The Boy Who Broke the Bank – Ruskin Bond
Sitaram was on his delivery round. He had a bundle of freshly pressed clothes balanced on his head.
‘Don’t raise such dust!’ he called out to Nathu. ‘Are you annoyed because they are still refusing to pay you an extra two rupees a month?’
‘I don’t wish to talk about it,’ complained the sweeper boy. ‘I haven’t even received my regular pay. And this is the twentieth of the month. Who would think a bank would hold up a poor man’s salary? As soon as I get my money, I’m off! Not another week do I work in this place.’ And Nathu banged the pan against the dustbin several times, just to emphasize his point and give himself confidence.
‘Well, I wish you luck,’ said Sitaram. ‘I’ll keep a lookout for any jobs that might suit you.’ And he plodded barefoot along the road, the big bundle of clothes hiding most of his head and shoulders.
At the fourth home he visited, Sitaram heard the lady of the house mention that she was in need of a sweeper. Tying his bundle together, he said, ‘I know of a sweeper boy who’s looking for work. He can start from next month. He’s with the bank just now but they aren’t giving him his pay, and he wants to leave.’
‘Is that so?’ said Mrs Srivastava. ‘Well, tell him to come and see me tomorrow.’
And Sitaram, glad that he had been of service to both a customer and his friend, hoisted his bag on his shoulders and went his way.
Mrs Srivastava had to do some shopping. She gave instructions to the ayah about looking after the baby, and told the cook not to be late with the midday meal. Then she set out for the Pipalnagar marketplace, to make her customary tour of the cloth shops.
A large, shady tamarind tree grew at one end of the bazaar, and it was here that Mrs Srivastava found her friend Mrs Bhushan sheltering from the heat. Mrs Bhushan was fanning herself with a large handkerchief. She complained of the summer which, she affirmed, was definitely the hottest in the history of Pipalnagar. She then showed Mrs Srivastava a sample of the cloth she was going to buy, and for five minutes they discussed its shade, texture and design. Having exhausted this topic, Mrs Srivastava said, ‘Do you know, my dear, that Seth Govind Ram’s bank can’t even pay its employees? Only this morning I heard a complaint from their sweeper, who hasn’t received his wages for over a month!’
‘Shocking!’ remarked Mrs Bhushan. ‘If they can’t pay the sweeper they must be in a bad way. None of the others could be getting paid either.’
She left Mrs Srivastava at the tamarind tree and went in search of her husband, who was sitting in front of Kamal Kishore’s photographic shop, talking to the owner.
‘So there you are!’ cried Mrs Bhushan. ‘I’ve been looking for you for almost an hour. Where did you disappear?’
‘Nowhere,’ replied Mr Bhushan. ‘Had you remained stationary in one shop, I might have found you. But you go from one shop to another, like a bee in a flower garden.’
‘Don’t start grumbling. The heat is trying enough. I don’t know what’s happening to Pipalnagar. Even the bank’s about to go bankrupt.’
‘What’s that?’ said Kamal Kishore, sitting up suddenly. ‘Which bank?’
‘Why the Pipalnagar Bank, of course. I hear they have stopped paying employees. Don’t tell me you have an account there, Mr Kishore?’
‘No, but my neighbour has!’ he exclaimed; and he called out over the low partition to the keeper of the barber shop next door. ‘Deep Chand, have you heard the latest? The Pipalnagar Bank is about to collapse. You better get your money out as soon as you can!’
Deep Chand, who was cutting the hair of an elderly gentleman, was so startled that his hand shook and he nicked his customer’s right ear. The customer yelped in pain and distress: pain, because of the cut, and distress, because of the awful news he had just heard. With one side of his neck still unshaven, he sped across the road to the general merchant’s store where there was a telephone. He dialled Seth Govind Ram’s number. The Seth was not at home. Where was he, then? The Seth was holidaying in Kashmir. Oh, was that so? The elderly gentleman did not believe it. He hurried back to the barber’s shop and told Deep Chand: ‘The bird has flown! Seth Govind Ram has left town. Definitely, it means a collapse.’ And then he dashed out of the shop, making a beeline for his office and chequebook.
The news spread through the bazaar with the rapidity of forest fire. At the general merchant’s it circulated amongst the customers, and then spread with them in various directions, to the betel seller, the tailor, the free vendor, the jeweller, the beggar sitting on the pavement.
