On the Face of It Summary, Author, Explanation & Word Meanings | UP Board Class 12 English 2025

Complete summary, author details, lesson explanation, and 50 difficult word meanings of “On the Face of It” for UP Board Class 12 English 2025 in simple language.

On the Face of It – Susan Hill

About the Lesson

“On the Face of It” is a heart-touching play that talks about loneliness, fear, and the need for acceptance. The lesson shows how people with physical disabilities often feel separated from society because others judge them only by their looks. The play highlights the meeting of two characters—Derry, a young boy with a burnt face, and Mr. Lamb, an elderly man with a tin leg. Both feel lonely in different ways. Through their conversation, the lesson teaches us that real beauty lies inside, not in the external appearance. It inspires readers to be positive, confident, and kind.

About the Author – Susan Hill

Susan Hill (born 1942) is a famous British writer well known for her novels, plays, and children's books. She has written many award-winning works, including The Woman in Black, I’m the King of the Castle, and several ghost stories. Her writing is simple, powerful, and emotional. She often writes about human relationships, fear, and the inner struggles of people. In “On the Face of It,” she beautifully explores how people who feel “different” can overcome sadness and isolation by finding support and understanding.

Summary of the Lesson (600 Words)

“On the Face of It” is a short and meaningful play that revolves around two people who are physically different and emotionally hurt by society. The story begins when Derry, a teenage boy with a scarred and burnt face, enters the garden of Mr. Lamb, an elderly man who has a tin leg. Derry thinks Mr. Lamb will chase him away like others, but instead, Mr. Lamb welcomes him gently and talks to him kindly.

Derry is afraid of meeting people because they stare at his burnt face and say hurtful things. He believes that no one likes him. He feels that people judge him only by the way he looks. Even adults sometimes make comments that make him feel unwanted. Because of this, Derry prefers to stay alone and avoids society.

Mr. Lamb listens to him with patience. He does not treat Derry differently. He says that everybody has problems, small or big. His own leg was blown off in the war, and now he wears a tin leg. Children sometimes call him “Lamey-Lamb,” but he never lets such comments bother him. He teaches Derry that being alone and afraid hurts more than any physical wound.

Mr. Lamb encourages Derry to face the world boldly. He says that people’s opinions do not define who we truly are. He tells Derry that life becomes beautiful only when we open ourselves to new experiences. Mr. Lamb loves nature and the world around him. He keeps his garden open for everyone. Even children who make fun of him are welcome to pick apples and play there. He believes in acceptance, positivity, and hope.

Derry slowly begins to feel comfortable with Mr. Lamb. For the first time, he finds someone who does not look at his face with shock or pity. Mr. Lamb tells him stories and shares his life experiences. He says that fear is worse than the scar on Derry’s face. He motivates him to live freely and confidently.

Derry starts liking Mr. Lamb and promises to come back to help him in the garden. However, when he returns home, his mother refuses to let him go. She is scared that strangers might hurt him. But Derry has changed now. He wants to overcome his fear and learn how to live happily. He decides to return to Mr. Lamb’s garden.

When Derry reaches the garden again, he finds Mr. Lamb picking apples. Mr. Lamb climbs the ladder to pluck apples from the trees. Unfortunately, he slips and falls. When Derry arrives, he sees Mr. Lamb lying still on the ground. Though the play ends without saying clearly whether Mr. Lamb dies, the scene shows a deep sadness.

However, the real message of the lesson remains strong: Life is meaningful when we accept ourselves and others with love. True beauty is not what we see on the face, but what we carry in our hearts.

The play encourages readers to look beyond physical differences, to treat everyone with humanity, and to build confidence in themselves. “On the Face of It” is a beautiful reminder that kindness can heal deep wounds and change lives.

50 Difficult Words with Pronunciation & Meaning in Hindi

Word	Pronunciation	Meaning in Hindi
1. Lonely	लोन-ली	अकेला
2. Afraid	अफ़-रेड	डरा हुआ
3. Appearance	अपियरेंस	दिखावट
4. Scar	स्कार	निशान
5. Burnt	बर्न्ट	जला हुआ
6. Terrible	टेरिबल	भयानक
7. Frighten	फ्राइटन	डराना
8. Disfigure	डिस-फिगर	बिगड़ा हुआ रूप
9. Isolation	आइसोलेशन	अकेलापन
10. Conversation	कॉन्वरसेशन	बातचीत
11. Garden	गार्डन	बगीचा
12. Stranger	स्ट्रेंजर	अजनबी
13. Accept	एक्सेप्ट	स्वीकार करना
14. Confidence	कॉन्फिडेन्स	आत्मविश्वास
15. Sensitive	सेंसिटिव	संवेदनशील
16. Expression	एक्सप्रेशन	अभिव्यक्ति
17. Encourage	एन्करेज	प्रोत्साहित करना
18. Experiences	एक्सपीरियंसेज़	अनुभव
19. Welcome	वेलकम	स्वागत करना
20. Wounded	वून्डिड	घायल
21. Behaviour	बिहेवियर	व्यवहार
22. Courage	करेज	साहस
23. Positive	पॉज़िटिव	सकारात्मक
24. Negative	नेगेटिव	नकारात्मक
25. Realize	रियलाइज़	समझना
26. Expression	एक्सप्रेशन	अभिव्यक्ति
27. Curious	क्यूरियस	जिज्ञासु
28. Avoid	अवॉइड	बचना
29. Relax	रिलैक्स	आराम करना
30. Comfort	कम्फर्ट	आराम
31. Stranger	स्ट्रेंजर	अजनबी
32. Acceptable	एक्सेप्टेबल	स्वीकार्य
33. Atmosphere	एटमॉस्फियर	वातावरण
34. Conversation	कॉन्वरसेशन	बातचीत
35. Encourage	एन्करेज	प्रोत्साहित करना
36. Admire	एडमायर	प्रशंसा करना
37. Bitter	बिटर	कड़वा
38. Injured	इंजर्ड	घायल
39. Imagination	इमैजिनेशन	कल्पना
40. Healing	हीलिंग	उपचार
41. Responsibility	रिस्पॉन्सिबिलिटी	ज़िम्मेदारी
42. Risk	रिस्क	खतरा
43. Unkind	अनकाइंड	कठोर
44. Strength	स्ट्रेंथ	ताकत
45. Hopeless	होपलेस	निराश
46. Purpose	परपज़	उद्देश्य
47. Discover	डिस्कवर	खोज करना
48. Support	सपोर्ट	सहारा
49. Hopeful	होपफुल	आशावान
50. Understanding	अंडरस्टैंडिंग	समझ