Chapter 6: Expert Detectives
(From NCERT Honeycomb, Class 7 English)
Author: Sharada Dwivedi
Story Overview
"Expert Detectives" is a story about two children, Maya and Nishad (also called Seven), who are fascinated by a mysterious neighbour, Mr. Nath. They apply their amateur detective skills to uncover the truth about him, with Maya holding strong suspicions that he is a criminal, while Nishad is more sympathetic and observant of details that suggest otherwise.
Detailed Summary
Meeting Mr. Nath and the Children's Theories
The story begins with **Maya** and **Nishad (Seven)** discussing their mother's patient, **Mr. Nath**, who is recovering from a severe illness. Their mother, a doctor, finds him quite normal, but the children are intrigued by his mysterious past. Mr. Nath is a reclusive man who lives alone, has no visitors except for a fair, stout man, and rarely leaves his room. He has deep scars on his face, a fact that particularly piques Maya's suspicion.
**Maya**, the older and more logical one, is convinced he is a crook or a criminal on the run. She believes the scars are from a police shoot-out, his lack of visitors indicates his fear of being caught, and the fact that he doesn't work means he must have a hoard of stolen money hidden somewhere. She even calls him "an escapade criminal."
**Nishad**, on the other hand, is more empathetic. He feels sorry for Mr. Nath because he looks thin and lonely. He also notes that Mr. Nath is very polite to their mother and gives generous tips. Nishad once went to Mr. Nath's room with his mother and got a chance to see him up close. He was fascinated by the deep scars on Mr. Nath's face.
Nishad's Investigation
Nishad decides to take his own investigative steps. He befriends a boy named Ramesh who works at the restaurant downstairs and delivers meals to Mr. Nath. Ramesh provides some crucial information:
- Mr. Nath eats two meals a day – breakfast and evening tea – always the same food (two chapatis, dal, and vegetables).
- He pays his bill immediately and tips well.
- He never cares about the tip, which Nishad sees as a sign of being a generous man.
This information further fuels Maya's theory that he has hidden wealth. Nishad tries to point out that Mr. Nath looks poor and thin, and therefore cannot be a criminal, but Maya dismisses his observations.
The Marble Incident and New Theories
One Sunday, Mridu and Nishad are playing marbles when a marble accidentally rolls into Mr. Nath's room. Nishad goes in to retrieve it and sees the inside of his room. He observes that it's tidy, and there are very few belongings, contrary to Maya's idea of a "hoard." He also notes that there is a trunk with some old clothes and books, and a few scattered marbles on the floor.
After this visit, Nishad tells Maya that Mr. Nath is lonely and looks sad. He insists that Mr. Nath cannot be a criminal because he is so thin and lives so simply. He even feels pity for him. Maya, however, remains unconvinced. She believes his thinness is a sign of being a clever criminal who can live simply to avoid suspicion. She argues that he lives alone because no one wants to associate with a criminal. She suspects the stout visitor is his accomplice and that he is hoarding money.
Maya's "Facts" and Nishad's Compassion
Maya prepares a list of "facts" about Mr. Nath to support her theory:
- His name is Mr. Nath.
- He lives alone.
- He doesn't work and sits in his room all day.
- He doesn't have any visitors except for one stout, fair man.
- The stout man visits on Sundays and talks a lot.
- He has deep scars on his face.
- He doesn't have any friends.
Nishad finds Maya's "facts" unfair, especially her conclusion that Mr. Nath is an unhappy criminal. He argues that Mr. Nath has no friends because he is lonely, not because he is a criminal. He proposes going to meet Mr. Nath to befriend him, believing that once he makes a friend, he will open up. Maya scolds him, warning him against befriending a criminal.
The story concludes with Maya suggesting that the stout man is an accomplice, possibly the one who brings him money. Nishad is unhappy with Maya's theories and her stubborn refusal to consider Mr. Nath as anything but a criminal. He wants to be a friend to Mr. Nath.
Characters in the Story
- Maya: The older of the two children, a "self-proclaimed expert detective." She is logical, deductive, and highly suspicious. She jumps to conclusions and tries to fit all facts into her criminal theory.
