FABLES? Extracts from a memoir? Short stories? What is How I Taught My people.

people. If you serve them with whatever you have, you have served God”. The story
Grandmother to Read and other Stories comprised of? We could say, in a way, all is about how Murty's grandparents actually practiced what they preached, and
of the afore-mentioned. about the pleasure they derived from giving alms.

The writer has dedicated this book to “the citizens of tomorrow who will bring Hassan's Attendance Problem is about one of the writer's students who was very
changes in our (her) country.” irregular. A piece of advice she gives him confirms what we all know, but tend to
overlook: “Please remember when elders say something, they do so because they
Sudha Murty, a computer science teacher, social worker and best-selling writer from want you to lead a better life than them. Excellence does not come by accident but
South India, has put together an awesome compilation for children but which by practice.”
readers of all ages will relish.
Simple, unassuming people, even children, can sometimes teach us valuable
There are 24 tales, all of which give us something to think about, or to cherish in our lessons. In Amma, What is Your Duty? we are shown how something the writer's
memories, or something worth learning. They are all based on the writer's daughter tells her makes her look at things in a new way.
experiences and which, in their own ways, enriched her life (as she says in her
foreword). The Real Jewels, while telling us about an experience the writer had as a guest in a
house in South Canara, also gives us information about the importance given to
The writer's keen interest in listening to stories as a child probably gave rise to a education in that region where people believe that “If one man studies, only one
passion for storytelling, a passion that has been honed into a remarkable skill. Her person is educated, whereas if one lady studies, the entire family is educated.”
love of books and her desire to provide reading facilities and material to others led
to her company's (INFOSYS FOUNDATION) donating books to thousands of Heart of Gold is a story which the writer had heard about an incident in New York. It
libraries. It could have been a similar wish that caused her to write such refreshing ends with the moral “Help people without expecting anything in return”.
stories.
A Wedding in Russia tells us about a lesson the writer wishes Indians could learn
Murty is not moralistic, but successfully passes on some values of life to her from the Russians.
readers, values that she had, herself, imbibed.
The Story of Two Doctors: a tear-jerker, is an epitome of the nobility of sacrifice, a
The simplicity of the language, the directness of the style, the wise and catchy story everyone will enjoy.
sayings, give us the incentive to go on turning the pages, as one fascinating story
gives way to another. A Journey Through Desert: shows us the power stories have to change people or to
inspire them to do great things.
We find wonderful portrayals of very different characters, and as we read on, we
come face-to-face with a striking fact that life has so much to give us, often in the Deadman's Riddle: is a story about the division of a man's property among his sons.
form of ordinary, everyday happenings. We just need to be a little observant and It illustrates how “Life is an eternal teacher, provided you have an open mind”.
perceptive.
I Will Do It: is about someone who lives by the motto “Powered by intellect and
The first story, How I Taught My Grandmother to Read, is a true account of how the driven by values”.
writer's grandmother was adamant about learning to read and how she (Murty)
taught her. This story reassures us that there is no age-bar to learning and that
teachers deserve a lot of respect. Doing What You Like is Freedom: deals with over-protective parents and with letting
go of children when they are “ready to fly”.
At Least One Library brings out an admirable trait of Murty's grandfather (who was a
teacher). We also read how he instilled the love of spreading knowledge in her. Gowramma's Letter: tells us about a teacher who had influenced Murty to love
stories and about the gratitude she feels when Murty publicly acknowledges her
contribution to her success as a storyteller. We also read about the teacher's life.
The Red Rice Granary has words (spoken by Murty's grandmother) which will reach Murty ends this story thus: “Tears welled up in my eyes and fell on the letter
out to people of all ages and religions: “Child, whenever you want to give something mingling with the ink. I was unable to read further”. We can't help but feel very
to somebody, give the best in you, never the second best. That is what I have emotional, too.
learned from life. God is not there in the temple, mosque, or church. He is with the
 The other stories all have something or the other to offer. her at her feet and touched it. granny gifted sudha a frock. sudha and
granny were both happy at this occasion. sudha was the first tutor of her
We can use How I Taught My Grandmother to Read and Other Stories as a
grand mom.
reference book to come up with appropriate quotes for different occasions.

More importantly, this book is a great source of short stories to read out to children Book Description
(our own kids/and/or our students).
