Welcome to BD JOBZ PREPARATION, your trusted source for academic guidance and exam-focused resources. Today, we explore a touching and thought-provoking story titled “Mr. Moti”, taken from the textbook English for Today for Classes Nine and Ten. This story, written by Rahad Abir, beautifully captures the deep bond between a mother and her son, set against the backdrop of a looming war. Through the life of a village boy named Ameen and his beloved rooster, Moti, the story unfolds themes of love, sacrifice, memory, and cultural values. Whether you’re a student preparing for exams or a literature lover, this story is sure to leave a lasting impression.
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Economy and education are two major factors that segregate people in a society. Mr. Moti is a story by a Bangladeshi writer Rahad Abir. Read the two sections of the story and try to understand the identity of people belonging to different social classes. Also, think about how the human world and animals/birds are inter-related.
Explanation: Understanding Social Identity and the Human-Animal Bond in “Mr. Moti”
Economy and education are two major factors that segregate people in any society, and this truth is beautifully reflected in the story Mr. Moti by Bangladeshi writer Rahad Abir. As we read the two sections of the story, we begin to understand how different social classes are formed based on access to wealth and learning. The story highlights the everyday struggles of a rural Bangladeshi family, showing how financial limitations and lack of higher education affect their identity and place in society. The mother’s hardworking nature and the son’s dream of a better future clearly reflect this gap between aspirations and reality. At the same time, Mr. Moti, the rooster, plays a symbolic role in this narrative. The strong bond between the boy and the rooster shows the deep emotional connection that often exists between humans and animals. In rural cultures, animals like roosters are not only used for practical purposes like food or cockfighting, but they also become part of the family. Through Mr. Moti, the story cleverly mirrors the lives of the humans around him—facing love, pride, conflict, and sacrifice. It encourages readers to think about how animal lives and human lives are often inter-connected, especially in the context of emotion, survival, and social identity.
Mr. Moti by Rahad Abir
Ameen is seventeen when the war breaks out. One Monday, after supper, he announces he will go to war. Sonabhan shrieks in surprise. You want to leave me alone?
It won’t take long, Ma, he assures her. I’ll be back soon after the training. That night Sonabhan cannot sleep.
After sun-up, she opens the duck coop. The flock streams out, stretches, and quacks around her for their morning meal. She takes longer than usual. She mixes water with rice husks in an earthen bowl and puts it down. They gobble it up in five minutes and head for the pond.
Ameen has let out the chickens by then. He lifts his 12-week-old cockerel, Moti, and sits on the veranda. Biring his breakfast he doesn’t strike up any conversation. Having noticed Sonabhan’s puffy eyes, he knows not to mention last night’s subject. He casts his glance to the side, down at the cockerel eating rice in silence.
Today is haat bar, market day. Sonabhan has arranged the things Ameen will take to the bazaar to sell. Two dozen eggs, a sheaf of areca nuts, a bottle gourd. The bazaar is about a mile away.
Ameen wears his short-sleeved floral shirt over his lungi. He whistles as he looks into the cloud mirror to comb his hair. Placing the rattan basket on his head before setting off, he hollers: I’m off, Ma.
Sonabhan watches him go along the bank of the little river. For the first time it occurs to her that Ameen has grown p. He has reached the height of his dead father, has his long neck and straight shoulders.
In that moment, Sonaban realizes it’s not the war, it’s the fighting that Ameen is fascinated with. Like his dead father, he is crazy about bullfighting, cockfighting, and boat racing. The same stubbornness flows in his blood. once he decides on something, nothing can stop him.
Her little son! Now a man. Even up to his fifteenth birthday barely a day passed without neighbors appearing with a slew of complaints. Sometimes one or two turned up from other villages. They peeked into the house and asked, Does Ameen live here?
Sonabhan would sigh. What did he do?
Your son stole my date juice! Emptied the juice pots hanging on the date trees! Sonabhan would sigh again. Then ask the visitor to pardon him. She gated saying that she’d raised her son alone. If she could spare them, she would bring half a dozen eggs and hand them to the visitor: Please take these for your children.
At night, Sonabhan climbs out of her bed, clutches the hurricane lamp, and tiptoes into Ameen’s room. She stands by his bed, looks at her sleeping son. He snores like his father. he has her light skin and button nose. She touches his cheek. His broad forehead. She suppresses a desire to lie beside him. Like the old days, when she slept cuddling her baby.
