BEEHIVE - IMPORTANT QUESTIONS

1. Compare and contrast the futuristic schools in the story with the schools of today. Do you think futuristic schools will be a reality?

Answer: The futuristic schools in the story are different from the schools of today. The schools in the story are located in the house itself. The room next to their bedroom is their school. A single mechanical teacher is having various sectors geared up according to the level of the child. There is no companion, no playground and no fun at all. The teaching is mechanical and monotonous. Today’s schools have separate spacious buildings with human teachers. All the kids from the neighbourhood come together for studies. They play, laugh and enjoy together. There is fun in school. Yes, I think the futuristic schools will be a reality in future. Nowadays we have online studies and universities. These will be futuristic schools.

 

2. What problem was Margie facing with her mechanical teacher? Why did she not like it? Do you think that teachers should be flexible in their approach to teaching?

Answer: Margie had a mechanical teacher. It was geared up faster than her mental level. It had been giving her a lot of homework in geography. The work was very difficult. Her performance in tests was also worsening day by day. Her mother was not happy with her performance. It disappointed Margie. She hated her mechanical teacher who was geared up too quick. It was slowed down to an average ten-year level. Margie was not happy when her mechanical teacher was repaired. She wanted to get rid of it. Yes, a good teacher should be flexible in his approach. He should change his speed and method according to the need of the child. He should not be mechanical.

 

3. Margie always hated school, but now she hated it more than ever. Why did she do so? According to you, what makes a school a lovely place?

Answer: Margie was a student in a mechanical school where she was taught by mechanical teachers. She never liked it. Now she was being tested in geography. Her performance was getting worse day by day. That is why she hated school more than ever before. If there is no activity in a school it becomes a boring place. If teachers are mechanical there is no learning. If studies become joyful and stressfree, a school becomes a lovely place.

4. It’s not the little girl’s fault, Mrs Jones. I think the geography sector was geared a little too quickly. What, according to you, was wrong with the geography sector? Can a machine be a good teacher?

Answer: Margie’s performance in geography was worsening day by day. The County Inspector told that the fault was in mechanical teacher and not in Margie. The geography sector of the machine was geared a little too quickly. There was some fault in the mechanical teacher. No, a machine can never be a good teacher. It can make one literate but not educated. A machine has no feelings. It cannot understand a child. It cannot develop an affectionate bond with a child. So a machine can never replace a teacher.

 

5. How does Evelyn acknowledge her success? How is she a source of inspiration for the handicapped? What do you learn from her life?

Answer: Evelyn says, “If you work hard and know where you are going, you will get there.” A clear vision and strong determination are the secrets of her success. She is deaf but her strong determination got her right on the top. She is an inspiration to the handicapped because she is deaf. Being handicapped herself, she has brought percussion to the front of the orchestra. She created history by scoring one of the highest marks in music at the academy. Deaf children find a role model in her. They feel that if Evelyn can do it, why can’t they. She has given them an idea to progress in their life. One learns from her life that where there is a will there is away. She teaches me how determination and hard work are key to success. Physical handicaps are in no way an obstacle to success.

6. Describe Evelyn’s achievements. What value of her life helped her overcome her problems?

Answer: Evelyn was a deaf girl. Her hard work and strong determination put her on the top. Today, she is the most sought after multi-percussionist. She has mastery over many instruments. She has travelled to all the major countries across the world. She toured the United Kingdom with an orchestra when she was a teenager. She auditioned for the Royal Academy of Music and scored one of the highest marks in the history of the Academy. She gave solo performances too. She has also captured most of the top awards. She was presented with the Royal Philharmonic Society’s famous Soloist of the Year Award. It was her strong determination and self-confidence that helped her in her life.

 

7. What inspiration do you get from the life of Evelyn? According to you, what were the most important factors that helped Evelyn in her life?

Answer: Where there is a will there is a way. Strong determination and hard work make any impossible work possible. This is what I learn from her life. Evelyn’s life is a lesson for all who are physically disabled or challenged. Despite her handicap, Evelyn was able to attain glorious heights in the field of music. She achieved what a normal person cannot. Evelyn’s family, her mentor Ron Forbes, her strong determination and hard work are the factors that helped her attain glorious heights. She got support from her family. Her mentor motivated her to go ahead. Her determination and hard work made the impossible possible. Motivation and self-confidence are very important factors that help us in getting success. Another important factor is a strong determination. All these factors helped Evelyn in her life.

