Chapter 2 of the CBSE Class 8 English Textbook – Honeydew includes a prose titled “The Tsunami.” The Tsunami consists of three sections, about how a big disaster destroyed everything. It caused huge damage, many people died, homes and belongings were shattered, and lots of people had nowhere to live afterward making them homeless.
Here, we provide a brief summary of the prose- The Tsunami.
CBSE Class 8 English The Tsunami Summary
This unit ‘The Tsunami’ is divided into three sections, each one shows how different people encouraged others to help out during the tough times caused by the tsunami in various parts of the world. All three parts are explained below in easy words below.
The Tsunami: Part 1 Summary
Part 1 contains four stories about people who experienced the deadly tsunami on December 26, 2004. It describes how the lives of various individuals from the Andaman and Nicobar Islands were affected by this terrible event.
In the first story, Ignesious, a manager of a cooperative society in Katchall, was awakened by his wife at 6 a.m. when she felt tremors. However, it was not just an earthquake; it was the sea rising. A tsunami had hit, and the massive waves swept away his entire family, including his wife, children, father-in-law, and brother-in-law.
The second story of Part 1 features Sanjeev, a policeman who saved his wife and baby daughter from the life threatening waves. Tragically, he drowned while trying to rescue the guest house cook’s wife, John, as both were carried away by the powerful waves.
The third story is about thirteen-year-old Meghna, who was swept away by the waves along with her parents and many others. She survived by clinging to a wooden plank and was eventually brought to shore by a wave. Although she was saved, she was in a daze as she walked along the seashore.
The fourth story is about ten-year-old Almas Javed. Her father noticed the seawater receding after the tremors and realized it was a sign of a bigger danger. He warned everyone to seek shelter. While he was helping others, a huge wave came and washed away Almas’s father and grandfather. Her entire family was swept away, but Almas managed to climb onto a floating wooden log and fainted. She woke up in a hospital in Kamorta, deeply traumatized and unable to talk about the incident with anyone.
The Tsunami: Part 2 Summary
Part 2 tells the story of Tilly Smith, a young British schoolgirl in Phuket, Thailand, with her family for Christmas. On December 26, 2004, they were all on the beach when Tilly and her mother noticed the sea rising, foaming, and forming whirlpools. While her mother wasn’t overly concerned, Tilly sensed something was wrong. Tilly recalled her geography teacher explaining that earthquakes, violent tremors, volcanoes, and landslides could trigger tsunamis. She quickly warned that the unusual waves were signs of an impending tsunami. She alerted her family and others on the beach, urging them to return to the hotel immediately. Fortunately, the hotel where Tilly’s family was staying was strong enough to withstand the tsunami’s impact, and they were all saved from the disaster.
The Tsunami: Part 3 Summary
Part 3 of the unit discusses the ability of animals to sense natural disasters. In December 2004, many domestic and wild animals sensed the impending tsunami and sought refuge, staying within their shelters. While about 150,000 people lost their lives across a dozen countries, relatively few animals perished.
In Sri Lanka’s Yala National Park, which is home to a diverse array of animals and birds, nearly 60 visitors died, but only two animal carcasses were found. Witnesses also saw three elephants fleeing from Patanangala beach about an hour before the tsunami hit. In another instance, a man living near the Galle coast noticed his two dogs refused to go for their usual walk on the beach, a warning that saved them and their owner from the tsunami’s devastating impact.
Conclusion of The Tsunami
In conclusion, “The Tsunami” shows how the tsunami in December 2004 affected many lives. The stories highlight the importance of being aware and acting quickly, as Tilly Smith did. They also show how animals can sense danger before humans can. The tales of survival and loss from different parts of the world teach us the need to be prepared and show the strength of people when facing disasters. Through these stories, readers learn about the terrible effects of the tsunami and the inspiring stories of those who lived through it.
We trust that this summary of the CBSE Class 8 English Honeydew Prose, “The Tsunami,” has provided you with a quick grasp of the chapter. Stay connected with GK Publications for the latest updates on CBSE and study materials. Explore sample papers and question papers from various years to enhance your preparation for the Board exams.
