2. Before we enter into the
story
In this story, an eight-year old girl’s first
bus journey into the world outside her
village is also her induction into the
mysteries of life and death. She sees
the gap between our knowing that there
is death, and our understanding of it.
C S Lodhi, JNV Damoh
3. About the Author
Vallikannan
Vallikannan is the pseudonym of R. S.
Krishnasamy (b. 12 November 1920 - d. 9
November 2006 ), a Tamil, writer, journalist, critic,
and translator from Tamil Nadu, India.
C S Lodhi, JNV Damoh
4. Krishnasamy
was
born
in Rajavallipuram near Tirunelveli. He started
writing at a very young age and had published
twenty five books by the time he was 30. He
worked
for
magazines
like
Cinema
Ulagam,
Navasakthi,
Grama
Oozhiyan and Hanuman. He also wrote under
the pseudonyms "Naiyandi Bharathi" and
"Koranathan". He wrote a total of 75 books in
his life - novels, novellas, poetry collections,
plays and essay anthologies. In 1978, he was
awarded
the
Sahitya
Akademi
Award for Tamil for his critical work on modern
Tamil poetry Pudukavithaiyin Thottramum
Valarchiyum (lit. The birth and growth of
Modern Tamil Poetry).[1] He died in 2006
C S Lodhi, JNV Damoh
6. There was a girl named Valliammai.
She was eight years old and very
curios about things.
Her favourite pastime was standing
at the front doorway of her house
watching the happenings in the
street outside.
She had no playmates of her age in
her street to play with.
7. Watching the street gave her
tremendous joy and new
experiences.
The most fascinating thing of all
was the bus that travelled
between her village and the
nearest town. It was the source of
unending joy for her.
8. bus and gradually
riding the bus grew
into an
overwhelming
desire in her mind.
Over many days
and months Valli
gathered
information and
details about the
bus journey.
9. The town was six miles from
her village. The fare was thirty
paise one way. The trip to the
town took forty-five minutes.
She planned her trip well.
One fine spring day she took
the afternoon bus to the town.
10. The conductor was a
jollyshort of fellow. He was
fond of joking. It was the
slack time when Valli got into
the bus.
He, jokingly, called her
‘madam’.
Valli found the bus attracting. It
was a new bus painted with
gleaming colours.
Valli bought a ticket for her.
11. Valli also enjoyed outside view
through the window.She saw the
canal, palm trees, grassland,
distant mountains,the blue sky,
acres of green fields etc.
Valli had light hearted
conversation with some of the
passengers. She was the centre
of attraction for them.
12. Suddenly Valli clapped her
hands with glee. There was a
young cow running right in
front of the bus, right in the
middle of the road. The animal
was frightened and it ran faster
as the driver honked the horn.
Valli found it very funny. She
just laughed and laughed.
13. Valli enjoyed every sight with excitement.
She didn’t get off the bus at the town for the fear of
being lost. She made her return journey by the
same bus.
14. On her way back, the sight of
same cow lying dead by the
roadside made her sad. The
memory of the dead cow
haunted her and she did not did
not look out through the
window anymore.
15. At last the bus reached her village,
thanked the conductor, got down
the bus and went straight to her
home.
This was how she had her first bus
ride without letting anybody know
about it.
16. Thanks
MadaM’s Maiden bus ride
concludes happily
Presented by – C S Lodhi,
TGT- Eng.,
JNV Damoh (m.P.)
