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)

The Dying Detective Q&A | Arthur Conan Doyle | Prose Analysis and Essay

Answer the questions - The Dying Detective | by Arthur Conan Doyle | Prose

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

1. Who was Mrs. Hudson? Why was she worried?

Mrs. Hudson was the landlady of Sherlock Holmes. She was worried about his illness because Holmes did not take food or drink for three days.

2. Why didn’t Holmes let Watson examine him?

Holmes pretended that he didn’t have confidence in Dr. Watson. So he didn’t let Watson examine him. (or) Holmes thought that Watson was ignorant of the deadly disease. So he didn’t let Watson examine him.

3. Why did Holmes warn Watson against touching his things? What was Watson’s reaction?

Holmes did not like anyone touching his things. So he warned Watson against touching his things. Eventually, Watson sat in silent dejection.

4. What did Watson find on the table near the mantlepiece?

Watson found a small black and white ivory box with a sliding lid on the table near the mantlepiece.

5. Who is Mr. Culverton Smith?

Mr. Culverton Smith is a planter. He lives in Sumatra island. He is the culprit. He killed his nephew Victor Savage, in order to retain the property.

6. What did Holmes ask Watson to do before leaving his room?

Holmes asked Watson to place some letters and paper on the table within his reach. He asked to place the ivory box and slide the lid a bit with tongs. He asked Watson to light the lamp and leave it half on.

7. What instructions did Holmes give Watson to get Mr. Smith?

Holmes asked Watson to tell Smith that Holmes was dying and to persuade Smith to come. Watson should return before the arrival of Smith.

8. Why did Holmes want Smith to treat him?

Holmes thought that Smith was the only man in London who knew well about the deadly disease. So he wanted Smith to treat him.

9. According to Smith how did Holmes get the disease?

Smith thought that Holmes got the contagious disease by touching the poisoned sharp spring, kept inside the ivory box which he had sent to Holmes by post.

10. Who arrested Smith? What were the charges against him?

Inspector Morton arrested Smith. He arrested Smith on the charges of murdering his nephew, Victor Savage and his attempt to kill Holmes in the same way.

B. Answer the following questions in a paragraph of about 100-150 words.

1. How did Holmes trap Mr. Culverton Smith to confess the murder?

2. How did Watson help his friend to arrest the criminal?

Prose : The Dying Detective

Author : Arthur Conan Doyle

Theme : Punishment, may be delayed but sure

Characters : Sherlock Holmes, Dr. Watson, Mr. Culverton Smith, Inspector-Morton of Scotland Yard, landlady-Mrs. Hudson

Outline : Sherlock Holmes - famous detective - London - Dr.Watson - friend - pretended as if infected with deadly disease - to get Smith - for treating illness - wanted Smith’s confession - Inspector Morton - arrested Smith for his crime.

Sherlock Holmes was a famous detective in London. Dr. Watson, friend and assistant of Holmes was the narrator of this story. Once, Holmes pretended as if he were infected with a deadly disease. He didn’t take food or drink for three days. So he was weak. Dr. Watson wanted to treat Holmes. But Holmes didn’t want Watson to know that he was not ill. He sent Watson to get Culverton Smith for treating his illness. Watson had to persuade Smith to come and meet Holmes. Mr. Culverton Smith was a planter. He was the culprit, who had killed his nephew Victor Savage to retain the property. To capture Smith, Holmes pretended to be ill. While Holmes and Smith were discussing, Smith confessed that he had killed his nephew and also sent an infected ivory box to kill Holmes in the same way. Holmes asked Smith to turn up the gas light. It was a signal for Inspector Morton who was waiting in the next room with Dr. Watson. Morton came in and arrested Smith for his crime.

ESSAY

• Introduction
• Dying detective -- Holmes
• Instructions given to Watson
• Culverton Smith-the villain
• Holmes’ deception
• Conclusion

Introduction:

Sir Arthur Conan Doyle was a British writer, best known for his fictional detective character, Sherlock Holmes. This story is narrated by the character, Dr. Watson, a friend of Holmes.