 

8. Evelyn Glennie has already accomplished more than most people twice her age. What is your opinion about it?

Answer: In my opinion, Evelyn Glennie achieved more than most people twice her age. She indeed achieved a rare success through determination, hard work and courage. She was just seventeen when she auditioned for the Royal Academy of Music, London. She topped the class and by the age of nineteen, she had won most of the top awards. She mastered over some one thousand instruments. She brought percussion to the forefront of the orchestra. Today she is the world’s most sought-after multi-percussionist.

 

9. Write a letter to your friend telling him how Evelyn inspired you.

Answer:

Kalain

13 July 2020

Dear Shreeja

    I hope you have heard and read about renowned international percussionist Evelyn Glennie. I am so motivated and enthusiastic after knowing about her. You know I had an interest in dance but after my accident, I could not continue the practice and my dream of becoming a renowned dancer was shattered like glass.

     But now I have decided to restart my practice. If Evelyn, despite being deaf, can become a multi-percussionist, why can’t I? I am well now and can do. I shall not give up my dream. Shreeja, I need your moral support once again.

Your friend

 Himangi

 

10. What were the recurring themes of Bismillah Khan’s music and how did they originate? What does this tell you about Bismillah Khan?

Answer: The recurring themes of Bismillah Khan’s music were based on the flowing waters of the Ganga. The predominant themes of his music were the characteristics of the temple and the relationship between human beings. His association with the temples and the Ganga was very old. He went to Benaras in his early age. He was introduced to Shehnai there by his maternal uncle, Ali Bux. He used to play shehnai at the Balaji and Mangala Maiya temples. His favourite places were on the river bank where he used to practise for hours in isolation. This shows him to be a man with a spiritual and humane soul. He was attached to his birthplace as well as god and found finds solace in the company of nature.

 

11. Describe in brief the early life of Bismillah Khan, his achievements and the various awards that were conferred on him in later years. What values of his life impress you the most?

Answer: Born on March 21, 1916, Bismillah Khan belonged to a family of professional Shehnai players. At the age of six, he moved to Benaras where his maternal uncle, Ali Bux, introduced him to the nuances of playing the simple instrument called the Shehnai.

He got the best performer award at the All India Music Conference in Allahabad in 1930. In 1937, he bagged three medals at a music conference in Kolkata. He was invited by Pandit Nehru to play the Shehnai from the ramparts of Delhi’s Red Fort in 1947. He had also won many international awards and the highest award which he had received, was the ‘Bharat Ratna’. His dedication to music and his love for his country are the values that impress me the most. Music was his religion. Yes, I also have the same feelings for my country.

 

12. Strong determination, motivation and right direction helped Bismillah Khan in being what he was. Do you agree? How important are these values in our life?

Answer: Yes, I agree. Bismillah Khan, born in a small village, became a legend in the field of music. He was the best Shehnai player. He reached the heights of music. He brought Shehnai in the forefront. It all happened due to his strong determination, motivation and right direction. These values are very important in our life. No one can succeed in life if one is not motivated, determined and hard-working. If we are clear in our goal and move in the right direction, we get success. His journey from a six-year-old ordinary boy to the ‘Bharat Ratna’ was possible because of the above values.

 

13. You attended one of the concerts of Bismillah Khan. Describe your experience.

Answer: I had an opportunity to attend the concert by Bismillah Khan. The concert was organised by Sangeet Academy in Siri Fort Auditorium on 14th August. It was a wonderful experience for me. When Ustaad Bismillah Khan started his Shehnai, there was pin-drop silence in the auditorium. Everyone was mesmerised. I was so fascinated that I could not even blink my eyes. It was so melodious, so mind‑blowing. Everyone was captivated for two hours. The non-stop two-hour programme was a wonderful experience for me. I got an opportunity to meet Ustaad Bismillah Khan in his private chamber. He obliged me by his autograph.

 

14. Why was Kezia punished by her father? Do you think Kezia deserved this? What should father have done instead?

Answer: Kezia wanted to present a pin-cushion to her father on his birthday. She wanted to make it herself. She took a fine piece of silk and made a case of pin-cushion. To fill it, she used documents which were very important for her father.
She tore those papers and stuffed the pin-cushion case with them. The papers contained her father’s speech for the Port Authority. She had spoiled them unknowingly and innocently. Kezia admitted her mistake. Her father wanted to teach Kezia that she should not touch the things that did not belong to her. So, he took a ruler and hit her pink and little palms. Kezia thought her father was very cruel. No, she did not deserve this punishment. She did not have any bad intention. Her father should have not been so harsh. He should make the little girl realise her mistake tactfully.

