English ( Moments ) for Class 9

Very Short Answer Type Questions 

Q1: What was used to make the eyes of the statue of the Happy Prince? [2025]
Ans: Two bright, shining sapphire stones were used to make the eyes of the statue of the Happy Prince.

Q2: Where was the swallow going? [2024]
Ans: The little swallow was going to Egypt.

Q3: Where did the bird take shelter for a night on the way to Egypt? [2024]
Ans: The bird took shelter between the feet of the statue of the Happy Prince.

Q4: Where did the bird think to change his shelter from the feet of the statue? [2023]
Ans: The bird decided to take a new shelter in the chimney of a house.

Q5: What did the swallow see after the third drop fell on it? [2023]
Ans: The swallow saw tears in the eyes of the Happy Prince.

Q6: What were the things seen by the Swallow on the way to the poor woman’s house? [2023]
Ans: The Swallow saw the cathedral, the palace of the city, a beautiful girl with her lover on the balcony, and lanterns hanging on the masts of the ships.

Q7: What kind of warmth was felt by the little swallow? [2022]
Ans: The little swallow felt the warmth of humanity, the warmth of positivity, which one can get after helping others.

Q8: Whose story was told next by the statue to the swallow? [2021]
Ans: The story of a young writer was told next to the swallow by the statue.

Q9: What was offered to the young writer to heal his problem? [2019]
Ans: The Happy Prince offered one of his sapphires from his eyes to the young writer.

Q10: Where did the writer find the beautiful sapphire? [2019]
Ans: The writer found the beautiful sapphire lying on the withered violets. 

Q11: What happened to the matchsticks of the match girl? [2018]
Ans: All the matches had fallen in the gutter and spoiled.

Short Answer Type Questions 

Q1. What made the statue of the Happy Prince cry? [2025]

Ans: The statue of the Happy Prince cried because it could see the misery and suffering of people from its high position. When it saw a seamstress who had nothing to give her sick son except for river water, the Happy Prince was moved to tears.

Q2. Why was the statue called the Happy Prince? [2024]

Ans: The statue was called the Happy Prince because it was a likeness of a prince who had lived a life free from sorrow and tears. He had lived in a palace and died happy, hence earning the name Happy Prince.

Q3.  Why did the Happy Prince request the swallow to stay with him for the night? [2023]

Ans: The Happy Prince requested the swallow to stay with him for the night because he wished to send the ruby from his sword hilt to the seamstress to help her and her sick son. 

However, he was unable to do so as he was just a statue, and the swallow could help him by carrying the ruby to the seamstress.

Q4. What was the last wish of the swallow? [2023]

Ans: The swallow knew that her end had come. He flew on to the shoulder of the Happy Prince and said, “wish to kiss your hand.”  The Happy Prince asked him to kiss him on the lips. He kissed on his lips and then died.

Q5. Describe the statue of the Happy Prince as depicted at the beginning of the story. [2022]

Ans: The statue of the Happy Prince was mounted on a tall column high above the city. It had thin leaves of fine gold-gilded all over. Two bright sapphires were its eyes and a large red ruby glowed on its sword hilt.

Q6. Where was the swallow going? Why did he decide not to go there? [2022]

Ans: The swallow was going to Egypt to join his friends who had already reached there six weeks ago. Initially, he had stopped by only for a night to break his long journey but later got so attached to the Happy Prince that he could not bear to see him crying. He stayed back to be his messenger.

Q7. What were the drops of rain actually? Why did they fall? [2021]

Ans: The drops of rain were actually the tears that rolled down the Happy Prince’s sapphire eyes.  The Prince’s sapphire eyes shed them because he was sad to see the poverty and misery of the city dwellers.

Q8. What made the statue of the Happy Prince cry? [2020]

Ans: The Happy Prince had never seen or experienced sorrow all his life. 

But after his death, his statue was put up on a high pedestal from where he could see the ugliness and misery of his land. This made him cry with sorrow.

Q9. Why and how did the Happy Prince help the seamstress? [2019]

Ans: The Happy Prince decided to help the poor seamstress who was dead tired and whose son was hungry and lay in the fever. 

The poor woman had no money to feed her son and get him medicine. She only gave him water to drink. The Prince wanted the swallow to carry the ruby from his sword hilt so that the seamstress could get rid of her poverty and buy her son food and medicine.

Q10. How did the swallow become the Prince’s eyes? [2019]

Ans: The swallow stayed back with the blind Prince. He would fly over the city and see its people in all their colours. He would report their miseries and sufferings to the Prince. Then, on the Prince’s orders, he would pluck the golden leaves from his statue and give them to the needy.

Q11. Why was a cracking sound heard when the swallow died? [2018]
OR
What happened when the little swallow fell down dead at the feet of the Happy Prince?

Ans: The Happy Prince loved the swallow dearly. So when the bird kissed the Prince and fell down dead at his feet, the latter’s leaden heart broke into two with a curious cracking sound.

Long Answer Type Questions 

Q1. Why do the courtiers call the prince ‘The Happy Prince’? Is he really happy? What does he see all around him? [2025]
Or
Why was ‘Happy Prince’ not really happy?

Ans: The courtiers refer to the prince as the ‘Happy Prince’ because he lived a joyful life, free from sorrow within his palace. However, he was not truly happy, as he had never experienced the misery of his people.

When his statue was erected, he could finally see the city and its suffering. He witnessed:

• Pain and hunger among the citizens
• Despair and suffering all around him

Even though his heart was made of lead, he could not help but weep for the plight of those he had never known.

Q2. When and how did the Happy Prince realise the true meaning of life? What did this realisation prompt him to do? [2024]

Ans: The Happy Prince lived a comfortable life, shielded from sorrow, which led to his title. After his death, his statue was placed high in the city, allowing him to witness the pain and suffering of the people below. This experience opened his eyes to the harsh realities of life, revealing that:

• Suffering is a fundamental aspect of human existence.
• The true beauty of life lies in compassion, not in wealth.

Moved by the misery he observed, the Happy Prince decided to:

• Share his riches with those in need.
• Alleviate the pain of poverty among the city’s inhabitants.

His realisation prompted him to act selflessly, demonstrating that true happiness comes from helping others.

Q3. How did the Happy Prince discover true happiness? How did he spread it? [2023]
Or
What the Happy Prince does as a statue should have been done by him when he was alive? Discuss.

Ans:  The Happy Prince lived a comfortable life, shielded from sorrow in his palace. After his death, his statue was erected on a tall column, allowing him to witness the misery and suffering of the city’s people. This experience led him to discover true happiness, which he spread by sacrificing his riches.

• He sent the ruby from his sword hilt to a poor seamstress to help her buy food and medicine for her sick son.
• One of his sapphire eyes was given to a playwright in need of warmth and food to complete his play.
• The other sapphire was sent to a matchgirl who feared punishment from her father for losing her matches.
• He distributed his gold leaves among the poor to help them find success.

Through these acts, the Happy Prince donated all he had to alleviate misery and poverty. His actions exemplify that the true purpose of life is to find happiness by spreading it to others.

Q4. Why did the Happy Prince request the swallow to stay for another day? [2021]

Ans:  The Happy Prince stood on a tall column, observing the suffering of the people below. Unable to move, he wished to help them.

• He noticed a poor seamstress and sent her a ruby through the swallow.
• Next, he saw a handsome playwright, shivering at his desk, struggling to finish a play.
• The young man lacked firewood to stay warm and was faint from hunger.
• Moved by compassion, the Prince wanted to send one of his sapphire eyes to help him.

Thus, he asked the swallow to stay for another day to assist him in his mission.

Q5. Give a brief character sketch of the swallow. [2020]

Ans:  The little swallow plays a significant role in the story. Initially, he is on his way to Egypt to join his friends. However, the Prince asks him to stay for one more day, and the swallow agrees.

• At the Prince’s request, he delivers a ruby to a seamstress.
• He also takes the sapphires from the Prince’s eyes to help a young man and a poor girl.
• Despite becoming blind, the Prince’s kindness inspires the swallow to remain with him.

The swallow demonstrates a kind heart by:

• Fanning the son of a poor woman to provide comfort.
• Staying with the Prince even as winter arrives.
• Enduring the cold and living on crumbs.

Ultimately, the swallow dies from the harsh winter, but his loyalty remains unbroken. Even in death, he is united with the Prince, as the angel of God takes them both to paradise.

Very Short Answer Type Questions 

Q1: What is Duddu?  [2025]
Ans: Duddu is a term in the Kannada language that means money.

Q2: Why did the disciple not want to leave that kingdom? [2024]
Ans: The disciple did not want to leave the kingdom, as everything was cheap there.

Q3: What were the things the disciple started eating every day? [2023]
Ans: The disciple started eating bananas, ghee, rice, and wheat every day.

Q4: Who went to search for the goldsmith? [2022]
Ans: A bailiff went to search for the goldsmith.

