Literature Textbook and...

217
4ndthatsomething in her lifted her on Monday: 22 August 2005 to the world number one poSitiOn
inwomen tennis. What do you think, was that something in Maria due to which she reached the
Maria Sharapova became the number onc in women's tennis on 22 August 2005. It was not an
top?
hadIa life
full of struggles and
for her. She
fcllow playcrs. But all this made sacrifices. She suffered from insults and
c a s YJ O u r n e y

from her
humiliation her mentally tough. She becarme more
and stronger. This mental toughness and strong
ifted her on Monday. 22 August 2005 to the world numberdetermination
one positionis that
determined.
something
in women's whichIt
tennis.
proves that those vho are determined with a clear vision, are destined to succeed in their life.
Doyou think. despite living in the United States, Maria Sharapova is a Russian at heart? If you
were in place of Maria, would you have accepted the citizenship of the United States?
Marialeft her country Russia at the age of nine years. She spent her prime time in the United States.
She speaks English with a pronounced American accent. She admits that the United States is a
hig part of her life. She likes American food, clothes and lifestyle but she is proud to display her
Russian identity. Her blood is totally Russian. Her ambition to represent Russia in Olympics shows
che loves her country. In my opinion, Maria Sharapova, despite living in the United States.
cian at heart. If Ihad been in place of Maria, Iwould have also taken the same decision. I
am proud to be an Indian.
The other tennis pupils would come in at 11 p.m. and wake me up and order me to tidy up the
rom and clean it." This treatment of Maria by her seniors was like bullying the junior mates.
How would you treat your junior mates if you were in the same situation?
s Maria was in Florida. She shared her room with other pupils who were older than her. They ordered
her to clean the room at midnight. She was the only non-American student and had to bear the
insults and humiliations. This treatment by the seniors was, no doubt, a kind of bullying. It is
something that we allshould condemn. It is an attack on one's self-respect. We should never forget
that we were also junior to someone. Being senior means having more responsibility towards our
juniors. We should win over our juniors by helping them and not by bullying them. Love begets
iove. Affection begets affection. We should always remember it and condemn the act of bullying
Or any kind of ragging. I will treat my juniors with love, care and affection.
4. THE LAKE ISLE OF
INNISFREE -
William Butler Yeats
Summary
The poet dreams of escaping the
that would supply all his needs. busy streets of London. He remembers Innistree as a perfect
where he spent a lot of time as aThis poem explores his longing for the peace and little island
boy. tranquility of Innisfree
The poet describes Innisfree as a
dreams of living on beans and honeysimple, natural environment where he
island. He dreams of living in a which he will cultivate himself. Hewill build a cabin and live alone H
to leave the busy streets of delightful climate there and listening to imagines finding harmony on the
London the songbirds at dusk.
wishes to escape to a beautiful placeand settle in Innisfree. He is obsessed with the sound of lakeHewater decides
with wonderful light and colour. Ho
Word-Meaning
Wattles: walls; Glade:
bird with a short beak open space; Dropping: downward, downgrade; Linnet: a small
brown and grey

NCERT QUESTIONS
Thinking About the Poem
I. 1. What kind of place is Innisfree?
Think about:
(i) the three things the poet wants to
do when he goes back there (stanza I);
(ii) what he hears and sees there and
its effect on him (stanza Il);
(iii) what he hears in his "heart's
core" even when he is far away from
Ans. (i) (a) The poet wants
to build a small cabin of clay and wattles. Innisfree (stanza IIl).
(b) He wants to plant nine rows of
beans.
(c) He wants to keep honey beehive.
(ii) (a) He hears the cricket's song.
(b) He holds linnets flying in the sky.
(c) He sees glimmering midnight and glowing
(ii) When the poet is far away from rooms.
Innisfree he hears the sound of the lake water washing
the shore in his "heart's core".
2. By now you may have concluded that
Innisfree is a
peace. How does the poet contrast it with where he simple, natural place, full of beauty and
now stands? (Read stanza lIl).
Ans. The poet contrasts the clay and wattle made
cabin, bee-loud glade, morning with dews and cricket
songs, midnight with glimmer, noon with purple glow, evenings with linnet's wings, lake water
lapping with low sounds by the shore etc.
3. Do you think Innisfree is only a place, or a state of
of his boyhood days? mind? Does the poet actually miss the place
Ans. Innisfree represents poet's state of mind. The poet
wishes to escape Innistree as it is mOre
peaceful than where he is now-the city. Innisfree is representative oftowhat
an ideal place to live, which is devoid of the restless humdrum of his life.
the poet consides
Yes, the poet actually misses theplace of his boyhood days. Even when he is away from Innistree.
he recalls the sound of the lake water washing the shore.
 Literature Textbook and... 253

words the poet uses to describe what he sees and hears at Innisfree
Look at the
1. (i) bee-loud glade

evenings
cof the linnet's wings
full
(ii) sounds
lake water lapping with low
(i)
do these words create in your mind?
What picture
the image of buzzing bees.
i) These words bring to mind evening sky.
Ans.
These words bring up the image of linnets flying across an washing
(i) but also the soft sound of a lake's water
only the image
(ii) These words evoke not
the shore.
these words:
2. Look at
dropping slow
..peace comes cricket sings.
Dropping from the veils of
the morning to where the slow...from the veils of
do you think "comes dropping
mean to you? What
What do these words sings" mean?
What does to where the cricket surroundings.
the morning"?
be slowly acquired from the natural
mind can "to where
given lines indicate that peace of veils of the morning". The phrase
Ans. The dropping slow...from the vibrant sounds of
nature -
that "comes one can hear the
It is peace indicates a peaceful
place where
the cricket sings" of the cricket at the
time of dawn.
songs
Sounds such as the

SOLVED QUESTION BANK

CReference-to-Context Questions

questions that follow.

