A Dilemma by Silas Weir Mitchell | Story Questions and Answers | 10th English Supplementary

Answer the questions - A Dilemma

by Silas Weir Mitchell | Supplementary Story

A. Identify the Character / Speaker

1. I suppose you think me queer. I will explain.

Uncle Philip to Tom

2. Don't come back. It won't hasten things.

Uncle Philip

3. He thought it simply a cruel jest.

Tom’s father confessor

4. He did not desire to do so.

Professor Clinch

5. He would think it over and come back later.

The Collector

B. Short Answer Questions

1. What did the uncle do as soon as he bought a stone?

When the uncle bought a new stone, he carried it in his pocket for a month. He took it out now and then and looked at it. Then, he kept it safe at the trust company.

2. What did the uncle bequeath to the narrator?

Uncle Philip bequeathed all his precious stones to the narrator.

3. What was the condition laid by the uncle to inherit his property?

The condition laid by the uncle to inherit his property was that Tom would have to pay for his funeral.

4. Why do you think Tom happily looked forward to the expenditure for his uncle’s funeral?

Tom’s uncle declared Tom as his only heir. He gave an iron box containing valuable stones. So, Tom looked forward to the expenditure for his uncle’s funeral.

5. Write a few words about the mechanism used in the iron box.

If Tom opened the box with fear, the box would explode. If he opened the box without fear, it would not explode and he could lead a rich life. This was the mechanism used in the iron box.

6. What was the counsel offered to the narrator?

As a considerate man, Tom’s uncle counselled him to open the box without fear.

7. Why and when was the narrator shocked?

The narrator was shocked when he read the letter that the box contained sensitive dynamite.

8. What was the doctor’s warning to Tom?

The doctor warned Tom that he was in danger of losing his mind with too much thought about precious stones.

9. Why didn’t Tom dare to assign the task of unlocking the box to someone?

Tom deeply thought of the risk of unlocking the box. He did not want someone else to risk his life. So, Tom didn’t dare to assign the task of unlocking the box to someone.

C. Paragraph Questions

1. Describe briefly the contents of the letter written by Tom’s uncle.

Lesson: A DILEMMA

Author: Silas Weir Mitchell

Theme: Life is a dilemma - “To be or not to be”

Characters: Tom, Philip, Susan, Dr.Schaff, Professor Clinch

Outlook: Uncle Philip - interested - collecting gems - declared Tom - heir - Leaving iron box - contained gems - take extreme - handling - interesting mechanism - open - explode - wished him

Uncle Philip was a bachelor, cunning and malicious, living alone. He was much interested in collecting valuable gems and pearls. On his death bed, he called Tom and declared Tom as his only heir. Leaving an iron box for Tom, his uncle instructed him to carefully read a letter which lay on top of it. He told that the box contained a large number of pigeon-blood rubies, a lot of diamonds, hundreds of pearls. Tom’s uncle counselled Tom that he should take extreme care in handling the box. He mentioned that the box contained an interesting mechanism. So Tom should open the box with confidence to obtain the precious stones. If Tom opened the box with fear, the box would explode. If he opened without fear, the box would not explode. Hence, Uncle Philip asked Tom to believe him and then unlock the iron box. Uncle Philip wished him to be rich and asked him to remember his uncle.

ESSAY

• Introduction
• Uncle Philip’s Last wish
• Mechanism used in the iron box
• Details in the letter
• Conclusion

Introduction:

“A Dilemma” is a very interesting and mysterious story written by Silas Weir Mitchell. Tom was the protagonist of this story. Tom narrated how he was in a dilemma to open a box given by his uncle.

Uncle Philip’s Last wish:

Uncle Philip was a bachelor, cunning and malicious, living alone. He was much interested in collecting valuable gems and pearls. On his death bed, he called Tom and declared Tom as his only heir.

Mechanism used in the iron box

Leaving an iron box for Tom, his uncle instructed him to carefully read a letter which lay on top of it. He told that the box contained a large number of pigeon-blood rubies, a lot of diamonds, hundreds of pearls.

Details in the letter

Tom’s uncle counselled Tom that he should take extreme care in handling the box. He mentioned that the box contained an interesting mechanism. So Tom should open the box with confidence to obtain the precious stones. If Tom opened the box with fear, the box would explode. If he opened without fear, the box would not explode. Hence, Uncle Philip asked Tom to believe him and then unlock the iron box.

Conclusion

Though Uncle Philip wished Tom to be rich and asked him to remember his uncle, he made Tom mad and remember him in his whole life.

“Thinking without awareness is the main dilemma of human existence”.

2. Explain the efforts taken by Tom to open the iron box? Did he succeed? Why?

Lesson: A DILEMMA

Author: Silas Weir Mitchell

Theme: Life is a dilemma - “To be or not to be”

Characters: Tom, Philip, Susan, Dr.Schaff, Professor Clinch

Outlook: Uncle Philip - leaving iron box - contained gems - mechanism- explode - tried - First - planned to explode - Secondly - Professor Clinch - Then Dr. Schaff - referred books - father confessor collector - None understand

Uncle Philip was a bachelor, living alone. On his death bed he called Tom. Leaving an iron box, he instructed Tom that the box contained precious gems but the box contained an interesting mechanism. If he opened it with fear, it would explode. Tom was curious and tried all possible ways to open the box. First of all, He planned to explode the box at a safe distance but dropped the plan in fear of losing the rubies. Secondly he consulted Professor Clinch. But he was turned down by the Professor stating the dubious nature of his uncle. Then he met Dr. Schaff whereas who was indifferent to Tom’s request. Tom referred to books on dynamite at libraries. After that, he sought the help of father confessor. The father replied that it was a cruel jest of his uncle. Finally Tom took the matter to the collector. But he avoided Tom. Definitely, he made a lot of efforts to open the box but he could not succeed. None of them could understand the absurdity of his uncle’s condition.

ESSAY

• Introduction
• Tom - sole heir of uncle Philip
• Mechanism used in the iron box
• Efforts taken by Tom
• Conclusion

Introduction:

“A Dilemma” is a very interesting and mysterious story written by Silas Weir Mitchell. Tom was the protagonist of this story. Tom narrated how he was in a dilemma to open a box given by his uncle.

Tom - Sole heir of uncle Philip:

Uncle Philip was a bachelor, cunning and malicious, living alone. On his death bed he called Tom and declared Tom as his only heir. Leaving an iron box for Tom, his uncle instructed him to carefully read a letter which lay on top of it. He told Tom that the box contained a large number of pigeon-blood rubies, diamonds, and pearls.

Mechanism used in the iron box:

Tom’s uncle counselled Tom that he should take extreme care in handling the box. He mentioned that the box contained an interesting mechanism. If he opened it with fear, it would explode. Tom read the letter which stated that the box contained sensitive dynamite. Tom was curious to see the contents in the iron box and tried all possible ways to open the box.

