Kisa Gotami again goes from house to house after she speaks with the Buddha. What does she ask for, the second time around? Does she get it? Why not?
Kisa was asked by Buddha to bring mustard seeds from a house in full of quantity in which death had never came at the door. Kisa Gotami went from door to door, but there was no single house found where no death had happened. She could not get it as death is unavoidable and one who is born is bound to die one day.
How do you usually understand the idea of ‘selfishness’? Do you agree with Kisa Gotami that she was being ‘selfish in her grief ’?
What does Kisa Gotami understand the second time that she failed to understand the first time? Was this what the Buddha wanted her to understand?
When her son dies, Kisa Gotami goes from house to house. What does she ask for? Does she get it? Why not?
Why do you think Kisa Gotami understood this only the second time? In what way did the Buddha change her understanding?
Where in the classroom does Wanda sit and why?
What was Valli’s favourite pastime?
What ‘experiment’ did Maxwell think Camusfearna would be suitable for?
What did Lencho hope for?
Where did the ceremonies take place ? Can you name any public buildings in India that are made of sandstones?
What does Chubukov at first suspect that Lomov has come for? Is he sincere when he later says “And I’ve always loved you, my angel, as if you were my own son”? Find reasons for your answer from the play.
Why was the young seagull afraid to fly? Do you think all young birds are afraid to make their first flight, or are some birds more timid than others? Do you think a human baby also finds it a challenge to take its first steps?
Do you keep a diary? Given below under ‘A’ are some terms we use to describe a written record of personal experience. Can you match them with their descriptions under ‘B’? (You may
look up the terms in a dictionary if you wish.)
A B
(i) Journal – A book with a separate space or page for each day, in which you write down your and feelings or what has happened on that day
(ii) Diary – A full record of a journey, a period of time, or an event, written every day
(iii) Log – A record of a person’s own life and experiences (usually, a famous person)
(iv) Memoir(s) – A written record of events with times and dates, usually official
Where does Wanda live? What kind of a place do you think it is?
What was a source of unending joy for Valli? What was her strongest desire?
In the case of a bird flying, it seems a natural act, and a foregone conclusion that it should succeed. In the examples you have given in answer to the previous question, was your success guaranteed, or was it important for you to try, regardless of a possibility of failure?
How did Valli save up money for her first journey? Was it easy for her?
Did Wanda have a hundred dresses? Why do you think she said she did?
Why is Maddie embarrassed by the questions Peggy asks Wanda? Is she also like Wanda, or is she different?
Why was Mr Keesing annoyed with Anne? What did he ask her to do?
Find sentences in the story with negative words, which express the following ideas emphatically.
1. The trees lost all their leaves.
2. The letter was addressed to God himself.
3. The postman saw this address for the first time in his career.
What things does Mij do which tell you that he is an intelligent, friendly and fun-loving animal who needs love?
Anne says teachers are most unpredictable. Is Mr Keesing unpredictable? How?
What game had Mij invented?
What made Mr Keesing allow Anne to talk in class?