A warning comes from old Chowkidar’s young wife. Watch your rooster, she threatens. I don’t want him in my house again.
If someone touches my boy, Sonabhan responds, they’ll see the consequences. She grounds Moti for an entire day. It makes him sad. his forlorn captivity crucifies her. She sets him loose the following morning.
Some boys come and ask Sonabhan to lend them Moti for cockfighting at a fair. They are happy to pay.
Never she tells them. He is my son.
Monday dawns without Moti’s crowing. His cold body is resting on its right side. Lying against the basket. Eyes closed. his kingly head down.
With Moti’s basket in her lap, Sonabhan is motionless.
She puts Moti to rest beside her husband’s grave. She sighs, plods across the empty yard, steps onto an empty veranda, crawls into an empty home and sits on the edge of an empty bed.
Another morning breaks … Noon and afternoon come and go … The birds in the coops quack and crow … No one lets them out. For the first time, Sonabhan’s doors do not open.
Note: The excerpts of “Mr. Moti” are selected from the complete story included in When the Mango Tree Blossomed: Fifty Short Stories from Bangladesh edited by Niaz Zaman.
Bangla Translation:
Mr. Moti
আমিনের বয়স সতেরো, যখন যুদ্ধ শুরু হয়। এক সোমবার রাতে খাবার শেষে, সে ঘোষণা করে যে সে যুদ্ধে যাবে। সোনাভান চমকে উঠে চিৎকার করে—
“তুই আমাকে একা রেখে যাবি?”
“একটু সময়ই লাগবে, মা,” সে আশ্বস্ত করে। “ট্রেইনিং শেষ হলেই ফিরে আসবো।”
সেই রাতে সোনাভানের ঘুম আসে না।
সূর্য ওঠার পর সে হাঁসের ঘর খোলে। হাঁসগুলো দল বেঁধে বেরিয়ে আসে, শরীর টানে, আর সকালের খাবারের জন্য কাঁকাঁর করে। সোনাভান আজ একটু বেশি সময় নেয়। সে চালের কুড়া পানিতে মিশিয়ে মাটির বাটিতে ঢেলে দেয়। হাঁসেরা তা পাঁচ মিনিটেই খেয়ে ফেলে এবং পুকুরের দিকে চলে যায়।
এই সময় আমিন মুরগিগুলো বের করে দেয়। সে তার বারো সপ্তাহ বয়সী লাল মোরগ, মোতিকে কোলে তুলে বারান্দায় বসে। সকালের খাবার খেতে খেতে কোনো কথা বলে না। সোনাভানের চোখের ফোলা ভাব দেখে সে আগের রাতের বিষয়টি আর তোলে না। সে চুপচাপ মোতির দিকে তাকিয়ে থাকে, যে নিঃশব্দে চাল খাচ্ছে।
আজ হাটবার। সোনাভান আমিনের জন্য বাজারে বিক্রির জিনিসপত্র গুছিয়ে রেখেছে—দুই ডজন ডিম, এক আঁটি সুপারি, আর একটি লাউ। বাজার প্রায় এক মাইল দূরে।
আমিন তার ছোট হাতাওয়ালা ফুলের ছাপা শার্ট পরে লুঙ্গির উপর। চুল আঁচড়াতে আঁচড়াতে সে আয়নায় তাকিয়ে সিটি বাজায়। রতনের ঝুড়ি মাথায় তুলে বেরিয়ে যাওয়ার সময় চিৎকার করে—
“মা, আমি যাচ্ছি!”