Efforts taken by Tom:

First of all, he planned to explode the box at a safe distance but dropped the plan in fear of losing the rubies. Secondly he consulted Professor Clinch. But he was turned down by the Professor stating the dubious nature of his uncle. Then he met Dr.Schaff, but he was indifferent to Tom’s request. He referred to books on dynamite at libraries. After that he sought the help of father confessor. He replied that it was a cruel jest of his uncle. Finally he took the matter to the collector. But he avoided Tom.

Conclusion:

None of them could understand the absurdity of his uncle’s condition. At last, Tom bequeathed the box to the Society. The protagonist Tom is a true representation of human curiosity and how the iron box can drive him to anxiety and mental instability.

“Life is a dilemma that must be solved by the person living in it”.

D. Summary - Fill in the Blanks

1. The narrator was sent for, by his uncle when he was on his deathbed.
   (on his deathbed / on his travels / in his workplace)
2. The uncle had collected precious stones.
   (jewels / stones / articles)
3. His uncle announced Tom as his heir and wanted him to pay for his funeral.
   (rented house / marriage / funeral)
4. Leaving an iron box for Tom, his uncle instructed him not to shake the box.
   (throw / carry / shake)
5. The letter read that the box contained a sensitive dynamite.
   (a sensitive dynamite / jewels / money)
6. He started thinking of all possible ways to open the box without being killed.
   (wounded / killed / maimed)
7. He planned to explode the box at a safe distance but dropped the plan in fear of losing the rubies.
   (home / a safe distance / a waste land)
8. His consultation with Professor Clinch did not yield him any fruitful solution.
   (Uncle Philip / Professor Clinch / Susan)
9. He failed in his attempts to open the box. His efforts to read about explosives led to confusions (hopes / confusions / suspicions) and he had to change his name and occupation.
   (name and occupation / lodgings / appearance)
10. At last, he bequeathed the box to the Society.
    (his offspring / his friends / the Society)

Title: Glossary: A Dilemma by Silas Weir Mitchell (Supplementary Story)

Glossary - A Dilemma | by Silas Weir Mitchell | Supplementary/Story

Glossary

ingenious (adj.) - clever, original and inventive

mania (n) - an extensive, persistent desire, an obsession

malicious (adj.) - spiteful, intended to harm or upset someone

queer (adj.) - strange, odd

appalled (adj.) - horrified, shocked

oddity (n) - the quality being strange or peculiar

closet (n) - cupboard

incredible (adj.) - impossible to believe

contrive (v) - cook up, hatch a plan by deliberate use of skills

despotic (adj.) - tyrannical, autocratic

avarice (n) - extreme greed for wealth

jest (n) - a joke

vivisection (n) - a surgery conducted on a living organism for experimental purposes.

Tags : A Dilemma | by Silas Weir Mitchell | Supplementary/Story , 10th English: UNIT 7 : Supplementary/Story: A Dilemma

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10th English: UNIT 7 : Supplementary/Story: A Dilemma : Glossary | A Dilemma | by Silas Weir Mitchell | Supplementary/Story

A Dilemma by Silas Weir Mitchell | Short Story Analysis and Summary

A Dilemma

Supplementary Story

by Silas Weir Mitchell

I was just thirty-seven when my Uncle Philip died. A week before that event he sent for me; and here let me say that I had never set eyes on him. He hated my mother, but I do not know why. She told me long before his last illness that I need expect nothing from my father’s brother. He was an inventor, an able and ingenious mechanical engineer, and had much money by his improvement in turbine-wheels. He was a bachelor; lived alone, cooked his own meals, and collected precious stones, especially rubies and pearls. From the time he made his first money he had this mania. As he grew richer, the desire to possess rare and costly gems became stronger. When he bought a new stone, he carried it in his pocket for a month and now and then took it out and looked at it. Then it was added to the collection in his safe at the trust company.

At the time he sent for me I was a clerk, and poor enough. Remembering my mother’s words, his message gave me, his sole relative, no new hopes; but I thought it best to go.

When I sat down by his bedside, he began, with a malicious grin:

“I suppose you think me queer. I will explain.” What he said was certainly queer enough. “I have been living on an annuity into which I put my fortune. In other words, I have been, as to money, concentric half of my life to enable me to be as eccentric as I pleased the rest of it. Now I repent of my wickedness to you all, and desire to live in the memory of at least one of my family. You think I am poor and have only my annuity. You will be profitably surprised. I have never parted with my precious stones; they will be yours. You are my sole heir. I shall carry with me to the other world the satisfaction of making one man happy.

“No doubt you have always had expectations, and I desire that you should continue to expect. My jewels are in my safe. There is nothing else left”.

When I thanked him he grinned all over his lean face, and said:

“You will have to pay for my funeral.”

I must say that I never looked forward to any expenditure with more pleasure than to what it would cost me to put him away in the earth. As I rose to go, he said:

“The rubies are valuable. They are in my safe at the trust company. Before you unlock the box, be very careful to read a letter which lies on top of it; and be sure not to shake the box.” I thought this odd. “Don’t come back. It won’t hasten things.”

He died that day next week, and was handsomely buried. The day after, his will was found, leaving me his heir. I opened his safe and found in it nothing but an iron box, evidently of his own making, for he was a skilled workman and very ingenious. The box was heavy and strong, about ten inches long, eight inches wide and ten inches high.

On it lay a letter to me. It ran thus:

I stood appalled, the key in my hand. Was it true? Was it a lie? I had spent all my savings on the funeral, and was poorer than ever.

Remembering the old man’s oddity, his malice, his cleverness in mechanic arts, and the patent explosive which had helped to make him rich, I began to feel how very likely it was that he had told the truth in this cruel letter.

I carried the iron box away to my lodgings, set it down with care in a closet, laid the key on it, and locked the closet.

Then I sat down, as yet hopeful, and began to exert my ingenuity upon ways of opening the box without being killed. There must be a way.

After a week of vain thinking I bethought me, one day, that it would be easy to explode the box by unlocking it at a safe distance, and I arranged a plan with wires, which seemed as if it would answer. But when I reflected on what would happen when the dynamite scattered the rubies, I knew that I should be none the richer. For hours at a time I sat looking at that box and handling the key.

At last I hung the key on my watch-guard; but then it occurred to me that it might be lost or stolen. Dreading this, I hid it, fearful that someone might use it to open the box. This state of doubt and fear lasted for weeks, until I became nervous and began to dread that some accident might happen to that box. A burglar might come and boldly carry it away and force it open and find it was a wicked fraud of my uncle’s. Even the rumble and vibration caused by the heavy vans in the street became at last a terror.

Worst of all, my salary was reduced, and I saw that marriage was out of the question.

In my despair I consulted Professor Clinch about my dilemma, and as to some safe way of getting at the rubies. He said that, if my uncle had not lied, there was none that would not ruin the stones, especially the pearls, but that it was a silly tale and altogether incredible. I offered him the biggest ruby if he wished to test his opinion. He did not desire to do so.