carefully and answer
the
following extracts
Read the Innisfree.
now, and go to
Iwill arise and go
made:
1. there, of clay
and wattles
build
And a small
cabin the honeybee.
have there, a hive for
will I
Nine bean-rows bee-loud glade. suitable reason
live alone in the alone? Pick out the most
And to live
the poet wish city.
(a) Why does feels drained
out in the childhood
(i) Because he
Innisfree where he spent his
about tranquil existence of a city.
ii) He is nostalgic from the meaningless
be away
ii)) He wants to with nature.
(iv) He
wants to be
one
lnnisfree where he
spent his childhood
about tranquil
G) He is nostalgic thought behind live alone in the
bee-loud glade"?
Ans. significant
most
(b) What's the be alone.
poet wishes to noisy, crowded
city
(i) The away frOm the
to be
ii) He wants
open spaces with
only the meditative buzz of the bees.
enjoy
(iii)He wishes to himself
like to bewith
(iv) He would buzz of the bees
wishes to enjoy open spaces with only the meditative
iia He
254 Togcther wctk® English Language & Literature 9
(c) Fill in the blank.
The speaker wishes to build a small cabin in Innisfree made of clay and
Ans. wattles
(d) What does the speaker's alignment with those who wish to live in
Ans. It suggests that the poet is tired of city life and Innisfree suggest?
wishes to escape into the quietude of
countryside.
(e) Which of the following best describes the speaker's
attitude towards life in Innisfree?
(i) Pleasant (ii) Pastoral (ii) Primitive (iv) Poetic
Ans. (ii) Pastoral
2. And Ishall have some peace there, for peace comes dropping
slow
Dropping from the veils of the morning to where the cricket sings;
There midnight's all a glimmer, and noon a purple glow.
And evenings full of the linnet's wings.
(a) The meaning of for peace comes dropping slow' is
(i) peace will come slowly to the poet
(ii) his stress levels will take time to reduce
(iii) life in Innisfree is slow and unhurried
(iv) days and nights are long in the Lake Isle
Ans. (iii) life in Innisfree is slow and unhurried
(b) The figure of speech in the veils of the morning' is
(i) personification (ii) metaphor (ii) alliteration (iv) simile
Ans. (ii) metaphor
(c) Fill in the blank.
When the poet describes the morning he refers to it being veiled because
it is the time of
Ans. dusk
(d) What does the poet's alignment with the different times of the day
while at innisfree suggest?
Ans. The poet's alignment with different times of the day while at Innisfree
and the sounds around the place create a visual and sensory suggest, that the setting
(e) Which of the following best describes the speaker's attitude
impression upon him.
towards Nature?
The speaker's attitude towards Nature is one of
(i) unhallowed beauty (ii) unalloyed beauty
(iii) unallocated beauty (iv) unadorned beauty
Ans. (ii) unalloyed beauty
3. Iwill arise, and go now, for always night and day
I hear the lake water lapping with low sounds by the
shore:
While I stand on the roadway, or on the
pavements grey,
Ihear it in deep heart's core.
(a) Complete the statement.
Night and day, the poet experiences
(i) disillusionment with the city life
(iii) an overwhelming wish to run away (i) the lapping of lake water in Innistree
(iv) a longing to be free
Ans. (ii) the lapping of lake water in Innisfree
 Literature Textbook and.. 255
Identify the figure of speech in 'lake water lapping with lowsounds.'
( ) alliteration (i) repetition (iii) onomatopoeia (iv) anaphora
(i) alliteration
A1S.
blank.
Ic) Fill in the
a word in the given extract is
An example of sound
Ans. lapping
a Inwhat way does the language used in the above lines challenge the traditional ways in which
written?
the poetry is
n Instead of a straightforward description of the countryside, the poet evokes a sense of
togetherness with nature , which is personal to the poet. It is filled with poignancy and makes
his poem special.
(e) Complete the sentence with the appropriate option.
city is
The lines from the passage tell us that the countryside is untouched but the
(iii) idiomatic (iv) ideated
(i) industrialized (ii) idealized
Ans. (i) industrialized

S Short Answer Type Questions

do when he goes back to Innisfree.
1. Write three things that the poet would like to poet will build
provides everything desired by the poet. The
Ans. Innisfree is a perfect little island that have nine rowS of beans. He will also have
a hive for the
of clay and fence. He will
asmall cabin
honeybees. from Innisfree?
heart's core' even when he is far away
*. What does the poet hear in his water lapping the
away from the Island of Innisfree in London. He hears the lake
A1S. The poet is far
shore with low sounds in his heart's core.
3. Where shall the poet go and why?
Innisfree is a quiet, natural place, full
of beauty. He is fed up with
go to Innisfree. ideal
As. The poet shall
wants to lead a peaceful life in the lap of nature. Innisfree is an
the chaotic life in the city. He
place for him, so he wants to go there. and why?
and go to Innisfree." Where does the poet want to go
will arise and go now, because it
Innisfree which is aperfect island. The poet wants to go there
1he poet wants to go to there.
that he desires. He will get peace
Willprovide him with everything honey bee." Where does the poet
wish to go? What
have there, a hive for the
Nine bean-rows will I
does he want to do there? for
He wants to grow nne rows of beans there and have a hive
Innisfree.
1he poet wants to go to
to enjoy peaceful moments at Innistree.
noneybee. He wishes will the poet have soma
6 some peace there, for peace comes dropping slow." Where
"And I shall have
peace ? How?
shallenjoy the natural
bave some peace at Innisfree. He is the poet ot nature. Hle
s. The poet shall source of joy for bim
The songs of cricket, the row of beans, the beehives shall be a
beauty.
256 agcther witk English Language & Literature
7. "Midnight's all a glimmer, and noon a purple glow, And evening full
of the linnet's
would the poet enjoy his time at Innisfree? wings." How
Ans. The poet would enjoy his mornings, evenings and midnights in
look glimmering like the glowing of the glowworms and the lap of nature. The midnight ue.
stars. He would enjoy his evenings watchi
the colourful wings of the flying linnets.
8. How will the poet enjoy his stay 'night and day' at Innisfree?
Ans. The poet is fascinated by the beauty and peace at
the
hear the lake water lapping the shore with low sounds. Innisfree. He finds it an ideal place. He shall
At night, he shall look and enjoy the glimmer
He shall enjoy seeing the moon glow purple. His stay at
Innisfree will be joyful.
9. Lake water lapping with low sounds.' Explain.
Ans. The poet wants to go to Innisfree, an ideal peaceful
Ihear the lake water lapping with sounds by shore. island. He celebrates the beauty of place
This expression describes the beautiful natural
environnment in Isle of Innisfree.

A
L Long Answer Type Questions
1. What ideas do you form the personality of the poet from
the poem?
Ans. The poet's desire to return to a peaceful, quiet, and natural place,
away from the bustle of urban
life, brings forth the governing positive value of his life. He emerges as
is sick of the hectic, restless, noisy and materialistic life of the a peace-loving fellow who
cities. His strong nostalgia for the
beautiful sights and sounds on the Lake Isle and his desire to lead a simple life of
unbroken solitude
and peace on the island reveal the simplicity of his heart and mind.
He can hear the sounds of the bees, the cricket, the linnet, and the
sea-waves. He can visualize the
tranquil glade, the glimmering light of the midnight and the purple glow of the afternoon. He can
also hear theloud, unpleasant sounds of the traffic in cities and contrast with the
captivating and
soothing music of the waves. Further, the poet lacks a materialistic attitude towards life. He wants
to evade the hectic activities of the materialistic life of the cities and live inasmallcabin of clay
and
wattles. He wants to have only enough to fulfil the basic needs of life. Thus, the poet comes forth
as a person with a profound imagination, minute observation, strong memories and a deep love tor
nature. He is inspired by the values of contentment and harmony.
2. The Isle of Innisfree is both a place and the poet's state of mind. Discuss this statement in the
context of the poem.
Ans. The Isle of Innisfree is a tiny uninhabited island within the Lake Lough Gill in County Sligo in
northwestern Ireland. The poet, William Butler Yeats, had spent his summers over here when he
was a young boy. The calm, quiet, soothing environment of this Isle impressed him so much that he
developed a spiritual kinship with this place. He can now hear voices calling within himself just as
he heard the sounds of nature in Innisfree. The existence of Innisfree as the poet's state of mind s
as true as the real Innisfree. The images of this place haunt the poet in such a manner that ne a
visualize everything not in his mind but in his heart. The real place has given him such beautitul
memories that he cherishes them even when he is amidst the roadways and pavements of acity. His
desire to escape to Innisfree is so strong that his thoughts are overpowered by it. Thus, the poC
state of mind itself Innisfree which stands as a symbol of peaceful existence amidst nature.
 A L E G E N D
OF THE NORTHLAND -Phoche Can

l e g e n d ,

of an old |lady who angered Saint Peter because of her greed. The story goes like this.
IS a
%OM

there lived an old lady in Northland. She was very selfish and greedy. One day Saint Peter.
ago,
round the world,
recached her door. She was making cakes and baking them on a hearth. St.
preaching

hie with hunger. He asked the lady to give him a piece of

cake. So, she made averysmall cake.
not give him that piece. She made another
fainting
s
baked. it appeared to her be very big. She did
was
Aer

an extremely little scrap of dough and

being

itWas
but that too seemed her to be very big. Again, she took
made St. Peter angry. He
as thin as a wafer, but she could not part with it. This
smaller

il baked it
flat. She turned
dit
was not fit to live in a human form and enjoy food and warmth. He cursed her and
that she food. She can be seen
dher woodpecker
who has to bore a hole in hard and dry woodto get its scanty
rinto a till food.
trees this day boring and boring for
nthe

Mord-Meaning
sermon, moralizing:
old traditional story; Harness: strap; Sledges: luge; Preaching:
Jesend: fable,
meagre, paltry
Kneaded: aerated; Wafer: cake; Scant:

NCERT QUESTIONS

Thinking About the Poem to?

