Fire: Friend and Foe Summary
The story “Fire, friend and foe” is a story which describes how the fire got invented. It is both useful and dangerous if used carefully.
The first three Para:
The first three Para’s of the story “Early man ……………….. Of the fuel” discusses how early man did not know what was fire but they knew about the damage caused by it. They saw volcanoes, lightning and got frightened. But gradually people came to know that fire is a result of a chemical reaction when the oxygen in the air combines with the carbon and hydrogen the chemical reaction takes place. Heat and light is released in the form of energy. This is what called as fire. The three things needed to make fire is fuel, heat, oxygen. Some examples of fuel are Wood, coal, petrol etc. The second thing is the oxygen that is received from the air. Finally the two things cannot make fire until there is heat that comes from a burning piece of paper, wood etc. Every fuel has a burning point when it begins to burn that is known as flash point or kindling temperature.
The 3rd to 9th Para:
The 3rd to 9th Para “It is sometimes…………………………….. Electrical fire” mentions how fire can be useful if used carefully and can be dangerous if not used carefully. Fire can be useful it kept in control. It helps us in our day to day lives, to cook food, warm our selves, generate electricity etc. But if gets out of control it can burn every things to ashes. Every year thousands of homes, shops and even jungles are destroyed as a result of fire. People should be made careful as to how the burning fire should be stopped. The first way is by taking off the fuel, if we do not put more fuel in the fire it stops burning. Secondly if the supply of oxygen is stopped by putting over the fire a sack as a damp blanket that stops the oxygen supply thus letting the fire to stop. Thirdly the heat has to be removed to stop the fire. By spraying water the fire can be stopped as it absorbs the heat and lowers the temperature thus extinguishing the fire. But in every situation spraying fire is not beneficial. The fire led by oil cannot be stopped with water. The oil floats up and continues to burn. The water can flow quickly thus carrying the burning oil and spreading the fire. Water should never be sprayed on a oil-based fire. A carbon dioxide fire extinguisher is the best thing to stop a electrical fire.
The 10th, 11th, 12th Para:
The 10th, 11th, 12th Para conclude the story “We spend millions …………………… Gets out of control” People spend millions of rupees to fight fire and cope up with the loss made by it. Long ago there was no fireman, people stood in long chains and passed on water from buckets. Now days, there are laws in construction which ensure that there is no fire – risk. Groups of fire fighters are at work who are highly trained. The discovery of fire has made people lead a settled life and cope with the daily activities. Fire is still worshipped in many parts of the country. It is indeed a friend if we use it carefully but can be dangerous once gets out of control.