ST.

MARK’S PUBLIC SCHOOL

First Flight (Prose)
Ch- 1 A Letter to God
Short Answer Type Questions
Q.1 Who was Lencho? What were his main problems?   
Ans: Lencho was a hardworking farmer, who lived on the crest of a low hill. Due to the hailstorm
his crops were destroyed, so he needed money to sow his field again and support his family.
These were the main problems of Lencho.

Q.2 Why did Lencho write a letter to God?

Ans: When.Lencho’s crops were completely destroyed by the hailstorm, he wrote a letter to God
because he was the only hope in his despair. Lencho asked him to send hundred pesos to sow his
field again and support his family.

Q.3 What are the raindrops compared to and why?

Ans: It starts raining. Lencho is very happy. He compares the big drops of rain to ten-cent pieces
and the little ones to five-cent pieces. Lencho needs rain for a good harvest. If he has good crops,
he will get money. That is why he compares the raindrops to coins.

Q.4 Why was Lencho angry? What did he do?

Ans: Lencho had deep faith in God and hence wrote a letter to God asking for 100 pesos. But
when he received 70 pesos instead of 100, he was angry. He wrote another letter to God asking
him to send the rest of the money, but not through the post-office as they were a ‘bunch of crooks’.

Q.5 Why was Lencho angry when he received the letter?

Ans: Lencho had asked God to send him a hundred pesos. But when he opened the envelope he
found only seventy pesos in it. He thought that the post-office employees had taken the rest of the
money. So he became angry when he received the letter.

Q.6 Why was Lencho angry when he received the letter?

Ans: Lencho had asked God to send him a hundred pesos. But when he opened the envelope he
found only seventy pesos in it. He thought that the post-office employees had taken the rest of the
money. So he became angry when he received the letter.

Q.7 Lencho describes the post office employees as “a bunch of crooks.”

(i) Were they a bunch of crooks?
(ii) How would you describe them?
Ans: Lencho thought that the post office employees had cheated him. So he calls them “a bunch
of crooks.” But they were not crooks. They were kind people. They wanted to help Lencho. So
they collected seventy pesos and sent the money to Lencho by mail.

Long Answer Type Questions

Q.1 Lencho received the money and a letter from God but still, he was not happy. Was it not
in his attitude to be happy with what he achieved? Did he not know the pleasure of being
grateful to others? Reflecting on the values required to lead a happy life, explain in about
100-120 words.
Ans: Lencho had full faith in God and hence, had written a letter to God asking for 100 pesos. But
when he received the money and a letter from God, he was not happy. It was not his
attitude(behaviour) to be happy with what he received, nor was he ungrateful to God. He was
angry because he had received 70 pesos instead of 100. He did not doubt God for it. He wrote
another letter to God asking him to send the rest of the money but not through the post-office as
they were a bunch of crooks. This shows that Lencho had full faith in God and was
confident(assured) that his desire would be fulfilled. It was Lencho’s innocent
optimism(hopeful) that eventually(finally) led to his getting seventy pesos. Optimism and faith can
lead to a happy life.
Q.2 The postmaster represents such people who still believe in helping others mention
those values of the postmaster which you would like to emulate in yourself. Write in 100-
120 words.
Ans: The postmaster was a kind, generous(readiness to give something), helpful,
amiable(friendly) and God-fearing man. He received a letter from Lencho which was written to God
asking for 100 pesos so that he could sow his fields again. The postman felt sympathetic(liking)
towards Lencho. He decided to help Lencho. He gave up a part of his salary and asked all other
employees to help. Even friends were made to contribute to the cause of charity(help in the form
of money) and he managed to collect 70 pesos. He sent the money to Lencho along with a reply.
He did so in order to preserve the man’s faith in God. This shows the postmaster was a nice man
at heart.
Ch-2 Nelson Mandela: A Long Walk to Freedom
Short Answer Type Questions
Q.1 What promise does Mandela make in the beginning of opening of his oath-taking
speech?
Ans: Mandela thanks all the international leaders and guests as he calls it an occasion of joy and
victory for Justice. He promises that the country shall not again experience the oppression of one
by another.

Q.2  What ideals did Mandela set out for the future of South Africa in his speech?
Ans: Mandela set out ideals for the future of South Africa because he had deep feelings for his
country and countrymen. He pledged to liberate all the people from poverty, deprivation and
discrimination.

Q.3 What freedom meant to Mandela in childhood? 

Ans: During childhood the meaning of freedom for Mandela was quite limited he considered it to
be free to run in the fields, to swim in the clear stream, free to roast mealies and ride the board
backs of slow moving bulls.

