NCERT Class 7 English Expert Detectives

 Before you read

Nishad, a boy of seven (also called Seven because his name means the seventh note on the musical scale) and his ten-year-old sister Maya are very curious about one Mr Nath. Then one day the children’s marble rolls into Mr Nath’s room, and Nishad gets a chance to see him. Is he a crook on the run? Why is his face badly scarred? Why has he no friends? Nishad’s mother, a doctor, knows Mr Nath as a patient, who is very polite.

Expert Detectives

As we walked back towards the clinic Seven said, “He doesn’t look anything like a monster, Maya. But did you see how thin he is? Maybe he’s very poor and can’t afford to eat.”

“He can’t be poor if he’s a crook on the run,” I told him. “He’s probably got millions of rupees stashed away somewhere in that room.”

“Do you really think he’s a criminal, Maya? He doesn’t look like one,” Nishad looked doubtful.

“Of course he’s one, Seven,” I said, “and he certainly isn’t starving. Mr Mehta told us that Ramesh brings his meals up from the restaurant downstairs.”

“But Maya, Mr Mehta told us he doesn’t work anywhere, so how can he possibly have money to pay for food?” Nishad said.

“Exactly!” I exclaimed. “He must have lots of money hidden somewhere, maybe in that trunk in his room. It’s probably full of silver and gold and jewels and...”

“What rubbish,” Nishad interrupted.

“I know I’m right, stupid,” I told him. “By the way, Seven, did you see his scars? I couldn’t, it was too dark, but I bet he got them during a shootout with the police or something.”

“Mummy told us quite clearly they were burn scars,” Nishad said firmly.

Working with the Text

1. What does Nishad find out about Mr Nath from Ramesh?

Arrange the information as suggested below.

• What he eats

• When he eats

• What he drinks, and when

• How he pays

2. Why does Maya think Mr Nath is a crook? Who does she say the Sunday visitor is?

3. Does Nishad agree with Maya about Mr Nath? How does he feel about him?

Please refer to attached file for NCERT Class 7 English Expert Detectives