Seven year old KoroungamaKumamlived in Bishnupur district of Manipur. He had a 4-year old sister Thoibi. His parents used to catch fish in the streams for family's consumption and selling it in the market.

On July 11, 2011, KoroungamaKumam and his sister Thoibi were sleeping in their house. His mother and father had left the home in the early hours of the morning for catching fish in the streams, leaving their children sleeping. Suddenly, there was a short circuit in the bedroom and there was a fire. 

Koroungama felt the heat on his feet and suddenly realized that their house was on fire. At first he felt a little helpless, but suddenly he remembered how in the cartoon animation series 'Tom and Jerry',Tom used a blanket to douse the fire. Using his presence of mind, he adopted the same technique to put off the fire.He himself sustained burns on his hair, face, feet and thighs — but his sister Thoibi was unharmed.

Koroungama's motherSophiya used to scold him for watching too much of TV and cartoons earlier. But after this incident, she did not stop him to enjoy his programmes. She said that if Koroungama had not learnt this technique from the cartoon, then she would have lost her children in the fire.

The outstanding courage shown by KoroungamaKumam to save his younger sister from the devastating fire won him a National Bravery Award on 26th January 2013.

KoroungamaKumam was the youngest recipient of the Bravery Award.

We should applaud the courage and wit shown by the KoroungamaKumam.

Moral:One should always apply the knowledge, one has learnt, practically and wisely.

Questions:

Q1.Where wasKoroungama when the fire broke out and what was he doing? Where were his parents?

Q2.How the fire took place? How did Koroungamaknow that the fire had broken? What did he do then?

Q3.How did Koroungama save his sister and from where did he learn the technique?

Q4.What did his mother say about him? Why did she scold him earlier and why did she stop doing it?  

Q5.What award was conferred to Koroungama and what was his age then?

Glossary

Douse            :   Extinguish

Devastating   :   Highly destructive or damaging

Recipient       :   A person or thing that receives or is awarded something

Applaud        :   Show approval or praise by clapping