Q5: What problem was seen while giving the punishment to the old merchant? [2021]
Ans: The merchant was too thin to be executed on that stake. 

Short Answer Type Questions

Q1. Now justice had come full circle, thought the king. What argument did the merchant come up with? What counter-argument did the king give?  [2025]
Ans: The merchant claimed that his father had ordered the jewellery, insisting that he was innocent. In response, the king argued that the merchant had inherited not only his father’s riches but also his father’s sins, and thus he must face punishment for the crime.

Q2. Why was it decided to execute the disciple? [2024]
Ans: The rich man was too thin to be executed properly on the stake.  A fat man was needed for this. So the disciple was chosen to be executed.

Q3. How did the kingdom become normal again? [2024]
Ans: The people requested the guru and the disciple to be their king and minister.  They finally agreed and changed all the old laws. Thus, the kingdom became normal again.

Q4. What did the dancing girl say in her defence? [2022]
Ans: The dancing girl explained that she had given some gold to the goldsmith to create jewellery for her. However, the goldsmith made numerous excuses, which forced her to walk back and forth to his house many times.

Q5. How did the guru come to know that his disciple was in trouble? [2021]
Ans: The guru had magical powers. He saw in a vision that his disciple was in trouble.

Q6. What did the king and his minister do at night? [2021]
Ans: At night, the king and his minister secretly visited the prison to release the guru and his disciple. They then disguised themselves as the two prisoners. Following their plan, they were taken to the stake, and executed.

Q7. Who were the people questioned during the course of the trial, and what was each person’s defence? [2020]
Ans: During the trial, several individuals were questioned, each providing their own defence. The owner of the house claimed that the responsibility lay with the bricklayer who built the wall. The bricklayer, in turn, explained that he was distracted by a dancing girl who passed by repeatedly. The dancing girl then stated that she had to walk through the street multiple times because the goldsmith had not completed her jewellery on time. The goldsmith defended himself by saying he was busy making ornaments for a wedding at the house of the same owner who had initially been summoned.

Q8. How was the Kingdom of Fools different from any other place? [2019]
OR
What was so strange about the Kingdom of Fools? 

Ans: The Kingdom of Fools was unique and peculiar compared to other places. It was ruled by an idiot king and his foolish minister, who enforced bizarre laws. They mandated that everyone should work at night and sleep during the day. Even cattle were trained to follow this strange routine. Additionally, all goods had a uniform price of one duddu, regardless of what was purchased.

Long Answer Type Questions 

Q1. Describe in brief the strange case brought to the king and the king’s judgment. [2024]
Ans: One day, a thief broke into the house of a rich man. A wall of the house fell on him, and he died on the spot. The brother of the thief complained to the king that the rich man was responsible for the thief’s death because the wall of his house was weak. The owner of the house was summoned. But he said that the bricklayer who had constructed the wall was responsible. The bricklayer said that when he was making a wall, a dancing girl passed several times through the street. She distracted his attention. 

So, she was responsible. The dancing girl told the king that she had ordered a goldsmith to make jewellery for her. He did not make it in time. So she had to pass through the street several times. The goldsmith was called. He said that he had to make ornaments for a wedding in the rich man’s house. So he could not finish the jewellery of the dancing girl in time. He was the same owner of the house where the thief had died. He said that his father had placed the order. The king and his minister decided that since the rich man’s father had died, he would be executed in his father’s place.

Q2. Name all the people who are tried in the king’s court, and give the reasons for their trial. [2023]
Ans: The first person tried in the king’s court was the merchant. He was accused because the wall of his house collapsed, resulting in the death of a thief who was burgling his property. Following him, the bricklayer was brought to trial, as the merchant claimed that the bricklayer’s poor workmanship caused the wall to be weak. Next, a dancer was accused of distracting the bricklayer with the sound of her jingling anklets while he worked on the wall. The goldsmith was then implicated for repeatedly calling the dancer to his shop to collect her jewellery, which contributed to her distraction of the bricklayer. The merchant’s father was also blamed for pressuring the goldsmith to prioritise his order, which further complicated the situation. Ultimately, the responsibility circled back to the merchant, who had inherited the house from his father, where the incident occurred. Thus, he was held accountable for the tragedy that unfolded.

Q3. How does the guru manage to save his disciple’s life? [2021]
Ans: The guru saved his disciple’s life using his wisdom and magical powers. When the disciple prayed for help, the guru arrived instantly. He first confused the king by claiming he insisted on being executed before his disciple. Then, he cleverly flattered the king, suggesting that the stake was a part of the divine test. He proclaimed that whoever died first would be reborn as the king, while the second would become the minister. This trickery led the king to believe he could secure a better future for himself. Ultimately, he agreed to execute the guru and his disciple, thinking they would be reborn as rulers. In a twist of fate, the king and his minister disguised themselves as the guru and disciple and were executed instead. Thus, the guru not only saved his disciple but also rid the kingdom of the foolish king and his incompetent minister.

Q4. The guru was as wise as King Solomon. Discuss. [2020]
OR
Wisdom and far-sightedness were the most important qualities of the guru’s character. Discuss.
Ans: By saving his disciple’s life and eventually becoming the ruler of the Kingdom of Fools, the guru demonstrated the immense value of wisdom. He was able to tackle even the most challenging problems because he remained calm during crises. His character illustrates that wisdom is a vital asset for overcoming tricky situations. Similar to King Solomon of Israel, the guru accomplished the seemingly impossible task of rescuing his disciple from the foolish execution orders of the king. As a well-travelled and knowledgeable man, the guru quickly realised that the Kingdom of Fools was misruled and that the king’s foolishness could not persist indefinitely. His concerns were validated when his disciple was captured and condemned to execution simply for being fat enough to fit the stake. The wise guru devised a clever plan not only to save his disciple’s life but also to eliminate the foolish king and his incompetent minister. In this way, wisdom triumphed over foolish and unrestrained power.

Very Short Answer Type Questions 

Q1: Which book did Iswaran read after his lunch?  [2025]
​Ans: Iswaran used to read some popular Tamil thrillers after his lunch.

Q2: What did the fences seem like for the elephants?  [2025]
​Ans: The fences seemed like matchsticks for the elephants.

Q3: Who made the elephant frightened? [2024]
​Ans: Iswaran made the elephant frightened.

Q4: Why did Iswaran leave the story unfinished? [2023]
​Ans: Iswaran left the story unfinished as he had to go warm the dinner for them.

Q6: What is the culinary skill? [2023]
Ans: Culinary skill refers to skills related to cooking.

Q7: Why did Iswaran take permission for preparing a special dinner from Mahendra? [2022]
Ans: Iswaran took permission for preparing a special dinner as it was an auspicious day, and according to tradition, special food should be prepared to feed the spirits of their ancestors.

Q8: According to Iswaran, what was the factory site before? [2021]
Ans: According to Iswaran, the factory site was a burial ground before.

Q9: Describe the woman ghost seen by Iswaran? [2020]
Ans: The woman ghost was horrible looking and appeared on a full moon night. She was very ugly and had matted hair with a wrinkled face. She was seen holding an unborn baby in her arms.

Short Answer Type Questions

Q1. How did Iswaran manage to make even the simplest incident interesting? Give an example. [2025]
Ans. Iswaran had a talent for making even the most ordinary incident interesting by adding suspense to his storytelling. For example, instead of simply saying he saw a fallen tree on the highway, he would describe it as a “enormous bushy beast” before revealing that it was just a fallen tree.

Q2. What did Iswaran do after Mahendra had left for office? [2024]
Ans. When Mahendra left for the office, Iswaran would do his work and take a leisurely bath. While taking bath, he kept muttering a prayer. After lunchtime, he would read for a while before going to sleep. He read popular Tamil thrillers. The stories that he narrated were greatly influenced by these novels.

Q3. How did Iswaran add a prologue to his story of an elephant? [2023]
Ans. Before starting the story, Iswaran gave a detailed description of the place. He said that the place was a richly wooded forest. The logs of wood were hauled by elephants on lorries. But sometimes, the elephants turned mad. When an elephant turned mad, not even a skilled mahout could control it.

Q4. Why did Mahendra resolve to leave the haunted place the very next day? [2022]
Ans. Mahendra had almost forgotten the incident of the previous night. But in the morning, lswaran told Mahendra that he had also heard the moan at night. He had come to his room. He had seen that Mahendra was looking out of the window at the ghost of the woman. Mahendra was cold with fear. As soon as he reached the office, he handed in his papers for transfer from that place

Q5. Do you think the ghost seen by Mahendra was only a trick played by his cook, Iswaran? Give reasons for your answer. [2021]
Ans. First, Iswaran created the background by telling Mahendra that the place used to be a burial ground. Then he told the story of a ghost. One night Mahendra saw a figure outside his window. The figure looked like the ghost described by Iswaran. The next morning, lswaran told Mahendra that he had seen Mahendra looking out of the window at the ghost. This shows that it was only a trick played by Iswaran.