"Northland" refers
countries do you think the
. 1. Which country or Earth's north polar region.
"Northland" could refer to any extremely cold country in the
Ans. The Canada, Norway etc.
Greenland, the northern regions of Russia,
such as reaction?
Saint Peter ask the old lady for? What was the lady's
2. What did cakes to satisfy his hunger. The
lady tried
old lady for one of her baked
Ans. Saint Peter asked the
to bake a small cake for the saint.
3. How did he punish her? do" and gathered
changing her into a woodpecker that built as birds
ns. He punished the lady by long.
"hard, dry wood" all day
SCanty food by boring in the
her food?
4. How does the woodpecker get
food by boring holes into trees.
as. The woodpecker gets her had known who Saint Peter
think that the old lady would have been so ungenerous if she
D. Do you done then?
she have
really was? What would One does not want to
people lack basic human values. Seltlessness IS a rare virtue.
Ans. Some of the person goes to a
always want something in return. A
help anvbody without self-interest. They return. The lady in
temple or a church or to a gurudwara
just because they want something in
behaved differenty She was
poem belongs to the same category. No, the lady would have
the and his power, she would have offered bi
greedy woman, I she had known about Sant Peter
askeu lor some tavours from him in return
her entire stock of cakes. She would haIve
258 Together ucth English Language & Literature9
6. Is this atrue story? Which part of this poem do you feel is the most
important?
Ans. The poemis afolklore. It passes on orally from one generation to the other.
of such poems or stories is to convey some values. Through some The main objectives
value are passed on from one generation to another. This method of characters or incidents so
effective. No, this is not a true story. The poet himself says, "I don't spreading values is v
legend. The most important part of the poem is the one believe 'tis true " Iti
which conveys that one must not he
greedy.
7. What is a legend? Why is this poem called a legend?
Ans. A legend' is a popular story from the past
which is believed
whether it is true or not. It usually contains a message or a by many but one cannot prove
moral and is narrated to children
The poet himself says that he doesn't believe this tale to be
true. This poem, a legend', preaches
generosity towards fellow beings.
8. Write the story of 'A Legend of the Northland' in
about ten sentences.
Ans. Once Saint Peter stopped by an old lady's cottage because
he
the day's fasting. The lady was baking cakes on the hearth. was feeling hungry and weak after
asked her for a cake from her store of Since he was weak with fasting, he
cakes.
The selfish lady tried to bake small cakes but each
time they
away. Finally, she baked one that was as thin as a wafer. Unableseemed too big for her to give
to part with it too, she put it
on a shelf
and did not give any cake to the Saint.
Saint Peter was very angry with her behaviour and said she was
too selfish to live as a human
and have food, shelter and a fire to keep her warm. He
punished her by changing her into a
woodpecker that would have to build a nest to live in, bore for food in the trunks
clothes were burned and she was left with her scarlet cap on her of trees. Her
head as she flew out through
the chimney. Even today she still lives in the woods and is seen
by all the country school boys.
1. Let's look at the words at the end of the second and
fourth lines, viz., 'snows' and 'clothes';
'true' and 'you', below' and know'. We find that 'snows'
rhymes with 'clothes, true' rhymes
with 'you' and below' rhymes with 'know'.
Ans. The rhyming words are:
'Few' andthrough'
'Earth' and 'hearth
Done' and 'one'
Lay' and 'away'
'One' and done'
'Flat' and "that'
Myself and 'shelf
'Faint' and 'saint'
'Form' and 'warm'
Food' and 'wood'
Word' and 'bird'
'Same' and flame'
Wood' and food'
 ( )Sh ate thh henet

Minthe hlank.

d What des the nt iy to sug thrvugh the wuman' athons"

ns lNINYNieN the ctent mean muNdheN n the oluwman, ax a aikd uy ho thx
niNht gnen het. Av het atNVN The ulk up ix awa ot ushvng the panishent she
e Which of the following est describes the speaker attitude towands the wean and hungry
who arir at her dxtep
()ankw () carefree (m) callvus (Na
Ans () callus

S Short Answer Type Questions

1. For she was changed to a bind.' Who was she and why w¡s she changd to a bind

What is a ballad ls this em a ballad

A llad N a ng nataing a NN n shtstanzas Rallas ar art ot th fR tare aNt
Nnodn oall tvm e generalnto anotther The Nm A end of the Northian aN
hallad as it wnans the ston of an od seltsh wwnan
Awa aay in the Northland, where the hours of the dav ar feu' Which plax has e rte
to? What kind of plae is it:
Ans The placv ix Nothland. It in tarott in the novth lt isaad Nay Hee davN ar shr an tN ng
are long
 Literature Textbook and. 263
And the children look like bear's cubs.' What have the children been compared to? Why?
Northland is a cold place. The children have been compared to bear's cubs. They wear funny furry
protect themselves from cold. While running and playing, it looks as if bear cubs are
dresses to
running and playing.

don't believe 'tis true; And yet you may learn a lesson.' What doesthe poet believe? Why does he
the tale?
want to tell
The poet himself admits that the story he was going to tell, may not be true. Still he wants to tell it
Ans.
hocause it containeda lesson. He wants the readers to learn a lesson from the poem.
6.
He asked her, from her store of cakes.'Who is 'he' and what did he ask for? Who is 'her' here?
He' is Saint Peter. He is travelling fromone place to another preaching. He is tired and hungry. He
asked for a cake from a woman who was baking cakes. 'Her stands for the selfish lady.
-t seemed too large to give away." What does it' stand for? What does the above expression show
about the woman?