Dying detective -- Holmes:

Sherlock Holmes was a famous detective in London. Dr. Watson was his friend. Once, Holmes pretended as if he were infected with Tarpaunli fever or black Formosa plague, a deadly disease from Sumatra. He didn’t take food or drink for three days. So he was listless. Dr. Watson wanted to treat his illness. But Holmes didn’t want Watson to know that he was not ill. He pretended to be ill just to get Smith there.

Instructions given to Watson:

He sent Watson to get Culverton Smith for treating his illness. Holmes instructed Watson to tell Smith exactly how he was suffering from the illness. Watson had to persuade Smith to come and meet Holmes.

Culverton Smith-the villain:

Mr. Culverton Smith was a planter from Sumatra. He was the culprit. He had killed his nephew Victor Savage in order to usurp the property. He came to visit London in order to know the consequences of his plot of killing Holmes. But Holmes wanted Smith’s confession for his crime of murdering his nephew Victor. In order to capture Smith, Holmes pretended to be ill.

Holmes’ deception:

While Holmes and Smith were discussing, Watson overheard them from the next room. As they were discussing, Smith confessed that he had killed his nephew, Victor and also sent an infected ivory box to kill Holmes in the same way. Holmes asked Smith to turn up the gas light which was a signal for Inspector Morton. Inspector Morton came in and arrested Smith for his crime.

Conclusion:

This mystery is also called “The Adventure of the Dying Detective.” Arthur Conan Doyle created these two characters Sherlock Holmes and Watson as if they were real ones.

Moral: “Don't believe everything you see”

The Attic by Satyajit Ray | Complete Prose Analysis and Summary

The Attic

Prose by Satyajit Ray

It is natural for human beings to make mistakes. When we realise our mistakes, we should try to rectify them. If you get a chance to rectify your mistake or pay back for it......... what would you do and how would you correct it?

Aditya and I were returning from the site of our new factory at Deodarganj. We were driving along National Highway 40. We had reached a point where the road bifurcated. If we drove ten kilometres along the road that branched off to the right, we would reach Bramhapur. I asked Aditya whether he was interested in revisiting the place of his birth, which he had left after he had passed the matriculation examination from the local school to continue his studies in Calcutta.

‘When I left our ancestral house, twenty-nine years ago, the house was almost two hundred years old,’ recollected Aditya. ‘I doubt if even the school building, which may have undergone many changes, will be recognisable any more. Trying to revive old childhood memories may prove disappointing!’

But he said he wished to visit the tea shop of Nagen Uncle, if it still existed, and have a cup of tea there.

So we took the turning to the right and decided to drive to Bramhapur, of which Aditya’s ancestors were once the zamindars.

a. When did Aditya leave the local school?

b. Why did Aditya think that the school would not be recognisable?

Aditya’s father had left the ancestral home and moved to Kolkata, where he had set up his own business. After his death, Aditya was looking after it, and I was his friend and business partner.

It was the month of Magha, that is January – February by the English calendar – the middle of winter. By my watch, it was 3:30 in the afternoon. The sun was soothing. On either side of the road were paddy fields, as far as the eye could see. Harvest was over and there had been a good crop that year.

After about ten minutes, we came to the local school. Beyond the iron gates were the playing field and the two-storeyed school building. We got down from the car and stood in front of the gate.

c. Who were Aditya’s ancestors?

d. How was the landscape through which they travelled.

e. What did Aditya visit?

I asked Aditya whether everything was still the same. He replied that everything had changed.

‘Our school used to be one-storeyed, and a new building has come up, which wasn’t there.’

‘Were you not a good student?’ I asked.

