Lesson 1
Through Grandfather’s Eyes
Answer the following questions:
1. “She says it sternly. But Grandpa is right. Her voice smiles to me.”
(a) Who speaks sternly? What does she say?
Nana speaks sternly. She says, “I said go to sleep.”
2. How do John and his grandpa do the following things differently?
(a) Waking up in the morning
Grandpa wakes up by feeling the sun's warmth, while John wakes up
because of the sun’s brightness.
(b) Playing the cello
John uses sheet music to play the cello, while Grandpa plays by listening.
(c) Observing the sculptures
They both use their hands to feel the sculptures and observe the details
through touch.
(d) Reading
John reads with his eyes, while Grandpa reads Braille using his fingers.
3. How did John and his Grandpa spend their time between breakfast
and lunch?
They spent time walking to the river, observing birds, exploring nature, and
enjoying each other’s company.
4. What method does Nana suggest to differentiate between various
smells?
Nana suggests using fingers like water to guide and understand different
smells, implying gentle and careful exploration using the sense of touch.
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5. How does the author ‘eat through Grandpa's eyes’?
John mimics the way Grandpa arranges food on his plate and eats it,
allowing him to experience the meal from Grandpa’s perspective.
6. Consider a favourite place or object that is important to you. Would
you see a change in it if you look at it from someone else’s point of
view?
Yes, seeing it from another person’s perspective might change how I feel
about it. Different people notice different things and may value it for
different reasons, helping me see new aspects of it.
7. Grandpa says “her voice smiles to me.” What does that mean?
It means that even though Nana’s voice sounds stern, Grandpa feels
warmth and love in it. His emotional bond with her allows him to perceive
her tone in a positive way.
8. Why do you think Grandpa’s house was John’s favourite place?
Grandpa’s house is John’s favourite because he sees and experiences
everything through Grandpa’s perspective. It feels special and meaningful
to him because of the deep connection they share.
9. How does Grandpa’s visual impairment affect the story? Do you
think it makes the story interesting or complicated? Give reasons.
Grandpa’s visual impairment makes the story more meaningful and
engaging. It encourages readers to understand how people with different
abilities experience the world. It highlights empathy, adaptation, and the
beauty of non-visual experiences, making the story both unique and
insightful.
Reference to Context
10. “It looks like me.”
(a) What does ‘it’ refer to?
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‘It’ refers to the clay sculpture of Grandpa’s head.
(b) Who is the speaker?
Grandpa is the speaker.
(c) Who is the listener?
John is the listener.
(d) How does the speaker know that ‘it’ looks like him?
Grandpa uses his fingers to feel the sculpture’s features and recognizes
the shape and details of his face, which allows him to say that it looks like
him.
Critical Thinking Questions & Answers
1. How does the story encourage readers to understand the world
from a different perspective?
The story Through Grandpa’s Eyes encourages readers to explore the
world beyond sight. By viewing experiences from Grandpa’s point of view,
John—and the readers—learn to value other senses like touch, sound, and
smell. This shift in perspective teaches empathy, patience, and
understanding. It reminds us that people with visual impairments can live
rich, meaningful lives full of discovery. By stepping into someone else's
shoes, or in this case, viewing the world through Grandpa’s eyes, readers
learn to appreciate diversity in human experiences.
2. What message does the story give about disabilities and abilities?
The story shows that having a disability doesn’t mean a person is less
capable. Grandpa may be blind, but he plays music beautifully, reads using
Braille, and appreciates art through touch. Instead of focusing on what he
can't do, the story celebrates what he can do. It teaches that people with
disabilities may just use different methods to experience the world. This
message is powerful because it promotes respect, inclusion, and the idea
that ability comes in many forms.
3. Why do you think John tries to experience things the way Grandpa
does?
John is curious and deeply respects his Grandpa. Instead of just feeling
sorry for his visual impairment, John tries to understand how Grandpa lives
and sees the world. This shows John's empathy and willingness to learn.
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It’s also a way of bonding—by experiencing Grandpa’s world, John
becomes closer to him. It reflects the theme that understanding someone’s
challenges can lead to stronger relationships and greater appreciation for
how others live.
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