Madam Rides the Bus Class 10 English First Flight Chapter 7 CBSE Notes 2025-26

CBSE Class 10 English First Flight Chapter 7, “Madam Rides the Bus”, centers on Valli, an eight-year-old girl whose curiosity about the world is ignited by the simple, routine sight of a bus passing through her village. 

Over time, Valli develops a deep longing to ride the bus to town, and she carefully gathers information, listening to conversations and asking indirect questions to understand every little detail about the fare, journey time, and the way to return home. 

Her innocence, determination, and planning skills are highlighted as she saves her pocket money with great discipline, denying herself small pleasures to make her dream journey come true.

Valli’s favorite activity is to stand at her doorway watching the happenings on the street, as there are no other children to play with in her neighborhood. Watching the bus pass by every hour brings her great joy. 

She dreams of taking a ride, and this desire grows stronger each day. Valli asks discreet questions to figure out the trip details – the fare is thirty paise one way, the distance to the nearby town is six miles, and the bus takes about forty-five minutes to reach its destination. 

To return, she needs to pay another thirty paise for another ticket, making a total of sixty paise for the round trip. She calculates and recalculates her options to make the trip without her mother knowing.

To save money, Valli makes sacrifices, resisting the temptation to buy treats, toys, or ride the merry-go-round at the fair. She collects sixty paise over several months. 

She chooses to travel when her mother is napping, using the regular nap time to slip out and board the bus. This shows her careful planning as well as her sense of independence, as she handles everything on her own without help from adults.

On the day of her adventure, Valli hails the bus herself and insists on boarding without help, displaying confidence. The conductor welcomes her playfully by addressing her as “madam”, while the passengers are amused by her mature demeanor. 

Sitting at the front, Valli observes everything eagerly – the new bus, the clock above the windshield, the silver overhead bars, and the soft seats. Unable to see well from her seat, she stands up to look out, prompting warnings from an elderly man about safety. Valli’s pride in her independence is consistently shown, as she insists she is not a child and manages all on her own.

The journey is full of things that fascinate Valli. Out the window, she sees the canal, palm trees, green fields, distant hills, and blue skies. She especially enjoys witnessing a young cow running wildly in front of the bus, finding it funny enough to laugh with tears in her eyes. Throughout the journey, Valli takes in the lively market, big shops, crowds, trains rushing by at crossings, and roadside scenes highlighted in the story.

Valli insists on paying for her ticket herself and does not want help from the conductor or other adults. When an elderly woman tries to engage her in conversation, Valli finds her unattractive and avoids her, choosing instead to watch the outdoor scenes. 

The conductor, amused by her maturity, continues to call her “madam” as a mark of respect and playfulness. Valli’s determination shows as she refuses both the woman’s concern and the conductor’s offer to buy her a cold drink at the bus stand, explaining that she has no extra money left and is content to simply enjoy the ride.

On the return journey, Valli observes the same beautiful sights with undiminished excitement at first. However, she is suddenly confronted with the sad reality of life and death when she sees the young cow, which had amused her earlier, now lying dead by the roadside after being hit by a vehicle. 

The sight of the lifeless cow troubles her and dampens her spirits for the rest of the journey. This moment of realization marks her first encounter with the concept of mortality and the unpredictability of life.

The story emphasizes Valli’s resourcefulness, independence, and determination. She is sensitive, disciplined, and shows maturity beyond her years. 

Her adventure is not just a bus ride but a journey of growth, learning, and coming face-to-face with new emotions like sorrow and empathy. She demonstrates responsibility by staying within her limits, both in terms of money and behavior.

The lesson provides oral comprehension questions and written activities to test understanding. Students are encouraged to discuss what they observe during journeys, reflect on planning and personal adventures, and debate the importance of road safety. Some related activities involve collecting and classifying tickets or discussing financial responsibility.

A helpful glossary supports the reader, clarifying terms like “wistfully” (longingly), “slack time” (not busy period), “thriftily” (saving money cautiously), and “spreadeagled” (spread out).

Alongside the story, Chapter 7 includes the poem “The Tale of Custard the Dragon” by Ogden Nash. This humorous ballad plays with the idea of bravery and appearances. Belinda’s pet dragon Custard, whom everyone calls cowardly, proves brave by saving the household when a pirate appears, highlighting themes of courage and not judging by outward behavior.

Key questions prompt students to identify poetic devices like similes and rhyme schemes. The poem uses rich imagery to paint clear pictures of the characters and their actions. The ballad format makes it enjoyable and memorable, reinforcing the lesson’s themes in a playful way.

Chapter 7, “Madam Rides the Bus”, is an engaging narrative about Valli’s imaginative and thoughtful approach to exploring the world. The lesson captures both the innocence and the growth that comes through new experiences. Alongside the poem, it provides valuable insights into child psychology, responsibility, and courage, making it a critical chapter for revision.

Class 10 English Chapter 7 Notes – Madam Rides the Bus: Important Revision Points

These revision notes cover every important detail from CBSE Class 10 English First Flight Chapter 7, making your exam preparation more focused and effective. Key points, glossary definitions, and main events are presented in simple language for quick understanding. Use these notes to easily recall critical information and boost your confidence before the test.

With a blend of story highlights and poem summaries, these English Chapter 7 notes help you grasp character traits, themes, and key incidents. Questions and activities included will guide your practice and revision for upcoming exams. Prepare smarter and stay ahead with clear, well-organized study material right at your fingertips!