Q6. Mahendra calls ghosts or spirits a figment of the imagination. What happens to him on a full moon night? [2021]
Ans. Mahendra calls ghosts or spirits a figment of the imagination as he did not believe in ghosts. One day Iswaran told him about a female ghost holding a foetus in her arms. On a full-moon night, he woke up from his sleep and looked outside the window. He was shocked to see the same figure and began to sweat profusely.

Q7. How did Iswaran build up his ghost story? [2020]
Ans. Iswaran did not give the proper beginning to his stories. He was also in the habit of leaving the story incomplete in between. He prepared the background of the ghost story by saying ‘he saw a human skull lying on the path’. After this, he told the ghost story.

Q8. Who was Mahendra? What did he do? [2019]
Ans. Mahendra was a young man. He was a bachelor. He was a junior supervisor in a firm. Mahendra’s job was to keep an eye on the activities at the work-site. 

Long Answer Type Questions Q1. Describe lswaran’s encounter with the elephant. [2025]
Ans. One day, lswaran told Mahendra the story of a mad elephant. One day a tusker from timber yard escaped and reached the town. People ran here and there in terror. After sometimes the elephant entered a school ground where children were playing. All the boys ran into the rooms and shut the doors of the classrooms. 
The elephant pulled out the football goalpost, tore the volleyball net and broke the drum kept for water. Everyone watched helplessly. Iswaran said that he was studying in the junior class at that time. He grabbed the stick of a teacher and came to the elephant. He struck the elephant’s third toenail with that stick. It shivered and fell down. A veterinary doctor was called. After two days, the elephant’s mahout came and took it away. Iswaran told Mahendra that he made the elephant unconscious using the Japanese art karate or ju-jitsu.

Q2. What did Iswaran tell Mahendra about a ghost? Describe Mahendra’s horrible experience one night. Why did he resolve to leave that place? [2024]
Ans. Iswaran told Mahendra that the entire factory area where he worked was once a burial ground. lswaran told Mahendra that he often saw ghosts at night. Sometimes, there appeared a horrible ghost of a woman. She held a foetus in her arms. Hearing this tale, Mahendra shivered. But he told lswaran that there were no ghosts in reality. From that time, Mahendra felt somewhat uneasy at night. One night, Mahendra was awakened up from sleep by a moan. The moan became louder. He looked out of the window. 
He saw the dark cloudy form of a woman, not very far away from window. She was carrying a bundle in her arms. Mahendra began to sweat with fear. The next morning, Iswaran told Mahendra that he had also heard the moan at night. He had come to his room. He had seen that Mahendra was looking out of the window at the ghost of the woman. Mahendra was cold with fear. As soon as he reached office, he handed in his papers for transfer from that place.

Q3. How does Iswaran describe the uprooted tree on the highway? What effect does he want to create on his listeners?  ​[2023]​​​
Ans. Iswaran describes the uprooted tree by first adding suspense and then a surprise ending to the account. He uses his eyes and hands quite dramatically while recounting that he was alone on a deserted road when he saw something that looked like an enormous bushy beast. Later, on a closer look, he saw that it was a fallen tree with dry branches spread out.
He adopts this style of description because he wants to catch the attention of the listener. He employs suspense and adds details so that the story captivates his audience. His style of narrating stories was influenced by Tamil thrillers that were quite long. He knew from his experience of reading that elaborate descriptions made the story enjoyable and interesting. He wanted to give the same experience to his listeners.

Q4. “Iswaran is a fascinating storyteller”. Discuss.
Or
Iswaran was a master storyteller. Describe his amazing narrative’ skills. [2022]
Ans. Iswaran is a fascinating storyteller who could weave out endless stories and anecdotes. He acquired this talent by reading Tamil thrillers. He would read these novels every day after lunch and relate them to his master in his leisure time. He always added suspense and surprise even to the smallest incident and could make up innumerable stories on different subjects. He would use facial and body expressions to add interest to the story. He would raise his eyebrows, wave his hands, and jump about imitating the characters in his stories. He would narrate a story in installments and purposely leave it unfinished midway. On returning, he would not pick it up right away till reminded by his listener. He would narrate a new story every day and fill it with adventure, horror and suspense, thus entertaining Mahendra as television does.

Q5. How does Iswaran narrate the story of the tusker? Does it appear to be plausible?  [2021]
Ans. Iswaran narrates the story of the tusker in his unique style. He starts by giving an introduction in which he describes elephants that turn wild and become uncontrollable. He then gives an account of how one day a tusker escaped from the timber yard and destroyed the bushes, creepers and branches that came its way. While describing, Iswaran gets carried away by the narrative and jumps about on the floor. He continues narrating the details regarding the forced entry of the elephant first in the town and then in his school. He builds up the suspense by describing the fear that gripped the people of his town, his teachers and the boys in his school. He then very cleverly assumes the role of a hero and goes on to narrate how he, merely a junior student, grabbed a cane from a teacher and ran down to challenge the tusker. It tried to scare him by stamping its feet and kicking up mud. But Iswaran said that he was so brave that he hit hard on the third toenail of the elephant and the stunned animal shivered and collapsed.
The early part of this story that describes the havoc wreaked by the mad tusker is plausible. We often get to read news reports of such incidents in areas close to elephant habitats. However, the later part when Iswaran claims to disempower the elephant is impossible but hilarious. Taming a wild elephant in a snap with a cane held by a junior class student is far fetched but interesting.

Very Short Answer Type Questions

Q1. Why did the writer’s grandfather buy Toto from the Tonga driver?   [2025]
Ans: The writer’s grandfather bought Toto from the tonga driver to enhance his private zoo collection.

Q2. Where did they keep Toto after bringing him?   [2025]
Ans: Toto was kept in a small closet located in the writer’s bedroom.

Q3. What were the other animals that stayed with the monkey in the grandfather’s zoo?  [2024]
Ans: In the grandfather’s zoo, there were several animals that lived together harmoniously. These included a tortoise, a pair of rabbits, a squirrel, and the writer’s pet goat.

Q4. Who was the companion of Toto in the writer’s grandfather’s house?  [2023]
Ans: The family donkey, Nana, was Toto’s companion in the writer’s grandfather’s house.

Q5. What did Toto take from the lunch table?  [2022]
Ans: Toto took a dish full of rice from the lunch table.
Short Answer Type Questions

Q1. Where was Toto transferred from the author’s bedroom? Did he remain peaceful there?  [2025]
Ans: Toto was moved to a big cage located in the servants’ quarters, where he shared space with other animals from Grandfather’s private zoo. This included a tortoise, a pair of rabbits, a tame squirrel, and a pet goat. However, Toto’s behaviour was disruptive; he did not allow the other animals to sleep peacefully at night.
Q2. How did Toto get along with other animals?  [2025]
Ans: Toto did not get along well with other animals. He often troubled Nana, the family donkey, by fastening himself onto her long ears with his sharp teeth. This behaviour prevented other animals from sleeping peacefully.
Q3. Why did Toto throw a plate at Grandmother?  [2025]
Ans: One day, Toto spotted a large plate of pulao on the dining table and began to eat it. When Grandmother entered and saw him eating the rice, she screamed. Toto, upset by her reaction, threw the plate at her, causing it to shatter into pieces.
Q4. Why was Toto sold back to the tonga-driver? [2024]
Ans: Grandfather realised that Toto could not be kept in the house for long. The family struggled with the constant loss of dishes, clothes, curtains, and wallpaper due to Toto’s mischief. Ultimately, Grandfather decided to sell Toto back to the tonga-driver for just three rupees.
Q5. How does Toto come to Grandfather’s private zoo? OR Why did the author’s Grandfather decide to buy Toto? [2023]
Ans: Grandfather had a love for pets and noticed a red monkey tied to a feeding trough by a tonga-driver. Feeling that the monkey seemed out of place, he decided to buy him for five rupees. This addition was meant to enhance his private zoo, which already housed various birds and animals.
Q6. Why did Grandfather hide Toto for some time when he brought him home? [2022]
OR 
Why was Toto’s entry into Grandfather’s Zoo kept a secret?
Ans: Grandfather, who loved pets, knew that bringing a new animal home would upset Grandmother. To avoid her fussing, he decided to hide Toto for a while and keep his arrival a secret until Grandmother was in a better mood.
Q7. Where was Toto kept immediately after Grandfather got him? Why? [2022]
Ans: Toto was kept in a closet that opened into the narrator’s bedroom wall. He was tied securely to a peg fixed into the wall. This arrangement was made to keep him secret from Grandmother, who always created a fuss whenever a new pet was brought into the house.
Q8. What destruction was caused by Toto to the narrator’s room? [2021]
Ans: Toto caused significant damage in the narrator’s room. He tore off the ornamental paper from the walls, leaving them exposed. Additionally, he wrenched the peg from the wall to which he was tied, and he shredded the narrator’s school blazer, leaving it in tatters.
Q9. How did Grandfather decide to carry Toto to Saharanpur? Why? [2021]
Ans: Grandfather decided to carry Toto to Saharanpur in a big black canvas kit bag because Toto was a very mischievous monkey. If he had not been zipped up in the bag, he would have certainly caused trouble. Additionally, carrying animals without permission was against the rules of the railway authorities.
Q10. How did Grandfather try to keep the presence of his travelling-mate a secret?  [2020]
OR 
Who was Grandfather’s traveling mate to Saharanpur? How did he try to keep his presence a secret?
Ans: Toto was Grandfather’s travelling companion to Saharanpur. To keep his presence a secret, Grandfather placed him in a large canvas kit bag with some straw at the bottom. The canvas was too thick for Toto to bite through, and the bag was tightly closed, preventing any escape. Despite his efforts to get out, which caused the bag to roll or jump, Toto remained hidden until they reached Saharanpur. However, while Grandfather was showing his ticket, Toto unexpectedly poked his head out, surprising the ticket-collector.
Q11. Why did Grandfather get annoyed at the Saharanpur station?  [2019]
Ans: Grandfather became annoyed at Saharanpur station because the ticket collector insisted on referring to Toto as a dog. Despite Grandfather’s attempts to explain that Toto was a monkey and not a quadruped, the ticket collector maintained his stance. Consequently, Grandfather was forced to pay three rupees as fare for Toto.
Q12. Why did Grandfather show his tortoise to the ticket collector? [2018]
Ans: Grandfather became annoyed when the ticket collector insisted that Toto, his monkey, was a dog and demanded a fare. Despite Grandfather’s attempts to explain that Toto was not a dog, the collector charged him three rupees. To retaliate, Grandfather took out his tortoise from his pocket and asked how much he needed to pay for it. The ticket collector examined the tortoise and, after poking it, declared there was no charge, as it was not a dog.
Long Answer Type Questions