- Nishad (Seven): Maya's younger brother (seven years old). He is more empathetic, observant of human details, and less judgmental. He feels pity for Mr. Nath and is inclined to believe in his innocence.
- Mr. Nath: The mysterious neighbour. He is reclusive, thin, scarred, and lives alone. He is polite and pays well. His quiet and isolated life fuels the children's fascination.
- Ramesh: The restaurant boy who delivers meals to Mr. Nath. He provides key observations about Mr. Nath's habits and payments.
- The Stout Man: Mr. Nath's only regular visitor. Maya suspects him of being an accomplice.
Themes
- Innocent Curiosity vs. Preconceived Notions: The story showcases how children's curiosity can lead to different interpretations based on their individual biases (Maya's suspicion vs. Nishad's empathy).
- Appearance vs. Reality: Mr. Nath's appearance and reclusive nature lead Maya to assume he's a criminal, while Nishad sees loneliness. The story hints that things are not always as they seem.
- Empathy and Compassion: Nishad's character highlights the importance of empathy and looking beyond superficial observations to understand someone's situation.
- Imagination and Deduction: The children's attempts at detection show the creative side of their minds, even if their conclusions are flawed.
| Word | Meaning |
|---|---|
| Piqued | Stimulated curiosity or interest |
| Reclusive | Avoiding the company of other people; solitary |
| Scars | Marks left on the skin after a wound or injury has healed |
| Poring over | Reading or studying something carefully and intently |
| Crook | A dishonest person or a criminal |
| Hoard | A stock or store of money or valued objects, typically one that is hidden or accumulated |
| Accomplice | A person who helps another commit a crime |
| Scolding | Rebuking or criticizing angrily |
| Erupting | Breaking out suddenly and dramatically |
| Groping | Feeling about or searching blindly or uncertainly with the hands |
| Stubble | The short, stiff hairs growing on a man's face when he has not shaved for a while |
| Blazing | Shining brightly or intensely |
| Glared | Stared with a fierce or angry look |
| Scoffed | Spoke to someone or about something in a scornfully derisive or mocking way |
| Mysterious | Difficult or impossible to understand, explain, or identify |
| Ghastly | Unpleasant or horrible |
| Puzzled | Unable to understand; perplexed |
| Investigate | Carry out a systematic or formal inquiry to discover and examine the facts of (an incident, allegation, etc.) so as to establish the truth |
NCERT Textbook Questions & Answers
Working With The Text
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What did Nishad find out about Mr. Nath from Ramesh?
Nishad found out from Ramesh that Mr. Nath eats two meals a day (breakfast and evening tea), always the same food (two chapatis, dal, and vegetables). He always pays his bill immediately and tips generously. He doesn't seem to care about the tip, which struck Nishad as a sign of his generosity.
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Why was Maya suspicious of Mr. Nath?
Maya was suspicious of Mr. Nath due to several reasons: he was reclusive and had no friends, he had deep scars on his face (which she thought were from a police shootout), he didn't work but had money (leading her to believe he was a hidden criminal with hoarded wealth), and his only visitor was a fair, stout man whom she suspected was his accomplice.
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Nishad thinks Mr. Nath is poor and lonely. Why?
Nishad thinks Mr. Nath is poor and lonely because he is very thin and eats simple food (only two chapatis, dal, and vegetables). He lives alone in his room, has no friends, and never receives any visitors other than the stout man on Sundays. Nishad also observed his sad and pale face, which evoked pity in him.
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Does Maya believe Nishad? Why/Why not?
No, Maya does not believe Nishad. She dismisses his observations, twisting them to fit her own theory that Mr. Nath is a criminal. For example, she believes his thinness is a clever disguise to appear poor, and his lack of friends is because criminals do not have friends.
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What does Maya think Mr. Nath’s Sunday visitor is?
Maya thinks Mr. Nath's Sunday visitor is his accomplice in crime. She believes this stout, fair man helps Mr. Nath by bringing him money from his loot or participating in their criminal activities.
Working With Language
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What do you think Nishad will ask Mr. Nath?
Nishad will likely ask Mr. Nath about his scars, why he lives alone, why he doesn't have friends, and perhaps offer to be his friend. He might ask about his past and how he got the scars, driven by his natural curiosity and desire to understand rather than accuse.