This collection of short stories is an inspiring assortment of life’s wisdom by
What do you do when your grandmother asks you to teach her the the fiction writer Sudha Murthy. Though fictional, most of the stories have
alphabet? Or the President of India takes you on a train ride with him? Or a anecdotes from the author’s personal life, especially her childhood.
teacher gives you more marks than you deserve?
Summary Of The Book
There are just some of the questions you will find answered in its delightful
collection of stories recounting real-life incidents from the life of Sudha A young child receives an unusual request, which is to teach her
Murty, teacher, social worker and best-selling writer. There is the engaging grandmother how to read. Baffling at first, the experience of living and
story about one of her students who frequently played truant from school, coming through this strange request changed the child’s mind forever.
the account of how her mother's advice to save money came in handy when This and various such profound experiences form the basis of How I
she wanted to help her husband start a software company, and the Taught My Grandmother To Read And Other Stories.
heartwarming tale of the promise she made and fulfilled-to her grandfather,
to ensure that her little village library would always be well supplied with What would you do if you knew you received more marks on your paper
books. than you deserved? Would you take a strong stand against an even
Funny, spirited and inspiring, each of these stories teaches a valuable lesson stronger authority if you feel discriminated? The book tackles such issues
about the importance of doing what you believe is right and having the that mostly go unnoticed in today’s world. It urges the reader to reconnect
courage to realize your dreams. with his moral fiber through its stories on honesty, friendship, and
patriotism. It dispenses valuable advice that can come only through a
very touching story about a 12 year old girl and her grandmother who is mother’s fiercely loving heart. Sincerely narrated, these tales enliven an
illiterate. sudha murthy's grand mom was illiterate. they (granny n sudha) entire life’s defining moments.
preferred a weekly local magazine called karmaveera which came in
kannada lang. and that magazine had a episode story named kashiyatre. One of the simple pleasures of the author’s grandmother was listening to
granny was fond of it and his granddaughter would read out that story. one her granddaughter narrate the story of Kashi Yatre, a lady who sacrificed
day, sudha had to attend a marriage party at her village. as usual her life’s savings to help out the needy, appearing in the weekly magazine
karmaveera came but granny was not able to read a word only she could Karmaveera. After the author comes back from a week-long vacation, she
watch the images. when sudha came home, she found granny tear-eyed. finds her grandmother in tears because she couldn’t read her favourite
she asked her the reason behind it and granny told about what happened stories and is saddened that she didn’t go to school. She then asks her
when she was in the village. granny asked her if she could make her able to granddaughter to teach her how to read. Her grandma’s strange request
read and write. at first sudha was surprised at this. then, she thought 4 one becomes the title of the book and the first short story in this anthology.
more time then, she agreed. sudha worked hard and so did her granny to
secure their goal i.e. to make granny literate. then, goal secured at saraswati Some of the other titles present in this collection include Abdul Kalam, The
puja time. when the festival was going, granny came and touched sudha's Red Rice Granary, Heart of Gold, The Rainy Day, Doing What You Like is
feet and sudha was shocked at her behavior. granny exclaimed her that she Freedom, The Secret, and The Story of Two Doctors.
was touching her feet as a student not as a grandmother. sudha too bowed
Sudha Murthy’s How I Taught My Grandmother To Read And Other Stories Sudha Murty, an M.Tech in Computer Science, is a teacher. As Chairperson
has been translated into 15 languages. The first title in the anthology, How of the Infosys Foundation, she directs a lot of philanthropic work all over
I Taught My Grandmother to Read has been included in the CBSE Class 9 India. She is a well-known writer in Kannada. Her English work, ‘Wise and
English syllabus. Otherwise’, has been translated into thirteen Indian languages. ‘How I
Taught my Grandmother to Read..’ is her first book for children.
About Sudha Murthy
How I Taught My Grandmother To Read And Other Stories is an Indian
Sudha Murthy, born August 19, 1950, is the Infosys Foundation’s book written by Sudha Murthy. It has been published by Penguin Books
chairperson. She has a long career as a social worker and an equally India in 2004. The book includes a foreword by the author. The author
commendable one as an author.
recollects real-life incidents and has included them in the book. The cover
Sudha Murthy has also authored The Day I Stopped Drinking Milk, Gently design has been illustrated by Anitha Balachandran. The contents of the
Falls the Bakula, Wise and Otherwise, and Old Man and His God.