t stands for the cake. Saint Peter asked for a cake from the lady. She prepared a tiny cake but even
that seemed too large. She could not part with it. It shows that the lady was selfish.
8 *And surely such awoman was enough to provoke a saint.' Who was the lady and how did she
provoke the saint?
asked for
Ans. The lady was an old greedy woman who was making cakes when the saint visited her and
a cake. The old lady did not oblige the hungry and tired saint. The lady lacked decency. She did not
part even with a wafer like cake. It provoked the saint who cursed her.
9. You are too selfish to dwell in a human form.' Who said this and to whom? Why did he say so?
Ans. Saint Peter said so to the old greedy woman who did not oblige the saint by giving him a cake. She
was a selfish lady. She did not deserve to be called a human being.
10. Who was St. Peter? Howdid he reach the old woman's cottage?
Ans. St. Peter was an apostle of Christ. He used to travel from one place to another for preaching. He
reached the old woman's cottage during his travels.
T1. What did the old woman feel about her cakes?
Ans. The old lady was too greedy to give a single cake to the hungry saint. She thought that her cakes
the saint.
were too big to be given. She kept all the cakes in her shelf. She did not oblige
12. How was the woman punished by St. Peter?
Ans. St. Peter found the lady too selfish. He said that she did not deserve food, shelter and fire to warm
herself. She had disgraced womanhood. He punished her to teach her alesson.
13. Find out examples of repetition from the poem.
Ans. The repetitions are:
(i)) And rolled and rolled it flat
(iü) By boring and boring and boring
14. Do you agree that this poem has becomepart of the folklore of the Northland? Support your answer
with reasons from the poem.
Ans. Yes, the poem has become part of the folklore of the Northland. It is passed on orally from one
generation to the other. The line which supports this, is And every country schoolboy has seen her
in the wOod.'
264 7ogether witk English Language & Literature 9

Long Answer Type Questions

1. Give a description of Northland as described bythe poet.
Ans. The Northland is the area around the North pole, an area that includes any of the extremelv cala
countries in the Earth's north polar region, such as Greenland, the northern regions of Rus
Siberia, or the Scandinavian countries Denmark, Norway, Sweden, lceland and Finland. It is a cold
Snow-covered place where days are short and the nights are long.
In this region, hours of the day are few and nights are so long and so cold in winter that people are
unable to sleep through the whole night. When it snows people harness their reindeers to pull their
sledges. Because of extreme cold children look like bear's cubs in because of funny and furry clothes
2. What is the message of the poem 'A Legend of the Northland'?
Ans. This poem teaches us that true happiness lies in sharing things with the persons who are in need. If
we are greedy, we cannot have happiness in our life. On the other hand our charitable nature makes
us think about pains and sorrows suffered by the other people. The little woman baking cakes was
asked for something to eat by a tired and hungry traveller. The woman, who hd a large store of
cakes, was greedy and selfish.
She made smaller and smaller cakes, but in the end refused to part with
any. Her greed and
miserliness angered the weary traveller, Saint Peter, who told her that she was too selfish to dwell
in human form, where she had food, warmth and shelter. He cursed her to
become a bird and live
in anest and search for scanty food by digging all dry and hard wood.
6.
NO MEN ARE FOREIGN - Janes Kirkup

S u m m a r y

ways of thinking of other people as different from us. They may belong to different countries
We have many
religions, follow a different lifestyle and speak a different language. But the poet reminds us of the many
which we are all the same fOr we are all humans.
waysin

.ll are human beings. We follow the same living routine we all breathe, eat, walk in the same way. We
are aware of the sun,the air and the water. We need them equally and use for the same purpose. We all
love peace
hate war. Others also have eves like ours that wake or sleep. In every land, there is a common
and
iHe LOve is paramount everywhere that wins the heart. When we hate others, fight with them, raise arms
o0ginst them, it is ourselves that we shall dispossess, betray and condemn. We pollute our own earth where
human.
none is foreign or strange. We all have a single common entity and that is of being

Word-Meaning
deceive; Condenmn: denounce, criticise;
Beneath: below, underneath; DispoSsess: deprive, evict; Betray:
Defile: degrade, dishonour; Outrage: violate

NCERT QUESTIONS

Thinking About the Poen speaking about?

uniforms do you think the poet is
1. (i) *Beneath all uniforms..." What
poet suggest that all people on earth are the same?
(ii) How does the
cultures and civilisations of the world.
All men are similar
speaking about different
Ans. (i) The poet is ways of living but all have one
ways. There are differences in dresses, religions, evervwhere.
in many each uniform, is the same human being
common entity of being humans. Beneath
earth are the same. They breathe, eat, walk in
the same
that all people on hate war.
(ii) The poet suggests love peace and
They all are aware of the sun, the air and the water. They all countries
.o. foreign and no
similar eyes that wake or sleep. The line No men are
They bave
this fact.
strange' express
which we all are alike. Pick
out the words.
1, find five ways in
2. In stanza foreign.
are strange or
Ans. (a) No men
countries
strange.
(b) No breathes likeours.
body
(c) Single brothers walk
upon.
Same land our
(d) lie in.
earth we
(e) Same features can you
find in stanza 2? Pick out the words.
common

3. How many and water.

and air
Aware of sun
Ans. (a) peaceful
harvest.

(b) Fed
by
war.
Starved by different from our own).
(c) (labour not
labour
Similar
(d)
268 7ogether wit English Language & Literature 9
d What does the speaker's alignment with those who fight the enemy, suggest?
Ans. The poet is a nman of peace whorealizes the futility of war.
(e Which the following deseribes the speaker's universal attitude towards mankind?
(i) universalism (ii) individualism (iii) convivialist (iv) conformist
Ans. () universalis1

s Short Answer Type Questions

What does the poet ask us to remember in the first stanza of the poem 'No Men Are Foreign'?
Ans. In the poen No Men Are Foreign', the poet asks us to remember that under all uniforms, a single
bodv breathes like ours. We all walk on the same land. We all live and work in the same way. So.
we
are not different from each other.
How does the poet compare life with others in stanza III of the poem No Men Are Foreign?
Ans. The poet does not believe in narrow patriotism. He says human beings are equal. Allthe men have
eyes like ours. These wake up and sleep equally. Love can win all. There is no difference among the
nations.
3 We are told to hate our brothers." How does it affect us?
Ans. The poet says that hatred pollutes our own air. When we hate otherS, we dispossess ourselves. We
tend to betray and condemn ourselves. If we hate others, we defile our own earth. Hatred brings
only destruction.
4. 'Are fed by peaceful harvest.' What does it imply?
Ans. The poet conveys that all men are equal. No men are foreign. Allthe men living across the world
love peace. Peace is loved by all equally. It brings prosperity and harmony.
5 Remember they have eyes like ours that wake or sleep.' Who are they? What does the poet convey
through this line?
Ans. They' stand for the men across the world. The poet conveys through these lines that no men are
foreign. There is no difference at all. People may belong to diferent countries or religions, follow a
different lifestyle, speak a different language but they are all the same.
6. What message does the poet convey through the poem 'No Men Are Foreign"?
Ans. The poet conveys the message of universal brotherhood through the poem. He says that the people
Iiving in other parts of theworld are like us in many ways. There are many common things among
the nations. All live, work, cat, walk and sleep in the same way. Alhate wars and love peace. We
should not hate them as they are also humans like us.
7. Howdo all human beings live andsuffer the same?
Ans. The poet says that all live and suffer the same. The human body is the same everywhere. All are
aware of sun, air and waler. All prosper when there is peace. All starve when there is war. War
destroys everyonc cqually.
8. Our hells of fire and dust outrage the innocence of air:' Explain.
Ans. The poet conveys that hatred pollutes the air we breathe in. If we fight anong ourselves, we creale
hell only. Allprosper in a peaceful environment. The war replaces the innocence of the environmet
with hatredness.
 Literature Textbook and... 269

does not mean hating the people of other countries.' Do you agree? Explain.
P a t r i o t i s m

patriotism
have cqual
does not mean hating others. We should love our country andcountries are
s(rue thatothers. We should always remember that no men are foreigners and no
for
respect

strangers.