Dr. Schaff, my uncle’s doctor, believed the old man’s letter, and added a caution, which was entirely useless, for by this time I was afraid to be in the room with that terrible box.

At last the doctor kindly warned me that I was in danger of losing my mind with too much thought about my rubies. In fact, I did nothing else but contrive wild plans to get at them safely. I spent all my spare hours at one of the great libraries reading about dynamite.

Indeed, I talked of it until the library attendants, believing me a lunatic or a dynamite fiend, declined to humor me, and spoke to the police. I suspect that for a while I was “shadowed” as a suspicious, and possibly criminal, character. I gave up the libraries, and, becoming more and more fearful, set my precious box on a down pillow, for fear of its being shaken; for at this time even the absurd possibility of its being disturbed by an earthquake troubled me. I tried to calculate the amount of shake needed to explode my box.

The old doctor, when I saw him again, begged me to give up all thought of the matter, and, as I felt how completely I was the slave of one despotic idea, I tried to take the good advice thus given me.

Unhappily, I found, soon after, between the leaves of my uncle’s Bible, a numbered list of the stones with their cost and much beside. It was dated two years before my uncle’s death. Many of the stones were well known, and their enormous value amazed me.

Several of the rubies were described with care, and curious histories of them were given in detail. One was said to be the famous “Sunset ruby,” which had belonged to the Empress-Queen Maria Theresa. One was called the “Blood ruby,” not, as was explained, because of the color, but on account of the murders it had occasioned. Now, as I read, it seemed again to threaten death.

The pearls were described with care as an unequalled collection. Concerning two of them my uncle had written what I might call biographies—for, indeed, they seemed to have done much evil and some good. One, a black pearl, was mentioned in an old bill of sale as—She—which seemed queer to me.

It was maddening. Here, guarded by a vision of sudden death, was wealth “beyond the dreams of avarice.” I am not a clever or ingenious man; I know little beyond how to keep a ledger, and so I was, and am, no doubt, absurd about many of my notions as to how to solve this riddle.

At one time I thought of finding a man who would take the risk of unlocking the box, but what right had I to subject anyone else to the trial I dared not face? I could easily drop the box from a height somewhere, and if it did not explode could then safely unlock it; but if it did blow up when it fell, good-by to my rubies. Mine, indeed! I was rich, and I was not. I grew thin and morbid, and so miserable that, I at last carried my troubles to my father confessor. He thought it simply a cruel jest of my uncle’s, but was not so eager for another world as to be willing to open my box.

He, too, counselled me to cease thinking about it. Good heavens! I dreamed about it. Not to think about it was impossible. Neither my own thought nor science nor religion had been able to assist me.

Two years have gone by, and I am one of the richest men in the city, and have no more money than will keep me alive.

Susan said I was half cracked like Uncle Philip, and broke off her engagement. In my despair I advertised in the Journal of Science, and have had absurd schemes sent me by the dozen. At last, as I talked too much about it, the thing became so well known that when I put the horror in a safe, in a bank, I was promptly desired to withdraw it. I was in constant fear of burglars, and my landlady gave me notice to leave, because no one would stay in the house with that box. I am now advised to print my story and await advice from the ingenuity of the American mind.

I have moved into the suburbs and hidden the box and changed my name and my occupation. This I did to escape the curiosity of the reporters. I ought to say that when the government officials came to hear of my inheritance, they were reasonably desired to collect the succession tax on my uncle’s estate.

I was delighted to assist them. I told the collector my story, and showed him Uncle Philip’s letter. Then I offered him the key, and asked for time to get half a mile away. That man said he would think it over and come back later.

This is all I have to say. I have made a will and left my rubies and pearls to the Society for the Preservation of Human Vivisection. If any man thinks this account a joke or an invention, let him coldly imagine the situation:

Given an iron box, known to contain wealth, and to contain dynamite, arranged to explode when the key is used to unlock it – what would any sane man do? What would he advise?

About the author:

Silas Weir Mitchell (1829-1914) was a neurologist by profession. He was among the famous physicians of his time and a prolific writer of both scientific and literary works. He was born in Philadelphia, studied at the University of Pennsylvania and received the degree of M.D. in 1850. He is considered the father of neurology as well as a pioneer in scientific medicine. He published more than 25 literary titles and his medical experiences and background enabled him to write historical fiction with much psychological insight. Many honorary degrees were conferred upon him by several Universities at home and abroad. The American Academy of Neurology award for young researchers is named after him.

The Little Hero of Holland | Supplementary Story Questions and Answers

Answer the questions - The Little Hero of Holland | Supplementary/Story

A. Based on the understanding of the story, complete the Graphic Organiser suitably.

• Title: The little Hero of Holland
• Author: Mary Mapes Dodge
• Setting: Holland, Dike
• Characters: Peter, his mother, his friend, his friend the blind man, the man who finds Peter finally
• Theme: Unconditional love of a boy towards his country
• Plot: Peter saved his land and people from being drowned
• Climax: Peter saved his land and people and he became the hero of Holland.
• Values highlighted in the story: unconditional love for the land and people.

B. Based on the understanding of the story answer the following questions in one or two sentences:

1. What are the little children of Holland, aware of?

The little children of Holland are aware of the importance of the Dikes. They know the Dikes must be watched every moment. A little hole in it can be a very dangerous thing.

2. What was the work assigned to Peter’s father?

The work assigned to Peter’s father was to tend the gates, called sluices in the Dikes.

3. Why did Peter’s mother call him?

Peter’s mother wanted him to take the cakes to his friend, the blind man. So she called him.

4. How did Peter spend his time with his blind friend?

Peter spent his time with his blind friend by telling his walk along the dike and about the sun and the flowers and the ships far out at sea.

5. Why did the father always say ‘angry waters’?

He called the water in North sea, ‘angry waters’ as they were angry at him for keeping them out so long.

6. What did Peter see when he stopped near the dikes?

Peter saw a small hole in the dike, when he stopped near the Dikes.

7. What were the thoughts of the mother when Peter didn’t return home?

Peter’s mother thought that Peter was spending the night with his blind friend and that she would scold him in the morning for staying away from home without permission.

8. How did Peter spend his night at the dikes?

Peter thrust his finger into the tiny hole of the dike to save the people of Poland and stayed there in dark and cold the whole night.

9. Who found Peter in the dikes and what did he do?

A man going to work found Peter in the Dikes. He spread this alarm. People rushed there, saved Peter and mended the hole.

10. How did the villagers mend the hole?

The villagers mended the hole with shovels.