book are:
She has been awarded the Raja-Lakshmi Award, and the Padma Shri award
for her contribution in the spheres of social work, charity and philanthropy. 1. How I Taught My Grandmother To Read: This story narrates the incident
She is married to N. R. Narayana Murthy, the co-founder of Infosys. where the author recalls that how she had taught her illiterate grandmother
Why would a 62-year-old choose her 12-year-old grand daughter as her to read.
teacher and offer her ‘guru-dakshina’? What would a knowledge-hungry
child do if she had wings? Why did Grandmother always cook the inferior NOTE: This story was included in the Class 9 English Communicative
red rice at night, when there was plenty of fine white rice in the granary? CBSE Syllabus
What do you do when your daughter questions your value-system?
2. Books For "At Least One Library": This story narrates the incident where
‘How I Taught my Grandmother to Read’ answers these questions and raises
many more in the reader’s mind. The book is a collection of twenty five the author recalls that how his grandfather had requested her to build a
heart-warming stories from the life of the author, Sudha Murty. They library.
describe little incidents that influenced her life in a big way. Her early years
in a small Karnataka village, in her grandparents’ home, provide the best 3. Salaam Abdul Kalam: This story narrates various incidents about the
‘stories’, for both author and reader. Some describe how her role as teacher
11th President of India, A.P.J. Abdul Kalam
made a difference in the lives of many students. Through her eyes we can
get glimpses of the simplicity and vision of great men like Abdul Kalam and
J.R.D.Tata. 4. Hassan's Attendance Problem: This story narrates the incidents about a
student's peculiar problem of attendance and its consequences.
The narration is simple, homely and humorous. The stories themselves are
both enjoyable and inspiring. The humble beginnings of Infosys, and the 5. The Red Rice Granary: This story narrates the incidents about the
story of its founder, N.R.Narayana Murthy fill the reader with hope. If you
granary from which the author used to take rice during her childhood.
thought ‘non-fiction’ meant dullness and boredom, try this book! Best read
for children above 12 years.
6. The Real Jewels: This story narrates the incident where the author recalls 15. I Will Do It: This story is about Infosys founder, Nagavara Ramarao
that how she met an illiterate woman, who strived hard to educate her son. Narayana Murthy

7. A History Lesson On Teachers' Day: This story narrates the incident 16. The Rainy Day: This story narrates the incident where the author recalls
where the author recalls that how she chatted with a group of students about that how the money she saved, on her mother's advice, became useful for
the importance of Children's Day. her husband to set up a new company

8. "Appro J.R.D": This story narrates various incidents about the 4th 17. Doing What You Like Is Freedom: This story narrates the incident
Chairman of Tata Sons, J.R.D. Tata where the author recalls that how she met two children in a train with
contrasting parents and behaviour
9. Heart Of Gold: This story narrates the incident where an American
policemen helps a cancer-struck child and her mother 18. Gowramma's Letter: This story narrates the incident where the author
recalls that how the stories told to her by her Sanskrit teacher, Gowramma,
10. A Wedding In Russia: This story narrates the incident where the author helped her later
encounters a wedding in Russia
19. Who Is Great?: This story narrates the incident where the author recalls
11. "Amma, What Is Your Duty?": This story narrates the incident where that about a folktale she told in her class and the moral lessons learnt from
the author recalls that how her daughter helped her to realize her duty it

12. The Story Of Two Brothers: This story narrates an incident about two 20. Balu's Story: This story is about the author's cousin Balu
doctors, father and son, living in United Kingdom, who discovered the first
local anesthesia 21. "A" For Honesty: This story narrates the incident where the author's son
got a good grade for his honesty
13. A Journey Through Desert: This story narrates the incident where the
author recalls that how the stories told to two poor children working in a 22. A Lesson In Ingratitude: This story narrates the incident where the
garage, changed their lives author recalls that how she met her former classmate and comments about
his ingratitude nature
14. Dead Man's Riddle: This story narrates the incident where the author
recalls a folktale about how camels were divided among a dead father's 23. My Biggest Mistake: This story narrates the incident where the author
three sons by his friend commits her biggest mistake and the moral lessons she learnt from it
 24. The Secret: This story narrates the incident where the author recalls that 2. Murthy completed M.E. in Computer Science from the Indian
Institute of Science, standing first in her class and receiving a gold
about a folktale she told in her class and the moral lessons learnt from it
medal from the Indian Institute of Engineers.[11]
3. Murthy became the first female engineer hired at India's largest
The book consists of 133 pages. auto manufacturer TATA Engineering and Locomotive Company
(TELCO). Murthy joined the company as a Development Engineer
Sudha Murthy (also spelled Sudha Murty; née Kulkarni born on 19 August in Pune and then worked in Mumbai & Jamshedpur as well.