সোনাভান দেখে ছেলেটা নদীর ধারে ধীরে ধীরে হেঁটে যাচ্ছে। প্রথমবার তার মনে হয়, আমিন বড় হয়ে গেছে। সে এখন তার মৃত বাবার সমান উচ্চতায় পৌঁছে গেছে, একইরকম লম্বা গলা আর সোজা কাঁধ।
এই মুহূর্তেই সোনাভান বুঝতে পারে, যুদ্ধ নয়, আমিন আকৃষ্ট হয়েছে লড়াইয়ের প্রতি। তার বাবার মতোই সে পাগল ষাঁড়ের লড়াই, মোরগের লড়াই আর নৌকা বাইচের জন্য। সেই একই একগুঁয়েমি তার রক্তে বইছে। একবার কিছু ঠিক করলে, কিছুতেই ফেরানো যায় না।
তার ছোট ছেলে! এখন একজন পুরুষ। পনেরো বছর বয়স পর্যন্ত প্রায় প্রতিদিনই কেউ না কেউ অভিযোগ নিয়ে আসত। কখনো বা পাশের গ্রাম থেকেও কেউ আসত। তারা দরজায় উঁকি দিয়ে জিজ্ঞাসা করত,
“এ বাড়িতে কি আমিন থাকে?”
সোনাভান দীর্ঘশ্বাস ফেলত, “সে আবার কী করল?”
“আপনার ছেলে আমার খেজুরের রস চুরি করেছে! গাছে ঝুলানো হাঁড়ি ফাঁকা করে দিয়েছে!”
সোনাভান আবার দীর্ঘশ্বাস ফেলত। তারপর অতিথিকে ক্ষমা করে দিতে বলত। সে বলত, “আমি একা হাতে ছেলেকে মানুষ করেছি।”
যদি কিছু দিতে পারত, তাহলে আধ ডজন ডিম এনে বলত, “এই নিন, আপনার বাচ্চাদের দিন।”
রাতে, সোনাভান বিছানা থেকে উঠে হারিকেন ল্যাম্প হাতে আমিনের ঘরে ঢোকে। বিছানার পাশে দাঁড়িয়ে ঘুমন্ত ছেলের মুখের দিকে চায়। বাবার মতোই নাক ডাকে। তার গায়ের রঙ মায়ের মতো ফর্সা, আর নাকটা ছোট ও টিকলো। সোনাভান তার গাল ছোঁয়। প্রশস্ত কপালটা ছোঁয়। ইচ্ছে করে তার পাশে শুয়ে পড়ে, যেমন ছোটবেলায় ছেলেকে জড়িয়ে ঘুমাত।
পুরনো চৌকিদারের তরুণী স্ত্রী হুঁশিয়ারি দেয়—
“আপনার মোরগটাকে সামলান! আমি আর ওকে আমার বাড়িতে দেখতে চাই না!”
“যদি কেউ আমার ছেলেকে আঘাত করে,” সোনাভান জবাব দেয়, “তা হলে তার ফল ভোগ করতে হবে।”
সে পুরো একদিন মোতিকে আটকে রাখে। এতে মোতির মন খারাপ হয়। তার এই বন্দিত্বে সোনাভান ভীষণ কষ্ট পায়। পরদিন সকালে সে মোতিকে ছেড়ে দেয়।
কিছু ছেলে এসে সোনাভানের কাছে মোতিকে মোরগের লড়াইয়ের জন্য ধার চায়। তারা অর্থ দিতে চায়।
“না,” সে সোজা জানিয়ে দেয়। “ও আমার সন্তান।”
সোমবার সকাল হয়, কিন্তু মোতির ডাকে ঘুম ভাঙে না। ঠান্ডা দেহ ডান পাশে পড়ে থাকে। ঝুড়ির পাশে শুয়ে। চোখ বন্ধ। রাজকীয় মাথা নিচু করে।
ঝুড়িটা কোলে নিয়ে সোনাভান নিঃশব্দে বসে থাকে।
সে মোতিকে স্বামীর কবরের পাশে শুইয়ে দেয়। দীর্ঘশ্বাস ফেলে, ফাঁকা উঠোন পেরিয়ে যায়, ফাঁকা বারান্দায় উঠে ফাঁকা ঘরে ঢোকে, ফাঁকা বিছানার এক কোণে বসে পড়ে।
আরেকটি সকাল আসে… দুপুর আর বিকেল চলে যায়… হাঁস-মুরগিরা ডাকাডাকি করে… কিন্তু কেউ ওদের ছাড়ে না। প্রথমবার, সোনাভানের ঘরের দরজা আর খোলে না।
Important Vocabulary:
Here’s a comprehensive list of the words each with its part of speech, Bangla meaning, English meaning, and an example sentence relevant to the story “Mr. Moti” by Rahad Abir:
economy
(noun)
Bangla: অর্থনীতি
English: The system of wealth and resources in a country
Example: The war had a severe impact on the village’s economy.education
(noun)
Bangla: শিক্ষা
English: The process of receiving or giving instruction
Example: Ameen had little formal education but was wise.factors
(noun)
Bangla: কারণসমূহ
English: Elements that contribute to a result
Example: Several factors influenced Ameen’s decision to go to war.segregate
(verb)
Bangla: পৃথক করা
English: To separate or divide
Example: They had to segregate the ducks from the chickens.supper
(noun)
Bangla: রাতের খাবার
English: An evening meal
Example: After supper, Ameen told his mother about going to war.announce
(verb)
Bangla: ঘোষণা করা
English: To make known publicly
Example: He announced he was leaving for training.shrieks
(verb)
Bangla: চিৎকার করা
English: To make a high-pitched cry
Example: Sonabhan shrieks in surprise.surprise
(noun)
Bangla: আশ্চর্য
English: A sudden feeling of wonder or amazement
Example: Her surprise turned into worry.alone
(adjective/adverb)
Bangla: একলা
English: Without others
Example: “You want to leave me alone?” she asked.assure
(verb)
Bangla: আশ্বস্ত করা