C. Based on your understanding of the story answer the following question in about 100-150 words.

1. Narrate in your own words the circumstances that led Peter to be a brave little hero.

Lesson: THE LITTLE HERO OF HOLLAND

Author: Mary Mapes Dodge

Theme: Unconditional love of a boy towards his country

Characters: Peter, his mother, his friend, a man going to work

Prose outline: Peter the little boy - Holland below sea level - The Dikes - Peter’s mother - cake - blind man - way back - hole -finger

Peter was a little boy who lived in Holland. Holland is situated below sea level. A wall called Dikes protect the country from the North Sea. Even the little children of Holland are aware of the importance of the Dikes. They know the Dikes must be watched every moment. A little hole in it can be a very dangerous thing. One afternoon, Peter’s mother wanted him to go across the Dikes to take the cakes to his friend, the blind man. Peter spent his time with his blind friend by telling him about his walk along the Dikes and many other things. On his way back to home, he heard the sound of trickling water. He saw a small hole in the dike. Peter thrust his finger into the tiny hole to,stop the water. He shouted for help but no one turned up. He stayed there the whole night. His finger became numb. Next morning, a man going to work found Peter in the Dikes. He spread this alarm. The villagers rushed there and mended the hole with shovels. They took Peter to his parents. Thus Peter saved his land and the people and became the Hero of Holland.

ESSAY

• Introduction
• Peter in Holland
• Peter’s visit to his friend
• Hole in the dike
• Peter the Hero
• Conclusion

Introduction

The story ‘The little hero of Holland’ pictures the unconditional love of a little boy towards his country and his people.

The Dikes of Holland:

Peter was a little boy who lived in Holland. Holland is situated below sea level. A wall called Dikes protect the country from the North Sea. Even the little children of Holland are aware of the importance of the Dikes. They know, the Dikes must be watched every moment. Even a little hole in it can be a very dangerous thing.

Peter’s visit to his friend

One afternoon, Peter’s mother wanted him to go across the Dikes to take the cakes to his friend, the blind man. Peter spent his time with his blind friend by telling him about his walk along the Dikes and about the sun and the flowers and the ships far out at sea.

Hole in the Dike

On his way back to home, he heard the sound of trickling water from the dike. He saw a small hole in the dike. He shouted for help but no one turned up. Peter thrust his finger into the tiny hole of the Dikes to stop the water. He stayed there for the whole night in dark and cold. His finger became numb.

Peter the Hero

Next morning, a man going to work found Peter in the Dikes. He spread this alarm. The villagers rushed there and mended the hole with shovels. They took Peter to his parents. Peter became the hero of Holland.

Conclusion

Thus Peter saved his land and the people and became “the Little Hero of Holland”.

Moral: Love the nation

D. Identify the character/speaker:

1. “I want you to go across the dike and take these cakes to your friend, the blind man.” - Peter’s mother (you-Peter)
2. “I am glad they are so strong”. - Peter (they-Dikes)
3. “Holland shall not be drowned while I am here.” - Peter
4. “What’s the matter?” he called. “Are you hurt?” - man who saved Peter (you-Peter)
5. “Tell them to come quickly!” - Peter (them - People of Holland)

Additional Questions:

6. “If you go quickly, and do not stop to play, you will be home again before dark.” - Peter’s mother
7. Bidding his friend goodbye, he set out for home. - Peter (friend-blind man)
8. “If they gave way what would become of us? - Peter (they-Dikes)
9. He always calls them the 'angry waters.' - Peter’s father
10. He understood the danger at once. - Peter
11. “Holland shall not be drowned while I am here.” - Peter
12. “I must stay here until someone comes, if I have to stay all night.” - Peter
13. “I’ll stand it somehow,” - Peter
14. “I’m keeping the water back!” - Peter
15. They have never forgotten the brave little hero of Holland. - They-people of Holland

Glossary for 'The Little Hero of Holland' | 10th English Supplementary Story

Glossary - The Little Hero of Holland | Supplementary/Story

Glossary

dikes (n)

an embankment for controlling or holding back the waters of the sea or a river.

sluices (n)

a sliding gate or other device for controlling the flow of water, especially one in a lock gate.

trickling (v)

flowing in a small stream (a liquid)

numb (adj.)

deprived of the power of sensation.

chattered (v)

feeling cold and frightened that one can’t stop the upper teeth from against ones lower teeth.

crouching (v)

adopting a position where the knees are bent and the upper body is brought forward and down.

groan (v)

make a deep inarticulate sound conveying pain

shovels (n)

tool resembling a spade with a broad blade and typically upturned side, used for moving earth, coal, snow etc.

Tags: The Little Hero of Holland | Supplementary/Story, 10th English: UNIT 6 : Supplementary/Story: The Little Hero of Holland

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The Little Hero of Holland: A Brave Story for Students

The Little Hero of Holland

Supplementary Story

This is a true story of a little boy with a brave heart and passionate love for his village. Read on the story to find what the little hero of Holland did to save his fellowmen.

Holland is a country where much of the land lies below sea level. Only great walls called dikes keep the North Sea from rushing in and flooding the land. For centuries the people of Holland have worked to keep the walls strong so that their country will be safe and dry. Even the little children know the dikes must be watched every moment, and that a hole no longer than your finger can be a very dangerous thing.

Many years ago there lived in Holland a boy named Peter. Peter’s father was one of the men who tended the gates in the dikes, called sluices. He opened and closed the sluices so that ships could pass out of Holland’s canals into the great sea.

One afternoon in the early fall, when Peter was eight years old, his mother called him from his play. “Come, Peter,” she said. “I want you to go across the dike and take these cakes to your friend, the blind man. If you go quickly, and do not stop to play, you will be home again before dark.”

The little boy was glad to go on such an errand, and started off with a light heart. He stayed with the poor blind man a little while to tell him about his walk along the dike and about the sun and the flowers and the ships far out at sea. Then he remembered his mother’s wish that he should return before dark and, bidding his friend goodbye, he set out for home.

As he walked beside the canal, he noticed how the rains had swollen the waters, and how they beat against the side of the dike, and he thought of his father’s gates.

“I am glad they are so strong,” he said to himself. “If they gave way what would become of us? These pretty fields would be covered with water. Father always calls them the `angry waters.´ I suppose he thinks they are angry at him for keeping them out so long.”

As he walked along he sometimes stopped to pick the pretty blue flowers that grew beside the road, or to listen to the rabbits´soft tread as they rustled through the grass. But oftener he smiled as he thought of his visit to the poor blind man who had so few pleasures and was always so glad to see him.

Suddenly he noticed that the sun was setting, and that it was growing dark. “Mother will be watching for me,” he thought, and he began to run toward home.

Just then he heard a noise. It was the sound of trickling water! He stopped and looked down. There was a small hole in the dike, through which a tiny stream was flowing,

Any child in Holland is frightened at the thought of a leak in the dike.

Peter understood the danger at once. If the water ran through a little hole it would soon make a larger one, and the whole country would be flooded. In a moment he saw what he must do. Throwing away his flowers, he climbed down the side of the dike and thrust his finger into the tiny hole.

The flowing of the water was stopped!

“Oho!” he said to himself. “The angry waters must stay back now. I can keep them back with my finger. Holland shall not be drowned while I am here.”