that we shall dispossess, betray, condemn." What

does the poet convey?
ourselves

0. " tis
when we hate others, we hate ourselves. No men are forcigners, or strangers.
conveys thatI against
The poct as they are like us in many ways. We should not wage a war
S.
Nshould not hate our brothers
one.
as We all are
any country

Type Questions
1 Long Answer same line?
beginning and ending the poem with the the
emphasize by emphasizes his message of
. What does the poet the same line, the poet opening line
ending the poem with the lines is same, the
Ans. By beginning and brotherhood. Although the message in both while in the end,
oneness of spirit of foreign' in regardof countries,
men and This means
adjective 'strange' with regard to is used to describe countries.
uses the describe men and
'strange' nature does not
'foreign' is used to because men create nations;
the adjective Countries exist only same.
two adjectives are one. human beings are the
that the However, all
man who does so.
divide humanity, it is How? external
the poet, all mnen
are our brothers. unfamiliar.
Underneath the
2. According the strange or belonging to
No human beings are any soldier's uniform
our brothers. colour of are laid
Ans. AIl men are or civilisations or any same earth and one day
cultures
men walk upon
the by the same
trappings of different are the same. AIl being is nourished
human beings every human
any nation, all under the same
earth. Each and
survive.
graves same water to Love is
torest in their and drinks the a common life.
the same air land, there is
sun, breathes
sleep. In every raise arms against
beings have eyes that wake or When we hate others, fight with them, living
All human e v e r y w h e r e that wins the heart. condemn Thus,
despite different
paramount dispoSsess, betray and
that we shall
them. it is ourselves beings are one in spirit.
human
conditions, all
 7. ON KILLING A TREE
-Gicve Patel
Summary
It is not easy to kill a deep-rooted tree. It takes much time to kill it. A tree is too
strong to be killed by
simple attack of a knife. It has grown slowly consuming the carth, feeding upon its crust,absorbing vears of
sunlight. The strength it has stored through a long period of hard work and patience, cannot be destroved
in one go.

When a tree is chopped, the barks bleed but soon they heal up and expand again to their former sie 1e
one wants to kill atree, it has to be pulled out of the anchoring earth. Its most sensitive part, i.e. the
root
has to be exposed to the sun and the air. Once it is done, the tree is killed.

Word-Meaning
Jab: sudden rough blow; Absorbing: gripping; Leprous hide: discoloured bark; Sprouting: budding:
Chop: cut, whack; Boughs: branch, shoot; Anchoring: holding

NCERT QUESTIONS
Thinking About the Poem
1. 1. Can a "sinmple jab of the knife" kill a tree? Why not?
Ans. No, a simple jab of the knife cannot kill a tree. It is firmly held by the earth for so many years and
its roots are safe. The tree is too strong to be killed by a simple jab of the knife.
2 How has the tree grown to its full size? List the words suggestive of its life and activity.
Ans. The tree has grown to its full size by consuming the earth, feeding upon its crust, absorbing yearS
of light, air and water. 'Consuming', 'rising.' feeding' and 'absorbing' are the words that suggest its
life and activity.
3. What is the meaning of "bleeding bark"? What makes it bleed?
Ans. Bleeding bark' suggests the wound on the tree that is caused by a blow of knife. When the branches
of a tree are chopped off, the tree bleeds (an oozy substance comes out). It expresses the pain of
the tree.
4. The poet says "No" in the beginning of the third stanza. What does he mean by this?
Ans. The poet says 'No' in the beginning of the third stanza suggesting that asimple jab of knife willnot
kill a tree. It has to be uprooted. A tree is so strong that it cannot be killed unless it is uprooted.
5. What is the meaning of "anchoring earth" and "earth cave"?
Ans. Anchoring earth' implies that the trees are held secure with the help of the roots in the earn.
long as the roots are firmly held by the earth, the tree is safe and cannot be killed by a simple jab
of a knife.
'Earth-cave' suggests the space created in the earth by uprooting a tree. When the roots are pulled
out of the earth, the cave where the roots were hidden, is visible.
 Literature Textbook and... 273
chort Answer lype Questions\\
What is
the effect of hacking
and chopping on a
cannot be killed by a simple knife tree?
Atree
It is soon
healed and then it grows to attack. Hacking and chopping
its former size. It of atree make the
: How
do the roots look like
when these are pulled cannot be killed by these actionsbark bleed.
out? alone.
The real strength of the trec lies in its
roots. The roots are the
these are pulled out, they are white most sensitive part of
and wet. But soon, the tree. When
, MConsuming the earth, rising out of it." these start to wither and
Explain. become dried.
The noet conveys that a
tree growS Stronger in the
ts strength from t. It is
not casy to kill the tree byearth. It feeds on the earth
a simple jab of the knife. rising out of it. It gets
inthe soil.
It is securly attached
So hack and chop. But this
alone won't do it." What does
ns The poet says that it iS hack and chop do to a tree?
not an easy task to kill a tree.
A
It does not cause much
pain to it. It only wounds the simple jab of the knife will not do any harm.
again. bark and does not kill the tree.
It will grow
5. Which, if unchecked, will
expand again to former size". What will
Ans. The poet says that chopping of expand to its former size?
a tree does not kill it. It only
up and rise again. If the
miniature boughs are left unchecked, they bleeds the branches. They soon heal
tree. soon expand and become a huge
6. What are the two important
stages for killing a tree?
Ans. There are twO stages of killing a
tree. First, the tree should be pulled out
and the air. Secondly, the roots areentirely
Its rootS are to be exposed to the sun along with its roots.
When the roots are scorched, these turn to be scorched in the sun.
brown, hard and withered. The tree is finally
I. How does the poet create the feelings of killed.
Ans. The poet creates sadness in the poem On Killing A Tree"?
the feeling of sadness by using words like killing.
The bleeding bark' conveys the pain of a tree. No jabbing, bleeding, uprooting, etc.
so much pain will do it', the bleeding bark will
heal' are the phrases that create the feeling of sadness
among the readers.
b. What does the killing of a tree
Ans. The symbolize?
killing of atree symbolizes the killing of a habit. Like a tree, habit grows stronger
passing years. It
can't be given up in one stroke. It takes much time to give up a habit. with the
given up with strong determination. It has to be

Long Answer Type Questions

How can one kill a tree?
Ans, In the poem On Killing a Tree', Gieve Patel says that it is not an casy task to
kill a tree. It can't
done by a simple jab of knife. A tree grows slowly by cOnsuming the earth's nutrients. be
It absorbs
Sunlight, air and water for years. So, it cannot be killed by hacking and chopping.
the tree does not die. Its bleeding bark heals itself. Fron close to the ground, lt causes pain but
its trunk
produces
274 Together witk English Language & Literature 9
tw igs and smallbranches. It they are left unchecked, they will expand to the former size, If a tro
is to be killed. the roots of the tree must be pulled out from the carth-cave. After uprooting ii
scorched and choked in sun and air. Then, it goes thrOugh a prOceSs of browning, hardening, twjsting
and withering. UItimately, the tree is killed.
2. Give a brief summary of the poem.
Ans. The poet speaks about the killing of a tree. He says that a lot of work has to be done in order to
kill atree. It cannot be killed by merely attacking it with an axe. The tree has fed upon the earth
and grown from its crust by absorbing water from the soil for many years. It has also taken years of
sunlight and oxygen to grow. Hacking and chopping is not enough for killing it as the bark heals itself.
The part of the trunk which is close to the ground may give rise to new twigs, and the discoloured
bark of the tree gives rise to new leaves. Soon the tree grows to its former size. The poet says that
to kill a tree onemust attack its roots by pulling it out of the earth where it has been hiding safely
all these years. When the root is pulled out of the earth, it is white and wet as it is very sensitive.
The root, which is the strength of the tree, is then left exposed to the air and the sun where it starts
drying and discolouring. Itgoes through stages of browning, hardening, twisting and withering before
it finally dies.
 -Oscar Wilde
THE
HAPPY PRINCE
5
S u m m a r y