 

15. Why did Kezia like Mr Macdonald and hate her father?

OR

Compare Kezia’s father with Mr Macdonald. Do you think sharing with kids is necessary?

Answer: Kezia did not like her father. She was afraid of him because of his harsh attitude. She found him very cruel and harsh. On the other hand, she liked her neighbour, Mr Macdonald who had five children. She found him always smiling, playing, laughing and running with his children. Seeing them playing and laughing, she thought that there were different sorts of fathers. She found that Macdonald was a happy man with a pleasant nature. His children were not afraid of him. He was a great father. She wished her father to be like him. Yes, sharing is very important in a good relationship. Parents should spare some time to spend with their kids. They should have a friendly and caring relationship with them.

 

16. How did Kezia’s attitude towards her father change? What brought them closer?

Answer: One day, Kezia was alone in her room. Her father was in the next room. After Kezia slept, the same old nightmare came – the butcher with a knife and a rope. She cried out. Her father took her to his room. She was shivering with fear. Her father asked her to rub her feet against his legs to get them warmed. He tried to make her comfortable and warm with his loving care. She realised that her father was not cruel. She found him very caring. She changed her opinion about him. She was no more afraid of him. It was the affection and care that brought them closer.

 

17. Write a brief character sketch of Kezia. What do you learn from her character?

Answer: Kezia was a little girl. She always longed for parental affection. She was a very sensitive girl who wanted to win her father’s affection. One day she made a pin-cushion to present her father on his birthday. She used some important papers to stuff the pin-cushion. She was beaten badly for this mistake. She was a bold girl. She knew that her father would beat her, yet she confessed her mistake. She was a lovable, innocent child. She knew how to adjust to a system. She had a compromising nature. Kezia misunderstood her father. She was an innocent child who made a mistake and was punished. One must learn from her that one should not misunderstand one’s parents. We must not take the things of our parents without their knowledge and permission.

 

18. Write a brief character sketch of Kezia’s grandmother. Do you think grandparents are necessary? How does your grandmother help you in your life?

Answer: Kezia’s grandmother was a kind-hearted lady. She always consoled Kezia in the absence of her parents. Kezia never opened up with her parents but she was very close to her grandmother. She always wanted Kezia to talk to her father. She used to create an atmosphere where Kezia could get an opportunity to interact with her parents. It was the grandmother who suggested Kezia make a pin-cushion for her father. She wanted to develop a cordial and affectionate relationship between Kezia and her father. She also took care of Kezia’s ailing mother. She was very helpful to everyone. Yes, Grandparents are very necessary to maintain a strong bond among the family members. My grandmother is also very kind, she helps me in my routine work. She also helps me whenever I am in trouble.

 

19. Suppose you are Kezia. Write a page of your diary expressing your feelings after the punishment.

Answer:  

Dear Diary, Wednesday, at 10 P.M.

 I don’t know what God made fathers for. Today, my father punished me. It was not my fault at all. I did not tear off his papers intentionally. I wanted to make a beautiful pin-cushion for him. I made it by stuffing a cover of satin with scraps of paper. I took these papers from my father’s room. I did not know that these papers were important. I realised that I had torn some important papers. I told the truth. He was angry and punished me hard with a ruler. I wanted to tell him that I had made a pin-cushion for him. But I was so terrified that I could say nothing. I wish he would have listened to me.

 

20. You are Kezia. Describe the change of heart after the night when the father took care of you.

Answer: I have always known my father as a tough, stern and rude man. I always find him a figure to be feared and avoided. But yesterday’s incident changed my views about him. He is not so bad as I used to think of him. Yesterday, I was alone in my room. I had a nightmare. I began to cry. My father took me to his room and comforted me. It aroused in me a feeling of trust and love for him. I felt the love of a father for the first time. I think he does not have enough time to play with me. Now I have understood him. I love him and he loves me. If he is strict, that is for my good.