This was all very well at first, but soon it grew dark and cold. The little fellow shouted and screamed. “Come here; come here, ” he called. But no one heard him; no one came to help him.

It grew still colder, and his arm ached, and began to grow stiff and numb.

He shouted again. “Will no one come? Mother! Mother!”

But his mother had looked anxiously along the dike road many times since sunset for her little boy, and now she had closed and locked the cottage door, thinking that Peter was spending the night with his blind friend, and that she would scold him in the morning for staying away from home without permission. Peter tried to whistle, but his teeth chattered with the cold. He thought of his brother and sister in their warm beds, and of his dear father and mother. “I must not let them be drowned,” he thought. “I must stay here until someone comes, if I have to stay all night.”

The moon and stars looked down on the child crouching on a stone on the side of the dike. His head was bent, and his eyes were closed, but he was not asleep, for every now and then he rubbed the hand that was holding back the angry sea.

“I’ll stand it somehow,” he thought. So he stayed there all night keeping the sea out.

Early the next morning a man going to work thought he heard a groan as he walked along the top of the dike. Looking over the edge, he saw a child clinging to the side of the great wall.

“What’s the matter?” he called. “Are you hurt?”

“I’m keeping the water back!” Peter yelled. “Tell them to come quickly!”

The alarm was spread. People came running with shovels and the hole was soon mended.

They carried Peter home to his parents, and before long the whole town knew how he had saved their lives that night. To this day, they have never forgotten the brave little hero of Holland.

About the Author

Mary Mapes Dodge (1831–1905) was an American children's author and editor, best known for her novel Hans Brinker. She was the recognized leader in juvenile literature for almost a third of the nineteenth century. Dodge conducted St. Nicholas for more than thirty years, and it became one of the most successful magazines for children. She was able to persuade many of the great writers of the world to contribute to her children's magazine – Mark Twain, Louisa May Alcott, Robert Louis Stevenson, Tennyson etc.

Answer the questions - A day in 2889 of an American Journalist | by Jules Verne | Supplementary/Story

Answer the questions - A day in 2889 of an American Journalist

by Jules Verne | Supplementary/Story

A. Answer the following questions in two or three lines.

1. Why did Francis Bennett wake up with a bad temper?

   Francis Bennet woke up with a bad temper as he felt a little lonely. Bennet’s wife had been away in France for the past eight days.

2. What was a mechanized dressing room?

   A mechanized dressing room was a machine that could wash, shave. Also it shod and dressed a person in under two minutes.

3. How was food served to him?

   Bennett was one of the subscribers to the society for supplying food to the home. He got his lunch from there through a network of pneumatic tubes.

4. Why was Bennett curious about astronomy?

   Astronomy had become a recent topic of interest because of, all the new discoveries made •in the stellar world. He wished to feed the public with interesting astronomical news.

5. Why did he visit Niagara?

   Francis Bennett went to Niagara for his accumulator works.

6. How did Bennett travel?

   Bennett travelled to Niagara in an aero-car with an aero-coachman. The aero-car was capable of gaining speed of about four hundred miles an hour.

7. Give three instances of how mechanization has changed life at home in 2889?

   In the year 2889, Bennett uses his phonotelephote to talk to his wife who is a several hundred miles away from him. He gets ready in his mechanized dressing room in two minutes. He gets his lunch from a pneumatic tube in his office.

8. How is advertising in this age different from what we have today?

   Advertisements are projected on clouds by a thousand projectors from a gallery. They are so large that they can be seen all over a whole country.

B. Identify the character/speaker.

1. ‘As soon as he woke up, he switched on his phonotelephote.’ - Narrator
2. ‘Well, Cash, what have you got?’ - Francis Bennett
3. ‘Phototelegrams from Mercury, Venus and Mars, Sir.’ - Cash to Bennett
4. ‘Interesting! And Jupiter?’ - Francis Bennett to Cash
5. ‘Not yet, Mr.Bennett.’ - Cash
6. ‘No, it’s the inhabitants.’ - Corley to Bennett
7. ‘Where are we going, Sir?’ - Aero-coachman to Bennett
8. ‘Then, Sir, I shall really have discovered the absolute.’ - The young inventor to Bennett
9. ‘Are you saying you’re going to be able to construct a human being?’ - Francis Bennett to the young inventor
10. ‘I’m going to start this moment.’ - Edith (Bennett’s wife) to Bennett

C. Choose the best answer.

1. Bennette’s wife was in France.

   i) Germany ii) Australia iii) France iv) Holland

2. The data from the stellar world was gathered by astronomical reporters.

   i)Bennette ii) astronomical reporters iii) the computer iv) telephote

3. The food was being delivered through pneumatic tubes.

   i) pneumatic ii) shallow iii) hollow iv) virtual

4. The wayfarers were carried to one place to another by the moving pavement.

   i) bullet train ii) jet iii) moving pavement iv) heli-taxi

D. Fill in the story map given below.

Title:

A day in 2889 of an American Journalist

Setting:

• The story is set in the office block of the managing Editor of the newspaper Earth Herald.
• Later it is set in the reporting room, advertising room, dining room, Niagara, waiting room of the Earth Herald and the audition room.

Characters:

1. Francis Bennett - the director of the Earth Herald
2. Edith - Bennett's wife.
3. Aero coachman
4. Cash - One of the ten Astronomical reporters
5. Corley - One of the ten Astronomical reporters
6. The young inventor and the second inventor

Problem:

• i. Bennett wakes up with a bad temper and feels lonely.
• ii. Astronomical reporters don't get any signals from Jupiter and the moon
• iii. Bennett has to reject bad petitions and choose good ones.

Your Views:

• This futuristic story by Jules Verne is simply amazing.
• It reveals the author's power of imagination.
• The story takes the readers into this new world and enables them to experience a life where machines are prominent
• Every invention mentioned here is inspiring.

PARAGRAPH QUESTIONS

Lesson: A DAY IN 2889 OF AN AMERICAN JOURNALIST

Author: Jules Verne

Theme: The future in the hands of technology.

Characters: Francis Bennett, Edith, Cash, Corley, the second inventor, the aero-coachman.

Prose outline: Story set on 2889 - Francis Bennett - director - Earth Herald - leading newspaper - phonotelephote - mechanized dressing room - astronomical news - advertisements on clouds - lunch via pneumatic tubes - travel to Niagara - an aero-car - inventors

This story is set on July 25, 2889. Francis Bennett, director of the Earth Herald, the world’s most leading newspaper, had woken up with a bad temper. He felt a little lonely. His wife had been away to France for the past eight days. He switched on his phonotelephote and hearing his wife’s voice, he put on a smile. His mechanized dressing room dressed him from top to toe. In his office, he inquired the astronomical reporters about the latest news. He wished to feed the public with interesting astronomical news. Inordinate advertisements were projected on clouds by a thousand projectors from a gallery. Bennett got his lunch through a network of pneumatic tubes. Then he travelled to Niagara for his accumulator works. He took an aero-car with an aero-coachman. After his return, he listened to many petitions. He supported the idea of an inventor who thought of reducing the final three elements into one and another idea of moving the town of Saaf to the shore using rails. He then learned about his wife’s plan to return. Finally he ended the day by taking mechanized a bath before going to bed.

