NCERT English Class 11 | Chapter 8 | Silk Road | Summary

In Silk Road, the story's author, Nick Middleton, discusses his trek to Mount Kailash. The author wants to visit Mt. Kailash in order to finish his Kora. As a result, he employs Tsetan to transport him to the top of the mountain. He obtains a long-sleeved sheepskin coat while parting with Lhamo. The author brings Daniel with him to Darchen in order to gain friendship.

Tsetan takes a detour to the southwest when they first set out on their expedition. It is a direct way to Mt. Kailash, he claims. They would have to cross high mountain passes to get to their goal. Tsetan tells them, however, that due to the absence of snow, it will be simple to do so. They pass by a small herd of gazelles, a herd of wild asses, and shepherds tending to their flocks on their route.

When they go to the top of the hill, they observe dark tents. They discover they are nomads' tents and notice a Tibetan mastiff guarding them. When they got close to the tents, the large-jawed dogs chased after their car. They see mountains and rivers blanketed in snow and ice as they enter the valley.

The trip up the slope begins to become more abrasive and bumpy. The author could feel the strain as they climbed higher and realised they were at 5210 metres above sea level. They were out and about after passing the initial obstacle of snow-covered roadways. Due to the author's height and pressure, he begins to feel uneasy. They take a break for lunch at 2:00 p.m.

In the late afternoon, they arrive in the small village of 'Hor.' In Hor, the author took a break and sat at a small café, sipping tea. Tsetan had the automobile restored during this time, and Daniel left for Lhasa. Hor was not a favourite of the author. They spend the night in a guest lodge in Darchen after beginning their trek. We witness how, as a result of the altitude difference and the cold weather, he struggles with nasal congestion. He visits a Tibetan doctor and is prescribed a five-day course of antibiotics.

He feels better after that and enjoys his time in Darchen, where he meets another pilgrim named Norbu. Because Darchen has no pilgrims, the author is relieved and chooses to accompany him on his journey. Finally, they hire yaks to transport their belongings, and Norbu gives up while laughing and slumping across the table. Norbu claims that it would be impossible for him and that he also had a large stomach.


Poem: Father to Son by Elizabeth Jennings

The generation gap and lack of communication between father and son are highlighted in this poem, which is a worldwide issue. The poem opens with a father's grief that he does not comprehend his child despite the fact that they have lived together for many years in the same house. He admits that he has no knowledge of him. He tries to create a relationship with him based on what he knows about him since he was a child in order to better understand him.

The thread that connects the two, however, is lacking. He seemed to have missed the connection in some way. He has either damaged or misplaced this seed in an area that does not belong to him. As a result, there is a loss of connection and affinity. They speak as if they are strangers, and there is no hint of mutual understanding. The rising distance between the two generations is highlighted by the absence of conversation between father and son. Although the father confesses that the child's physical appearance is dictated by his own wants, their hobbies are divergent. He is unable to share his son's passions.

Lack of communication stems from a lack of shared interests. The son is preoccupied with finding new paths for himself and retreating into his own world. The father hopes that his son would come back to him as the prodigal son. He would sooner return to his familiar surroundings than embark on an expedition to unknown and foreign countries. He, like the prodigal son's father in the traditional myth, would forgive his son. From the anguish of losing worldly fortune as a result of his son's enterprises, he intended to develop a new love.

Finally, the father comes to terms with his situation. He and his son must share the same planet and piece of land. When the son speaks now, the father is unable to comprehend what he is saying. He appears to be unable to comprehend himself, as the son is the spitting image of the father. Anger is a result of separation pain. They make no attempt to compensate for the loss. They extend an empty hand. However, he has a deep need for something that will enable him to forgive and forget his sorrow.


1. The Portrait of a Lady summary

2. 'We're Not Afraid to Die…if We Can All Be Together' summary

3. Discovering Tut : the Saga Continues summary

4. Landscape of the Soul summary

5. The Ailing Planet : the Green Movement ' s Role summary

6. The Browning Version summary

7. The Adventure summary

8. Silk Road summary

9. Note-making summary

10. Summarising summary

11. Sub-titling summary

12. Essay-writing summary

13. Letter-writing summary

14. Creative Writing summary


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