Q.4 Why did inauguration ceremony take place in the amphitheatre formed by the Union
Building in Pretoria?
Ans: It was the first democratic, non-racial government taking oath in South Africa. The ceremony
was attended by dignitaries from more than 140 countries around the world and thousands of the
people of South Africa of all the races to make the day memorable. So, it took place in, the
amphiteatre formed by the Union Building in Pretoria.

Q.5 What do you understand by Apartheid’?

Ans: ‘Apartheid’ is a political system that divides people according to their race. In this system
black-coloured people in South Africa were not free even to discharge their personal and social
obligations of being parents, sons and husbands, etc.

Q.6 Describe the effect of the policy of apartheid on the people of South Africa.
Ans: The policy of apartheid could not be considered fortunate for the people of South Africa. It
created distance and a deep wound in the country and the people. Many great men like Oliver
Tambo, Walttr Sisulu, Yusuf Dadoo, Bram Fischer, etc were produced due to the brutality and
oppression. They were men of great character

Long Answer Type Questions

Q.1 What does Nelson Mandela refer to as “an extraordinary human disaster”?
Ans: Nelson Mandela refers to the apartheid policy of the white race against the black people as
“an extraordinary human disaster”. White people snatched freedom from the coloured people of
South Africa to whom the country belonged. The black people were subjected to oppression for
long. They were not even allowed to discharge their obligations to their own families, community
and their country. White people had no compassion for them and oppressed their own people and
put them in prison. If they had some freedom, it was curtailed. The black people lived the life of a
slave.
Q.2 Describe the views of Mandela for the black people who fought and sacrificed their
likes for the country’s political independence?
Ans: Mandela always said that the political freedom was the result of sacrifices of thousands of
the black people who fought for that. He said that it could not be repaid. He thought himself as the
sum of all of those African patriots. He regretted that he could not thank them. He cursed the
policy of apartheid that wounded the people of his country, which would take centuries to heal.
He also said that the oppression and brutality of the white people produced great freedom fighters
like Oliver Tambo, Walter Sisulu, Luthuli, Dadoo, Fischer, Sobukwe and many more. They were
the men of courage, wisdom and large heartedness. They really suffered a lot for the political
freedom of the country.

Q.3  What does Mandela mean to say that the oppressor and the oppressed alike are
robbed of their humanity?
Ans: Mandela is right in saying that the oppressor and the oppressed alike are robbed of their
humanity. Both of them are actually the victim of hatred. Everyone is obliged to discharge their
duties whether personal or social but without freedom a man cannot do so. The person who
snatches this freedom of a man is really an oppressor and a prisoner of hatred. He has lack of
humanity. But this is the same with a person who is oppressed by other.

Footprints Without Feet

Ch-1 A Triumph of Surgery
Short Answer Type Questions

Q.1 What makes you know that Mrs. Pumphrey was a rich lady?
Ans: Mrs. Pumphrey was a wealthy lady as she had many servants and maids also had a pet.
She used to feed her pet with a lot of dishes, sweets and snacks. Moreover, she had a separate
room and wardrobe for her pet. All these things show that she was a rich lady.

Q.2 How does Dr. Herriot treats Tricki?

Ans: Dr. Herriot cut down Tricki food and made him exercise. For the first three days jobs didn’t
give him food but only water. He did not give any medicinal treatment but made him all day with
the dogs. He discovered the joys of being bowled over, tramped on and squashed every few
minutes. He enjoyed a lot along with his recovery.

Q.3 What was the cause of Tricki’s ailment?

Or
What was the main cause of `Tricki’s ill-health’?
Ans: Tricki was overfed by Mrs. Pumphrey. He became hugely fat and inactive. He was pampered
with a lot of cream cakes, chocolates and Hot links. This was the main cause of his illness.

Q.4 Why did Mrs. Pumphrey treats Tricki in a special way?

Ans: Mrs. Pumphrey was an extremely rich lady but was foolishly indulgent in pampering her dog,
Tricki. She served him with cream cakes, chocolates and cod-liver oil. She did so because she
treated Tricki like her son.

Q.5 Why was Dr. Herriot worried about Tricki?