Q1. Describe Toto’s bath ritual. 
OR 
How did Toto take a bath during winter? How did he learn to bathe in that manner?  [2024]
Ans: Toto enjoyed a warm bath on chilly winter evenings. His grandmother provided a large bowl of warm water for him. He would first check the water’s temperature with his hand, then step in gradually, placing one foot after the other, just as he had seen the narrator do. Once comfortable, he would rub soap all over his body using his hands or feet. When the water cooled down, he would quickly get out and rush to the kitchen fire to dry himself.

If anyone laughed at him during his bath, Toto would feel hurt and stop bathing. One day, he nearly boiled himself when he climbed into a large kettle left on the fire. He found the water warm enough for a bath and got in, but as the water began to boil, he had to hop up and down until his grandmother rescued him, half-boiled.
Q2. Describe the situation where grandfather found himself at the Saharanpur railway station. [2023]
Ans: Toto had not yet been revealed to Grandmother. The following day, Grandfather needed to visit Saharanpur to collect his pension and decided to take Toto with him. He placed Toto in a large black canvas bag, which was too sturdy for the monkey to bite through. Toto stayed in the bag throughout the journey. Upon reaching the station, as the ticket collector checked Grandfather’s ticket, Toto unexpectedly poked his head out of the bag and smiled at the collector. The collector, surprised, insisted that Grandfather had a dog and that he needed to pay for it. Despite Grandfather’s attempts to explain that Toto was a monkey, the collector remained firm and charged an additional three rupees.

In a bid to turn the situation to his advantage, Grandfather then showed the collector his pet tortoise, asking what fare was required for it. The collector examined the tortoise and, after confirming it was not a dog, declared that no charge was necessary.
Q3. Why does Grandfather take Toto to Saharanpur, and how? Why does the ticket collector insist on calling Toto a dog?  [2022]
Ans: Grandfather took Toto to Saharanpur to collect his pension. He couldn’t leave Toto at home because it was still a secret from Grandmother, and Toto’s mischievous behaviour made it risky. To ensure Toto wouldn’t escape or disturb other passengers, Grandfather packed him securely in a large, black canvas kit bag.

The train journey to Saharanpur was mostly uneventful until Toto poked his head out of the bag and grinned at the ticket collector. The collector, surprised, insisted that Grandfather pay for Toto, claiming he had a dog with him. Despite Grandfather’s attempts to explain that Toto was a monkey and not a dog, the ticket collector insisted on classifying him as such, leading to a fare of three rupees.

In a light-hearted response, Grandfather then took out their pet tortoise and asked the ticket collector what the fare would be for it. The collector examined the tortoise and, after some thought, declared there would be no charge since it was not a dog.
Q4. What ruckus did Toto create at lunchtime one day?  [2021]
Or 
How did Toto get on Grandmother’s nerves at lunchtime one day?
Ans: During one lunchtime, a large dish of pulao was placed at the centre of the dining table. When the family entered, they were shocked to find Toto, the monkey, stuffing himself with rice. This startled Grandmother, who screamed, prompting Toto to throw a plate at her in self-defence. One of the narrator’s aunts rushed to help, only to receive a glass of water in her face from Toto.

When Grandfather arrived, Toto seized the pulao dish and escaped through the window. The family later discovered him in a jackfruit tree, where he spent the afternoon finishing every grain of rice. To spite Grandmother for her earlier scream, Toto threw the empty dish down from the tree, chattering with delight as it shattered into pieces.
Q5. Grandfather possessed the values of childlike simplicity. Do you agree/disagree? Give reasons. [2020]
Ans: Grandfather owned a private zoo with various animals, including a tortoise, a pair of rabbits, and a tame squirrel. His childlike love for animals led him to secretly acquire a monkey named Toto, despite Grandmother’s disapproval. This secrecy highlights his innocent nature. For instance, when Toto damaged the narrator’s school blazer, Grandfather found it amusing and remarked on Toto’s cleverness, demonstrating his playful spirit. Additionally, when he hid Toto in a bag during a train journey and produced a tortoise to avoid extra charges, it further illustrates his childlike simplicity. Such actions confirm that, despite his age, Grandfather retained a youthful and innocent outlook on life.

Very Short Answer Type Questions

Q1: What is the third reason for the child lagging behind? [2025]
Ans: The child lagged behind again because he stopped to watch little insects and worms along the footpath, which were coming out to enjoy the sunshine.

Q2: What did the child start gathering after entering the grove? [2024]
Ans: After entering the grove, the child started gathering the falling petals in his hands.

Q3: Write the meaning of “capers”? [2024]
Ans: “Capers” here means running or moving in a playful manner.

Q4: How did they reach the village fair? [2023]
Ans: They reached the village fair by walking through the narrow, winding footpath through a mustard field.

Q5: Why did the child not go near the snake charmer? [2021]
Ans: The child did not go near the snake charmer because his parents had warned him not to listen to such coarse music.

Q6: Finally, what did the child request from his parents? [2020]
Ans: Finally, the child requested to go on the round-about ride.

Q7: What were the ultimate words uttered by the child after getting lost? [2020]
Ans: After getting lost, the child kept repeating “I want my mother, I want my father.” 

Short Answer Type Questions

Q1. Was the fair popular with people in general? Give reasons.
OR
Was the festival of spring an attraction for the people?  [2025]

Ans: The fair was certainly very popular with people in general because they had left their daily routine work, dressed up in their best, and had come to enjoy the spring festival. They were with their families and crowded the stalls and rides displayed at the fair.

Q2. Parents were in a hurry to reach the fair, but the child was delaying them. How?   [2025]

Ans: The child was getting tempted by the many distractions on the way to the fair. Sometimes he would stop by the toy shops while at other times he would start running after butterflies. The parents had to pause frequently and call him to walk beside them.

Q3. How can you say that the child was scared of his father?  [2025]

Ans: The child was tempted by many things, but he asked for them only in slow murmurs. This shows that he was scared of his father and could not express his demands as rightfully as some other children do.

Q4. How did the mother distract the child’s mind from the toy seller? [2023]

Ans: The child’s mother drew his attention to the flowering mustard field to distract his mind from the toy seller. Here he saw colourful dragonflies with gaudy purple wings, black bees, and butterflies. He gazed at them as they flew in the air.

Q5. How did the child enjoy the beauty of nature on his way to the fair? [2022]

Ans: On his way to the fair, the child saw a flowering mustard field. He stopped there to watch the little insects and worms that were coming out from their hiding places. He then tried to gather the petals of falling flowers and ran gaily in circles around a banyan tree.

Q6. Why did the child feel both repelled and fascinated by the fair? [2022]

Ans: The child was amazed to see a huge crowd of people at the fair. This left him confused and a bit afraid. However, the natural sights, stalls of eatables, rides, games and toys at the fair fascinated him.

