In comics what the characters speak is put in bubbles. This is direct narration. When we report what the characters speak, we use the method of indirect narration.

Study these examples.

First farmer: Why are your men taking away the entire crop?
Second farmer: Your men have taken away everything.

Officer: You are still in arrears. If you don’t pay tax next week, I’ll send you to jail.
The first farmer asked the officer why his men were taking away the entire crop.
The second farmer said that their men had taken away everything.

The officer replied that they were still in arrears and warned them that if they did not pay tax the following week, he (the officer) would send them (the farmers) to jail.

1. Change the following sentences into indirect speech.

(i) First man: We must educate our brothers.
Second man: And try to improve their material conditions.
Third man: For that we must convey our grievances to the British Parliament. The

first man said that __________________________
The second man added that
The third man suggested that

(ii) First soldier: The white soldier gets huge pay, mansions and servants.
Second soldier: We get a pittance and slow promotions.
Third soldier: Who are the British to abolish our customs?

The first soldier said that _
The second soldier remarked that
The third soldier asked _____________________

Solution

(i) The first person said they had to teach their brothers.
The second person added they had to attempt to enhance their material conditions.
The third person proposed they had to forward their grievances to the British Parliament.
(ii) The first soldier said that the white soldier receives huge pay, mansions and servants.
The second soldier noted that they receive pittance and slow promotions.
The third soldier requested who the British were to abolish their customs.