Ans: Dr. Herriot was worried about Tricki because he had become hugely fat and inactive. He
suggested to Mrs. Pumphrey to cut down his food and give him some exercise but she was
reluctant to do so.
Long Answer Type Questions
Q.1 Herriot enjoyed the lavish (costly) meal during Tricki’s stay but still, he felt compelled
(forced to do something) to inform Mrs. Pumphrey about the recovery of Tricki. Why did he
not keep Tricki for a longer time? Did he feel concerned for Mrs. Pumphrey? Was it not in
his attitude to break the trust of others. Discuss the values he possessed in 100-120 words.
Ans: Tricki was a fat dog, the pet of Mrs. Pumphrey. He became listless and seemed to have no
energy and fell ill. So, Mrs. Pumphrey called the veterinary surgeon, Dr. Herriot for help. Dr.
Herriot took Tricki to his surgery. He kept an eye on him for two days and gave him no food but
plenty of water. At the end of the second day, he started showing some interest in his
surroundings and on the third day, began to whimper (cry) on the sound of dogs.

Q.2 How did Herriot save Tricki’s life?

Ans: Tricki was seriously ill. He refused food. He had bouts of vomiting. Mrs. Pumphrey was very
much worried about him. She called Mr. Herriot who was a vet. Herriot and knew Tricki’s disease
well. He told Mrs. Pumphrey that the dog must be hospitalized for a fortnight immediately. He
carried the dog in his car to his surgery. There he put him in a separate room. He was given no
food for two days but plenty of water. After two days the dog felt better. He started enjoying games
with other dogs. In this way, Herriot cured Tricki of his illness without any medicine or surgery.

Ch-2 The Thief’s story

Short Answer Type Questions

Q.1 Why did Hari Singh approach Anil?

Ans: Hari Singh was a thief who had not much luck in his work recently. So he approached Anil
with the intention of robbing him, as he seemed to be an easygoing and simple man. According to
Hari, winning Anil’s confidence was an easy task.

Q.2 Was Hari Singh successful in robbing Anil? Was Anil the only one who was robbed or
did Hari also rob himself of something?
Ans:Yes, Hari Singh was successful in robbing Anil. But Anil was not the only one who was
robbed at that time. Hari had robbed himself as well. He had lost the chance of receiving
education and being literate. He had robbed Anil monetarily but he had robbed himself of the
chance for a better and brighter future, which was much more valuable.

Q.3 What made Hari Singh go back to Anil’s house?

Ans:Hari Singh realised the importance of education he was receiving from Anil. He knew that
learning how to read and write and being a literate person would open doors to many
opportunities. He was sure that he would then be able to earn more than a few hundred rupees he
had in hand at that time. This made him go back to Anil.

Q.4 State the events that took place on the night of the theft. 
Ans: The night of robbery vitas quite eventful for Hari Singh. After stealing Anil’s money and
leaving Anil’s house, Hari went to the railway station but didn’t board the train to Lucknow. He
walked slowly through the bazaar as he did i ot know anyone who would provide him shelter
except Anil, for he didn’t have any friends. He was forced to take shelter under the clock tower
later when it started raining heavily. That is where he realised the importance of education and
decided to go back to Anil.

Long Answer (Value Based) Type Questions

Q.1 Money can’t make a man as much as education can. Elucidate the statement. 
Ans:The statement stands true in almost all the aspects of life. Money may buy us all the luxuries
and fulfil our needs but it cannot buy us knowledge, civilised thinking, skills and abilities to achieve
our dreams. Education lays the platform for all to act upon our goals according to our abilities.
Education enables us to keep up with the fast moving world. It opens the door to opportunities we
do not know even exist. Money, on the other hand, can assist us to a certain level. It can buy us a
plan but education gives us the knowledge of its execution. Just as in the story ‘A Thief s Story’,
Hari Singh prioritised the chance of being literate over a few hundred rupees, we must understand
that education can help us to achieve whatever we desire.
Q.2 Hari Singh didn’t board the express and returned to Amil. Why did he return? On what
values does this incidence put light on?
Ans:Hari Singh was a thief and he had stolen Anil’s money. After the theft, he realised that he had
robbed not only Anil but also himself of the chance of being literate and having a bright future. His
conscience pricked him to think what all he could have got had he not done this. It was difficult for
him to rob Anil but it was tougher for him not to back. He realised that he could not make tea, buy
daily supplies and learn how to read and write then. His inner self did not agree to bypass this and
forced him to return.
Hari’s return to Anil shows that despite indulging in criminal acts, he still had a practical and
positive attitude towards life. It is the awakening of Hari’s conscience and Anil’s love and care that
reformed Hari’s character. It teaches us that love alone can change a person. Anil’s understanding
nature and care changed Hari’s thinking to mend his ways for good.