1950) is an Indian social worker and writer in the Kannada and English Murthy had written a postcard to the company's Chairman
languages. Murthy began her professional career as a computer scientist complaining of the "men only" gender bias at TELCO. As a result,
and engineer. She is the chairperson of the Infosys Foundation and a she was granted a special interview and hired immediately.
member of public health care initiatives of the Gates Foundation.[1][2] She has 4. She later joined Walchand Group of Industries at Pune as Senior
founded several orphanages, participated in rural development efforts, Systems Analyst.
supported the movement to provide all Karnataka government schools with 5. In 1996, started Infosys Foundation & till date has been the
computer and library facilities, and established the 'The Murty Classical Trustee of Infosys Foundation & a Visiting Professor at the PG
Library of India' at Harvard University.[3][4][5] Murthy initiated a bold move to Center of a reputed college of Bangalore University
introduce computer and library facilities in all schools in Karnataka & taught 6. Written and published many books, two are travelogues, two
computer science. Murthy is best known for her social work and her technical books, six novels and three educative books.
plethora of stories. Dollar Sose (English: Dollar Daughter-in-Law), a novel
originally authored by her in Kannada and later translated into English as
Dollar Bahu, was adapted as a televised dramatic series by Zee TV in 2001.[6] Awards[edit]
Murthy has also acted in Marathi film Pitruroon and Kannada film
Prarthana. 1. Gold Medal from the Indian Institute of Engineers, India for having
secured the I Rank in MTech of all the branches of Engineering
Sudha Murthy was born in Shiggaon in Karnataka, India. The daughter of a 2. Silver Medal from the then Chief Minister of Karnataka Sri Devaraj
famous surgeon Dr. R.H. Kulkarni, Murthy and her siblings were raised by Urs, for securing the highest marks in BE of all the Universities of
her parents and maternal grandparents. These childhood experiences form Engineering in Karnataka
the historical basis for her first notable work entitled How I Taught my 3. Cash award for having secured the highest marks in SSLC
Grandmother to Read & Other Stories.[7] Two institutions of higher learning, 4. C S Desai Prize for standing first in the University Exams of
the H.R. Kadim Diwan Building housing the Computer Science & Engineering Karnataka
(CSE) department at IIT Kanpur[8][9] and the Narayan Rao Melgiri Memorial 5. Youth Service Department Prize from Government of Karnataka,
National Law Library at NLSIU,[10] were both endowed and inaugurated by for having been the outstanding engineering student of Karnataka
the Infosys Foundation. 6. Best Teacher Award in 1995 from the Rotary Club of Bangalore
7. National Award from Public Relation Society of India for
outstanding Social Service to the Society
Career[edit] 8. ‘Attimabbe’ award for her technical book in Kannada (Shalae
Makale Gagi Computer – meaning computers for school children)
1. Murthy completed a B.E. in Electrical Engineering from the B.V.B. 9. Award for Excellent Social Service by Rotary South – Hubli
College of Engineering & Technology, standing first in her class and 10. ‘Karnataka Rajyotsava’ State Award for the year 2000, for
receiving a gold medal from the Chief Minister of Karnataka. achievement in the field of literature and social work
 11. ‘Ojaswini’ award for excellent social worker for the year 2000  Shalamakkaligagi Computer
12. ‘Millenium Mahila Shiromani’ award  Athirikthe
13. Voted as Woman of the Year by RadioCity [Bangalore FM station]  Sukeshini Mattu Itara Makkala Kathegalu
on International Women’s Day [2002]  Computer Lokadalli
14. In 2004, Murthy was presented with the Raja-Lakshmi Award "in
recognition of her outstanding contribution to social work" by the English[edit]
Sri Raja-Lakshmi Foundation in Chennai.[12]
15. In 2006, Murthy was awarded the Padma Shri, the fourth highest-  How I Taught My Grandmother To Read(Children stories)
ranking civilian award from the Government of India, and received  Something Happened On The Way To Heaven
an honorary doctorate for her contributions in the spheres of  The Old Man And His God: Discovering the Spirit of India