21. Do you think Kezia’s father was bad? Why/Why not?

Answer: Kezia’s father was stern and harsh. But I don’t think he was a bad father. He was not demonstrative. He did not believe in showing his affection for Kezia. He wanted his daughter to become a disciplined and well-mannered girl. He wanted her to know her responsibilities. He beat her for her serious mistake. Before leaving for work, he always gave her a casual kiss. He also comforted her when she was afraid. It all showed the affection for the little girl.

 

22. Do you think Kezia was at fault when she tore up the important papers of her father? Why/Why not?

Answer: Yes, Kezia was at fault when she tore up the important papers of her father. Her intention was not wrong but she should not have taken the paper without his father’s permission. We should not take or use anything that does not belong to us. We should always ask for permission before its use. Kezia could use waste papers for the purpose. Or she could ask her mother or grandmother before its use. But she used it and was punished literally.

23. You are Kezia. You tried to please your father by giving him a gift on his birthday. But everything went wrong. Write a letter to your friend Arya expressing your feelings after punishment from your father.

Answer:

Dear Arya

     I planned to give a surprise gift to my father on his birthday. I prepared a pin-cushion. I stuffed it with my fathers very important papers. When these papers were not found in the house, there was a lot of hue and cry. When I told about it, my dad hit me on my tender palms with a ruler. How could I tell him that I just wanted to please him? I wanted someone who could console me but I wept all alone.

    Anyway, it was my fault and I was punished for it. I have learnt a lesson from this episode not to take anything without his permission.

 

Take care.

Your friend

 Kezia

 

24. Einstein succeeded in his professional life but failed miserably in his personal life. Do you think that family life is more important than professional life? How can one make both personal and professional life happy? Why could Einstein not balance his family and professional life?

Answer: At the university in Zurich, Einstein met Mileva Maric. Both fell in love and decided to marry. They married after a few years. Mileva was equally ambitious and intelligent. She realised that her intellectual ambition was disappearing. They became an unhappy couple as they fought continuously. Finally, they got divorced in 1919. Albert Einstein succeeded in his professional life but did not have a happy married life. Both Einstein and Mileva were a genius, ambitious and successful in their professional life. But they lacked personal bond as they were too busy in their professional work to think about their families. One needs to understand one another. One has to respect and recognise the work of the another. All the differences should be resolved amicably. Einstein and Mileva could not balance their personal life because of their professional differences.   

25. Why did Albert Einstein leave the school at the age of fifteen? Do you think a liberal environment in the school helps in learning in a better way?

Answer: Albert Einstein was quite good at studies and scored good marks in almost all the subjects. He went to a high school in Munich. He was never comfortable in school. He did not like the strict discipline in the school. He had a constant confrontation with his teachers. His headmaster thought that he would never succeed in his life. He could not adjust himself in the school and left it at the age of 15 years. Einstein left his formal school because he felt suffocated due to strict discipline at the school. He felt that he was not allowed to think and work according to his wish. He needed a liberal environment where he could think freely. He succeeded at the University of Zurich where the environment was more liberal. One learns more when one is allowed to learn according to one’s capacity. Better learning takes place when the environment in the school is liberal and student-friendly.

 

26. What was Einstein’s contribution to the knowledge of science? Which values in his character made him a ‘global citizen’?

Answer: Albert Einstein worked on his ideas about relativity. He published a paper on Special Theory of Relativity in 1905. According to this theory, time and distance are not absolute. In 1915, he published the General Theory of Relativity. He brought a revolution in the field of science. In 1921, he was awarded the Nobel Prize for Physics. His contribution to science is unparalleled. He was a great visionary. He was against arms build-up. He advocated peace and democracy in the world. He never wanted that his invention should be misused. He thought of humanity. All these values in his character made him a global citizen.

27. Why was Albert Einstein called ‘Brother Boring’? Do you also think so? How do you avoid to be called ‘Brother Boring’ in your school or at home?

Answer: Albert Einstein used to play with mechanical toys. He never made up with his friends. That is why he was called ‘Brother Boring’. No, I don’t think so. He was an introvert whose likings were different from those of his friends. I feel due to being a scientific genius he was not able to cope up with his classmates. He had different interests and did not take an interest in his class-fellows. He found that they did not have a scientific aptitude. It made him an introvert. I also have different interests but I am not introvert. I play with my class fellows and take an interest in their activities too. It brings us closer. We share our joy and happiness. When it is my time, I entertain myself with my taste and interests. This helps me in mixing up with everyone, I am different from others but still not Brother Boring.