English: To make someone feel certain
Example: Ameen tried to assure his mother.duck coop
(noun)
Bangla: হাঁসের খাঁচা
English: An enclosure for ducks
Example: She opened the duck coop at dawn.flock
(noun)
Bangla: পাল
English: A group of birds
Example: The flock of ducks streamed out.stream out
(phrasal verb)
Bangla: বেরিয়ে আসা
English: To move out in a stream
Example: The ducks streamed out for food.stretch
(verb)
Bangla: টানানো
English: To extend the body
Example: The ducks stretch their wings.quack
(verb/noun)
Bangla: হাঁসের ডাক
English: The sound a duck makes
Example: The ducks quack around her.meal
(noun)
Bangla: খাবার
English: An occasion when food is eaten
Example: She prepared their morning meal.rice husk
(noun)
Bangla: ধানের ভূষি
English: The outer layer of rice grains
Example: She mixed rice husk with water.earthen bowl
(noun)
Bangla: মাটির বাটি
English: A bowl made of clay
Example: She served food in an earthen bowl.gobble
(verb)
Bangla: গিলেপড়া
English: To eat quickly and greedily
Example: The ducks gobble up the food.head for
(phrasal verb)
Bangla: প্রতিচ্ছন্ন হওয়া
English: To go in the direction of
Example: They head for the pond.cockerel
(noun)
Bangla: যুব মোরগ
English: A young rooster
Example: Ameen holds his cockerel, Moti.strike up
(phrasal verb)
Bangla: আরম্ভ করা
English: To begin a conversation
Example: He didn’t strike up any conversation.conversation
(noun)
Bangla: আলাপ
English: Informal talk
Example: There was no conversation between them.puffy eye
(noun)
Bangla: ফোলা চোখ
English: Swollen eye
Example: He saw her puffy eyes from crying.cast his glance
(verb phrase)
Bangla: তাকানো
English: To look briefly
Example: He cast his glance downward.sheaf of areca nut
(noun phrase)
Bangla: সুপারির আঁটি
English: A bundle of areca nuts
Example: She gave him a sheaf of areca nut.bottle gourd
(noun)
Bangla: লাউ
English: A type of vegetable
Example: He carried a bottle gourd to the market.floral shirt
(noun)
Bangla: ফুলের ডিজাইনের জামা
English: A shirt with flower patterns
Example: He wore a floral shirt.whistle
(verb)
Bangla: সিটি বাজানো
English: To make a musical sound
Example: He whistled while getting ready.cloudy mirror
(noun)
Bangla: ঘোলা আয়না
English: A misty mirror
Example: He looked into the cloudy mirror.comb
(verb/noun)
Bangla: চিরুনি করা
English: To arrange hair
Example: He combed his hair carefully.rattan basket
(noun)
Bangla: বেতের ঝুড়ি
English: A basket made of rattan
Example: He carried the rattan basket.set off
(phrasal verb)
Bangla: রওনা হওয়া
English: To start a journey
Example: He set off for the bazaar.holler (verb) [চিৎকার করা] [to shout or call loudly]
: Ameen had to holler to get Mr. Moti back from the street.straight (adjective/adverb) [সোজা] [not curved or bent]
: He walked straight into the yard without looking around.fascinate (verb) [মুগ্ধ করা] [to attract and hold interest]
: Mr. Moti seemed to fascinate the villagers during cockfights.crazy (adjective) [পাগল] [mentally wild or enthusiastic]
: The boy was crazy about raising roosters.stubbornness (noun) [একগুঁয়েমি] [the quality of not changing one’s mind]
: His mother’s stubbornness kept her from showing her tears.once (adverb/conjunction) [একবার] [at one time in the past]
: Once, Mr. Moti won three matches in a row.barely (adverb) [কেবলমাত্র] [only just; hardly]
: He could barely hold his tears when leaving the village.a slew of complaints (noun phrase) [অনেক অভিযোগ] [a large number of complaints]
: His mother had a slew of complaints about his decision.turn up (phrasal verb) [উপস্থিত হওয়া] [to arrive or appear]