ESSAY

• Introduction
• Phonotelephote and the mechanized dressing room
• Astronomy- the trending topic
• Advertisements and Lunch service
• Two innovative petitions
• Conclusion

Introduction:

‘A day in 2889 of an American Journalist’ written in 1889 by Jules Verne, gives us a glimpse of the futuristic world in which people rely on machines for almost everything. The story is set on July 25 of 2889.

Phonotelephote and the mechanized dressing room:

Francis Bennett, director of the Earth Herald, the world’s most leading newspaper, had woken up with a bad temper. He felt a little lonely in the absence of his wife. His wife had been away in France for the past eight days. He switched on his phonotelephote and hearing his wife’s voice, he put on a smile. His mechanized dressing room dressed him from top to toe.

Astronomy - the trending topic:

In his office, he inquired the astronomical reporters about the latest news. He wished to feed the public with interesting astronomical news. He was excited to bring out the interesting discoveries made in the new planet Gandini to the public.

Advertisements and lunch services:

Inordinate advertisements were projected on clouds by a thousand projectors from a gallery. Bennett was one of the subscribers to the society for supplying food to the home. He got his lunch from there through a network of pneumatic tubes. Then Bennett travelled to Niagara for his accumulator works. He took an aero-car with an aero-coachman who was waiting near his window. The aero-car is capable of gaining speed of about four hundred miles an hour.

Innovative petitions:

After his return, he listened to many petitions. He supported the idea of an inventor who thought of reducing the final three elements into one and another idea of moving the town of Saaf to the shore using rails.

Conclusion:

At last Bennet learned about his wife’s plan to return. Finally he decided to take a bath. Thus the story ends. The innovations in this story, seem to be a magic, Unbelievable Everything is made possible in the future with the help of technology.

‘Any sufficiently advanced technology is indistinguishable from magic’

Glossary - A day in 2889 of an American Journalist | by Jules Verne | Supplementary/Story

Glossary: A Day in 2889 of an American Journalist

by Jules Verne | 10th English Supplementary Story (Unit 5)

Key Terms and Definitions

phonotelephote(n)

A means of transmitting and receiving both voice and picture for a personal conversation

Champs-Elysees(n)

a prestigious avenue in Paris, famous for the Cafes, cinemas and shops

phototelegrams (n)

A telegraphic transmission including images

jovians(n)

inhabitants of planet Jupiter

inhabitants(n)

a person or animal that lives in or occupies a place.

Centropolis (n)

(in this story) the new name of New York in 2889

valet(n)

a man's personal male attendant, who is responsible for his clothes and appearance

A day in 2889 of an American Journalist - by Jules Verne | Supplementary/Story

A day in 2889 of an American Journalist

- by Jules Verne

Supplementary Story

A day in 2889 of an American Journalist

Jules Verne

This story speaks about the people of the twenty-ninth century who live in fairyland. Surfeited as they are with marvels, they are indifferent to the presence of each new marvel. To them all seem natural.

The year is 2889, the date 25th July and the place is the office block of the Managing Editor of the Earth Herald, the world’s largest newspaper.

In this futuristic story written in 1889, the writer describes how he visualizes the world a thousand years later – a world of technological advancements where newspapers are not printed but ‘spoken’.

Read the following excerpt for a glimpse of this future world.

That morning Francis Bennett awoke in rather a bad temper. This was eight days since his wife had been in France and he was feeling a little lonely. As soon as he awoke, Francis Bennett switched on his phonotelephote whose wires led to the house he owned in the Champs-Elysees.

The telephone, completed by the telephote, is another of our time’s conquests! Though the transmission of speech by the electric current was already very old, it was only since yesterday that vision could also be transmitted. A valuable discovery, and Francis Bennett was by no means the only one to bless its inventor when, in spite of the enormous distance between them, he saw his wife appear in the telephotic mirror. ‘Francis … dear Francis!...’

His name, spoken by that sweet voice, gave a happier turn to Francis Bennett’s mood. He quickly jumped out of bed and went into his mechanized dressing room. Two minutes later, without needing the help of a valet, the machine deposited him, washed, shaved, shod, dressed and buttoned from top to toe, on the threshold of his office. The day’s work was going to begin.

Francis Bennett went on into the reporters’ room. His fifteen hundred reporters, placed before an equal number of telephones, were passing on to subscribers the news which had come in during the night from the four quarters of the earth. In addition to his telephone, each reporter has in front of him a series of commutators, which allow him to get into communication with this or that telephotic line.

Thus the subscribers have not only the story but the sight of these events.

Francis Bennett questioned one of the ten astronomical reporters – a service which was growing because of the recent discoveries in the stellar world.

‘Well, Cash, what have you got?’

‘Phototelegrams from Mercury, Venus and Mars, Sir.’

‘Interesting! And Jupiter?’

‘Nothing so far! We haven’t been able to understand the signals the Jovians make. Perhaps ours haven’t reached them? ….’

‘Aren’t you getting some result from the moon, at any rate?’

‘Not yet, Mr Bennett.’

‘Well, this time, you can’t blame optical science! The moon is six hundred times nearer than Mars, and yet our correspondence service is in regular operation with Mars. It can’t be telescopes we need…’

‘No, it’s the inhabitants,’ Corley replied.

‘You dare tell me that the moon is uninhabited?’

‘On the face it turns towards us, at any rate, Mr Bennett. Who knows whether on the other side…’

‘Well, there’s a very simple method of finding out.’

‘And that is?’

‘To turn the moon round!’

And that very day, the scientists of the Bennett factory started working out some mechanical means of turning our satellite right round.

On the whole, Francis Bennett had reason to be satisfied. One of the Earth Herald’s astronomers had just determined the elements of the new planet Gandini. It is at a distance of 12,841,348,284,623 metres and 7 decimetres that this planet describes its orbit round the sun in 572 years, 194 days, 12 hours, 43 minutes, 9.8 seconds. Francis Bennett was delighted with such precision.

‘Good!’ he exclaimed. ‘Hurry up and tell the reportage service about it. You know what a passion the public has for these astronomical questions. I’m anxious for the news to appear in today’s issue!’

The next room, a broad gallery about a quarter of a mile long, was devoted to publicity, and it well may be imagined what the publicity for such a journal as the Earth Herald had to be. It brought in a daily average of three million dollars. They are gigantic signs reflected on the clouds, so large that they can be seen all over a whole country. From that gallery a thousand projectors were unceasingly employed in sending to the clouds, on which they were reproduced in colour, these inordinate advertisements.