 

28. Albert Einstein was an unusual child. How? He was different from others in many ways. Do you think that those who think differently succeed in their life like Einstein? Comment.

Answer: Albert Einstein was an unusual child. He did not have any indication of his greatness. He had a larger than usual head. His mother thought him to be a freak. He was a late talker. When he started to speak, he said everything twice. He liked to play by himself and did not enjoy the company of his playmates. They used to call him ‘Brother Boring’. He had a special interest in mechanical toys. At school, his headmaster thought that he was a useless fellow and would never succeed in his life. But he proved all the speculations wrong. Yes, a person who thinks differently indeed has more creative ideas. He looks at the things from a different angle. If Albert Einstein had been a normal student, he would not have been a great scientist.

29. Why do you think, Einstein’s personal life, was not happy? According to you, what was the main reason for their unhappy married life? Do you think it is a common problem nowadays?

Answer: Einstein developed a special interest in a fellow student Mileva Maric. He wanted to marry her but their families did not agree. However, later they married. Both were intelligent and ambitious. They had two sons. But after some time their professional ambitions disturbed their family life. Perhaps their interests clashed. Their family life, unfortunately, was not successful. After many years of differences and constant fighting, they finally got divorced. I think their professional rivalry was the main reason for their troubled family life. Yes, nowadays professional rivalry, personal differences, ambition and conflicts come in the way of a happy married life of a couple.

 

30. Einstein was deeply shaken by the extent of the destruction. What kind of destruction had shaken Einstein? Was he a true scientist?

Answer: Einstein was a genius. His contribution to science is unparalleled. Einstein was a great visionary. He was against arms build-up. He advocated peace and democracy in the world. In 1938, the discovery of nuclear fission in Berlin made him very upset. He was afraid that his invention might be misused. The Americans misused it and made an atomic bomb. The atom bomb was used in the World War. Two cities of Japan were bombed in August 1945. This destruction disturbed him. He had never thought of such destruction. He was a true scientist because he wanted his invention to be used for human welfare. He was in favour of world peace and democracy.

31. How did Einstein work for world peace and democracy? What does it show about his character and values?

Answer: Einstein was a scientific genius. He was awarded the Nobel Prize for physics in 1921. In 1933, he emigrated to the United States. In 1938, the Nazis discovered nuclear fission. The American scientist feared that the Nazis could build an atomic bomb. Einstein wrote a letter to the American President, warning against the misuse of atomic power. Einstein was shocked when the Americans dropped an atom bomb over Hiroshima. He joined politics and decided to work for world peace and democracy. He wrote a public letter to the United States advocating for the formation of a world government. He was against the arms race.

 

32. How did Abdul Kalam earn his first wages? How did he feel at that time? Explain.

Answer: Abdul Kalam’s cousin, Samsuddin, helped him earn his first wages. It was the time of the Second World War. Initially, his area, being isolated, was completely unaffected by this War. But, soon the Indian forces also joined the allied forces. A state of emergency was declared. The first casualty of state emergency was the suspension of train halt at Rameswaram. It affected Samsuddin’s business adversely. He used to collect newspapers from the station and distribute in Rameswaram. Now, the bundles of newspapers had to be thrown from the moving train. Samsuddin wanted a helping hand who could catch the bundles thrown from the moving train. Abdul Kalam was engaged for this job by him. Thus, he earned his wages for the first time. Abdul Kalam felt a great sense of pride when he earned his first wages.

33. Once you decide to change the system, such problems have to be confronted. What system is this sentence referring to? What are such problems? What value did Iyer want to teach Abdul?

Answer: Abdul Kalam’s science teacher, Sivasubramania Iyer, was a rebel by nature. He was deadly against the prevalent system. When he invited Abdul Kalam to his home, his wife, in keeping with the customs, refused to serve him food. But, Iyer not only served him food himself but also invited him next week again. He told Abdul Kalam that when one decides to go against the age-old social barriers, one has to face many problems. He proved that if one is determined to face problems and change the system, one succeeds. He also tried to teach him that sometimes it is good to rebel. We should fight for the right reasons and to achieve higher goals.

   

34. Subramania Iyer was a rebel by nature. Discuss.

 OR

Give a brief character sketch of Sivasubramania Iyer. What traits in Iyer are highlighted that inspire you?