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The word 'scars' has several meanings. Match the words given in the box with their meanings in the sentences below.
- bruise
- marks
- pitting
- marks left on a surface
- An area of skin discoloured by a blow or impact: **bruise**
- To leave a permanent mark on the skin: **scars** (or marks, if referring to skin directly)
- A permanent mark left on a surface, often from damage: **marks left on a surface**
- The effect of disease on the skin leaving a permanent mark: **pitting**
- An indentation or hollow in a surface: **pitting**
(Answers filled directly into the blanks above.)
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The story uses many descriptive words to talk about Mr. Nath. Fill in the blanks with appropriate adjectives.
- Mr. Nath was a **thin**, **lonely**, and **mysterious** man.
- His face bore deep **scars**.
- His visitor was a **fair**, **stout** man.
(Answers filled directly into the blanks above.)
Extra Questions & Answers
Short Answer Questions (30-40 words)
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Why was Mr. Nath called "an escapade criminal" by Maya?
Maya called Mr. Nath "an escapade criminal" because she believed he was a dangerous criminal who had escaped from prison. His reclusive lifestyle, lack of work, and visible scars led her to this conclusion.
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What was Nishad's initial reaction after seeing Mr. Nath?
Nishad's initial reaction after seeing Mr. Nath was to feel pity for him. He thought Mr. Nath looked thin and poor, and he was intrigued by the deep scars on his face.
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Describe Mr. Nath's only regular visitor.
Mr. Nath's only regular visitor was a fair-complexioned, stout man. He visited Mr. Nath every Sunday afternoon, and he was observed to be quite talkative.
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What does Nishad's behavior tell us about his personality?
Nishad's behavior tells us he is observant, empathetic, and compassionate. He looks beyond superficial appearances and tries to understand people's situations, showing kindness even when others are suspicious.
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How did Ramesh's information about Mr. Nath's meals influence Maya's theory?
Ramesh's information that Mr. Nath ate simple, cheap meals and paid well only strengthened Maya's theory. She interpreted his simple diet as a clever tactic to blend in, and his prompt, generous payments as proof that he had a large hoard of ill-gotten money.
Long Answer Questions (80-100 words)
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Compare and contrast the personalities and detective approaches of Maya and Nishad regarding Mr. Nath.
Maya and Nishad, though siblings, have contrasting personalities and detective approaches. **Maya** is logical, deductive, and highly suspicious. She jumps to conclusions, fitting every observation into her preconceived notion of Mr. Nath as a criminal. She relies on "facts" that confirm her bias. **Nishad**, on the other hand, is empathetic, observant of nuances, and less judgmental. He feels pity for Mr. Nath's loneliness and poverty, looking for signs of humanity rather than criminality. While Maya seeks to prove a theory, Nishad genuinely tries to understand Mr. Nath. Their contrasting views highlight different ways of perceiving reality.
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Do you think Mr. Nath is a criminal? Give reasons for your answer based on the story.
Based solely on the story "Expert Detectives," there is **no concrete evidence** to suggest Mr. Nath is a criminal. All the "evidence" Maya gathers is circumstantial and interpreted through her biased lens. His reclusive nature, thinness, simple meals, and lack of friends could simply indicate loneliness, poverty, or a desire for privacy, not necessarily criminality. The scars could be from an accident or illness. While mysterious, the narrative does not provide any actual facts that link him to criminal activity, leaving his true identity open to the reader's interpretation, much like Nishad's empathetic view.
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What lesson can we learn about making assumptions about people from the story "Expert Detectives"?
The story "Expert Detectives" teaches us a valuable lesson about the dangers of making assumptions about people based on limited information or superficial appearances. Maya, with her preconceived notion, interprets every detail about Mr. Nath in a negative light, fitting him into her "criminal" theory. Nishad, however, looks beyond the surface, recognizing signs of loneliness and vulnerability. The story subtly suggests that one should approach others with an open mind and empathy, rather than suspicion and judgment. It encourages readers to seek understanding and facts before forming opinions, as initial impressions can often be misleading and unfair.
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