: Mr. Moti didn’t turn up for the morning feed.peek (verb) [ঝুঁকি দেখা] [to look quickly or secretly]
: He took a peek at his mother from the window.sigh (verb) [দীর্ঘশ্বাস ফেলা] [to let out a deep breath]
: She let out a sigh of helplessness.pardon (verb) [ক্ষমা করা] [to forgive]
: “Pardon me, Amma,” he whispered before leaving.spare (verb) [রেহাই দেওয়া] [to show mercy or not harm]
: He hoped the war would spare their peaceful home.climb (verb) [আরোহন করা] [to go up something]
: He had to climb the hill to reach the army camp.clutch (verb) [চেপে ধরা] [to hold tightly]
: She clutched his shirt while crying silently.tiptoe (verb) [আঙুলের মাথায় হাঁটা] [to walk quietly on toes]
: Ameen tiptoed past his sleeping mother.snore (verb) [ঘরঘর শব্দে ঘুমানো] [to breathe loudly while sleeping]
: She did not snore that night, lying still with worry.button nose (noun) [ছোট নাক] [a small, round nose]
: His little sister had a cute button nose.forehead (noun) [কপাল] [the upper part of the face]
: He kissed his mother’s forehead before leaving.desire (noun/verb) [ইচ্ছা/আকাঙ্ক্ষা] [a strong wish]
: His only desire was to return home safely.lie (verb) [শোয়া/মিথ্যা বলা] [to rest in a flat position / to tell an untruth]
: He had to lie about not being scared.cuddling (verb/noun) [আলিঙ্গন/ঘেঁষে থাকা] [holding someone close in affection]
: He missed cuddling with his mother before bed.warning (noun) [সতর্কবার্তা] [a notice of danger]
: His mother gave him a final warning before departure.rooster (noun) [মোরগ] [a male chicken]
: Mr. Moti, the rooster, symbolized his strength and pride.threaten (verb) [হুমকি দেওয়া] [to state intention to harm]
: She threatened to disown him if he went.consequence (noun) [পরিণতি] [result or effect]
: Ameen was ready to face any consequence for his decision.ground (noun) [মাটি] [the earth’s surface]
: Mr. Moti pecked the ground around the duck coop.forlorn (adjective) [বিরহগ্রস্ত/বিষণ্ন] [lonely and hopeless]
: She looked forlorn as he disappeared into the fog.captivity (noun) [বন্দিত্ব] [the state of being imprisoned]
: Mr. Moti disliked captivity and tried to fly out.crucify (verb) [বড় শাস্তি দেওয়া] [to punish severely]
: She felt like she was being crucified emotionally.fair (noun/adjective) [মেলা/ন্যায্য] [a gathering for celebration / just or beautiful]
: Ameen bought the rooster from a village fair.dawn (noun) [ভোর] [early morning light]
: He left at dawn with heavy steps.lap (noun) [কোল] [the area between the waist and knees when sitting]
: She sat with her hands folded on her lap.motionless (adjective) [নিশ্চল] [not moving]
: Mr. Moti stood motionless, sensing his master’s absence.plod across (phrasal verb) [ধীরগতিতে হাটা] [to walk slowly and heavily]
: She plodded across the yard with tears in her eyes.empty (adjective) [ফাঁকা] [without anything inside]
: The house felt empty without Ameen.edge (noun) [ধার] [the border or side of something]
: She sat at the edge of the courtyard.excerpt (noun) [উদ্ধৃতাংশ] [a short extract from a text]
: This excerpt from the story shows the mother’s pain.refer (verb) [উল্লেখ করা] [to mention]
: The story refers to the Bangladesh Liberation War.cultural connotation (noun phrase) [সাংস্কৃতিক প্রতীকী অর্থ] [implied cultural meaning]
: The rooster has a strong cultural connotation in rural life.a debate on the motion (noun phrase) [প্রস্তাবের উপর বিতর্ক] [a formal discussion on a stated proposition]
: Students arranged a debate on the motion: “Man is known by his work, not by his looks.”