Answer: Mr Subramania Iyer did not believe in social barriers and wanted to break them. When he invited Abdul Kalam to his house, his conservative wife refused to serve food to a Muslim boy. But lyer served him with his own hands and ate his meals sitting beside him. He proved it by serving Abdul food with his own hands. He inspired his wife also to serve food when Abdul Kalam visited the second time. When lyer’s wife refused to serve him food, Abdul hesitated. lyer remarked, “Once you decide to change the system, such problems have to be confronted.” He was a rebel and persistence in his efforts. He was not orthodox. He proved that an individual can bring change in the system.

35. Narrate the incident of the new teacher’s behaviour in the classroom. Was his action appropriate? What values did the new teacher learn after that incident?

Answer: When Abdul Kalam was in the fifth standard, a new teacher came to their class. He had a conservative and narrow outlook. He saw Abdul Kalam sitting in the front row with Ramanadha Sastry. He identified Abdul Kalam as a Muslim boy from the cap he was wearing. The teacher could not digest a Muslim boy sitting with a Brahmin boy. He immediately asked Abdul to get up and sit in the last row. The teacher believed in the prevalent social ranking. Abdul Kalam and Ramanadha Sastry, both, felt very sad. No his action was not appropriate. After this incident, he learnt that one must have respect for all religions. We should work for communal harmony.

  

36. Do you think the qualities of Kalam’s father made Kalam what he was? How? What characteristics have you inherited from your parents?

Answer: Yes, I agree that the qualities of Kalam’s father made Kalam what he was. He learnt all the values from his father. There are some values like innate wisdom, truth, generosity of spirit, honesty and self-discipline that make us a good human being. Abdul became a successful scientist and a great leader because of all these values. He had been a focussed student and a hardworking scientist. I have learnt all these values from my father. I have inherited honesty, humbleness and self-discipline. All the values make us determined and focussed in our work.  

 

37. A secure childhood like Kalam’s is very important for a child’s growth. Do you agree?

Answer: A secure childhood like Kalam’s is very important for a child’s growth. Childhood experiences go a very long way. If one is brought up in a good environment, one learns good values and these values, help in a long way. Secured childhood is very important for growth. Kalam had a secure childhood. He inherited good values from his parents. He had a good environment at home. He was secured both materially and emotionally. Children with insecure childhood do not grow properly. They never inculcate good values. They have an insecure life.

 

38. The new teacher in Kalam’s class was not an ideal teacher. What was the new teacher doing? What values were ignored by the new teacher?

Answer: The new teacher was not an ideal teacher. He had a conservative and narrow outlook. He identified Abdul as a Muslim boy and asked him to take the seat in the back row. He was spreading the poison of communalism. He was teaching wrong practices like social inequalities and communal intolerance. He was poisoning the minds of young and innocent children with communal intolerance. His action was not appreciable. He ignored the value of love and respect for other religions.

 

39. Abdul Kalam was disturbed by the behaviour of the new teacher in the class. Do you appreciate the way Lakshman Shastri treated the new teacher?

Answer: Abdul was emotionally disturbed. He never felt like this. Nobody made him feel that he was a Muslim. He always got respect and love from his friends who were Hindus. There were no such feelings. But his new teacher behaved strangely. He came to his class and asked him to sit in the last row. He could not tolerate sitting of a Muslim boy with the son of a Hindu priest. The matter was reported to Lakshman Shastry. He immediately called the new teacher and warned him not to repeat such an act in future. Yes, it is appreciable that he handled the situation in a mature way. He reformed the teacher too. He taught the teacher that one should not honour only one’s own religion but respect other religions. One should work for communal harmony.

 

40. Write a letter to your friend telling him how you earned your first wage. You are Abdul Kalam. Describe your feelings expressively.

Answer: 

17 July 2020 

 Dear Raman

     Hope this letter of mine finds you in the best of your health and spirits. You know today I earned my first wage at my own. My uncle Samsuddin sells newspapers. He gets them through the train. But nowadays, the train does not stop here so someone has to throw the bundles from the moving train. My uncle gave me the work to catch those bundles. He paid me for this. This was my first wage. It was so satisfying. I had a feeling of pride in earning my own money for the first time. Convey my regards to elders and love to young ones.

Your friend

 Abdul

41. Love begets love. Do you agree? Can the company of an animal give undiluted pleasure to a human being? Give some examples from the story The Bond of Love.