‘Yes, but my position was always second,’ he replied. We decided to go and have tea at Nagen uncle’s tea shop, which stood next to a grocery shop and opposite a temple dedicated to Lord Shiva. Soon, we caught sight of ‘Nagen’s Tea Cabin’ written on a signboard over the shop.

The owner of the tea shop, now over sixty, a little rustic in appearance, with his white neatly-combed hair and clean look, was the same as before. He was wearing a dhoti and a blue striped shirt that could be seen from under a green shawl.

Not recognising Aditya, he asked us where we had come from.

‘Deodarganj,’ Aditya replied. ‘We are on our way to Kolkata.’

A little surprised, Nagen uncle asked why we were there.

‘To have tea at your shop, ’ said Aditya. ‘Certainly, besides tea, I have biscuits and savouries.’

‘Give us two nankhatai each.’.

f. Where was nagen uncle’s shop?

g. Besides tea, what did Nagen uncle have in his shop?

We sat on two tin chairs. There was only one other customer sitting at a corner table, neither eating nor drinking tea, but sitting with his head bent, as though he were sleeping.

Addressing him as Mr Sanyal, Nagen uncle reminded him to go home, as it was already 4 p.m. Other customers would soon be coming. Addressing us he said, with a wink in his eye, ‘A little hard of hearing. Cannot see well either. But has no money to buy spectacles.’

From his reaction to this speech, I began to wonder whether Mr Sanyal was not a little crazy as well, because suddenly he stood up, stretched himself and, raising his lean right arm, and with eyes dilated, began to recite a poem by Tagore – Panraksha (‘Keeping of a Promise’). Having recited the poem, he left the place, making the gesture of Namaste with his hands, to nobody in particular.

h. What did Nagen uncle tell about Sanyal?

g. In what way was Mr. Sanyal’s behaviour strange?

I noticed a sudden change in Aditya’s expression and I asked him the reason for it. Without answering me, he asked Nagen uncle who the gentleman was and what he did.

Nagen uncle replied, ‘Sasanka Sanyal. What can be done? He leads a cursed life – gone crazy, I think, but has not forgotten any incident of the past. Sold his lands to get his only daughter married. He lost his wife and only son last year. Since then he is somewhat changed – not really normal.’ ‘Where does he stay?’

‘He stays with a friend of his father’s – Jogesh Kabiraj. Sasanka comes here, has tea and biscuits and always remembers to pay – having an acute sense of self-respect. But how long things will remain like this, I don’t know’.

j. What did Nagen uncle tell about Sanyal’s past life?

k. How did Sanyal show that he had a sense of self-respect?

Having paid our bill and ascertained the location of Jogesh Kabiraj’s house, we got into the car. Aditya was at the wheel. He expressed the wish to visit his house.

‘So you do want to see your house after all?’ I said.

‘It has become essential to do so,’ Aditya replied. His nerves seemed overwrought for some reason. We soon reached the house, which was surrounded by high walls. Even from the ruins, one could easily imagine how grand it must have been once upon a time.

We entered the building, climbed up the stairs and reached the attic on the second floor of the house.

‘This was my favourite room,’ said Aditya. The attic has always been a favourite with children. It is in the attic that the child seems to be in a world of its own.

A portion of a wall of the attic had crumbled down, and through the ‘window’ that had been created, we could see the sky, the fields, a part of the rice mill, the spire of the old temple. In the whole house, the attic had probably been the worst hit by wind and weather. The floor was strewn with twigs and straw and pigeon droppings. Among other things, there was a broken cricket bat, the remains of an armchair and a wooden packing case.

Aditya got on top of the packing case and pushed his hand inside the ventilator, thus upsetting a sparrow’s nest, a part of which fell to the ground. However, he heaved a sigh of relief when he had got what he had been looking for. When I asked him what it was, he said, ‘You’ll get to know very soon.’

l. Why was the attic ‘a favourite place’ for the children?

m. What did Aditya do on reaching the attic?