At that moment the clock struck twelve. The director of the Earth Herald left the hall and sat down in a rolling armchair. In a few minutes he had reached his dining room half a mile away, at the far end of the office.

The table was laid and he took his place at it. Within reach of his hand was placed a series of taps and before him was the curved surface of a phonotelephote, on which appeared the dining room of his home in Paris. Mr and Mrs Bennett had arranged to have lunch at the same time – nothing could be more pleasant than to be face to face in spite of the distance, to see one another and talk by means of the phonotelephotic apparatus.

Like everybody else in easy circumstances nowadays, Francis Bennett, having abandoned domestic cooking, is one of the subscribers to the Society for Supplying Food to the Home, which distributes dishes of a thousand types through a network of pneumatic tubes. This system is expensive, no doubt, but the cooking is better. So, not without some regret, Francis Bennett was lunching in solitude. He was finishing his coffee when Mrs Bennett, having got back home, appeared in the telephote screen.

When he had finished his lunch, he went across to the window, where his aero-car was waiting.

‘Where are we going, Sir?’ asked the aero-coachman. ‘Let’s see. I’ve got time…’ Francis Bennett replied. ‘Take me to my accumulator works at Niagara.’

The aero-car shot across space at a speed of about four hundred miles an hour. Below him were spread out the towns with their moving pavements which carry the wayfarers along the streets, and the countryside, covered, as though by an immense spider’s web, by the network of electric wires.

Within half an hour, Francis Bennett had reached his works at Niagara, where, after using the force of the cataracts to produce energy, he sold or hired it out to the consumers. Then he returned, by way of Philadelphia, Boston and New York, to Centropolis, where his aero-car put him down about five o’clock.

The waiting-room of the Earth Herald was crowded. A careful lookout was being kept for Francis Bennett to return for the daily audience he gave to his petitioners. Among their different proposals he had to make a choice, reject the bad ones, look into the doubtful ones, and welcome the good ones.

He soon got rid of those who had only useless or impracticable schemes. A few of the others received a better welcome, and foremost among them was a young man whose broad brow indicated a high degree of intelligence.

‘Sir’, he began, ‘though the number of elements used to be estimated at seventy-five, it has now been reduced to three, as no doubt you are aware?’

‘Perfectly,’ Francis Bennett replied.

‘Well, Sir, I’m on the point of reducing the three to one. If I don’t run out of money I’ll have succeeded in three weeks.’

‘And then?’

‘Then, Sir, I shall really have discovered the absolute’.

‘And the results of that discovery?’

‘It will be to make the creation of all forms of matter easy – stone, wood, metal, fibrin ….’

‘Are you saying you’re going to be able to construct a human being?’

‘Complete… The only thing missing will be the soul!’

Francis Bennett assigned the young fellow to the scientific editorial department of his journal.

A second inventor, using as a basis some old experiments that dated from the 19th century, had the idea of moving a whole city in a single block. He suggested, as a demonstration, the town of Saaf, situated fifteen miles from the sea; after conveying it on rails down to the shore, he would transform it into a seaside resort. Francis Bennett, attracted by this project, agreed to take a half-share in it.

The proposals heard and dealt with, Francis Bennett went to stretch himself out in an easy-chair in the audition-room. Then, pressing a button, he was put into communication with the Central Concert. After so busy a day, what charm he found in the works of our greatest masters, based on a series of delicious harmonico-algebraic formulae! During his meal, phonotelephotic communication had been set up with Paris.

‘When do you expect to get back to Centropolis, dear Edith?’ asked Francis Bennett.

‘I’m going to start this moment’.

‘By tube or aero-train?’

‘By tube’.

‘Then you’ll be here?’

‘At eleven fifty-nine this evening’.

‘Paris time?’

‘No, no! … Centropolis time’.

‘Goodbye then, and above all don’t miss the tube!’

These submarine tubes, by which one travels from Paris in two hundred and ninety-five minutes, are certainly much preferable to the aero-trains, which only manage six hundred miles an hour.

Francis Bennett, very tired after so very full a day, decided to take a bath before going to bed. There was always a bath already in the office. He touched the button. A rumbling sound began, got louder, increased … Then one of the doors opened and the bath appeared, gliding along on its rails …

About the author

Jules Verne (1828–1905) was a French poet, playwright and novelist but he earns his place on this list of great writers because of his futuristic adventure novels. He has been called the father of science fiction and has had an incalculable influence on the development of science fiction writing. More interesting, perhaps, is his place as a prophet or predictor of technology which wasn’t to be invented until long after his death. He put a man on the moon, including its launch from a Florida launchpad to its splashdown in the Pacific; in 1863 he predicted the internet: Paris in the 20th Century (1863) depicts the details of modern life: skyscrapers, television, Maglev trains, computers, and a culture preoccupied with the Internet.

The Story of the Aged Mother by Matsuo Basho: Q&A and Analysis

Answer the questions - The Story of the Aged Mother | by Matsuo Basho

A. Rearrange the sentences given below in the correct sequence.

1. The son made up his mind to take back his mother home.
2. A farmer decided to leave his old mother on top of a mountain.
3. The governor realized his mistake and abolished the law.
4. Once in Shining, a cruel ruler declared that all old people must be put to death.
5. Using the clever idea of his mother, the farmer made a rope of ashes.
6. When the farmer bade farewell, she advised him to return home with the aid of twigs.
7. Filled with dread, he hid his mother in his home.
8. The mother dropped the small twigs as markers on the way to help her son return.

Answer

1. Once in Shining, a cruel ruler declared that all old people must be put to death.
2. A farmer decided to leave his old mother on the top of a mountain.
3. The mother dropped the small twigs as markers on the way to help her son to return.
4. When the farmer bade farewell, she advised him to return home with the aid of twigs.
5. The son made up his mind to take back his mother home.
6. Filled with dread, he hid his mother in his home.
7. Using the clever idea of his mother, the farmer made a rope of ashes.
8. The governor realized his mistake and abolished the law.

B. Answer the following questions in one or two sentences.

1. What was the cruel announcement made by the leader?

The cruel announcement made by the leader was to put to death all the aged people in his province, Shining.

2. Why was the farmer filled with sorrow?

The announcement to kill all the aged people filled the farmer with sorrow. Because he loved his elderly mother very much.

3. What were the things carried by the farmer to the summit of the mountain?

The farmer earned some unwhitened rice and a gourd filled with cool and sweet water.

4. Why did the mother become anxious as they climbed up the mountain?

The road which they travelled had a lot of confusions. The mother thought that her son would miss the way while returning home. So she became anxious.

5. What did the mother drop along the way?

The mother dropped tiny piles of twigs along the narrow path.

6. What was the advice given by his mother for the safe return of her son?

His mother advised him to look carefully and follow the path where she dropped the piles of twigs.

7. Why did the farmer’s burden seem to be light on his way back home?

The farmer’s burden seemed to be light because his mother’s attempts for his safe return and his decision to return with her gave him moral strength.