Q7. What did the child see at the sweetmeat shop? How did he react to this sight? [2021]

Ans: At the sweetmeat shop on the entrance of the fair, the child saw an architecture of many-coloured sweets that made his eyes open wide and left his mouth filled with water. He longed to have his favourite burfi but instinctively knew that his parents would not buy him any. So, he moved on without waiting for an answer.

Q8. How did balloons fascinate the child? Was he able to buy any? Why/Why not? [2020]

Ans: The sight of many-coloured balloons flying in the air from the balloon sellers pole blew the child over and his heart was filled with an overwhelming desire to possess all those balloons. But alas, just like the burfi and the flowers, he could not dare to ask his parents to buy him balloons for fear of getting a ‘no’ from them on the pretext that he was too old to play with balloons.

Q9. How did the sight of a snake-charmer leave the child spellbound? [2019]

Ans: As the child walked away from the balloon-seller, his eyes caught the sight of a snake-charmer playing on a flute to a snake. He was fascinated by the swinging hood of the snake swinging gracefully like the neck of a swan. The music of the flute equally mesmerized both the snake and the boy.

Q10. What plea did the child finally make to his parents? Was his plea heard? [2019]

Ans: The child finally pleaded with his parents to let him go on a ride on the roundabout. Sadly, this plea was not heard because his parents weren’t standing behind him at that time. He had been separated from them and hence they could not hear him.

Q11. The fair lost all its charm and attraction for the child. When did this happen?  [2018]
OR 
How was the child separated from his parents?

Ans: Tempted by the sight of a sweetmeat seller, a balloon-seller, a flower-seller, a snake-charmer and finally the roundabout in motion, the child failed to keep pace with his parents and got separated. This separation filled him with panic and he lost interest in the fair.

Q12. What happened when the lost child reached the temple door?  [2017]

Ans: On reaching the temple door, the lost child got caught between the legs of the crowd that was jostling with each other to get into the shrine. The child got knocked down and would have got trampled if the ‘kind man’ had not rescued him after hearing his loud cry.

Q13. Who rescued the lost child? What did he offer to buy?  [2017]

Ans: A kind man in the shrine heard the child’s cry and lifted him in his arms. To pacify the wailing child, he offered to buy all those things that he had asked for from his parents – horse ride, a multi-coloured balloon, garland, snake-charmers show, and a sweetmeat.

Q14. Why did the man offer to buy things for the child? [2017]

Ans: The child kept weeping inconsolably in the arms of the man who had rescued him from getting trampled at the shrine. The man offered to buy him things in order to pacify the child, to make him feel secure, and to ask him about his parents and home.

Q15. What do you think happens in the end? Does the child find his parents? [2016]

Ans: The lost child was fortunate enough to have been picked up by a kind and affectionate soul. This man must have gone out of his way to trace the lost child’s mother and father and succeeded in reuniting him with his parents.

Q16. Why did the parents forbid the child from listening to the snake charmer’s music? [2016]

Ans: They refused the flute’s music to the child because they considered it coarse music. The child suppressed his feelings and kept on moving.

Long Answer Type Questions

Q1. What were the things that the boy wanted to possess when he was with his parents?   [2025]
Ans: The child went to a village fair with his parents. He saw several stalls of sweets and toys. At first. he liked a beautiful toy. He asked his parents to buy him that toy. But his father called him away from that shop. Then he tried to catch a butterfly. But he did not succeed. After that, he saw a sweets-seller. He wanted to have some burfi. But his father rejected his demand. Then he saw someone selling garlands of gulmohur flowers. The child wanted to buy a garland. But this demand was also rejected. After that, he wanted to buy a balloon. His father did not buy it for him. Then the child saw a juggler. He wanted to stop and hear the music of his flute. But he feared his father. So he went on. In the end, he wanted to have a ride in a roundabout. But his parents were nowhere to be seen.

Q2. Describe the condition of the child after he had lost his parents at the fair. [2024]
Or
Describe the changes that occurred in the child in the spring festival.
Ans: The child went to the fair along with his parents. He was very happy. He was attracted by the colourful and beautiful things. He saw balloons, flower garlands, toys and sweets. He saw a juggler showing tricks. He also saw a roundabout. But he was sad because his parents rejected all his demands. They did not purchase anything for him. He could not enjoy the juggler’s tricks. Then he wanted to have a ride on the roundabout Ile turned to ask his parents. But he found them missing. He was separated from them. Now a sudden change came in the child. He started crying for his parents. A kind man tried to console him. But the child lost interest in everything. He wanted to join his parents again. He cried, “I want my mother. I want my father!” 

Q3. The man who had rescued the child was compassionate and kind. Discuss. [2022]
Or
What values of humanity are reflected through the character of the kind man?
Ans: The man who had rescued the child had a heart full of goodness. He did not ignore the painful shrieks of the boy calling for his parents. Risking his own safety, he bent down in the crowd to rescue the child from getting trampled. He forgot his own purpose of visiting the shrine did his best to comfort and soothe the scared boy. He talked to him very kindly and inquired about his parents. When he did not get any response from the child, he did not lose patience. Instead, he tried to make him feel at ease b offering him the little things that children love. The man sincerely tried to pacify the child so that he could help him to find his parents. His character thus reflects the human values of kindness, compassion, care and love.

Q4. The child was denied everything by his parents. Why then did his love for them not lessen in any way? [2021]
Ans: The child had come to the fair with his parents to have fun and to enjoy the festive spirit like others. Although he wanted to have many things at the fair, he knew that he could not have them because his parents disliked those things. Although he was denied everything that he asked for, his love for them did not lessen. He enjoyed the natural beauty and satisfied himself by simply looking at the things he liked but could not have. He accompanied them obediently and did not throw any tantrums or compel them in any way to buy him sweets, garlands, balloons etc. His deep love for them can be seen when he gets separated from them. He misses them terribly and feels lonely. At that time his only concern is to get them back.

Q5. Compare the child’s behaviour before and after he lost his parents. [2020]
Ans: Before losing his parents, the child is in a happy, cheerful and playful mood. He gets attracted to many things on the way but follows his parents’ call whenever they ask him to. He is amazed by the beauty of nature and enjoys it in his innocent way. He feels secure in the presence of his parents and so he does not even wait for their response when he demands things from them. However, on getting separated, he is filled with fear and panic. He cries inconsolably and gets lost in a large crowd of people all around. He refuses to accept even those things that he had wanted a little while ago. Everything else loses value in his eyes in the absence of his parents. His laughter and happiness are replaced by insecurity and fear.

Q6. “A child longs for toys, sweets and other things but not at the cost of his parents.” Comment.  [2019]
Ans. When the child realised that he had been separated from his parents, he started crying. Tears rolled down his cheeks. His face was full of fear. He was panicked and ran here and there. His yellow turban got untied. His clothes became muddy. He ran towards the shrine in search of his parents. There was a thick crowd. Before he could be trampled under their feet, a kind-hearted person picked him up in his arms. He asked him how he got there and where his parents were. The child wept more bitterly and cried for his parents.

Q7. When the child got lost in the fair a stranger helped him and tried to solve his problem. What do you feel about the behaviour of the stranger?  [2019]
Ans. The stranger was certainly a kind-hearted man. He saved the child from being trampled under the feet. He loved children very much. He lifted the lost child in his lap and offered him all those things which the child desired to have earlier. He also offered the child to go on the roundabout. Obviously, such persons are rare and their responsibility gets increased in the fair. The stranger showed the love of parents in his behaviour towards the lost child. He tried to assure the child that he should not be afraid of anything in the fair. He will find the parents and hand over the lost child to him. The stranger also knew that the lost child could not live with his parents because he was weeping bitterly for his parents. Still, he tried to make the lost child happy. With his kind behaviour, the stranger proved that everybody has immense love for children.

Q8. You have gone to a fair. Your parents refuse to buy certain things for you. How will you react?  [2018]
Ans. In such a situation, I would react with understanding and acceptance. While it’s natural to feel a bit disappointed initially, I would remind myself of the bigger picture. My parents’ decisions are based on their care and consideration for me.

I trust my parents’ judgment wholeheartedly. They have a better perspective on what is truly beneficial for me. Their choices are influenced by a variety of factors, including our family’s financial responsibilities and my well-being. They have the responsibility of managing household expenses and ensuring that I’m safe and happy.

Rather than dwelling on what I couldn’t get, I would focus on the gratitude I have for my parents’ love and efforts. I know they always have my best interests at heart. This experience would also teach me important lessons about patience, understanding, and appreciating the value of things beyond their material aspect.