We next went to a jeweller’s to find out the weight of the article. The jeweller remarked that it was an antique. Our next stop was the house of Jogesh Kabiraj. Though I was a little curious, I didn’t ask Aditya anything.

We entered the house and went to the room where Sasanka Sanyal stayed. Sasanka uncle was busy reciting verses from Tagore. When he had finished, Aditya asked, ‘May we come in?’ He turned and faced us.

‘No one visits me,’ he said in an unperturbed manner.

‘Would you mind if we come in?’ ‘Come in.’

Except for a charpoy there was nothing else to sit on, so we remained standing.

‘Do you remember Aditya Narayan Chowdhury?’ Aditya asked him.

‘Of course,’ said the gentleman. ‘’The spoilt child of affluent parents! Was a fairly good student but could never beat me. He was extremely jealous of me. And he used to tell lies.’

‘I know,’ said Aditya. He then took out a packet from his pocket and handing it over to him, said, ‘This is for you, from Aditya.’

n. What did the jeweller say about the article?

o. Was Sanyal happy about his visitors?

‘What is it?’ he asked.

‘Money’.

‘Money?How much money?’

‘One hundred and fifty rupees. He has said that he will be happy if you accept it.’

‘Shall I laugh or cry? Aditya has given me money! Why this sudden generosity?’

‘Man does change with time. Perhaps Aditya is not the same Aditya as before?’

‘A change? I got the prize. He could not bear it. He took it from me to show his father and never returned it to me. Said that there was a hole in his pocket and it had fallen through it.’

‘This is the price of the medal. It is yours.’

Sasanka Sanyal was amazed. He stared at Aditya and said, ‘The price of the medal? That could not be more than five rupees. It was a silver medal.’

‘Silver is now thirty times costlier than before.’

‘Really? I had no news of that. But …’

Sasanka uncle looked at the fifteen ten-rupee notes in his hand and then looked at Aditya. There was a completely new expression on his face. He said, ‘Aditya, this smacks too much of charity. Doesn’t it?’

We remained silent. Peering intently at Aditya, Sasanka Sanyal smiled and said, ‘I had recognised you at Nagen uncle’s tea shop by that mole on your right cheek. I could see you had not recognised me. So I recited the same poem that I had recited on the prize-giving day, on purpose, so that you may remember. Then, when you came to visit me, I couldn’t help venting my anger on you.’

‘You have done the right thing. Your grievances are absolutely justified. But I will be happy if you accept the money,’ said Aditya.

Sasanka Sanyal shook his head and said, ‘No. Money will soon be spent. I would have preferred to have the medal if it were possible. I would have forgotten that unpleasant incident of my childhood if I could get the medal back.’

So, the medal that had been hidden in the attic for twenty-nine long years was eventually restored to its owner.

‘Sriman Sasanka Sanyal – Special Prize for Recitation - 1948’ was still clearly engraved on it (Translated from the Bengali story Chilekotha)

p. Why did Sanyal recite the poem in the tea shop earlier?

q. What was engraved on the medal?

About the Author: Satyajit Ray

Satyajit Ray (1921 - 1992) was an Indian film maker, screen writer, graphic artist, music composer and author. He was born in Kolkatta. He authored several short stories and novels meant primarily for young children and teenagers. He revived the children’s magazine ‘Sandesh’ (which his grandfather had started in 1913) and edited it until his death in 1992. Ray was more interested in writing, rather than film making. His stories have been translated in Europe, the United States and many other countries. Ray received many awards including 32 national film awards by the Government of India, notably the Padma Bhushan in 1965 and the highest civilian honour ‘Bharat Ratna’ shortly before his death.

THE MAGIC KADAHI (PAN)

Once upon a time there was a small village. Salma with her sweet little daughter lived in a small cottage in the village. They were very happy and contented.  Salma had a magic kadahi (pan), which was given to her by a sage who had come to the village just after Salma was married. This pan was a big support to Salma and her daughter.

