“How It All Began” is a novel by Penelope Lively, and it tells the story of a series of interconnected events triggered by a mugging incident. Read More English Summaries.
How it all began Summary
How it all began Summary in English
The narrator Khushwant Singh was a youngman. He had his friend the Wints in Oxford. Guy Wint was working with the observer. He stayed in London most of the day. His wife, Freda had converted to Buddhism. Their son, Ben was at a boarding school.
The narrator’s companion was Allegra (Leggie). She was Wint’s three-years old daughter. The narrator worked in his room in the mornings. He, then walked with Allegra to University Cricket Grounds. He watched the game for a while and followed her back homewards. Allegra was an avid collector of wild Flowers.
The narrator had to pick the flowers of her choice in plenty. Then he , seated her on his shoulders. She stuck flowers in his turban and . beard. The narrator learnt the names of many English wild flowers from her. On weekends, the narrator spent most of the day sunning in the garden with Wint’s family. Their cherry and apple trees invited lots of birds. They sang through the day. Freda told him the difference between thrushes and blackbirds. The thrush sang each song twice. The songs of a variety of birds became familiar to the narrator. He also heard nightingales.
How it all began Summary Class 9
The narrator had no interest in nature before he went abroad. He foiled to identify many birds and trees. On returning to Delhi, he bought books, accompanied bird-watchers and horticulturists. His information about flora and fauna increased a great deal.
The narrator maintained a record of the natural phenomena he encountered in his private back-garden. It was a small rectangular plot of green enclosed by barbed wire fence and creepers. He had four avocado trees and a tail eucalyptus.
There was also a small patch of grass with some trees. He did not grow many flowers. They grew vegetables. His bird bath remains crowded with birds and stray cats. A squarish lawn was shared by other residents of Sujan Singh park. There were many large trees in it. Several nurseries in the neighbourhood attracted large number of birds. There were many wild trees and bushes Which attracted insects.
The narrator spent Sunday mornings in winter in the countryside at the banks of the Jamuna, Surajkund and the ruins of Tughlaqabad Fort. He visited those places every year to renew his familiarity with many birds and wild plants which grow all round Delhi.