“Expert Detectives” by Sharada Dwivedi

Introduction:

• “Expert Detectives” by Sharada Dwivedi is a story about two siblings, Maya and Nishad, who investigate their mysterious neighbor, Mr. Nath.

Key Points:

1. Maya’s Investigation:

   • Maya suspects that Mr. Nath, their neighbor, has hidden money somewhere in his room.
   • She speculates that Mr. Nath’s scars might be from a shootout with the police, while Nishad insists they are burn scars.
   • Maya suggests that Mr. Nath’s trunk might be filled with valuable items like silver, gold, and jewels.

2. Nishad’s Encounter with Mr. Nath:

   • Seven, or Nishad, visits Mr. Nath and offers him a chocolate, expressing concern about his gaunt appearance.
   • Mr. Nath responds sarcastically, indicating that he recognizes Nishad.
   • Nishad tries to peek into Mr. Nath’s trunk but is not invited inside. However, he learns from Ramesh, a restaurant worker, about Mr. Nath’s eating habits and a mysterious visitor who joins him for lunch on Sundays.

3. Maya’s Investigation Report:

   • Maya creates a list of facts about Mr. Nath, attempting to build a case against him as a crook.
   • Nishad expresses sympathy for Mr. Nath’s loneliness and tries to understand his circumstances.
   • Maya insists that Mr. Nath must be a criminal, theorizing that he has an accomplice who brings him the loot.

4. Conflict between Maya and Nishad:

   • Maya is frustrated with Nishad’s reluctance to consider Mr. Nath a crook.
   • Nishad wants to understand Mr. Nath’s loneliness and thinness, suggesting that there might be more to the story than criminal activity.
   • Maya argues that Mr. Nath’s behavior and lack of friends indicate his guilt.

Discussion Questions:

1. What did Nishad give Mr. Nath? Why?

   • This question prompts students to recall Nishad’s encounter with Mr. Nath and his gesture of offering him a chocolate.

2. What is “strange” about Mr. Nath’s Sundays?

   • Students are encouraged to identify the peculiar aspect of Mr. Nath’s Sunday lunches as observed by Ramesh.

3. Why did Nishad and Maya get a holiday?

   • This question helps students recall the reason for the unexpected holiday mentioned in the text.

Extension Activity:

• Character Analysis:
  • Students can analyze the differences in Maya and Nishad’s approaches to investigating Mr. Nath and discuss how their personalities shape their perceptions and actions.