    At mealtime Salma would put the pan on the stove and say: " Pan. O Pan! Please cook. And quickly too. I am hungry. Cook some porridge." No sooner these words were said than boiling porridge would appear in the pan and the pan would start filling up with it. When there was enough porridge for both Salma and her daughter Salma would say: Pan, O Pan! Please stop. And quickly too. Our stomachs are full. And thank you too." The moment these words were uttered the pan would stop cooking and Salma would place it on the table and she and her daughter would eat their fill. Salma would then say, "Pan, O Pan! Clean thyself. We are full for now. And thank you too." The pan would then become sparkling new and Salma would put it away,
Rahimchacha was Salma's neighbor and a very inquisitive man. He often said to himself, " Salma and her daughter seem very well fed and healthy, but I never hear the rattle of pots and pans which is an indication of someone cooking. I also have never seen her washing her pots and pans ever. The question is do they cook? If they do then when do they cook and as I have never seen her buying any foodstuff, what do they cook?"

Rahimchacha was astonished as the pan went to work and it filled up with boiling porridge. He was afraid of being seen and quietly left at this point and said to himself, "Ah! Now I know the secret of Salma's affluence and her cooking. I am going to take away this magic pan when Salma and her daughter go out."
Next day when Salma and her daughter went out to work, Rahimchacha crept into their house and stole the pan. He came back to his house, went into his kitchen, put the pan on the stove and said: "Pan O Pan! Please cook. And quickly, too. I am hungry. Cook some porridge."
Boiling porridge appeared in the pan and the pan started filling up with it. The pan was soon full. Rahimchacha who had only heard the words that began the cooking did know the magic words that would tell the pan to stop cooking. So he said, " All right enough, please stop cooking……"

The pan did not stop cooking. The porridge began to overflow and spill out from the pan. The whole kitchen floor was full of porridge, and then the other rooms filled and the porridge started flowing out on the streets. Rahimchacha watched helplessly and then began to run away from the boiling flowing porridge.

The porridge was chasing Rahimchacha wherever he went. Rahimchacha now alarmed ran helter skelter shouting for help, " Please! Somebody please help me! Somebody please come and say something to this pan. The whole village will fill up with it. The crows will fill the village to eat it. The village and my house will drown in porridge!"
The porridge continued to overflow and chase Rahimchacha wherever he went.

Meanwhile Salma and her daughter came home. When she saw the street in front of her house filled with porridge she knew what had happened. She walked into Rahimchacha's kitchen; Lo and Behold the porridge made a place for her to walk through. She went up to the pan and whispered to it, " Pan O Pan! Please stop. And quickly, too. Our stomachs are full. And thank you too."

    The pan stopped cooking. Rahimchacha said to Salma, "Please forgive me. I had become greedy. So I stole your pan. Now I do not want this pan or the porridge it cooks. Please pardon me for my behavior."

Rahimchacha had not heard the words Salma had spoken to the pan. Even now he has nightmares and wakes up in fright as he sees the porridge chasing him.

THE POTTER AND HIS DONKEY

Once upon a time lived a potter. He had a son. One day father and son decided to go to a nearby town's market place. They took their donkey along with them. They walked along with the father in the lead, donkey in the middle and the son at the back. After crossing the first village on their way they saw some boys playing on the outskirts of the village. The boys stopped to watch them pass by and one of them said, "Look at these fools. The donkey is without any load on its back. Why can't the father let the son sit on the donkey's back?"

On hearing this the potter thought that he was making a mistake and he asked his son to sit on the donkey's back and he with his long stick continued walking beside the donkey.

After a little while they came across another village. A group of old men were seated at the teashop by the roadside and were gossiping. They looked at the potters' procession and one of them said, " Well this is really Kaliyug (the evil Age). Look at this sight. Whilst the young and sturdy boy is sitting comfortably on the donkey the old father is trudging along with difficulty at his side. The son is not bothered at all!"

