hawking is a world-famous scientist who lives in Cambridge, England. He is the author of the book A Brief History of Time. He cannot move or talk like others. He uses a machine to speak.
Firdaus visited Cambridge and went on a walking tour. The guide told him that Stephen Hawking lived there. Firdaus quickly called Stephen’s house. His assistant gave him time from 3:30 to 4:00 PM.
When Firdaus met Stephen, he felt nervous and excited. He saw that Stephen had to work hard to speak using just his fingers. Firdaus asked him many questions. Stephen said he didn’t choose to be brave. He had no choice. He also said he didn’t like people who only praised him. He liked honesty.
Firdaus said that seeing someone like Stephen gave him hope and strength. Stephen advised disabled people to focus on what they are good at. He said things like the disabled Olympics were not helpful.
After the talk, Stephen invited Firdaus for tea and a walk in the garden. Firdaus left feeling very inspired. He felt that his journey was complete after meeting such a strong and beautiful mind.
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Detailed Summary of the chapter: A Visit to Cambridge
Meeting Two Special People: This story is about two special people, Stephen Hawking and Firdaus Kanga. Both of them lived in wheelchairs. Stephen Hawking was a great scientist from Cambridge, England. He could not move or talk like others. He spoke using a computer and his fingers. Firdaus Kanga was a writer from Mumbai, India. He had brittle bones that broke easily. He also moved in a wheelchair. This story shows that even with weak bodies, strong minds can do wonderful things. It teaches that real strength comes from inside.
Firdaus Visits Cambridge: Firdaus was taking a walking tour in Cambridge. During the walk, the guide talked about Stephen Hawking. He called him a “poor man” but also said he was a “worthy successor to Isaac Newton”. Firdaus suddenly remembered that Stephen had written A Brief History of Time, one of the most famous science books. Hearing this made Firdaus very excited. He decided he wanted to meet Stephen Hawking. He admired him a lot for his work and courage.
Calling Stephen Hawking’s House: After the tour, Firdaus quickly found a phone booth. He was so excited that he almost pulled the cord outside. He called Stephen Hawking’s house and spoke to his assistant. Firdaus told him that he had come from India in a wheelchair and wanted to meet Professor Hawking. Maybe the assistant thought Firdaus had rolled all the way from India! The assistant gave him an appointment from 3:30 PM to 4:00 PM. Firdaus felt very nervous and happy because he was getting a big chance to meet a great man.
A Difficult but Strong Conversation: The next afternoon, Firdaus met Stephen Hawking. Stephen looked very weak and could not move much. He spoke with the help of a small switch and a computer. Firdaus felt bad for making Stephen work so hard just to answer. But Stephen was kind and patient. When Firdaus asked him about living bravely, Stephen said, “I have had no choice.” Firdaus understood that true bravery is living each day with strength, even when life gives you no easy options.
Talking About Life: Firdaus asked Stephen if disabled people were always unhappy. After a while, Stephen answered that he found it funny when people showed too much pity. Firdaus also asked if visitors disturbed him. Stephen replied “Yes” but smiled a little too. Firdaus looked at Stephen and thought he was one of the most beautiful people he had ever seen. His beauty was not in his body but in his strong mind and shining spirit. Firdaus felt lucky to see such real beauty.
The Lantern of Light: Firdaus felt that Stephen’s weak body was like a lantern with thin walls. Inside it, there was a bright and glowing light. That light was his powerful mind and brave heart. Even though his body was weak, his thoughts were full of strength and life. Firdaus realized that true beauty is not in our body but in our mind and soul. This meeting changed the way he looked at life and people.
Stephen’s Advice: Firdaus asked Stephen if he had any advice for other disabled people. Stephen said that they should focus on what they are good at. He felt that events like the “disabled Olympics” were not very useful. Firdaus agreed because he remembered how he once tried to play a big Spanish guitar that did not suit him. He understood that it is better to use our real talents than to struggle with things that do not fit us. Stephen’s words were full of wisdom and truth.
A Walk in the Garden: After talking, Firdaus thanked Stephen and got ready to leave. But Stephen invited him to stay for tea and visit the garden. The garden was very big, like a park. Stephen moved around happily in his motorized wheelchair. Firdaus had to move quickly to keep up with him. Because of the bright sunlight, Stephen’s computer screen became hard to read, so they could not talk much more. Still, Firdaus felt very happy to spend time with him in the beautiful garden.
Saying Goodbye: After one hour, it was time to say goodbye. Firdaus could not hug Stephen or shake hands easily. So he gently touched Stephen’s shoulder to say goodbye. As he rolled away, he looked back. Even though Stephen was not waving, Firdaus felt in his heart that he was sending a silent wave. Meeting Stephen Hawking gave Firdaus new strength and hope. He felt that his journey to Cambridge was now truly complete.
Pointwise Summary of the chapter: A Visit to Cambridge
1. The chapter is about a meeting between Stephen Hawking and Firdaus Kanga, both differently-abled.
2. Stephen Hawking was a great scientist from Cambridge, England, and Firdaus Kanga was a writer from Mumbai, India.
3. Firdaus went on a walking tour in Cambridge and heard about Stephen Hawking from the guide.
4. Excited, Firdaus called Stephen Hawking’s house and got an appointment from 3:30 PM to 4:00 PM.
5. When Firdaus met Stephen, he saw how difficult it was for him to talk using a computer and a switch.
6. Stephen told Firdaus that he had no choice but to live bravely with his illness.
7. Firdaus felt that Stephen was truly beautiful because of his strong spirit, not his body.
8. Stephen advised disabled people to focus on what they are good at and not waste time on unsuitable things.
9. After their meeting, Stephen invited Firdaus for tea and a walk in his large garden.
10. Meeting Stephen Hawking gave Firdaus new hope, strength, and a feeling that his journey was complete.