26
Working with a classical text and dictionaries
Textbook: p. 42
GoalRead the continuation of Navoiy’s “Valley of Talab” expressively and work with the glossary.
New words
elephant · piltiger · palangdragon · ajdahoant · mo‘r
Explanation
In the continuation of the “Valley of Talab” extract the obstacles on the seeker’s path are drawn with vivid images: an angry elephant, a tiger, a dragon, even a lame ant. The idea is that a person firmly set on the goal should not fear these dangers and should overcome them. A classical text has many old words: pil — elephant, palang — tiger, mo‘r — ant, lang — lame. We study the text in two steps: first read it in verse form with the aruz rhythm, then retell each stanza in prose. Compare the continuation with the earlier part and write your own conclusion about the valley.
Worked examples
Prose retelling (sample): “Even if a dreadful beast appears on your path, do not turn back from the goal.”
In our own sentence: old “pil” — modern “fil”; old “lang” — modern “cho‘loq”.
Class activity
Three groups: one reads the verse expressively, one retells in prose, one counts glossary words; the group that remembers most wins.
Practice
1
Modern form and meaning of pil, palang, mo‘r?
Pil — elephant, palang — tiger, mo‘r — ant.
2
What do the images (elephant, tiger, dragon) mean in the extract?
The great difficulties and dangers on the way to the goal.
3
How should one work when retelling a classical text in prose?
First find the meaning of old words, then give the stanza’s content in simple connected sentences.
4
Why is comparing the two parts useful?
Because the overall idea of the valley — patience and resolve — becomes clearer.