Q9. You are taken to a fair by your parents. How will you behave with your parents? Explain with reference to the lesson ‘The Lost Child’.  [2017]
Ans. When our parents take us to a fair, we should always try to follow their instructions. We should walk along with them so that we may not get lost in the fair. Besides, we must keep the mobile number and address of our house in the pocket. If we are lost in the fair, we should not eat things or sweets offered by other people because they might be kidnappers and criminals. If we are lost in the fair, we should take help from the police. Our parents have immense love for us. In the fair, we should not pressurise our parents to buy unnecessary things. Our act may humiliate our parents. It is our duty to keep them happy. We should not become a burden on our parents. We should always keep in mind the hard work they do for us.

Q.1. Sergei’s anger had vanished and he now began to feel a little sorry and ashamed of himself for having set a spoiled, drunken, perhaps sick man to work at menial labour in the cold. An hour later Olga came in and announced that the wood had all been chopped.

(i) Why was Sergei angry in the first place?

Because Lushkoff had told him several lies to him to get money.

(ii) What job had Sergei given to the beggar?

To chop the woods.

(iii) Who was Olga?

Sergei’s cook

(iv) What is the irony in the above lines?

It was Olga who actually used to chop all the woods for Lushkoff.

Q.2. What reasons does Lushkoff give to Sergei for telling lies?

Lushkoff said that he was sent away from a Russian choir for drunkenness. He couldn’t get along without lying. No one would give him anything if he told the truth. Hence, he had nothing else to do but lie.

Q.3. What job did Sergei assign to Lushkoff that changed his life?

After moving to another house, Sergei sent for Lushkoff. He asked him to carry a letter to his friend’s house for the work of copying. From that day onwards, Lushkoff never looked back.

Q.4. Describe Lushkoff’s first attempt to work at Sergei’s.

Lushkoff irresolutely pulled a billet of wood towards him, set it up between his feet, and tapped it feebly with the axe. The billet wavered and fell down. He again pulled it to him, blew on his freezing hands, and tapped it with his axe cautiously, as if afraid of hitting his overshoe or of cutting off his finger; the stick of wood again fell to the ground.

Q.5. Sergei says, “I am happy that my words have taken effect.” Why does he say so? Is he justified in saying this?

Sergei says, “I am happy that my words have taken effect.” He says this to Lushkoff because he thinks that Lushkoff changes his ways because of the roasting given by him. Sergei offers a job of chopping woods to the beggar Lushkoff and later on assigns him several tasks/jobs. Lushkoff starts earning. Eventually, he becomes a notary and earns thirty-five roubles a month. Sergei thinks that all this happens because of him. However, he is not justified in thinking so, because in reality, it was Olga, his cook, who compelled Lushkoff to change his ways through her harsh words and noble deeds. She puts herself in misery and cried before Lushkoff while yelling at him and chopping woods for him. This brings a positive change in his heart. So actually, Olga’s words take effect, not Sergei’s.

Q.6. “KIND sir, have pity; turn your attention to a poor, hungry man! For three days I have had nothing to eat; I haven’t five copecks for a lodging, I swear it before God. For eight years I was a village schoolteacher and then I lost my place through intrigues. I fell a victim to calumny. It is a year now since I have had anything to do.”

(i) Who is the speaker in the above lines?

Lushkoff (the beggar)

(ii) What does the speaker try to do in the above lines?

The speaker tries to beg and persuade Sergei to give him money.

(iii) Does the speaker get the help that he asks for? Why?

No, because Sergei realises that the speaker is lying to get money.

(iv) Pick out the word from the extract which means the same as ‘defamation’.

Calumny

Q.7. “I wouldn’t refuse to do that, but in these days even skilled wood-cutters find themselves sitting without bread.” – What does this say about Lushkoff?

The given lines tell that Lushkoff is not a willing worker. He tries to avoid working to the extent possible. However, he gets trapped in his own words to eventually work for Sergei.

Q.8. “Here’s for your pains. I see you are sober and have no objection to work.” Why did Sergei say this to Lushkoff?

Sergei said these words to Lushkoff because the latter was now no longer a beggar or a drunkard. He worked hard to earn himself a living and now had no objection to work.

Q.9. What advice does Sergei give Lushkoff after hearing his reasons for begging?

Sergei advices Lushkoff to work instead of begging. He says that there is plenty of work out there and he should earn himself a living. He should not lead his life by begging.

Q.10. Give a pen-portrait of Olga (Sergei’s cook) in about 100-150 words.

Olga, Sergei’s cook, was a grounded and nice-hearted woman. She was loyal and hardworking as she served Sergei for several years. She was a woman full of sympathy, empathy and emotions for others. This is evident from the fact that it was she who turned Lushkoff from a beggar to a respected and earning individual. She did so through her harsh words and noble deeds. She would sit down opposite him and grow sad, look into his face and weep and tell him that there was no pleasure for him and that he would burn in hell. She shed tears and suffered misery while chopping woods for him. Even Lushkoff couldn’t figure out why he stopped drinking at the sight of her and changed. She brought a change in his heart and set him right.

Q.1. My first year of high school felt awkward. After leaving junior high at the head of my class with all the seniority the upper grade levels could afford me, it felt strange starting over as a freshman. The school was twice as big as my old school, and to make matters worse, my closest friends were sent to a different high school. I felt very isolated. I missed my old teachers so much that I would go back and visit them.

(i) Why was the narrator feeling awkward?

The narrator was feeling awkward as it was his first day in high school and he was alone.

(ii) Why did the narrator feel strange?

He was feeling strange because he was new at the high school and was unsure of what would happen there.

(iii) Why was the author sent to a new school?

He was sent to a new high school as he had completed his junior school.

(iv) How would his old teachers encourage him?

His old teachers encouraged him to participate in school activities and make new friends there.

Q.2. What did the author and his mother do on seeing the fire?

On seeing the fire, both of them got worried and rushed here and there. The author requested the neighbors to call the firemen. His mother rushed into the house and tried to save the important documents and letters and pictures of her husband, who had died.

Q.3. The author felt isolated and sad in his new school. Why?

The author felt sad and isolated in high school because all his friends from junior school had moved to some other schools and he was all alone and was unsure of what would happen there.

Q.4. How did his old teachers encourage and advice the narrator?

The narrator was still haunted by the memories of his old school. He missed his friends and old teachers badly. The teachers would encourage and advise him to adjust according to the environment and make new friends at high school.

Q.5. Describe the reaction of the author and his mother on seeing the fire?

One day while doing his homework, the author noticed smoke coming out of his house. The whole house was filled with smoke because of fire. He and his mother rushed out. The fire spread quickly. He requested the neighbors to call the firemen. His mother went inside the house and came out with a metal box that had their important documents in it. She threw the box there and rushed back again. The author was terrified on seeing this. But he also knew that his mother had gone inside to save the memories of his father who had died when he was very young. The author tried to run after his mother but the fireman stopped him from doing so. Another fireman brought his mother out of the house safely. Both of them got worried on seeing their house on fire because they had lost everything.

Q.6. My mother. then ran out of the house carrying a small metal box full of important documents. She dropped the case on the lawn and, in a crazed state, ran back into the house. I knew what she was after. My father had died when I was young, and I was certain that she was not going to let his pictures and letters go up in flames. They were the only things that she had to remember him by. Still I screamed at her, “Mom! No!”

(i) What happened to the author’s house?

The author’s house caught fire and everything was destroyed.

(ii) Why did the author love his cat so much?

He had rescued the cat when it was a kitten and brought it home. Gradually he got attached to the cat.

(iii) Why did his mother run out of the house?

His mother ran out of the house carrying a metal box which had some important documents. She wanted to save the important things from the fire.

(iv) What things did she want to save from the fire?

She wanted to save the letters and pictures of her husband who had died. She had only those things as a memory.

Q.7. Why did his mother rush back to the house?

She had already carried a metal box which had all the important documents. But she rushed back again to save the memories of her late husband from getting destroyed in the fire.

Q.8. What did the author notice when he was sitting in the dining room?

The author, while doing his homework, noticed the smoke pouring in through the seams of the ceiling. Soon the room was filled with smoke. He along with his mother rushed out to save their lives.

Q.9. What did the author get from his new schoolmates?

Everyone in the new high school got to know about the fire incident that happened with the narrator. His schoolmates helped him in every possible way . They provided him books, bag, food and clothes.

Q.10. How did the author’s friends help him in rebuilding his life?

The author’s friends played a vital role in rebuilding his life which was destroyed because his house caught fire. The author had already lost his father when he was very young. His mother looked after him. They lost everything in that fire. The author joined a new high school but did not feel good there as he missed his old friends and teachers. He kept visiting his old teachers who, in return, would encourage him to be active in his new school. After the fire incident, when he went to school, he found everybody behaving strangely. But to his surprise, his schoolmates had arranged every necessary item that he needed. They had come to know about his situation so they wanted to help him in every possible way. The author felt happy again and lost his feelings of isolation and insecurity and was happy once again.