social work, philanthropy, and education.[13]  The Day I Stopped Drinking Milk
16. In 2006, She also received the R.K. Narayana's Award for  Wise & Otherwise
Literature.  Gently Falls The Bakula
17. In 2011, Murthy was conferred honorary LL.D (Doctor of Laws)  The Accolades Galore
degrees for their contributions to promote formal legal education  The Bird with Golden Wings: Stories of Wit and Magic
and scholarship in India.[14]  Dollar Bahu
18. In 2013, Basava Shree-2013 Award was presented to Narayan  Grandma's Bag Of Stories (Children's fiction)
Murthy & Sudha Murthy for their contributions to society at
Basaveshwara Medical College auditorium. Basava Shree award  The Magic Drum And Other Favourite Stories (Children stories)
comprises a plaque and a cheque of `5 lakh, Sudha Murthy handed  House of Cards
over award money to an orphanage run by the mutt.[15]  The Mother I Never Knew (Two Novellas)
 Bird With Golden Wings Stories Of Wit & Magic
Books[edit]
Personal life[edit]
Kannada[edit]
Sudha met N.R. Narayana Murthy while employed as an engineer at
 Samanyaralli Asamanyaru
TELCO in Pune, and the two married.[16] The couple, Sudha and
 Mahaswethe
Narayana Murthy are blessed with two kids, Akshata and Rohan. Her
 Yashashvi
daughter Akshata married Rishi Sunak, her batch mate from
 Tumula
Stanford, a British citizen with Indian roots. He partners a hedge-
 Kaveri Inda Mekaangige
fund involved in charity in the UK.[17]
 Guttondu Heluve
 Manada Matu
 Dollar Sose Sudha Murthy said in her interview at filmfare, “I have 500 DVDs
 Paridhi that I watch in my home theatre. I see a film in totality – its direction,
 Makkaligagi - Nanna Mechina Kathegalu (Children stories) editing… all aspects. People know me as a social worker, as an
 Runa author… but no one knows me as a movie buff. That’s why I am glad
 Hakkiya Teradalli (Travelogue) to do this interview with Filmfare”. The cineaste, who even went to
the extent of watching 365 films in 365 days confides, “I could have
actually become a film journalist. I never get bored of movies!”[18] In Wise and Otherwise, Old Man and his God,The Magic Drum And
an installation ceremony of chairpersons of Ficci Ladies Organisation Other Favourite Stories[21] and Gently Falls the Bakula.[17] Marathi
(FLO), Mrs. Murthy said the advice she got from J.R.D. Tata when movie 'Pitruroon' is based on a story by Sudha Murthy.
she left her job to assist her husband Narayana Murthy to startup
company Infosys which changed her life. He told her to remember
that no one was owner of money. “You are only trustee of money and
it always changes hands. When you are successful, give it back to
society that gave you so much goodwill”.[19]

Social Activity[edit]
The wide range of Sudha Murthy’s social work covers the sectors of
healthcare, education, empowerment of women, public hygiene, art
and culture, and poverty alleviation at the grassroots level. Her vision
of a library for each school has resulted in the setting up of 50,000
libraries so far. She is helping out rural areas by building 10,000
public toilets and several hundred toilets in the city of Bangalore.
Infosys Foundation is a public charitable trust founded in 1996 and
Mrs. Sudha Murthy is one of the trustees. Through Foundation she
has built 2,300 houses in the flood affected areas. She has handled
national natural disasters like tsunami in Tamil Nadu and Andaman,
earthquake in Kutch – Gujarat, hurricane and floods in Orissa,
Andhra Pradesh and drought in Karnataka and Maharashtra. . The
Government of Karnataka awarded her the prestigious literary award,
the ‘Attimabbe Award’ –for her literary work for the year 2011–12.[20]

Bibliography[edit]
Murthy is a prolific fiction author in Kannada and English. She has
published several books, mainly through Penguin, that espouse her
philosophical views on charity, hospitality and self-realization
through fictional narratives. Some of her notable books in Kannada
are Dollar Sose, Runa, Kaveri inda Mekaangige, Hakkiya Teradalli,
Athirikthe, Guttondu Heluve. The book How I Taught My
Grandmother to Read & Other Stories has been translated into 15
languages including Hindi, Marathi and Assamese. Her latest book is
The Day I Stopped Drinking Milk. Other notable books by her are