Class 11 English Hornbill Chapter 5 – Silk Road (Nick Middleton) Summary

 

NCERT Solutions For Class 11 English

Hornbill

Chapter 5 – Silk Road (Nick Middleton)

Summary

The main character desired to undertake the kora at Mount Kailash and enlisted Tsetan as the driver for the journey. As a parting gesture, Lhamo presented him with a long-sleeved sheepskin coat. Daniel accompanied him until Darchen.

 

Commencing the journey, Tsetan opted for a southwest shortcut, a direct path to Mount Kailash involving the crossing of high mountain passes. Tsetan assured that the absence of snow wouldn't pose any issues. Along the way, they encountered gazelles, a herd of wild asses, and shepherds tending their flocks.

 

Upon reaching a hill, they passed dark tents serving as homes for nomads, guarded by Tibetan mastiffs with imposing jaws. These dogs chased their car as they neared the tents. Upon entering the valley, they were greeted by snow-capped mountains, icy rivers, and roads with sharper turns and bumps. Tsetan, navigating in third gear, maneuvered through the challenging terrain. The protagonist, feeling ear pressure, cleared congestion by holding his nose and snorting. At 5210 meters above sea level, he checked his watch.

 

Encountering a snow-filled road, Tsetan carefully drove by throwing dirt on the snow. The journey continued, with the protagonist experiencing a headache, alleviated by sips of water. As they ascended to 5515 meters above sea level, they encountered a hurdle — a snow-covered road. Tsetan warned against smoking due to petrol expansion from low atmospheric pressure.

 

Around 2 o'clock in the afternoon, they halted for lunch, and the protagonist's headache had subsided. By late afternoon, they reached the town of 'Hor' and rejoined the east-west highway, an old route from Lhasa to Kashmir. Daniel left for Lhasa, while Tsetan fixed car punctures. The protagonist waited at a local café, finding Hor to be a dismal place. Later, Tsetan rejoined, and they resumed their journey.

 

At 10:30 pm, they lodged at a guest house in Darchen. The protagonist fell ill due to altitude change and cold weather, staying awake all night. The next morning, Tsetan took him to a Tibetan medical college, where he received a five-day course of medicines from a Tibetan doctor in a brown envelope. After a day of medication, he felt better. Tsetan left, ensuring his health, while the protagonist remained in Darchen.

 

Darchen, lacking pilgrims, had a general store and a solitary café. Men gathered to play pool daily, and women washed their hair in a narrow stream. In the absence of pilgrims, the protagonist met Norbu in the café. Norbu, a Tibetan working in Beijing, had come to complete the kora. Despite his difficulty walking due to his size, the protagonist decided to embark on the pilgrimage with him. They hired yaks to carry their luggage. However, Norbu jokingly declared his incapacity by collapsing across the table, emphasizing his large tummy.