Q.1. You have looked after me so lovingly and I have not cooperated with you. I have been depressed and gloomy. The last leaf has shown me how wicked I have been.

(i) Who said this to whom?

Johnsy said these words to Sue.

(ii) Why had she been depressed and gloomy?

She had been depressed and gloomy thinking about her illness to be her approaching death.

(iii) What character of the speaker is reflected here?

Johnsy is simple and honest who realizes her mistakes and admits it without any tantrums.

(iv) What lesson did she learn after that?

She learnt that wanting to die is a sin. She realized that Sue had been extremely worried about her and she is her true friend.

Q.2. How did Johnsy associate herself with the falling leaf?

It was autumn and the ivy creeper leaves were falling gradually. She would stare at the falling leaves and started back counting. She associated her falling health with the leaves. She believed that she would die when the last leaf fell.

Q.3. When and why was the doctor’s report encouraging about Johnsy’s condition?

The doctor gave an encouraging report about Johnsy’s condition after examining her a day after the storm. She believed that the report was encouraging because she had regained her will to live.

Q.4. What saved Johnsy’s life?

The last leaf painted by Mr. Behrman on the wall opposite Johnsy’s window saved her life. She felt that she had been wicked. The last leaf gave her hope to live and realize that wanting to die is a sin.

Q.5. How did Behrman saved Johnsy’s life?

Behrman saved Johnsy’s life indirectly by inspiring her to change her perspective on life. His act of painting the last leaf was symbolic and emotionally significant, helping Johnsy realize the value of life and the beauty of hope. However, it was Johnsy’s own decision to embrace life and fight her illness that ultimately saved her. Behrman’s sacrifice and the symbolic gesture of the painted leaf played a crucial role in this realization.

Q.6. He was a sixty year old painter. His lifelong dream, was to paint a masterpiece but that had remained a dream. Sue poured out her worries to Behrman.

(i) Who is being talked about here?

The person being talked about here is Mr. Behrman, sixty year old man, who lived on the ground floor of the same building where Sue and Johnsy lived.

(ii) What worried Sue?

Sue was worried because Johnsy had pneumonia and despite of good treatment, she did not show any sign of improvement.

(iii) Why do you think he listened to Sue?

Mr. Behrman listened to Sue because he was a compassionate and helpful person. He was large hearted and a good neighbour.

(iv) What was his lifelong dream? Why had it remained unfulfilled so far?

Mr. Behrman’s lifelong wish was to paint a masterpiece. It had remained unfulfilled so far because he had not found any inspiration or motivation to paint the masterpiece.

Q.7. Why did Sue pour out her worries on Mr. Behrman?

Sue poured out her worries to Behrman because she was alarmed by the deteriorating condition of her friend. She wanted to seek guidance and support from an elderly well-wisher. She considered that an elderly experience of life would be of great help.

Q.8. How did Sue try to encourage Johnsy?

Sue tried to encourage Johnsy by telling her that she won’t die and she had to live for the sake of her friends. She further pleaded with Johnsy to spare a thought for her as she could not live without her.

Q.9. Which items were found near Mr. Behrman when he died? What did it signify?

A ladder and a lighted lantern were discovered near Behrman’s bed when he died. There were also some brushes and green and yellow paints on the floor near the ladder. This signified that the last green and fresh leaf had been painted by Mr. Behrman all through the stormy night.

Q.10. Sue is a true and faithful friend. Comment.

Sue was a true and faithful friend. As Johnsy fell ill, Sue made every effort to nurse her back to health. She exhibited the values of sincerity and commitment towards her friend by calling the doctor who would visit them daily to review Johnsy’s condition. She tried to lift Johnsy’s spirit by talking to her cheerfully about clothes and fashion. She whistled to pep up Johnsy. She would sit beside and paint so that she did not feel lonely and she could earn for herself and Johnsy. She tried to comfort her by reassuring that the ivy creeper leaves has nothing to do with her illness.

Q.1. “For the next two days, Prashant sat huddled with his friend’s family in the open on the rooftops. They froze in the cold and incessant rain; the rain water washed away Prashant’s tears. The only thought that flashed through his mind was whether his family had survived the fury of the super cyclone. Was he to be bereaved once again?
(i) What had Prashant done for the next two days?

Prashant sat huddled with his friend’s family in the open on the rooftops for the next two days.

(ii) What happened to Prashant and his friend’s family?

They froze in the cold and incessant rain. They sat on the rooftops.

(iii) What washed away Prashant’s tears?

Incessant rain washed away Prashant’s tears.

(iv) What was the only thought that flashed through Prashant’s mind?

The only thought that flashed through Prashant’s mind was whether his family had survived the fury of the cyclone.

Q.2. What happened when Prashant had gone to spend a day with his friend?

Seven years after his mother’s death, Prashant had gone to the block headquarters of Ersama, a small town in coastal Orissa, some eighteen kilometers from his village. He went there to spend a day with his friend. Then suddenly in the evening a dark and menacing storm started. Strong winds had started beating the houses with a fury. Prashant had never witnessed such a storm. Heavy rain filled the darkness and old trees had uprooted and fell to the earth.

Q.3. How did Prashant and his friend’s family take refuge during the cyclone?

For the next two days, Prashant and his friend’s family sat huddled in the open on the rooftop. They got frozen in the rain. Two coconut trees had fallen on the roof, this was a blessing in disguise because these coconuts kept the family from starving in the following days.

Q.4. What made Prashant move after two days?

Prashant was caught in the storm for two days, during which the only thought in his mind was about his family and their survival. Two days later, when the rain ceased and the water slowly began to recede, Prashant started out to look for his family without any further delay.

Q.5. What did Prashant decide after looking at the weird situation of the town?

After this furious and devastating cyclone, there was a lot of destruction and huge loss of life and property. As Prashant looked at the desperate situation in the town, he decided to step in as a leader of this village. He started working on it. He organised a group of youths and elders to pressurise the merchant once again to part with his rice. This time they succeeded and returned triumphantly. They brought food for everyone through the receding waters. They collected the branches of the fallen trees to light up a fire to cook the rice. This was for the first time when the survivors had filled their bellies. Then Prashant organised a team to clean the shelter of filth, urine, vomit and floating carcasses. They also cared for the wounded people. Not only food, but Prashant also took care of the people. He arranged various shelters for the children and women. He could feel the pain of the wounded and the separated ones. So he gave them moral support.

Q.6. “ On 27october 1999, seven years after his mother’s death, Prashant had gone to the block headquarters of Ersama, a small town in coastal Orissa, some eighteen kilometers from his village, to spend the day with a friend. In the evening, a dark and menacing storm quickly gathered. Winds beat against the houses with a speed and fury that Prashant had never witnessed before.

(i) When did Prashant go to the block headquarters of Ersama?

Prashant went to the headquarters seven years after his mother’s death on 27 october,1999.

(ii) Why did Prashant go to Ersama?

Prashant went to Ersama to a friend’s house to spend a day with him.

(iii) How far was the town from his village?

The town was some eighteen kilometers away from his village.

(iv) What happened in the evening?

In the evening a dark menacing storm gathered, winds beat against the houses with speed and fury.

Q.7. Describe the furious storm.

On 27 October 1999, a devastating cyclone hit Orissa and killed thousands of people. Strong wind beat against the houses and heavy and incessant rain filled the darkness. Ancient trees had uprooted and crashed to the earth. People screamed as their houses had washed away. The angry lashes of water swirled in the houses, it was neck deep. The wind velocity was 350km per hour. The surge of the ocean continued for next thirty six hours.

Q.8. What thought flashed through Prashant’s mind?

When Prashant and his friend’s family were caught in the furious storm, the only thought that flashed through Prashant’s mind was that whether his family had survived that storm. Was he to be bereaved again? He wanted to rush to his family and find them to be safe. After losing his mother, he didn’t want to be alone again.

Q.9. What scenes Prashant had to witness as he waded through the waters?

As he waded through the water, he witnessed the scenes which grew more and more macabre. There were human bodies-men, women and children. There were carcasses of dogs, goats and cattle which the current swept against him as he moved. He could not see even a single house standing. Everything was smashed to earth and destroyed.

Q.10. “Adversities bring out the heroes”. Describe Prashant’s character with reference to the chapter. What values make an efficient and popular leader?

Orissa was hit by a super cyclone in 1999. This storm changed the whole town and there was a great loss in terms of life and property. During this adversity Prashant came up as a hero and became the survivor. He was himself separated from his family but he collected courage and hope, finally he met them in a camp and got relieved. Looking at the weird situation he decided to get a grip over himself. Eighty six lives were lost, ninety six houses have been washed away. There was shortage of food for the people. He decide to become a volunteer and bring a change. He oraganised a group of youths and elders to arrange food and bring relief to the victims. He collected the orphaned children and tell the women to rake care of them. Then an NGO was also started by some efforts where women were working. He himself played cricket with the children. This was how Prashant worked for all those who had broken up or lost someone in their lives. Prashant came out to be a hero for all those whom he helped to survive. His determination, hardships and love and care for others made him a popular and an efficient leader.