Both the potter and his son heard these remarks. The son felt ashamed of himself. He got off the donkey's back and asked his father to sit on its back. This was done and they again proceeded towards their destination.

After a little while whilst crossing the third village they came across a group of women drawing water from the village well. On seeing the father seated and the son walking. One of them on seeing this remarked, "Look at this strange sight. The father rides the donkey and his son is walking alongside in this heat. Why can't the father allow his son also to sit on the donkey behind him."

The impressionable father and his son heard all this and since the town was now a short distance away the father asked the son to hop on the donkey's back. Both father and son now astride the donkey proceeded to their destination.

On the outskirts of the town, a city dweller saw the father and the son both riding the donkey. Directing a stream of questions towards the potter he said, " Does this donkey belong to you? Is this way you treat a poor dumb animal? Have you no pity for the donkey? The poor animal may collapse and die under your weight. It will be better if you two carry the donkey for some time!"
The impressionable father and his son again tried to what others had to say. The father and son forced the donkey to lie down. Tied its front legs together and then its back legs together. The father the inserted his stout stick in between the donkeys' legs. They then took the long pole like stick on their shoulders and started walking to their destination with the donkey dangling from the stick.
Many boys seeing this strange site started following them. Soon a small crowd was walking along behind them. Whilst crossing a small stream which had wooden planks as a bridge on their way, the donkey got scared as it saw the water far below and heard the noise that the crowd was making. It started struggling to free itself. The rope tying its legs together snapped. The donkey fell into the shallow stream and hurt itself.

The father and son with great difficulty got the donkey out of the water and hired a cart to take it home. It would take months of care to make the donkey healthy again for work.

The father realizing the mistakes he had made said, " Son we have thoughtlessly listened to what others had to say about what we should or should not do. We nearly paid a very heavy price for not using our judgement and blindly doing what others wanted us to do. We will hence forth listen to all but will do what our own judgement says is right."

LISTEN TO ALL BUT DO WHAT YOU THINK IS RIGHT

Mother Advice

Aarohi was little girl with an obsession for lollypops and chocolates. Her mother all ways used to tell her, " If you don't cut down on eating chocolate and candy, you will get cavities in your teeth. More so as you only brush your teeth once."

Aarohi received the same warning everyday but was wont to ignore it.
One day as Aarohi got ready to go to school; she saw her mother's purse lying on the table. She could not control her temptation and stealthily took out some money and quietly put it in her school bag. As she was stepping out of the house she heard her mother, "Aarohi do not eat chocolate or lollypops or …….."
" I will get cavities in my teeth, more so as I brush them only once." She finished the sentence for her mother.

Both mother and daughter burst out laughing and the mother said, "See how sensible my daughter is, she remembers even the words I use in their correct sequence." Aarohi smiled and left for school.
During recess Aarohi came out from the school and went to a candy shop. There she bought five lollypops, finished two in the shop, and one more on her way back to her class. She carefully kept the remaining two in her school bag.

Aarohi returned home and as her friends were waiting for her, she quickly changed her clothes, combed her hair and went out to play.

Aarohi's mother took her school bag and was arranging her books when she found the two lollypops in the bag. She took them out and kept it in the cupboard. Aarohi came back late and she and her mother took dinner together. She was now asked by her mother to finish her homework.

Aarohi took her bag and sat down to do her homework but she could not find the two lollipops she had so carefully kept there. She realized that her mother must have found them and taken them away.

Aarohi immediately ran to her mother. She put her head in her mother's lap and began to cry. Feeling guilty she promised her mother, " Mother from now on I will never eat chocolates or lollypops. I am sorry that I stole money from your purse this morning. I promise not to repeat this mistake."
Aarohi's mother smiled and comforted her lovingly. "My dear daughter! I am happy that you have realized your mistake. I will not say anything about it anymore, I do not think that you do not need any more advice. You are indeed very sensible."