statue of a prince and alittle swallow who, in order to help the poor, sacrificed their
of the the city.
Thisis
the story
the statue of a prince called the Happy Prince
standing on atall pillar high above
sapphires for eyes and a ruby in his sword. The
There was
lives.
statue. It was covered with gold and had
beautiful

the people in the city but was unable to move and help them. One
It was a could see the sufferings of to
Prince statue. He was tired and so he decided
Happy which was on his way to Egypt, landed on the
The swallowfound the statue weeping. He was
Swallow,
day a little the feet of the statue of the Happy Prince.
at that he
spendi his
night
pity. He asked the Happy Prince why he was crying. The Happy Prince told him
akind and full of move. He requested
see the people in the city who were hungry. Hewanted to help them but could not agreed.
ld The swallow
time and help him in helping the poor.
he swallow to stay with him for some the swallow. Then he requested the
by sending his great ruby through
The Happy Prince helpeda seamstress faint because of
sapphire from his eye and give it to the playwright who was about to
Swallow to take out a
hunger and cold. give it to the
another Sapphire from his eye and
requested the swallow to pluck Prince became blind.
Next day the Happy Prince had no money to take home. Now the Happy
she
matchgirl who was weeping as to Egypt but he refused.
him to go
Now
with him forever. The Prince asked asked the swallow
The swallow decided to stay
Prince the stories of the poor. The Happy Prince
the Happy
onward the swallow would tell
and give it to the poor. poor little swallow could
not
to take the gold off his body and then the frost. The
extremely cold. The snow fell into two.
Theweather had become moment, the leaden
heart of the statue broke
At that unattractive. The statue
survive and fell dead. found the statue useless and melted. It was thrown
that site and
of the city visited heart could not be
Next morning the Mavor furnace at a foundry. But the leaden
melted in a
was pulled down and lying.
heap where the dead swallow was also in the
Him
city. The angel brought God
In a dust most precious things choice.
angels to bring him the two angel for the right
God asked one of his Happy Prince and the dead swallow. God praised theHappy Prince would praise Him
the leaden heart of the would sing forever in his gardenof paradise and the
said that the little bird
in His city of gold.

it from
and tired; Thimble: a cap worn in finger to perfect
Word-Meaning
weak
worn: looks
Alighted:
landed: Thin and
Garret: small room at the top of the roof; Grate: fireplace; Listlessly: lethargic;
Slumber:
sleep;
needle:
Snapped: broken

N C E R T Q U E S T I O N S

Think About It all

the courtiers call the prince the Happy Prince"? Is he really happy? What does he see
Why do
1. around him?

courtiers call the prince 'the Happy Prince' because he lives in the palace where sorrow was not
The on a high
Ans. llowed to enter. He was brought up in aluxurious environment. Now his statue is installed
ilar. He could now see the reality of life from that height. He could see the misery of poor and their
pitiable condition.
296 ogether uitk English Language &Literature9
2. seamstress'
Why does thehouse?
Happy Prince send aruby for the seamstress? What does the swallow do in the
Ans. The Happy Prince sends his ruby through the little swallow for the seamstress who
was
Her sonwas sick and thirsty. She had nomoney to buyoranges for the little boy. The swallowverylavspoor.
sL
ruby on the table beside the woman's thimble. Then, hc flies round the table and fans the sick be
forehcad with his wings.
3. For whom does the prince send the sapphires and why?
Ans. Thc prince sends the sapphires for the playwright who was tired and hungry. He was writing a plav
But his poverty did not let him complete the work. He did not have money to buy food and
firewood
He took pity on him and decided to help him by sending the sapphire.
4. What does the swallow see when it flies over the city?
Ans. Whenthe swallow flies over the city, he finds widespreadpoverty all around.
The beggars were sitting
at the gates of the rich. The starving children with white faces were lying in the
dark lanes. He finds
the rich making merry in their beautiful houses.
5. Why did the swallow not leave the prince and go to Egypt?
Ans. The Happy Prince had become totally blind. The swallow was impressed with his
charity and kindness.
He had sacrificed everything for a good cause of helping the poor in their needs.
the Prince and The swallow loved
could not leave him in that state. He decided not to go to Egypt. He
till his last breath. remained there
6. What are the precious things mentioned in the story? Why are
they precious?
Ans. The two most precious things in the city were the leaden heart of the
Happy Prince and the dead
swallow. The angel considered them the most precious because they sacrificed
their lives for the
happiness of others.

SOLVED QUESTION BANK

S Short Answer Type Questions

1. Where was the statue?
Ans. The statue of the Happy Prince was on a tall pillar at a high place in the city. It was a
It was gilded all over with thin leaves of fine gold. For eyes it had
beautiful statue.
two sapphires.
2. Where was the swallow going? Why did he stop there?
Ans. The swallow was going to Egypt. His friends had gone to Egypt six weeks before but he had stayed
behind. So hewas going to join them. He stopped near the statue to take some rest during the nignl.
There was plenty of air. So he stopped there.
3. Why did the Happy Prince ask the swallow to stay?
Ans. The Happy Prince told the swallow that he wanted to help the poor but he could not move as hi
feet were fastened to the pedestal. He requested the swallow to stay there and take the ruby to ne
seamstress.
 Literature Textbook and... 297

happened tothe swallow in the end?

What decided to help the people through the Happy Prince. He stayed there for many days.
The
swaallow

had, come and there was frost all around. Inthe end, the swallow died due to frost.
him that he could not survive.
winter

N o n
the
was
soobad for

toi the Happy Prince'ss leaden heart?

w e a t h e r

The
h a p p e n e d

What leaden heart did not melt in the furnace. It was thrown away. The angels considered
Prince's
Happy

leaden
heart the most precious thing in the city. They took it to the heaven.
the
the workmen foundry throw the leaden heart?
at the
did
Why
at the foundry threw the leaden heart on the heap of
garbage, because it did not
Workmen

The
the furnace. They found it useless.
meltin
did God reward the prince and the swallow?
The swallow
" How
rewarded the Happy Prince and the swallow by giving them a place in heaven.
will live in the city of gold.
Cing forever in the garden of paradise and the Happy Prince
God
one of the sapphires?
cry when the Happy Prince asked him to pluck out
h did the Swallow |CBSE 2014)

pluck out one of the sapphires from his eyes he

When the happy Prince asked the swallow to
that it was really a cruel and painful task. He was aggrieved to such a heartless job. so
felt that
he cried.
Happy Prince?
How did the swallow show his love for the
swallow did not join the flock and fly toEgypt, but stayed behind to serve the Prince. Even after
Ans. The
frosty winter as he had come to love the generous
his tasks were done, he kept staying through the
sympathetic prince and finally fell dead in the extreme weather by his beloved prince's feet.
and pompous.
State one reason why the author characterised the Mayor and Cuncillors as unfeeling and
10. their
about the hardships of the townsfolk , but spent
Ans. The Mayor and Councillors were unconcerned the statue had lost its decorative touches, such
sprucing the city's appearance. When
energies on
and the golden gleam, they felt it was a worthless
as the ruby of the sword hilt, the gems for eyes
beggar.
out through the character of the happy prince.
Il. Validate the important lesson that the story brings oft. The
concern for the underprivileged by those who are well needy is
s. The story brings out the lesson of large-heartedness
Sacrifice of a tiny swallow andthe of the prince show that service to the
pOSsible by the smallest gesture, as also the generous donor.