Answer: Yes, the company of an animal can give undiluted pleasure to a human being. The author captured a baby bear from a sugar cane field. His wife named it ‘Bruno’. It was lovingly called ‘Baba’ by her. The cub became friendly even with the dogs and the children. Bruno became a source of delight for the entire family of the author. He entertained them with his tricks and playful activities. He developed an emotional attachment with the wife of the author. When he was sent to the zoo, he missed her and did not eat for many days. She wept and fretted. Ultimately, she brought him back. They were a constant source of great pleasure for each other.

 

42. Love is mutual. Do you agree? Illustrate this with reference to ‘The Bond of Love’.

Answer: The story ‘The Bond of Love’ is a perfect example of how love begets love. Even animals understand the language of love. They respond to love in equal measure. Love is mutual. The author’s wife develops a deep affection for the pet bear. She nourishes him like a child and takes care of his needs. When Bruno ate poison accidentally, he was treated as if he was a family member. The love given to Bruno by the family was equally reciprocated by him too. He felt sad when he was sent to the zoo. Both of them fretted, didn’t take food and felt very sad. He recognised the author’s wife even after a gap of three months.

43. Animals also feel the pleasure of love and pains of separation. What would you have done if you were in the place of the author’s family?

Answer: Being sensitive, the animals also feel the pleasure of love and the pain of separation. In the story ‘The Bond of Love,’ the relationship between the bear and the author’s wife proves it. Bruno, the bear, was loved by the author’s family. Bruno was equally attached to them. When Bruno grows up in the author’s family, he is sent away to a zoo. In the zoo, ‘Baba’ looked sad and refused to eat. When the author’s wife visited the zoo after a gap of three months, he recognised her and expressed his pleasure by standing on his head. I would have done the same as the wife of the author did. It was a bond of mutual love that every human being appreciates.

 

44. What makes you feel that the author’s wife is more attached to Bruno than the other members of the family? Do you think female members of the family are more sensitive than the males?

Answer: When Bruno was sent to the Mysore zoo, all of them missed him greatly but they felt relieved too. But the author’s wife was inconsolable. She wept and fretted. Initially, she could not eat anything. She wrote many letters to the curator of the zoo. When the curator replied to her telling that Bruno was well but was not eating food, she became desperate. She pleaded the curator to send Bruno back home. Then she made all efforts to bring Bruno back. She made a special and comfortable house for him. All this shows that she was much more attached to Bruno. Yes, It is generally noticed that female members of the family are more attached to the pets. They are very caring and sensitive. They look after their pets better than the other members of the family. In the story too, it is the wife of the author who was inconsolable after Bruno’s separation.

 

45. How was the homemade comfortable for the pet bear? If you have a pet, what arrangements would you make for his/her comforts? Do you think the domestication of animals is a restriction on their natural liberty?

Answer: Bruno had grown very big and heavy. He could not be accommodated in the house. He needed a separate place. A special home was made for him. A twenty-feet long and fifteen-feet wide island surrounded by a dry pit of the moat was made in the compound. A wooden box with some straw was provided for him to sleep. Bruno had two precious possessions, a ‘baby’, the gnarled stumps, and a gun. These were given back to him. Thus, he was provided with his natural environment within the house. I personally feel that the domestication of animals is in way cruelty against animals. No doubt, we take care of their health and food, yet we curtail their liberty. They are either chained or imprisoned. Anyway, if I have a pet, I would make its habitat as natural as possible. I would always take it to a qualified vet and give it all the medicines and food. Most of the time I would keep him/her free from chain or cage.

 

46. Animals also feel the pleasure of love and pains of separation. Company of an animal gives undiluted pleasure to a human being. But what about the animals’ rights? Should we domesticate the animals for our pleasure at the cost of their natural liberty? Elaborate.

Answer: Animals also feel the pleasure of love and pain of separation. The bond of love between the author’s wife and Bruno proves it. There is no doubt that the company of animals gives undiluted pleasure to a human being. The bond between a human and an animal is selfless. But domestication of certain animals is a selfish act on the part of human beings. Putting birds in cages or deer in a confined area is cruelty to them. Domestication of cows, horses and other domestic animals makes sense but domestication of animals of the free world of forests is an encroachment upon their rights. We have no right to curtail their liberty. We should not domesticate animals for our pleasure at the cost of their natural liberty.