THE VALUE OF MONEY

A rich merchant, child less for many years, was blessed with a boy many years after his marriage. The merchant and his wife brought him up with a lot of care love. They always fulfilled all his needs and demands.

This fulfilling of all his demands made him grow into a pampered spendthrift. He never had to or did bother about money and spent thoughtlessly. When the merchant and his wife realized that this was due to their short coming in bringing up the child, they tried their best to change their son's habits, but it seemed that it was a bit too late in the day.

After trying every means of persuasions, one day the merchant called the boy to him and said, " Son you will inherit everything I have, but on one condition. You will have to prove to me that you are capable of earning a living. Until you prove yourself capable, you will not get even a miniscule amount of all my wealth."

The father's words hit the boy where it mattered most, his capability to get things done with his father's money!

He accepted his father's challenge and vowed: "I will certainly prove my capability of earning a living."

The following morning the son left his house in search of work. At last he got the job of a porter, to carry bags of grain and to load it on a cart. Take the cart to a customer and unload the bags there. After toiling hard for the whole day he got 10 rupees. He proudly gave the money to his father.

The father took the money and immediately threw it down the drain and it was seen no more.

This routine continued for some days. The merchant never said a word to his son. He would calmly throw his son's hard-earned money down the drain every day.

One day the son lost his patience. He said angrily, "Father! Why do you throw my hard earned money into the drain everyday?"
The father said, "I know that after working hard the whole day you are barely manage to earn ten rupees. I also know that you feel bad and your heart may be bleeding for the hard-earned money of yours being thrown down the drain. Well I hope you now realize how I feel when you spent my hard-earned money thoughtlessly."

The son realizing his mistake resolved to do what was right as far as money goes. Money was discovered to be used for social good. It is today god. I will spend it in the future for our necessities and as much as I can for good of the society.

THE SAINT

One day, a mother brought her eight-year old son to a saint. After touching the ground near the Saint's feet (a sign of respect in India) she appealed to him to solve her problem. She said, " My son eats a lot of jaggery (molasses). I am tiered of telling him not to do so. He just does not listen to me.  Please advise him to give up eating jaggery. I am sure he will listen to you."

The saint looked at the young boy. He then told the mother, "Madam, please bring this boy to again after a week."

After seven days the mother brought her son to the saint again. The mother and the son greeted the saint, and sat before him.
The saint called the young boy to him and asked him to sit near him. Patting his back he said, " Dear boy, from now onwards, please do not eat jaggery. You must listen to what your mother tells you."

The boy did a namaste (a traditional salutation used in India) to the saint in reverence and promised to give up jaggery,
The mother was astonished. She thought, "If the saint had to say just this to the boy, why didn't he do it seven days ago when I had first brought him here?' She was puzzled and stated her puzzlement to the saint.

The saint explained to her, "Madam, I used to enjoy eating jaggery. When I myself ate so much jaggery, what right did I have to ask the boy not to do so? The hollowness of my words would not have had any effect on the boy. For the past seven days I have refrained from eating jaggery, so when I talked to your child he must have sensed that I meant what I was saying."

This was saint Gyanneshwar, the great saint of Maharashtra, one of the states of India.

THE MOTHER IS A CHILD'S FIRST TEACHER

Raju was a good boy. He was very good at his studies amongst other things. He had a neat handwriting that was admired by everybody in his school. He wanted a new pen, as his old was not working properly. He spoke to his mother about this. His mother said, "Yes my son I understand that you need a good pen, but we do not have money to buy a new one." 

Raju thought, "Well, I am definitely going to get a good pen. Kanu and Manu both have new and nice pens. I am the only one without a good pen."
Next day Raju stole Kanu's pen in school and put it in his bag. He brought it home and his mother on seeing it and hearing how he had stealthily taken it away from Kanu said, "How clever of you Raju!"
Instead of scolding her son, Raju's mother praised him giving the impression to Raju that there was nothing wrong in stealing. In due course of time stealing became a habit with Raju.

