The Sacred Turtles of Kadavu

Question 1. How, according to the legend, did the warriors of Kadavu save themselves a long journey
by sea?
Answer: According to the legend, the warriors of Kadavu saved themselves a long journey by sea by
sliding their canoes on rollers up over the narrow neck of land. This way they could avoid the long
journey around the east and the west of the Kadavu island.

Question 2. The turtles will not rise to the surface of the bay if any member of the nearby village of
Nabukulevu is present there. What could be the reason?
Answer: It was the fishermen of Nabukelevu who tried to take away Tinaicoboga, the wife of the
chief of Namuana, and her daughter Raudalice. These two women saved themselves by turning into
turtles. The turtles that now live in the bay are the descendants of these two women. The people of
Namuana and Nabukelevu are great rivals. That is why the turtles will not rise to the surface if any
member of the village of Nabukulevu is present during the turtle calling by the Namuana maidens.

Question 3. Are all rituals strange? Why?

Answer: Yes, all the rituals are strange. They are strange because in all of them some impossible
things are described. As they are passed from generation to generation, people go on adding things
to the original story according to their imagination.

Question 4. Comment on the opening sentence of the legend.

Answer: The opening sentence is the typical way of starting a story. Here the syntax (the order or the
arrangement of words) is also changed. It says ‘Many, many years go,…. lived a very lovely princess
called Tinaicoboga”. The verb here comes before the subject.

Question 5. What happens to the two women when they go fishing?

Answer: When the two women go fishing, they are seized by the fishermen from the neighbouring
village. Their hands and feet are tied and they are thrown into the hold of the canoe of the
fishermen. As the women are taken away a storm rises in the sea and the canoe is in danger of
drowning. The women turn into turtles and they are thrown into the sea by the fishermen. The belief
is that the turtles that live in the Kadavu bay are the descendants of these two women.

Question 6. What does the change in weather signify?

Answer: The change in weather signifies that the gods of the sea answered the prayers of the two
women – Tinaicoboga and her daughter Raudalice. The changed weather would help them to escape
from the captivity of the fishermen from Nabukelevu.

Question 7. Why are the women dressed in mourning?

Answer: They are dressed in mourning because they had lost the wife of their chief and her daughter
– Tinaicoboga and Raudalice. Since they changed into turtles and never returned to their village, they
were as good as dead.

Question 8. What do the lines of the song indicate?

Answer: The lines of the song indicate that the women of Namuana love the wife of their chief and
her daughter – Tinaicoboga and Raudalice and they also want to have a look at them.

(Debate)
Question 1. Conduct a debate on the topic: Are women empowered in our society?
Answer: For:
a. Women are empowered in our society.
b. We have powerful women like Sonia Gandhi, Mamata Banerjee and Mayawati.
c. Mrs. Indira Gandhi was the strongest Prime Minister India had.
d. Women have the same political rights as men.
e. In government services and public undertakings, women get the same salary for the same job.
f. Women are given preferential treatment when it comes to education and health care.
g. There are many programmes today meant for the empowerment of women.

Against:
a. The equal rights for women are limited to the paper.
b. Women don’t get equal pay with men especially in the private sector.
c. Women are treated as second class citizens.
d. In the home, man commands and the woman obeys.
e. There are so many limitations to the mode of dressing and such things for women.
f. No religion lets women to be priests. Some religion even deny access to women to their places of
worship.
g. Because Manu had said in the past ‘Na Sthree Swatantryamarhati’, many people don’t let their
women have any kind of freedom.
h. Even now the dowry system is very much active in different names like share & pocket money.
i. Rapes and such heinous crimes against women are rampant.

Question 2. You have read the story of an unusual Fijian ritual. Can you think of similar rituals
practised in your locality?
Answer: Onam is a festival that is celebrated by all the Malayalees. It is commemorated every year
because of a legend. King Mahabali ruled Kerala and he was a just ruler. All the people were treated
equally. There was liberty, equality and fraternity in the land. There was happiness everywhere.
People here were happier than the inhabitants of heaven. So they became jealous. So one god,
disguised as an ascetic, Vamana, came to Mahabali and requested him to give him three feet of land
to sit and do his ‘tapassu’. The generous Mahabali gladly granted his wish. Then suddenly Vamana
began to grow in size and he was as tall as the sky. With one foot he measured the entire land of
Mahabali, with the second foot he measured the skies above the land.
Then he asked Mahabali where he would have his third foot of land. Mahabali bent his head and told
him he can have it there. Vamana put his foot on Mahabali’s head and Mahabali was pushed deep
down into the underworld. As he was going down, he asked Vamana to give him a boon: He should
be allowed to come back and visit his beloved people once a year. His request was granted. The
Kerala people believe that Mahabali comes to earth to see them every year on Thiruvonam day.
To receive their beloved king, the people make pookkalams in their yards. They make sumptuous
meals. They wear new clothes and adorn themselves as best as they can. They also have some folk
dances and other entertaining things to welcome their great king. It is a festive season in Kerala and
everybody looks happy on that day. The occasion is commercially exploited by businessmen to sell all
kinds of things. It is the holiday season for Keralites and people organise tours and various other
activities.

