Short Answer Questions
Q1: Why does Suraj visit the railway tunnel?
Ans: Suraj visits the railway tunnel because he loves watching the midday steam train burst out, finding it magical. He cycles from town, hides his bike, and walks to the tunnel’s exit, not to catch the train but to enjoy the thrilling sight and sound of it roaring through the jungle, reflecting his adventurous spirit.
Q2: Who is Sunder Singh, and what is his job?
Ans: Sunder Singh is the watchman who looks after the railway tunnel. His job is to inspect the tunnel for obstacles and signal trains if anything is wrong, using a red flag by day or an oil lamp at night. He ensures the tracks are safe, maintaining the tunnel’s operation for passing trains.
Q3: What does Suraj see after walking through the tunnel?
Ans: After walking through the tunnel, Suraj sees a flash of orange and gold on the hillside—a swishing tail disappearing among the trees. This turns out to be a leopard, a familiar visitor to the area, as later explained by Sunder Singh, adding a touch of wild excitement to Suraj’s adventure.
Q4: How do Suraj and Sunder Singh scare the leopard away?
Ans: Suraj and Sunder Singh scare the leopard away by entering the tunnel, shouting, and using the light of Sunder Singh’s oil lamp. When they hear the leopard’s sawing sound, indicating its presence, their loud noises and the lamp’s glow startle the animal, causing it to flee into the jungle before the night train arrives.
Q5: What does Suraj see from the train when passing through the tunnel later?
Ans: When passing through the tunnel later on the night train with his father, Suraj sees the familiar glow of Sunder Singh’s oil lamp in the darkness. This sight reminds him of the watchman standing watch, lighting up the night for trains and leopards, and evokes fond thoughts of their shared adventure.
Long Answer Questions
Q1: How does Suraj’s fascination with the steam train set the stage for his adventure in the jungle?
Ans: Suraj’s fascination with the steam train sparks his adventure and leads him to the jungle tunnel, where his curiosity and love for exploration bring him exciting experiences and a new friendship. As a young boy who finds the train’s appearance magical, Suraj cycles from town, hides his bike, and treks to the tunnel to watch the train emerge like a “green, black, and gold dragon.” His passion for the train, with its snorting, puffing, and spark-spitting, shows his adventurous spirit and draws him into the wild jungle. Suraj’s decision to explore the damp, smoky interior of the tunnel after the train passes highlights his curiosity, leading to the discovery of a leopard’s tail and his meeting with Sunder Singh, the watchman. This fascination not only sets the events of the story in motion but also connects Suraj to the jungle’s mysteries, culminating in the thrilling night adventure with the leopard. His love for the train embodies the story’s moral that courage and curiosity can lead to rewarding experiences, opening doors to unexpected discoveries and meaningful bonds.
Q2: What role does Sunder Singh play in Suraj’s adventure, and how does their relationship develop?
Ans: Sunder Singh, the tunnel’s watchman, plays a key role in Suraj’s adventure by welcoming him, sharing knowledge, and guiding him through a dangerous situation, helping to build a special friendship founded on trust and bravery. When Suraj meets Sunder Singh at his hut, the watchman’s friendly, joking manner—claiming the tunnel as “his”—puts Suraj at ease and creates an immediate connection. Sunder Singh shares his responsibilities, like inspecting the tunnel and signaling trains, and helps Suraj understand the jungle better by identifying the leopard the boy saw. His kindness shows when he invites Suraj to return for the night train, and during the evening visit, their friendship deepens as they share tea and listen to the jungle sounds. When the leopard enters the tunnel, Sunder Singh’s leadership shines as he reassures Suraj and uses his oil lamp and loud shouts to scare the animal away, ensuring the safety of the train. This shared act of courage strengthens their bond, and Suraj later recalls Sunder Singh’s lamp with affection while riding the train. Their relationship, built on mutual respect and adventure, reflects the story’s moral of kindness and trust, showing how bold experiences can lead to meaningful connections.
Q3: How does the encounter with the leopard in the tunnel create excitement in the story?
Ans: The encounter with the leopard in the tunnel adds excitement to the story by introducing a sudden, dangerous challenge that tests the bravery of both Suraj and Sunder Singh, increasing the tension and thrill. As Suraj and Sunder Singh wait during the night visit, the lively sounds of the jungle—birds flying and porcupines moving—set an active, yet calm mood. The atmosphere changes when they hear a sawing noise from the tunnel, signaling the presence of the leopard just before the night train is due. This unexpected danger, described as a lithe, sinewy creature with a snarling tail, creates urgency, as the leopard is at risk of being hit by the approaching train. Sunder Singh’s quick decision to enter the tunnel with an axe and oil lamp, with Suraj by his side, builds suspense as they shout and use the lamp to scare the leopard, which then flees into the jungle. The roar of the train passing right after, leaving the jungle silent once more, caps this heart-pounding moment. This thrilling sequence, combining the wildness of the jungle with human courage, keeps readers on edge and reinforces the story’s moral that curiosity and bravery lead to thrilling adventures. The leopard encounter becomes a key, pulse-racing moment in the narrative.
Q4: Why is Suraj’s sighting of Sunder Singh’s oil lamp from the train significant to the story’s conclusion?
Ans: Suraj’s sighting of Sunder Singh’s oil lamp from the train marks an important moment in the story’s conclusion, symbolizing the lasting friendship and shared adventure between the boy and the watchman. A week after their thrilling leopard encounter, Suraj is traveling on the night train with his father and recognizes the tunnel. As he peers into the darkness, he spots the flickering glow of Sunder Singh’s lamp, a familiar sign that the watchman is still standing guard. This image brings back fond memories for Suraj—of the warmth and kindness Sunder Singh showed, their tea together in the jungle, and their brave act of saving the leopard. The lamp, described as illuminating the darkness for both trains and leopards, represents Sunder Singh’s quiet heroism, which made a lasting impact on Suraj. As the train moves away, leaving the jungle behind, this moment reinforces the story’s message of courage and kindness forging meaningful connections. It provides a heartfelt conclusion, showing how Suraj’s adventure not only filled him with excitement but also gave him a precious friendship. This moment encourages readers to appreciate the unexpected bonds formed through exploration and adventure.
Q5: What lessons about courage and friendship can we learn from Suraj’s adventure with Sunder Singh?
Ans: Suraj’s adventure with Sunder Singh offers valuable lessons about courage and friendship, showing how stepping into the unknown and trusting others can lead to rewarding experiences and lasting relationships. Suraj demonstrates courage when he treks alone to the jungle tunnel, explores its dark and smoky interior, and bravely joins Sunder Singh to confront a leopard, protecting both the animal and the train. His curiosity and willingness to face fear highlight how stepping outside one’s comfort zone can lead to thrilling adventures, as seen during the intense tunnel encounter. The friendship between Suraj and Sunder Singh grows through kindness and trust, built on warm welcomes, shared moments like tea, and reassurance during the dangerous situation with the leopard. Their teamwork to scare the leopard away reflects a deep sense of mutual support, and Suraj’s fond recollection of the watchman’s oil lamp shows how their bond lasts. The story’s moral encourages embracing courage to explore new places and forming friendships, as Suraj’s adventure proves that these qualities lead to exciting, meaningful experiences that enrich life and inspire others to seek adventure and connection.