Often, Raju will be caught red-handed while stealing. People complained to his mother, but Raju's mother would always take her son's side and defend him. 'My Raju is not a thief! He is a good boy," she would say.
Raju grew up and got a good job, as he was good at his studies. However good a job one gets, the cost of, everything he wishes to own cannot be met. He now started commiting bigger and bigger thefts as was by now his habit of getting things he could not afford but craved for.
He one day out of sheer habit entered a big house and picked up some jewelry. Whilst trying to go away with his stolen jewelry, the master of the house woke up, there was a scuffle and Raju was overpowered.
The police arrested him and the Judge sent him to jail.

One day his mother came to the jail to see him. Raju went to his mother, embraced her and made as if to say something to her. He however bit off her nose. The policemen present there immediately caught him and dragged him away. As he was being taken to his cell one of the policemen wanted to know what made him to bite off his mother's nose.

.

Raju said, "The person responsible for bringing me to this state is no one else but my mother. When people caught me stealing, my mother instead of punishing me always supported me. She never tried to stop me from stealing, instead she encouraged me everytime."

TWO FRIENDS

Once upon a time, there were two friends who were very close to each other. They were always seen together. Their natures were however very different, one was greedy and the other jealous.
One day both friends roaming in the forest saw a temple, on peeping inside a black granite shivling was visible. They decided then and there to go in and do penance to please Lord Shiva. Lord Shiva could be easily pleased, they felt. If they could please him he would give them whatever they craved for.

The entered the temple and sat before the lingam in deep meditation for seven days without food or water or for a moment leaving their meditation. At last a pleased Lord Shiva appeared before them and said, " I am pleased with your penance. I will give you whatever you ask for. Only one of you, however, can ask for a boon. The other will get double of what is granted to the first."
The two friends were perplexed about who should ask the boon.

The greedy man thought, "I will not ask for a boon. If I do, my friend will get double of what I get. I will not allow this to happen. I think I deserve to get double of what he gets. " Thinking this the greedy man refused to ask for a boon.
The jealous man thought, "If I also refuse to ask for a boon, we will lose this opportunity. I should ask for a boon which should teach this greedy man a lesson. He is greedy as by refusing to ask for a boon he wants to get double o what I will get."
After thinking for a little while, the jealous man turned to Lord Shiva and said, "

O Lord! Please take away one of my eyes so that I turn blind in one eye."
Lord Shiva looked for a while at the jealous man and said, "How can you ask for such a boon? Your request shows up your jealous nature. Ask for a boon which will be good for you and your friend also."
The jealous friend realizing his mistake said, " O Lord! Give me good thoughts and good faith."
"So be it!" said Lord Shiva and disappeared.

DO NOT CUT OFF YOUR NOSE TO SPITE YOUR FACE!

THE BOAR AND THE FOX

A wild boar, by the name of Bore, lived in the dense jungle of Kalaikunda.
Bore was a strong and fearsome creature. He had big and strong tusks and used them effectively as weapons of self-defense.

One day he was busy sharpening his tusks by rubbing it against the trunk of a tree. Faltu the fox was passing by and stopped to watch the boar at his task. Faltu was unable to understand why the boar was sharpening his tusks, as he looked around and saw no danger or enemies anywhere around that was a threat for the boar.

Surprised at Bore's actions, Faltu went to the wild boar and said, " May I know Mr. Bore, why you are sharpening your tusks? There are no hunters or any other danger around. Why are you busy with this useless exercise?"

"You are not wrong abbot the hunters and danger, my dear Mr.Faltu," said Bore, 'but will it be wise to start digging a well to find water after a fire has broken out? We live in a forest where there are enemies and dangers at every step. Who knows when I will have to face an enemy and use my weapons against him? If I d not sharpen my tusks now I may not get any time to do so when I need them the most."

The wisdom of Bore's words made Faltu wiser.