Old Ganpat, the beggar, had a crooked leg. He had been squatting on the pavement for years, calling for alms. In the evening someone would come with a barrow and take him away. He had never been known to walk. But now, on learning that the bank was about to collapse, Ganpat astonished everyone by leaping to his feet and actually running at top speed in the direction of the bank. It soon became known that he had a thousand rupees in savings!
Men stood in groups at street corners discussing the situation. Pipalnagar seldom had a crisis, seldom or never had floods, earthquakes or drought; and the imminent crash of the Pipalnagar Bank set everyone talking and speculating and rushing about in a frenzy. Some boasted of their farsightedness, congratulating themselves on having already taken out their money, or on never having put any in; others speculated on the reasons for the crash, putting it all down to excesses indulged in by Seth Govind Ram. The Seth had fled the state, said one. He had fled the country, said another. He was hiding in Pipalnagar, said a third. He had hanged himself from the tamarind tree, said a fourth, and had been found that morning by the sweeper boy.
By noon the small bank had gone through all its ready cash, and the harassed manager was in a dilemma. Emergency funds could only be obtained from another bank some thirty miles distant, and he wasn’t sure he could persuade the crowd to wait until then. And there was no way of contacting Seth Govind Ram on his houseboat in Kashmir.
People were turned back from the counters and told to return the following day. They did not like the sound of that. And so they gathered outside, on the steps of the bank, shouting, ‘Give us our money or we’ll break in!’ and ‘Fetch the Seth, we know he’s hiding in a safe deposit locker!’ Mischief makers who didn’t have a paisa in the bank joined the crowd and aggravated the mood. The manager stood at the door and tried to placate them. He declared that the bank had plenty of money but no immediate means of collecting it; he urged them to go home and come back the next day.
‘We want it now!’ chanted some of the crowd. ‘Now, now, now!’
And a brick hurtled through the air and crashed through the plate glass window of the Pipalnagar Bank.
Nathu arrived next morning to sweep the steps of the bank. He saw the refuse and the broken glass and the stones cluttering the steps. Raising his hands in a gesture of horror and disgust he cried: ‘Hooligans! Sons of donkeys! As though it isn’t bad enough to be paid late, it seems my work has also to be increased!’ He smote the steps with his broom scattering the refuse.
‘Good morning, Nathu,’ said the washerman’s boy, getting down from his bicycle. ‘Are you ready to take up a new job from the first of next month? You’ll have to I suppose, now that the bank is going out of business.’
‘How’s that?’ said Nathu.
‘Haven’t you heard? Well, you’d better wait here until half the population of Pipalnagar arrives to claim their money.’ And he waved cheerfully—he did not have a bank account—and sped away on his cycle.
Nathu went back to sweeping the steps, muttering to himself. When he had finished his work, he sat down on the highest step, to await the arrival of the manager. He was determined to get his pay.
‘Who would have thought the bank would collapse!’ he said to himself, and looked thoughtfully into the distance. ‘I wonder how it could have happened . . .’
***
A Brief Summary of the Story:
Nathu is a young sweeper boy working at Pipalnagar Bank, owned by Seth Govind Ram. He feels frustrated because he hasn’t received his pay for over a month and plans to leave once he gets it. Sitaram, the washerman’s son, listens to Nathu’s complaints and offers to help him find a new job. Meanwhile, Mrs. Srivastava, a bank customer, hears about Nathu’s situation and decides to offer him work at her home.
One day, while chatting in the Pipalnagar bazaar, Mrs. Bhushan mentions that the bank has not been able to pay its employees. Mr. Bhushan, who is nearby, listens and warns Kamal Kishore, the photography shop owner, to tell his neighbor, who has an account at the bank, to withdraw his money. This information quickly spreads, causing panic. Old Ganpat, a beggar with a thousand rupees saved, listens to the rumors and rushes to the bank to get his money.
As the news spreads, people gather in groups, listening to each other discuss the situation. By noon, the bank runs out of cash, and the crowd outside demands their money. The bank manager tries to calm them by listening to their concerns, but they grow more upset. Soon, someone throws a brick through the bank’s window.
The next morning, Nathu arrives to find broken glass and trash on the steps. He is shocked by the chaos and is determined to get his pay. Sitaram informs him that the bank is going out of business, and Nathu sits on the steps, confused about how this could happen. He worries about the future of the bank and its employees, reflecting on how important it is to listen to what others say in times of crisis.
Thinking about soft skills (listening skills):
1. How is listening different from hearing?
Ans: Listening means paying attention and trying to understand what someone is saying. Hearing is just the ability to hear sounds without focusing on them. Listening requires effort, while hearing happens automatically.