A. Answer the following questions:
1. Why is the rooster called Mr. Moti?
Answer: The rooster is called Mr. Moti because he is not just a pet to the family, especially to Sonabhan—he is treated like a member of the family. The title “Mr.” shows a sense of respect, affection, and personification. It reflects Sonabhan’s deep emotional attachment to the rooster, almost like another son.
2. Is the writer trying to compare the son with the rooster? What are the reasons for doing so?
Answer: Yes, the writer is clearly drawing a comparison between Ameen and the rooster, Mr. Moti. Both are spirited, energetic, and have a fighting instinct. Just as Mr. Moti is kept from cockfighting by Sonabhan, Ameen is also being urged not to go to war. The rooster represents youth, pride, and courage—qualities that Ameen also possesses. This comparison highlights the mother’s emotional struggle between letting go and protecting her loved ones.
3. Why is the story a Bangladeshi story? Which war is referred to in the story?
Answer: The story is a Bangladeshi story because of its rural setting, cultural elements (like date juice, cockfighting, haat bazaar, and traditional family values), and the emotional landscape rooted in a Bangladeshi context. The war referred to is most likely the Bangladesh Liberation War of 1971, during which many young boys like Ameen joined the fight for independence.
4. Do you know what cockfighting is?
Answer: Yes, cockfighting is a traditional blood sport where two roosters are placed in a ring to fight each other, often until one is seriously injured or killed. It is typically done for entertainment and betting purposes. While still practiced in some rural areas, it is widely considered cruel and is banned in many places due to animal rights concerns.
5. What do you think about the mother-son relationship?
Answer: The mother-son relationship in the story is deeply emotional and poignant. Sonabhan has raised Ameen alone and is strongly protective of him. Her love is nurturing but also filled with fear of losing him—either to war or to life’s hardships. She expresses her care through actions, memories, and sacrifices. The story beautifully captures the pain of letting go and the universal bond between a mother and her child.
B. Make a list of words from the story that have cultural connotations. Make use of them in a conversation between two friends in your class.
Answer: List of Words with Cultural Connotations from the Story:
Sonabhan – Traditional rural Bangladeshi name
Haat bar – Weekly rural market day
Lungi – Traditional men’s clothing in Bangladesh
Rattan basket – Handmade basket commonly used in villages
Date juice – Sweet sap collected from date palm trees, popular in winter
Cockfighting – Traditional rural sport
Boat racing – Cultural event in many parts of rural Bangladesh
Earthen bowl – Traditional clay bowl used for feeding animals
Duck coop / Chicken coop – Common in rural households
Hurricane lamp – Oil lamp used during load-shedding or in rural areas
Conversation Between Two Friends in Class Using These Words:
Tariq: Hey Rafi, did you read the story Mr. Moti last night?
Rafi: Yeah, bro! It reminded me so much of my village. Especially the part about the haat bar—my Dadu still goes every Thursday to sell eggs and vegetables.
Tariq: Same here! And I actually have a rattan basket at home my Nanu uses to carry rice.
Rafi: Haha! And the way Ameen wore a lungi and a floral shirt—classic village style, right?
Tariq: Totally! And the date juice part made me miss winter mornings. Remember how our uncles used to climb the date trees to collect it in clay pots?
Rafi: Yeah! And my cousin once tried cockfighting, but our grandma scolded him badly.
Tariq: Good! That’s cruel to animals. But I like that the story showed both boat racing and cockfighting as part of rural life, even though they’re very different.
Rafi: True. And did you notice the little details? Like how Sonabhan used an earthen bowl to feed the ducks, and a hurricane lamp at night? Felt so real!