(Travel Brochure)
Question 3. Let’s prepare a travel brochure of a place of your choice.
Answer: Niagara in Kerala? Yes, Athirappally Falls in Kerala is nicknamed The Niagara of India’. It is a
24-metre (80 ft).waterfall near the Vazhachal Forest Division and the Sholayar ranges. It is a thrilling
sight especially in the monsoon season. At the Athirappally Falls, the water of the Chalakudy River
surges around big rocks and cascades down in three separate paths. Below the falls the river remains
turbulent for about 1 km. Then it calms down and flows smoothly until reaching the dam at
Thumboormuzhi.
Wildlife in the area includes the Asiatic elephant, tiger, leopard, bison, sambar and the lion-tailed
monkey. Different types of hornbill live in this area. Plantations in the area contain teak, bamboo
and eucalyptus. This area is renowned for its biodiversity. You will see God’s plenty here. Visitors can
reach the top of the waterfall via a paved path that leads through thick bamboo clusters. A steep
narrow path also leads to the bottom of the falls. The best time to visit this wonderful place is
between June and September. Many films are shot here because of its glory, splendour and scenic
extravaganza. If you love Nature, beauty and adventure, come to Athirappally and enjoy its
breathtaking view. It is truly the Niagara of India. Niagara is much bigger but it does not have the
wildlife and the biodiversity seen in this miraculous place.
Athirappally is 30 km to the west of Chalakudy. The journey from Chalakudy to the Falls passes
through a landscape of winding roads, small villages and lush green trees. If you enjoy local food, you
will find a lot of small restaurants on your way where you can enjoy local dishes. But be careful!
Some of them could be very spicy and hot!
(Travel Info)
Question 4. Let’s prepare a Travel Info of a place of your choice.
Answer: Travel Info – Malampuzha Dam
Getting there : You can get to Malampuzha by road, train or plane, The nearest railway station is
Palakkad Junction. The distance will be then 7km by road. The nearest airport is Coimbatore, From
there the distance to Malampuzha is 55 km by road.
Information about Malampuzha Dam: It is the largest reservoir in Kerala, with the scenic hills of the
Western Ghats in the background. It is a combination of a masonry dam with a length of 1,849
metres and an earthen dam with a length of 220 metres. The dam is 6,066 feet high and crosses the
Malampuzha River, a tributary of Bharathappuzha.
Don’t miss out: The Dam, amusement park, boating facilities, rock garden and ropeway.
Around the reservoir of the dam are gardens and amusement parks. Boating facilities are available
on the lake.
Cuisine : Fried Karimeen – A true treat for you – fish are freshly caught and fried – supplied with
potato chips and special hot chutney.

(Conversation)
Question 5. Decide on a place to visit and approach a travel agency to make arrangements. Write a
conversation between you and the travel agent.
Answer: You : Is that Intersight, the Tour Company?
Agent: Insight here, I am Tom. How can I help you?
You : I saw your advertisement in Malayala Manorama about the 8-days tour of Europe, starting on
19th April. I would like to join you.
Agent: You are welcome. To book you have to pay an initial amount of Rs. 30,000/-. Then you send
us your passport. We have to get you a European visa.
You : When should I pay the rest of the amount?
Agent: It should be paid when you get the visa. We will let you know of the date.
You : How many are there in the group?
Agent: You are the 33rd member of the group.
You : What are the things I must bring with me?
Agent: You will need warm clothes as Europe is still cold in April. You should also bring your essential
medicines. You can’t buy medicines in Europe as you buy them in India. You will need a doctor’s
prescription and seeing a doctor could be quite expensive and time-consuming. Carry your camera
with you as you will like to take photographs. Keep some Euros with you, in case you want to buy
something special.
You : How much luggage can I carry?
Agent: You can carry 30 kgs. Bu I suggest you take the minimum luggage. Less luggage, more
comfort.
You : Okay, thanks. I will send you the passport and the money soon.
Agent: That’s fine. I assure you that it will be a memorable trip. Bye!
You : Bye!

(Introductory speech)
Question 6. Imagine yourself to be a travel guide. A group of tourists visits one or the most popular
tourist spots of your locality. How would you welcome them?
Prepare the script of a speech you will make on the occasion, introducing the tourist spot to the
visitors.
Answer: Welcoming Tourists : Ladies and gentlemen, you are welcome to God’s Own Country,
Kerala! I am your guide Joe. I will be with you during the entire tour of this place. I assure you that
you will enjoy here. Here you are going to see some amazing sights. Be ready with your camera.
These are some sights and sounds that will thrill you and you will come back again and again to see
them and hear them!
Describing the location : This is Athirappally Falls. It is called The Niagara of India’. It is a 24-metre (80
ft) waterfall near the Vazhachal Forest Division and the Sholayar ranges. It is a thrilling sight
especially in the rainy season. At the Athirappally Falls, the water of the Chalakudy River surges
around big rocks and cascades down in three separate paths. Below the falls the river remains
turbulent for about 1 km. Then it calms down and flows smoothly until reaching the dam at
Thumboormuzhi.
Introducing special events/highlights : Here soon you are going to see the Asiatic elephant, tiger,
leopard, bison, sambar and the lion-tailed monkey. Different types of hornbill are also here. You will
see teak, bamboo and eucalyptus. This area is renowned for its biodiversity. You will see God’s
plenty here. We will go to the top of the waterfall via a paved path that leads through thick bamboo
clusters. A steep narrow path also leads to the bottom of the falls. Many films are shot here because
of its glory, splendour and scenic extravaganza. If you love Nature, beauty and adventure, you will
love this place. Niagara may be much bigger but it does not have the wildlife and the biodiversity
seen in this miraculous place. Don’t forget to shoot these sights!
Offering advice : If you are weak or tired, don’t climb up to the top or go down to the bottom. The
place could be slippery. Make sure your shoes have good grips: Taking a stick with you will be
helpful.
Closing remarks: I hope you have enjoyed the sights and sounds. Thanks for coming. Come again!