8. Where did the farmer hide his mother?

The farmer hid his mother under the kitchen floor of his small hut.

9. How did the farmer make the rope of ashes? On whose suggestion did he do it?

The farmer’s mother suggested him an idea of burning a twisted straw stretched on a flat stone on a windless night to make the rope of ashes.

10. How did the Governor realize his mistake?

The rope of ashes was prepared with the idea of the farmer’s elderly mother. When the Governor knew it, he understood the importance of elders and realised his mistake.

C. Answer each of the following in a paragraph of 120 to 150 words.

1. Narrate the circumstances that led to the abandoning of the aged in Shining.

Lesson : The Aged Mother

Author : Matsuo Basho

Theme : Circumstances led to abandoning of the aged

Characters : The aged mother, her son and the cruel governor of the country

Outline : Shining - governor - despotic ruler - all the aged - be put to death - useless - circumstances - not favourable for the aged - cowardly shrinking - barbarous days - common to kill - abandoned - no man’s land - mountain tops

The country Shining was ruled by a governor. He was a despotic ruler. Though he is a warrior, he was very cruel. Once, he declared that all the aged people must be put to death. He thought that they were useless. And also he thought that the unhealthy and old people would drain away the wealth doing nothing for the development of his country. The circumstances were not favourable for the aged people. He sent this inhuman proclamation to the people of his country. As those days were barbarous, it was common to kill the aged people mercilessly. The rulers did not care about old people. Some kind people abandoned the aged people in no man’s land or in mountain tops such as Obatsuyama, the mountain of the “abandoning of the aged”. Since it was the common practice, the aged people suffered a lot in the province of shining.

Circumstances don’t make the man, they reveal him.

2. Describe the farmer’s painful journey up the mountain.

Lesson : The Aged Mother

Author : Matsuo Basho

Theme : The farmer’s painful journey up the mountain

Characters : The aged mother, her son and the cruel governor of the country

Outline : A farmer - loved - elderly mother leave her on a mountain - journey up - earned rice and water - lifted his mother - his back - road - lost his way - climbing blindly upward - summit

The country Shining was ruled by a governor. Once, he declared that all the aged people must be put to death. A farmer loved his elderly mother very much. He decided to leave her on a mountain. His journey up the mountain was very painful both physically and mentally. He carried some unwhitened rice and a gourd filled with cool and sweet water for her. He lifted his mother to his back and trudged up the mountain. Moreover, the road was long and steep. It was narrow. It was crossed and re-crossed by many paths made by the hunters and woodcutters. He lost his way at times. But he went climbing blindly upward until he reached the bare summit, ‘Obatsuyama’ the mountain of the “abandoning of the aged”.

The journey of love never ends.

3. ‘The old are wise’. Prove this with reference to the story ‘The Aged Mother.

Lesson : The Aged Mother

Author : Matsuo Basho

Theme : Unbounded love of mother

Characters : The aged mother, her son and the cruel governor of the country

Outline : Praises - aged people - ‘The old are wise’ - is proved - proclamation of the cruel decree - painful journey up the mountain - care and concern of the mother - withdrawal of the cruel decree

‘The aged mother’ is a story which appreciates the importance of aged people. The proverb ‘The old are wise’ is proved in this story. The country Shining was ruled by a governor. Once, he declared that all the aged people must be put to death. A farmer loved his elderly mother very much. He decided to leave her on a mountain. The road which they travelled had lot of confusions. So she snapped twigs from the brushes and dropped them along the narrow path as markers. Thus using her intelligence, she ensured her son’s safe return. But he did not want to leave her lovable mother. So they returned and he hid her at his home. Later the governor ordered the people to present him a rope of ashes. The unselfish mother suggested him an idea of burning a twisted straw on a windless night. Seeing the rope of ashes, the governor praised him. Knowing the wisdom of the old mother, he proclaimed that Shining needed the wisdom of the aged than the strength of the youth. At last, he abolished the order to kill the aged people of his country.

Knowledge comes from learning, wisdom comes from living.

ESSAY

• Introduction
• Proclamation of the cruel decree
• Painful journey up the mountain
• Care and concern of the mother
• Withdrawal of the cruel decree
• Conclusion

---

Introduction:

‘The aged mother’ is a story which appreciates the importance of aged people. The proverb ‘The old are wise’ is proved in this story.

Proclamation of the cruel decree:

The country Shining was ruled by a governor. He was a despotic ruler. Though he is a warrior, he was very cruel. Once, he declared that all the aged people must be put to death. The circumstances were not favourable for the aged people, since the governor was a despotic ruler.

Painful journey up the mountain:

A young man lifted his mother to his back and trudged up the mountain. Moreover, the road was long and steep. It was narrow. He lost his way at times. But he went climbing blindly upward until he reached the bare summit

Care and concern of the mother:

So she picked up twigs from the bushes and dropped them along the narrow path as markers.

Thus using her intelligence, she ensured her son’s safe return. But he did not want to leave her lovable mother. So they returned and he hid her at his home.

Withdrawal of the cruel decree:

Later the governor ordered the people to present him a rope of ashes. The unselfish mother suggested her son to make a rope by burning a twisted straw on a windless night. Seeing the rope of ashes, the governor praised him. Knowing the wisdom of the old mother, he abolished the order to kill the aged people of his country.

Conclusion:

Hence, everyone should love and respect the aged people. They are the treasure of a country.

Moral: “Old is Gold”

D. Identify the character/speaker.

1. He gave orders for the aged to be put to death.- The despotic leader/the Governor
2. He considered the order to be the kindest mode of death.- The farmer
3. She quietly dropped some twigs on the way.- The Aged mother
4. Let not thine eyes be blinded.- The Aged mother to his son
5. Together we will follow the path , together we will die.- The son/ the Farmer
6. I will think. I will think.- The Aged mother to his son
7. The truth must be told.- The son/ the Farmer
8. He listened and meditated in silence.- The despotic leader/the Governor
9. Shining needs more than the strength of the youth.- The despotic leader/the Governor
10. With the crown of snow there cometh wisdom.- The despotic leader/the Governor

E. Choose the appropriate answer and fill in the blanks.

1. Shining was governed by a cruel leader.

1. strict
2. kind
3. cruel
4. diplomatic.

---

2. The unwhitened rice was the principal food for the poor.

1. wheat
2. brown rice
3. unwhitened rice
4. millet.

---

3. The road was crossed and re-crossed by many path made by the hunters and woodcutters.

1. hunters and woodcutters
2. robbers and thieves
3. vendors and tradesmen
4. wildlife photographers and trekkers

---

4. Gathering fallen pine he made a soft cushion and tenderly lifted his old mother onto it.

1. dry leaves
2. fallen pine
3. broken twigs
4. flowers

---

5. The governor demanded that his subjects should present him with a rope of ashes.

1. basket of fruits
2. rope of ashes
3. flesh of animals
4. bag of silverwares