Multiple ChoiceQuestions

Q1: Who came to live with the Prince in the story, The Happy Prince?
(a) A sparrow
(b) A stork
(c) A swallow
(d) A swan
Ans:  (c)
Sol: One night a little swallow flew over the city of the Happy Prince, he was travelling to Egypt and needed a place to rest so he took shelter under the Prince’s statue.

Q2: What did the swallow notice while flying over the city?
(a) Many waste things
(b) Many poor people
(c) Many people and their plight
(d) The plight of the poor and greed of the rich
Ans:  (d)

Q3: Who noticed the dull state of the Prince’s statue in the story, The Happy Prince?
(a) The Art Professor
(b) The Town Clerk
(c) The Town Councillor
(d) The bird
Ans:  (c)

Q4: What did the Prince tell the swallow to give to the seamstress In the story, The Happy Prince?
(a) The ruby of his sword’s hilt
(b) The thin leaves of gold from his body
(c) The lead from his heart
(d) The sapphire eyes of his
Ans:  (a)
Sol: The seamstress was penniless and didn’t have any money to buy oranges for her son, who was very ill. She was left only with river water. Looking at the helpless state of the seamstress,  the Prince told the swallow to give her the ruby from his sword’s hilt.

Q5: The colour of the lips of the writer was red like ________.
(a) Cherry
(b) Rose
(c) Apple
(d) Pomegranate
Ans:  (d)

Q6: What was the profession of the woman who was sitting in her cottage with prickled hands?
(a) Charwoman
(b) Cake-making
(c) Seamstress
(d) None of these
Ans:  (c)

Q7: What moved Swallow’s heart?
(a) Happy Prince
(b) Happy Prince’s kindness
(c) All of these
(d) Happy Prince’s assets
Ans:  (b)

Q8: The little swallow got the ________ bedroom.
(a) diamond
(b) silver
(c) muddy
(d) gold
Ans:  (d)

Q9: Shining sapphire stones were placed in the ________ of the happy prince.
(a) nose
(b) forehead
(c) sword
(d) eyes
Ans:  (d)

Q10: What was the Prince gilded over with In the story, The Happy Prince?
(a) Thin leaves of silver
(b) Thin leaves of copper
(c) Thin leaves of lead
(d) Thin leaves of gold
Ans:  (d)
Sol: The Happy Prince was gilded all over with gold.

Fill in the blanks.

a) The statue of the Happy Prince stood on a tall ________________. column

b) The Swallow’s friends went away to _____________ six weeks earlier. Egypt

c) The Swallow gave the _____________ to the seamstress. ruby

d) The Swallow plucked the ____________ from the Happy Prince’s eyes. sapphires

e) The Happy Prince requested the swallow to pluck out the gold leaves from his

______________. coat

Very Short AnswerQuestions

Q 1: Describe the statue of the Happy Prince.
Ans: The statue stood high above the city on a tall column. The Happy Prince statue is adorned with gold leaf, precious stones, and sapphire eyes, symbolizing opulence. Despite its grand appearance, it becomes a symbol of compassion and selflessness in the story.

Q2: Did the swallow belong to the city? How can you tell? Where was it going?

Ans: The swallow did not belong to the city; this is evident from its initial dialogue with the Prince where it mentions that it is on its way to Egypt for the winter. The swallow was going to Egypt for the winter, indicating its migratory nature and its lack of belonging to any particular place.

Q3: Where did the bird decide to stay for the night? Why?
Ans: The bird decided to stay near the statue of the prince, because it was located on a tall column and the bird felt he would get plenty of fresh air there.

Q4: Why did the swallow agree to deliver the ruby even though he wanted to join his friends in Egypt?
Ans: The Prince looked so sad that the little swallow felt sorry for him and agreed to stay one night and be his messenger.

Q5: What were the things that the swallow saw on his journey to deliver the ruby?
Ans: During his journey, the swallow saw scenes of poverty, including a hungry playwright, a sick matchgirl, a poor seamstress, and a starving child, motivating him to aid those in need with the Happy Prince’s treasures.

Short Answer Questions

Q 1: Why did the bird think he had a ‘golden bedroom’?
Ans: 

The bird thought he had a “golden bedroom” because he found shelter inside the hollow of the Happy Prince’s gold-covered body. The gold leaf from the statue’s body provided a warm and luxurious shelter for the swallow during the cold nights.

Q 2: Why was the bird not able to sleep peacefully that first night?
Ans: Just as the bird was about to sleep, he was disturbed by three tear drops that fell from the eyes of the statue. When he saw the tears running down the cheeks of the statue, he looked so beautiful in the moonlight that the bird was filled with pity and could not sleep.

Q3: Why was the statue of the Happy Prince weeping?
Ans: The statue of the Happy Prince was weeping because he could see the suffering and poverty of the people in his city from his elevated position. He felt compassion for them and wanted to help alleviate their suffering, but as a statue, he was unable to do so directly.

Q4: Why did the swallow delay his departure for the second time?
Ans: The swallow delayed his departure for the second time because he saw a poor seamstress who was cold and hungry. Feeling compassion for her, he decided to stay and help her by giving her the ruby from the Happy Prince’s sword hilt.

Q5: What did the Prince expect the young playwright to do with the sapphire? Did the swallow willingly agree to the Prince’s request?
Ans: The Prince expected the young playwright to sell the sapphire and use the money to buy food and firewood for his family, as they were suffering from poverty and hunger. Yes, the swallow willingly agreed to the Prince’s request to take the sapphire to the playwright after hearing about the family’s plight and feeling compassion for them.

Long Answer Questions

Q1: What are the two most precious things that the Angels find in the city?
Ans: The two most precious things that the Angels pick up from the city are the dead swallow and the lead heart of the Happy Prince. They picked these two because both the bird and the statue had gone beyond their selfish interest and lost their lives serving the poor and down-trodden. The bird had cancelled his plans to migrate to warmer climes for the winter, staying back to help deliver valuables as directed by the statue, to those who were in dire need.
After the statue gave away his sapphire eyes and became blind, he did not have the heart to fly away from his friend. Instead, he died in his attempt to keep him company. Similarly, the statue had selflessly given away all the valuables that covered his body to help the poor and hungry people in the city. It made him extremely sad to see their misery, so he chose to give them everything he had. When at last his friend the swallow died, he was completely broken, and his heart cracked into two. The angels valued their sacrifice and charitable acts, and chose them as the most precious things.

Q2: Comment on the title of the story. Was the prince really happy?
Ans: The title of the story, “The Happy Prince,” is somewhat ironic because although the Happy Prince is adorned with gold and jewels and appears happy on the outside, he actually experiences deep sadness and compassion for the suffering of his city’s inhabitants. Despite his outward appearance of happiness, his true happiness comes from his selfless acts of kindness and sacrifice to alleviate the suffering of others. So, while he may not have been happy in the conventional sense, his actions and character ultimately embody the true essence of happiness.

Q3: Why is the frost called a ‘dreadfully hard frost’?
Ans: The frost has been called hard because the snow had hardened due to the cold. Further, it also refers to the swallow who had wanted to migrate to a warmer climate in Egypt, he had stayed back, at first unwillingly, to help the poor people by delivering the ruby, sapphire and gold leaf that had covered the statue of the Prince. Later, once the Prince was left without eyes to see, he decided to stay to keep him company. In the process, he succumbed to the cold weather and lost his life. On finding his friend dead, the statue broke, revealing his leaden heart. Thus, the death of these two selfless heroes cast a gloomy atmosphere.

Q4: Why did the courtiers call the prince the ‘Happy Prince’? Was he really happy? What does he see all around him?
Ans: The prince had been called a Happy Prince when he had been alive. At that time, he lived a sheltered and privileged life, with no inkling of the suffering faced by the common people. After his death, when his statue was placed on a high column overlooking the city, he was able to see the misery and unhappiness of the people. The poverty and ugliness all around made him extremely unhappy. Therefore, with the help of the swallow, he tried to compensate for the neglect which he had shown his subjects while he had been alive. Thus, he was not happy looking at the misery of the people, but by giving away all his valuables and helping the poor people, his sadness would have been somewhat abated.

Q5: How do the councillors and Mayor react on seeing the broken statue?
Ans: The councillors and Mayor called the statue shabby because all the gold and precious stones no longer decorated it. They felt that without these embellishments, the statue looked like that of a beggar. Moreover, they felt that the dead swallow at its feet added to the shabby condition of the statue. Thus, since the statue was no longer beautiful or useful, it should be pulled down and melted in the furnace. However, its lead heart did not melt, which was finally thrown onto the garbage heap with the dead swallow’s body.