2. Why is it important to listen?
Ans: Listening is important because it helps us understand others better. It shows respect and builds strong relationships. Good listening can also prevent misunderstandings and improve communication.
3. Do you often find it difficult to listen properly? How can you overcome this difficulty?
Ans: Sometimes, I find it hard to listen properly, especially if I'm distracted. To overcome this, I can focus on the speaker, eliminate distractions, and practice active listening by summarizing what I hear. Taking notes can also help me stay engaged.
Soft skills at the workplace:
Here are very short and simple answers suitable for 5th-grade students:
1. Why is it important to listen to our customers and clients?
Ans: Because they tell us what they need or want. If we listen, we can help them better and keep them happy.
2. How does listening help in developing good relations with people?
Ans: When we listen, people feel respected. It helps build trust and friendship.
3. How is listening and understanding from another person's point of view important for a manager?
Ans: A manager can make better decisions by knowing how others feel. It also helps solve problems faster.
4. It is important to listen to every employee in the organisation, including those at the bottom of the hierarchy. Why?
Ans: Everyone’s work is important. Listening to all workers makes them feel valued and keeps the company strong.
A Case Study on How the Troublesome Behavior of a Person Could Affect the Clientele of Establishment
I once saw a customer in a coffee shop who was very confused. He stood in line but kept changing his mind about what to order. First, he wanted a latte, then a cappuccino, and then a tea. Each time, he asked the barista for more details, which slowed down the line.
People behind him grew impatient. Some sighed loudly, while others checked their watches. The atmosphere became tense. Customers started to look frustrated and anxious.
Finally, the man decided to order a plain coffee, but it took so long that others left the line. His uncertainty affected everyone. It made the shop feel chaotic and unwelcoming. A smooth experience is important in busy places like this. A single person’s behavior can disrupt the whole flow, causing dissatisfaction for many.
MCQs:
-
What is the name of the sweeper boy in the story?
A) Sitaram
B) Nathu
C) Deep Chand
D) Ganpat -
Why was Nathu angry in the beginning of the story?
A) He lost his job
B) The bank refused to pay him
C) Someone insulted him
D) His broom was broken -
Who was Sitaram?
A) The manager
B) A barber
C) A washerman’s son
D) A bank employee -
What did Sitaram carry on his head?
A) Groceries
B) Books
C) Freshly pressed clothes
D) Newspaper bundles -
Why did Sitaram say he would look out for a job for Nathu?
A) He was Nathu’s cousin
B) He felt sorry for Nathu
C) Nathu asked for his help
D) He overheard Nathu’s complaint -
Who was looking for a new sweeper?
A) Mrs Bhushan
B) Mrs Srivastava
C) The bank manager
D) Ganpat -
What kind of tree stood at the end of the bazaar?
A) Banyan
B) Tamarind
C) Mango
D) Neem -
What were Mrs Srivastava and Mrs Bhushan discussing at first?
A) The bank
B) Their children
C) Cloth and shopping
D) The hot weather -
How did the rumour about the bank start?
A) The manager shouted it
B) Nathu said it to the crowd
C) Sitaram wrote about it
D) It was passed through gossip -
What did the ladies assume when they heard the sweeper was unpaid?
A) The bank had too much money
B) The bank was going to shut down
C) The bank was giving bonuses
D) The bank was being painted -
What happened when Kamal Kishore heard the news?
A) He called the police
B) He told his neighbour
C) He shouted at his wife
D) He ran to the bank -
Who was Deep Chand?
A) A barber
B) A moneylender
C) A teacher
D) A customer -
What happened to the barber’s customer?
A) He fainted
B) He ran away
C) His ear was nicked
D) He fell asleep -
Why did the elderly man rush to a telephone?
A) To call his son
B) To complain to the police
C) To call Seth Govind Ram
D) To cancel his account -
Where was Seth Govind Ram during the chaos?
A) In jail
B) On a holiday in Kashmir
C) At the bank
D) In the tamarind tree -
What rumor spread about Seth Govind Ram?
A) He left India
B) He opened a new bank
C) He was hiding in a locker
D) Both A and C -
How did people react to the news of the bank’s trouble?
A) They ignored it
B) They came to the bank in panic
C) They wrote letters
D) They prayed -
What unusual thing did Ganpat the beggar do?
A) Sang a song
B) Danced in the market
C) Ran towards the bank
D) Gave money to Nathu -
What did Ganpat surprise everyone with?
A) A car
B) His voice
C) His savings
D) His long beard -
How much money did Ganpat have in the bank?