Long Answer Type Questions

1. How did the Happy Prince help the seanmstress?
Ans. The Happy Prince helped the seamstress by giving a ruby. He could see herthat she was tired due to
asking for oranges. The poor seamstress had
IWork. Her |ittie son was sick. He was thirsty and
felt pity for them. The prince asked the swallow
ng togive hin but river water. The Happy Prince swallow
PuCk Out his ruby from the hilt of his sword and give it to the old poor seamstress. The
boy by his wings and
Ueyed his order and nlaced the ruby beside the woman. He fanned the sick and kindness in his
sympathy
hinn comfortable. It shows that the Happy Prince had empathy,
character. He acted out of concern and compassion.
 9
298 Together witk® English Language & Literature
swallow help the playwright?
2. How did the Happy Prince and the little
OR
Happy Prince to playwright? What do you learn
How did the little swallow carry out the wishes of the
from the character of the prince and the swallow?
theatre. It wasvery cold. He was hungry too.
Ans. The playwright was to finish the playfor a
Happy Prince requested the swallow to pluck
Hedid not have money to arrange for food and fire. The
playwright. The swallow took the sapphire
out the sapphire from one of his eves and take it to the
Thus the Prince and the swallow helped the
to the playwright. Now he could buy food and firewood.
swallow sacrificed thcir lives for others, Service
young playwright. Both the Happy Prince andthe
sacrificing. I learn from them
before self' is what they teach. They were kind, sympathetic, caring and
that Godloves those who serve others.
reference to the story The
3. Goodness can never be destroved.' Do you agree? Illustrate with
Happy Prince'.
Happy Prince
Ans. Yes, Iagree with the statement, "Goodness can never be destroyed. In the story the
had goodness for all. He had a kind heart and was moved by the widespread poverty and misery of the
people. So, he had his great will to help others in adverse circumstances. He gave his eyes, goldand
jewels to thepoor. The swallow was the messenger of the Happy Princes. When the swallow died at his
feet. the heart of the Happy Prince was broken into two due to its death. The statue of Happy Prince
was no longer useful and beautiful. It was pulled down. When the statue was melted in a furnace. the
leaden heart did not melt because goodness can never be destroyed.
4 The two most precious things in the city' were the Happy Prince and the swallow. Do you agree ?
Illustrate.
Ans. The two most precious things in the city were the leaden heart of the Happy Prince and the dead
swallow. The Happy Prince had sacrificed his all to serve the suffering humanity and help the poor.
The swallow fulfilled the wishes of the Happy Prince. He sacrificed his self-interest of going to Egypt.
He carried gold and jewels to the suffering people. He remained with the Prince in the bad weather.
He died at the Prince's feet. So, the angel was right when it took the leaden heart of the Prince and
the dead swallow to heaven.
5. Why could, according to you, the Happy Prince not see the misery of people when he was alive ? What
does it show about his character?

Ans. When the Happy Prince was alive, he could not see themisery of people because he was never out
of his palace and was happy throughout his life. He lived a comfortable life inside the palace and
never saw the misery and ugliness of the people around him. Being a Prince, he never knew about the
sorrows and sufferings of the people. But, in realsense, his heart could feel the misery of the people
around him. The Happy Prince was kind and sympathetic. When he saw misery all around he wept for
others. He sacrificed everything for the good of others. It shows that he was kind and compassionate
for others and helpful to thesuffering society.
6 The Swallow in the story "The Happy Prince' played a crucial role in making the Prince happy. What
traits does the bird profess which makes it fulfil its tasks?
Ans. The swallow enjoyed flying and was excited about reaching Egypt, where they awaited his arrival. He
was inquisitive. When he saw there was no rain falling and yet drops fell on him, before looking for
adry chimney pot, he ascertained that they were falling from the cheeks of the Happy Prince. Being
extremely helpful, he offered to deliver the ruby to the seamstress so that she could buy food for
her son. He also fanned the boy with his wings to cool his feverish state. The swallow was extremeiy
 Literature Textbook and... 299

compromising and delayed his departure to Egypt in order to carry out the wishes of the Happy
Prince, by delivering his gems and gold to the needy in the city. The painstaking bird plucked leat
after leaf of the goldplating on the statue and gave it to the poor andsacrificed his life for the Happy
Prince.
1. "Good deeds always pay." Do you agree? How were the Happy Prince and the swallow rewarded
for their good deeds?
Ans. Yes, good deeds always pay in one's life. Agood deed is the one which makes someone happy.
When we help a person in his problems we are blessed. So, it should be our aim to help the
suffering humanity. It is not only the person but God will also be happy. We are satisfied when
we do a good act. A bad deed always hurts. One is never happy and satisfied. In fact, the Happy
Prince
Prince and the Swallow helped the suffering people as much as they could. Both the Happyplace
found a permanent in
and the swallow were rewarded for their good deeds by God. They
heaven. Good deeds always make us warm and happy.
the misery of people, he would have made a
8. If the Happy Prince had been alive and had known
lot of difference to the lives of people. Do you agree? Justify. Unfortunately
for his people can never see them in misery.
Ans. A king full of compassion and sympathy aware of their people's
traditional kings, though very kind and compassionate, were never everything for
our When he was alive, he sacrificed
Prince was a kind prince.
misery. But the Happy to know about their misery. When
he knew it,
subordinates. But he never came difference to the lives
the welfare of his would have made a lot of
he had been alive, he
it was too late. Ithink if
of his people. help the matchgirl? How will
you feel if you
and the little swallow
9. How did the Happy Prince
need? fallen
help someone in little girl sells matchboxes. Her matches had
told the swallow that a p0or money home, her father
Ans. The Happy Prince She was crying. If she did not take
all were spoiled. requested the swallow
in the gutter andthey Prince also pointed out that she was barefooted. He the sapphire
wOuldbeat her. The
eye and give it to the girl. The swallow plucked
from his other need is always a noble act. One
is blessed. If I help
to pluck the sapphire someone in
the girl. Helping satisfaction. The sparrow and the
prince found the girl
and gave it to me aa lot of
Someone in
need, it will
give
brought them close to
God. It was a great act on their part.
her. It learn
in need and
they helped
the starving children? What lesson do you
Prince help the poor and
How did the Happy
10. and to the
from the story?
blind now. He had given his eyes to the playwright the
had become forever. The swallow flew over
The Happy Prince
requested the Swallow to stay with him moved. He asked
Ans. he
matchgirl. Now sufferings of the poor to the Prince.
The Prince wvas deeply
the poor. The
and told the
off the gold leaves from his body and give them away to swallow
city
s w a l l o w to
take
leaf after leaf till the Happy Prince looked dull and grey. The
the
picked off
the gold them happy. The lesson
swallow among the poor and the starving children to make
the gold the people in need.
distributed
provides a valueable Jesson to be always ready to help
 4. IN THE KINGDOM OF FOOLS -A.K. Ramanujan
Summary
t Is the story of a kingdom where the king and his minister both were idiots. They had ordered that l
night be treated as day and all the people should work only after dark. They
should go to bed as son
as the sun came up. The king's orders were followed by the pcople for
king and his minister. tear of death. This delighted the
Once a guru and his disciple came to that city. Soon they realised that
they were in the kingdom of fools
The guru was wise. He advised his disciple that they should
leave that place at once as it was not safe
to stay there. But the disciple was a food freak. He found
He ate to his the city very cheap. He decided to stay there
fill and soon grew fat.
Meanwhile, there was a unique trial in the court of the king. A
thief had broken into arich merchant's
house. As he was coming out of the hole, the old wall fell on
him and he died on the spot. His brother
blamed the rich merchant for the death of his brother. He
summoned. The merchant pleaded that he was innocent. He appealed to the king. The accused was
wall. The bricklayer was summoned. He held the blamed the bricklayer who had built a weak
dancing girl responsible for distracting him. She was also
summoned. She blamed the goldsmith who did not make her
that he could not make her jewellery in time. But ornaments in time. The goldsmith admitted
he pleaded that a rich merchant had
make ornaments early for a family wedding. pressed him to
The rich merchant was the father of the
the house who was accused by the thief's
brother. present Owner of
Now the king ruled that the rich merchant
was
father who had ordered for the jewellery. The kingthe real culprit. The merchant pleaded that it was his
all the wealth as well as sins of his consulted his minister and ruled that he had inherited
dead father. So he was the real culprit.
ordered to be executed. A new stake was Now the rich merchant was
built. But the merchant was too thin to
ordered to find a person who was fat enough fit the stake. The king
to fit the stake. The disciple who
fit for the stake. He was brought to had grown fat, was found
the place of execution. He
once. He whispered something to him. remembered his guru who appeared at
Now they started fighting. Each
wanted to be executed first. The king
guru explained to him that whoever asked why they were fighting. Ine
died on the stake first, would be
Whoever died next would be reborn as reborn as the king of that country.
the minister. He told the king
stake. It was the stake of God. that the stake was not an
ordinary
The king consulted his minister
and they decided to take their
king and the minister. They
went secretly to the prison and place. They wanted to be reborn as
tne
and his minister were executed released the guru and his disciple. The kus
the next morning. Now the
be their new king and
minister. They agreed and changed all people requested the guru and his disCiple
the old laws.
Word-Meaning
Execution: the carrying out of a plan; Bailiffs:
officials; Stake: a wooden
ground to support athing: Impaling: spearing; Decree: a royal order; post that is pointed into the
Clamour: demand loudly
 Literature Textbook and... 291
CERT Q U E S T I O N S