Dust of Snow(Poem-1)
Short Answer Type Questions

Q.1 How has the poet observed nature in the poem ‘Dust of Snow’
Answer: The poet has observed nature as a positive medium of change for him. The poet had
been the sorrowful and depressive mood in the poem. But then the way a crow shook snow dust
off, it changed his mood. Nature gave him the inspiration to behave in a positive manner.

Q.2 What does the poet want to convey through the poem ‘Dust of Snow’?
Answer: In the poem ‘Dust of Snow’, the poet wants to convey that sometimes certain moments
or actions which are simple have larger significance. They can change the mood or life of a
person. The way a crow shakes down dust of snow on the poet inspires and gives him the idea to
shake off his depressive thoughts, become cheerful and do something useful.

Q.3 What side of nature do ‘crow’ and ‘hemlock’ represent?

Answer: ‘Crow’ is a black, harsh-voiced bird and ‘hemlock’ is a tree with poisonous bitter fruit.
Both are not beautiful. They represent the dark, depressive, sorrowful and bitter side of nature.

Q.4 Why does the poet use such poetically uncommon bird and tree? What does it reflect?
Answer: The poet seems to be in a depressed and sorrowful mood. In such a mood, one cannot
think of a sweet and beautiful side of nature. The harsh, bitter and poisonous images come to his
mind. That is why he uses an uncommon, harsh, ugly crow and poisonous tree like hemlock.

Q.5 Justify the role of the crow in the poem “Dust of Snow” in changing the poet’s mood.
Answer: I think, ‘the way snow dust was shaken off’ changed his mood. Perhaps it gave the poet
inspiration/idea to behave in the same manner—shake off his depressive thoughts and revive his
cheerful mood.

Q.6 What mood of the poet is reflected in the poem? How does it reflect?
Answer: The sorrowful and depressive mood of the poet is reflected in the poem. The use of the
bird ‘crow’, which is ugly and harsh, and hemlock tree, which is a poisonous plant, reflects the
poet’s mood.

Fire and Ice(Poem-2)

Short Answer Type Questions
Q.1 What do you think would be enough to destroy the world? Can Fire and Ice contribute
to it?
Answer: Our desires and hatred would be enough to destroy the world. According to the poet,
`fire’ represents ‘desire’ and `ice’ represents `hatred’. Desires like fire spread rapidly and engulf
one’s whole life. Similarly, ‘hatred’ fills life with poison.

Q.2 What is the underlying idea of the poem ‘Fire and Ice’?
Answer: The poet equates fire with `desire’ and ice with ‘hatred’. Both of these are growing with
enormous speed. If we don’t check them from growing, the world will perish. So we must restrain
our desires and love our fellow-beings.

Q.3 Which two ideas about how the world will end have been mentioned in the poem?
Which idea does the poet support more?
Answer: The two ideas mentioned are that the world will end in fire or in ice. Though the poet
thinks both are great for destruction, yet he seems to favour the idea of the destruction of the
world in a fire a little more than in ice.

Q.4 What does ‘fire’ and ice’ stand for and what is the general opinion regarding the world?
Answer: According to the poet, ‘fire’ represents desire and ‘ice’ represents hatred. I do agree with
the poet. Desires like fire spread rapidly and engulf one’s whole life. Similarly ‘hatred’ fills the
whole life with poison. It makes one hard-hearted and cruel.

Q.5 What do people think about the ending of the world? What does the poet think?
Answer: Some people think that someday the world will end in fire. On the other hand. some
people say. that it will end in ice. The poet has tasted both the fire and the ice. He thinks that the
world will end in fire. Here fire stands for the tire of desire.

Q.6 How will the world end twice?

Answer: The poet says that both fire and ice are destructive. Here fire stands for the heat of
desire and ice stands for hatred He thinks that our violent desires will end the world. If it survives,
it will be ruined by hatred.

Q.7 Why does the poet say, ‘I’ve tasted of desire/I hold with those who favour fire?
Answer: The poet is familiar with the fire of passions and desires in love. He knows it quite well
that are uncontrolled desires, passions and fury lead to our destruction. Similarly, he sides with
those people who believe that ‘fire’ symbolised by unbridled passions and desires with be the real
cause of the end of the world.

Q.8 How does the poet ‘know enough of hate’? Where will this ‘hate’ lead to?
Answer: ‘Icy’ or cold reasoning can lead to rigidity, indifference and insensitiveness. This can take
away all warmth of human feelings, love and sympathy. The result can be disastrous. ‘Hatred’
born out of cold and ‘Icy’ reasoning can lead to the destruction of the world.