 

47. How did Gerrard get rid of the Intruder in the play ‘If I Were You’? What would you have done if you were in his place? What is the central idea of the play?

Answer: Gerrard lived in a lonely cottage. He was a playwright. One day an intruder entered his cottage with the intention to kill him. The intruder looked like Gerrard. He wanted to impersonate Gerrard and escape from the law. But Gerrard was smarter. He understood his motive. Gerrard told him that he himself was a criminal and was expecting trouble that night itself. He convinced the intruder to escape from there. He offered his help to save the intruder from the police. He asked him to follow him towards the garage. While on the way to the garage, Gerrard pushed the intruder into a cupboard and locked him inside. Thus he got rid of him. In such a condition, I would have acted in the same way. I also would have thought of such a plan. The play impresses upon us the need to be calm, composed and maintain the presence of mind in times of trouble.

 

48. Give a brief character sketch of Gerrard. What do you learn from him?

Answer: Gerrard was a playwright. He lived alone in a cottage. He was an intelligent person with a good sense of humour. He knew how to handle an adverse situation. He had a lot of patience too. One day an intruder entered his cottage. When Gerrard came to know about his intention, he was not scared at all. He had the presence of mind. He was very good at story-making. He immediately convinced the intruder that Gerrard himself was a criminal and police was after him. The intruder got convinced by him. Gerrard managed to get rid of the intruder by locking him into the cupboard. One learns from him that one should never lose one’s wit in adversity. His presence of mind, wit and sense of humour saved him.

 

49. Imagine you are Gerrard. Tell your friend what happened when the intruder broke into your house. Do you agree that crime cannot escape the law?

Answer: One day an Intruder made a way into my cottage. He resembled me in appearance and physique. He was dressed in a detective’s dress. He spoke with an American accent. He started a conversation with me and told me his intention to impersonate me. Initially, I was scared but I did not run out of ideas. I immediately made a story and convinced him that I was also a criminal like him. I told him about my plan to leave that place as the police were after me. I was successful in trapping and handing him over to the police. It is rightly said that evil begets evil. I fully agree that crime does not pay for long. No criminal can escape the hands of the law. A criminal is destined to face the punishment sooner or later.

 

50. Why did, according to you, the intruder want to know more about Gerrard? Cheating by impersonation, misappropriation of money and blackmailing have become very common crimes nowadays. But soon the offenders are caught and punished. Tell this fact to your friend by writing a letter to him. Give the example of the intruder who tried to be smart.

Answer:

Dear friend

     I want to share with you an interesting incident. An intruder tried to impersonate me to escape punishment. He wanted to know more and more about me so that he might escape the punishment. But I outwitted him and got him arrested. You know cheating by impersonation, misappropriation of money and blackmailing have become very common crimes these days. The portfolio of criminals is different from what it used to be. Now we find professionals students and highly educated people involved in crimes. But little do they realise that one day they would be caught and put behind the bars. We should never indulge in illegal activity. A rat race to make quick money should never be joined. There is no short cut to success. Smartness and manipulation never pay in the long run. It is our hard work and perseverance that go a long way.

Your friend

Rohan

 

51. Do you think the intruder was smarter than Gerrard? Why/Why not? Which quality of Gerrard made him smarter than the intruder?

Answer: No, the intruder was not smarter than Gerrard. He tried to catch Gerrard’s words but could not get more information from him. Gerrard was able to befool him and, finally, trapped him. Gerrard was cool and had the presence of mind. His patience, tolerance and sense of humour proved him smarter than the intruder. I think these are the qualities that everybody should imbibe. Intruder, on the other hand, was impatient and short-sighted. He, in his hurry to escape the punishment, lost his reasoning and got trapped.

 

52. Presence of mind and patience are the two values that help a person at the time of adversity and danger. How did these two attributes of Gerrard help him get rid of the Intruder?

Answer: Presence of mind and patience are the two attributes of Gerrard’s personality that helped him at the time of adversity. He was successful in getting rid of the intruder who otherwise would have killed him. Gerrard’s cool temper allowed him to make a story which trapped the intruder. He made him believe that he himself was a criminal. He offered his help to the intruder. He knew that he would not be able to save himself from the intruder. He used the weapon of his wit and patience to outsmart the intruder. It is rightly said that presence of mind and patience are the two values that help a person at the time of adversity and danger.