ainkAboutl t
What are the two strange things the guru and his disciple find in the Kingdom of Fools?
Everything is upside down in the kingdom of fools. The guru and his disciple find that people
daytime and work at night. Everything, whether rice or banana, costs the same. Any
sleep
in
disobedience is punished.

Why
does the disciple decide to stay in the Kingdom of Fools? Is it a good idea?
disciple is a food freak. He is tempted by the cheap food available in the kingdom of fools.
The
decides to stay in the kingdom. No, it is not a good idea. The bchaviour of fools is always
Sohe
unpredictable. One can be in danger anytime.
Name all the people who are tried in the king's court, and give the reasons for their trial.
3
Athief dies when a merchant's wall collapses. Four people were tried in the king's court. The first
Ans.
nwas the owner of the house. He was tried for building a weak wall. The second person
as the bricklayer. He was tried for not doing his work properly. The third one a dancing girl.
2s tried for distracting the mason at work. And the last one was the goldsmith who was accused
of making the dancing girl walk up and down by delaying his work on her jewellery.
Who is the real culprit according to the king? Why does he escape punishment?
come in inheritance.
Ans, The rich merchant is finally blamed for the crime. The king rules that the sins escapes
Therefore, the merchant is held guilty of his father's crime. However, the merchant
punishment because he is too thin to fit the stake prepared by the king.
5. What are the Guru's words of wisdom? When does the disciple remember them?"
could be in danger anytime. He
Ans. The guru knew that the behaviour of fools is unpredictable. They danger. He realised his
decided to leave the kingdom at once. But the disciple did not realise the
mistake when the king ordered his execution without any reason.
6. How does the guru mange to save his disciple's life?
was held guilty of murdering a thief.
As. The king ordered the execution of the rich merchant who executed. So he decided to find out
too thin to be
A new stake was made but the merchant was
They started fighting as to who should be
Some fat man to be executed. His guru made a plan. the God of justice. Whoever died
stake of
CXecuted first. He told the king that the stake was the
went next would be the future minister of this
ist would be reborn as the king and whoever
Thus, the guru helped his disciple save
COuntry. The king and the minister got executed willingly.
his life.

SOLVED QUESTION BANK

Short Answer Type Questions |

1, What was the routine of the people in the kingdom of fools?
Ans. In the kingdom of fools, the people used to work at night and sleep during the sunlight. There
the day was Considered to be the night and the night was considered to be the day. This routine
was animals too.
followed not only by human beings but
 292 Tagether with English Language & Literature 9
2 What advice did the
guru give to his disciple?
Ans. The guru advised his disciple to leave the kingdom of fools as soon as possible. He said that one
could never anticipate the next move of the fools. The guru was a wise man. He was right in hie
predictions.
3. Why did the disciple become fat?
Ans. The disciple was a food freak. He found the food very cheap in the kingdom. He ate his fill every
day and grew fat like astreet side bull. The cost of everything was only one duddu. He could buy
any thing for one rupee.
4. How did the thief die?
Ans. The thief died while carrving out his loot from the house of a rich merchant. The wall of the
old
house collapsed on him and killed him on the spot. It was an accident but his brother complained
to the king against the owner of the house for making a weak wall.
5. What was the trial about?
Ans. The trial was about the death of athief who died while coming out of a house.
The wall of the
house was very old and collapsed on him. The king wanted to fix the
responsibility on a person
responsible for his death.
6. Whyv did the king want to punish the mnerchant ?
Ans. The king wanted to punish the rich merchant because the wall of his
house had fallen on the
thief. The king blamed him for building a weak wall.
7. How did the merchant defend himself?
Ans. The merchant defended himself by submitting that he had not
built the wall. The wall was built
by a mason during the time of his father. He argued that the
mason who built the wall should be
held responsible for the death of the thief.
8. What was the dancing girl blamed for?
Ans. The dancing girl was blamed for distracting the
mason who built the wall. The mason built the
bad wal] which fell on the thief who died there
and then. She was held responsible for the death
of the thief.
9. How did the dancing girl defend herself?
Ans. The dancing girl defended herself by saying that a
work on her jewellery. She told the king that the
goldsmith made her walk up and down by delay1ng
might have distracted the bricklayer. So it was not
goldsmith made many excuses. Her movement
her fault.
10. Why was the merchant not executed
after he was finally found guilty?
Ans. The merchant was finally found guilty of
killing the thief. He was ordered to be executed. But
was too thin to fit the newly made stake. So he
the king ordered to find someone who could
stake. fit the
11. Why was the merchant summoned to court?
Ans. The merchant was summoned for the collapse
of his house wall. He pleaded his innocence
that his late father had built the wall and he was say1ng
only its inheritor. But the king reasoned that
he was the inheritor of his criminal father's since
riches, he should also bear the burden of his sins.