English Language & Literature — CBSE Class 10 board question

Childhood memories remind us of the days gone by, shaping who we become.

The narrator in 'A Baker from Goa' recalls a carefree, joyful childhood filled with the aroma of fresh bread, the jingle of the baker's bamboo staff, and the excitement of rushing out to greet him each morning. His memories are warm and festive — bread was central to every celebration, and the baker was a beloved figure in the community. His childhood was free, happy, and rooted in the rich traditions of Goan-Portuguese culture.

In contrast, Nelson Mandela grew up under the oppressive apartheid system in South Africa, where people were separated by race. He was not born free. His childhood gradually awakened him to injustice, and his hunger for freedom grew with experience. He witnessed suffering that shaped his extraordinary courage and character.

Thus, while the narrator's childhood is one of sweetness and nostalgia, Mandela's is one of awakening and resistance — both, however, deeply shaped by their surroundings.

Source: First Flight — 'A Baker from Goa' (Chapter 7); 'Nelson Mandela: Long Walk to Freedom' (Chapter 2)

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• The examiner expects a comparative presentation draft — introduce both childhoods, contrast them clearly, then conclude.
• Key points to include: narrator's joy/freedom/Goan traditions vs. Mandela's oppression/apartheid/growing hunger for freedom.
• Quote Mandela's own words where possible: "I was not born with a hunger to be free" — this scores well.
• Keep the tone formal (it's a presentation draft) but personal and reflective.
• Do not exceed 150 words; every sentence must add contrast or comparison — no padding.