Tariq: I know! It’s amazing how such small things can reflect our culture so deeply.
Rafi: Exactly! It made me feel proud and nostalgic at the same time.
C. In our culture, sons are believed to follow their father’s ways and daughters are found similar with their mothers. Do you see that kind of belief in the story? Discuss it with your friends and bring examples from your own life if you are compared with your father or mother.
Answer:
Yes, the belief that sons follow their fathers’ ways and daughters resemble their mothers is clearly reflected in the story Mr. Moti. In the story, Ameen is shown to have many qualities similar to his late father. For example:
Ameen has his father’s height, long neck, and straight shoulders.
He shares his father’s love for bullfighting, cockfighting, and boat racing.
Just like his father, Ameen is stubborn and determined. Once he makes a decision, nothing can stop him—not even his mother’s tears.
This connection between father and son is so strong that Sonabhan herself realizes that Ameen is not just going to war for his country—he is attracted to the thrill of fighting, just like his father once was.
Example from Real Life (Classroom Discussion Style):
Friend 1 (Nusrat): You know, my mother always says I talk just like her when I get angry! And I noticed I even use the same phrases without realizing.
Friend 2 (Tanvir): Haha, I get that! People in my village say I walk just like my father. And when I speak at meetings, they say, “Ah, just like your Abba—same confidence.”
Friend 3 (Sadia): In Mr. Moti, it was so emotional how the mother could see her husband in Ameen. I think that’s what made her so scared of losing him too.
You (Sample Answer): For me, everyone says I have my mother’s caring nature. Like, I worry a lot about people, just like she does. My father is very calm and quiet—so I don’t really take after him that much. But this story made me think how deep those family traits can go, even if we don’t notice them right away.
This kind of belief—about children inheriting traits from their parents—is very common in Bangladeshi culture. Sometimes it’s about looks, other times about behavior, interests, or values. And in Mr. Moti, it’s shown beautifully through the character of Ameen and his connection to his late father.
D. Arrange a debate on the motion:
“Man is known by his work, not by his looks.”
Answer:
Instructions to Arrange the Debate:
Form Two Teams:
Proposition Team (For the Motion)
Opposition Team (Against the Motion)
Select Roles:
Each team should have:
1 Introduction Speaker
1 Supporting Speaker
1 Rebuttal/Conclusion Speaker
Set the Rules:
Each speaker gets 2–3 minutes.
One minute of rebuttal allowed after the main speech.
Maintain discipline and listen respectfully.
Moderator: Choose one classmate or teacher to manage the flow, time, and fairness of the debate.
Sample Points for the Proposition Team (For the Motion):
Main Idea: A person’s true value lies in their actions, not in their appearance.
Example 1: Famous scientists like Albert Einstein or writers like Rabindranath Tagore are remembered for their contributions, not their looks.
Example 2: In Mr. Moti, Ameen is not praised for his appearance, but for his bravery, determination, and actions.
Example 3: A person with a beautiful heart and great work ethic will be respected more than someone with just a good face.
Quote: “Beauty fades, but character and deeds remain.”
Sample Points for the Opposition Team (Against the Motion):
Main Idea: First impressions often depend on appearance, and in some areas, looks can influence people’s treatment.
Example 1: In many real-life situations like interviews, modeling, or media, appearance plays a huge role.
Example 2: People often judge quickly based on how someone looks before even knowing their qualities.
Example 3: In some cultures, physical beauty or dress is linked to status or respect.
Counterpoint: While work matters, looks often open doors or create opportunities.
Final Step: Judging the Debate
Ask classmates or the moderator to vote:
Which team presented stronger arguments?
Which team used better examples?
Who had the most persuasive speaker?
Read More: Health and Healthy Lifestyle
As we close our discussion on “Mr. Moti”, it becomes clear how a simple tale can carry powerful emotional and cultural messages. The story not only reflects the realities of rural Bangladesh but also touches on universal themes like motherly love, duty, and the pain of separation. Included in the English for Today book for classes Nine and Ten, this story offers more than just exam content—it gives us a reason to reflect on family and identity. Stay connected with BD JOBZ PREPARATION for more easy explanations, summaries, and thoughtful reflections to support your learning journey.