A) ₹100
B) ₹500
C) ₹1000
D) ₹50 -
What broke the glass window of the bank?
A) A ball
B) A brick
C) A stone
D) A chair -
What did the manager try to do with the crowd?
A) Run away
B) Argue with them
C) Calm them down
D) Hide in the safe -
What did the people shout outside the bank?
A) “Give us sweets!”
B) “Save Seth Govind Ram!”
C) “Give us our money!”
D) “Let’s clean the bank!” -
What was the problem with getting more money for the bank?
A) No one had any cash
B) The money was far away
C) The guards ran away
D) The bank was already closed -
Who did not have a bank account but enjoyed the situation?
A) Nathu
B) Deep Chand
C) Sitaram
D) Ganpat -
What made the situation worse in the market?
A) The weather
B) A broken water pipe
C) Gossip and rumours
D) The price of cloth -
What was Nathu’s main worry at the end?
A) Losing his house
B) Getting his salary
C) Finding a wife
D) Leaving the town -
What was ironic about the title of the story?
A) Nathu is a rich boy
B) The bank wasn’t really broken by him
C) The bank never existed
D) There was no boy in the story -
What does the story mainly teach us?
A) Don’t eat too much
B) Always work hard
C) Don’t spread rumours
D) Save more money -
How was the story’s ending?
A) Sad and tragic
B) Mysterious and scary
C) Funny and ironic
D) Boring and slow -
Who is the author of “The Boy Who Broke the Bank”?
A) R. K. Narayan
B) Rabindranath Tagore
C) Ruskin Bond
D) Chetan Bhagat -
Which word best describes Nathu’s attitude?
A) Lazy
B) Carefree
C) Angry
D) Happy -
How did the story of unpaid wages turn into bank failure?
A) Through official notice
B) Through telephone messages
C) Through people’s gossip
D) Through newspapers -
Who was the first person to mention the bank not paying staff?
A) Nathu
B) Sitaram
C) Mrs Srivastava
D) The manager -
What caused the crowd to believe the bank was bankrupt?
A) Broken lock
B) Seth’s absence
C) Empty lockers
D) No customers -
What shows the story is satirical?
A) Nathu is a king
B) A beggar runs
C) The bank is magical
D) Sitaram becomes a boss -
Who enjoyed telling the rumor to others?
A) The bank manager
B) Deep Chand
C) Kamal Kishore
D) The cook -
What was Sitaram’s mood during the chaos?
A) Nervous
B) Confused
C) Happy and cheerful
D) Sad -
Why did the crowd grow outside the bank?
A) Free food
B) Festival
C) Fear of losing money
D) New account opening -
How many miles away was the nearest bank that could help?
A) 10
B) 20
C) 30
D) 50 -
What did the manager tell people to do?
A) Break the door
B) Run away
C) Come back tomorrow
D) Sleep outside -
What shows people believed strange things quickly?
A) They followed news
B) They listened to the radio
C) They acted without proof
D) They went to school -
Why did Nathu call the people “sons of donkeys”?
A) They teased him
B) They made a mess he had to clean
C) They laughed at him
D) They were noisy -
What did people think Seth Govind Ram did?
A) Called the police
B) Helped the poor
C) Ran away with money
D) Became a monk -
What does the story say about small towns?
A) They are boring
B) People gossip fast
C) Everyone is poor
D) No one works -
Why did the barber’s hand shake?
A) He had fever
B) He was shocked by the news
C) He was old
D) He was tired -
What was the first reaction of the customer with cut ear?
A) He laughed
B) He cried
C) He ran to make a call
D) He called a doctor -
What kind of ending does the story have?
A) Open and ironic
B) Closed and peaceful
C) Scary
D) Violent -
Which object becomes a symbol of chaos in the story?
A) Broom
B) Brick
C) Phone
D) Tree -
What is the tone of the story?
A) Serious and scary
B) Humorous and ironic
C) Sad and emotional
D) Romantic
Answer Key:
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B
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B
-
C
-
C
-
B
-
B
-
B
-
C
-
D
-
B
-
B
-
A
-
C
-
C
-
B
-
D
-
B
-
C
-
C
-
C
-
B
-
C
-
C
-
B
-
C
-
C
-
B
-
B
-
C
-
C
-
C
-
C
-
C
-
A
-
B
-
B
-
C
-
C
-
C
-
C
-
C
-
C
-
B
-
C
-
B
-
B
-
C
-
A
-
B
-
B
