PDF chapter test TRY NOW
I knew him from the days of my extreme youth, because he made my father’s boots. He lived with his elder brother in his shop, which was in a small by-street in a fashionable part of London.
The shop had a certain quiet distinction. There was no sign upon it other than the name of Gessler Brothers; and in the window a few pairs of boots. He made only what was ordered, and what he made never failed to fit. To make boots—such boots as he made—seemed to me then, and still seems to me, mysterious and wonderful.
'John Galsworthy' is the author of the lesson 'Quality'. The author of this story spoke about a wonderful man who spent his entire life working on quality. His name was Gessler. He was the story's protagonist and the youngest of two Gessler brothers. He worked as a bootmaker. Since the author was a child, he had known Gessler as the designer of the author's father's boots. The bootmaker lived with his brother at the shop, which indicates that he did not have a home.
The Gessler brothers were German immigrants who started their bootmaking business on a small bystreet in a famous part of London.
Although there were numerous shops on the street, the bootmaker's shop stood out. Unlike other shops, the author's favourite bootmaker's shop appeared to be simple. Outside the shop, only the name Gessler Brothers and a few pairs of boots on display were seen.
Although there were numerous shops on the street, the bootmaker's shop stood out. Unlike other shops, the author's favourite bootmaker's shop appeared to be simple. Outside the shop, only the name Gessler Brothers and a few pairs of boots on display were seen.
Boots on the display
Gessler brothers never made any readymade boots because they were more concerned about quality. They stitched boots only according to the customer's foot size and the style the customer would desire. So, Gessler made only what was ordered, and everything he made was perfect. One could not find any flaw in the boots he made.
According to the author, the bootmaker was solely reliant on his hard work and skill. As a result, he didn't want his shop to be advertised. Nevertheless, the author has always admired and appreciated the boots made by the bootmaker. The author was amazed by the bootmaker's handiwork and wondered as to how he achieved such perfection.
According to the author, the bootmaker was solely reliant on his hard work and skill. As a result, he didn't want his shop to be advertised. Nevertheless, the author has always admired and appreciated the boots made by the bootmaker. The author was amazed by the bootmaker's handiwork and wondered as to how he achieved such perfection.
Meaning of difficult words:
S.No | Words | Meaning |
1. | By-street | A side street or lane |
2. | Mysterious | A strange thing that one cannot understand |
3. | Essence | The basic or most important feature of something |
4. | Fashionable place | Popular place with rich people |
5. | Distinction | Difference |
6. | Reliant on | Depending on |
7. | Handiwork | Something impressive that someone has done |
8. | Awestruck | Feeling very impressed by something |
9. | Protagonist | The main character in a story, film etc. |
Reference:
National Council of Educational Research and Training (2007). Honeycomb. Quality - John Galsworthy (pp. 71-78). Published at the Publication Division by the Secretary, National Council of Educational Research and Training, Sri Aurobindo Marg, New Delhi.
Register for free to see more content