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Ans. When the doctor first smiled in front of the mirror he was appreciating his attractive
smile. He decided to keep that smile on his face to look more handsome. His opinion about

himself at that point of time was that he was a bachelor and a doctor too. But when he
smiled feebly a little later, it was at his destiny. His life was in danger. His thoughts changed
when he told himself that he was nothing but a poor, foolish and stupid doctor. He felt that
he was very close to death due to the presence of the snake.

II. This story about a frightening incident is narrated in a humorous way. What makes it
humorous?
1. (i) The kind of person the doctor is (money, possessions)
The story presents a contrast between dreams and reality. The doctor had just started his
practice and therefore his earnings were meagre. He lived in small rented room which was

not electrified. He only had sixty rupees in his suitcase along with some shirts and dhotis and
‘one solitary black coat’.

(ii) The kind of person he wants to be (appearance, ambition)
He was a great admirer of beauty and believed in making himself handsome. He laid great
emphasis on the fact that he was unmarried and a doctor. In order to enhance his looks, he
decides to shave daily and grow a thin moustache. He also decides to keep smiling in order to
look more handsome.

2. (i) The person he wants to marry
He wanted to marry a woman doctor who had plenty of money and a good medical practice.
He wanted a fat wife so that whenever he would make a mistake, his wife would not be able
to catch him.

(ii) The person he actually marries
The woman he married was a thin, reedy person with the gift of a sprinter.

3. (i) His thoughts when he looks into the mirror
When he looked into the mirror, he was full of appreciation for his good looks. He further

decides that he would shave daily and grow a thin moustache and grow a thin moustache to
look even more handsome. Moreover, he resolves to retain his smile in order to look more
attractive.

(ii) His thoughts when the snake is coiled around his arm
When the snake coiled around his arm, he turned into stone. At this moment, he felt the
presence of God near him. He realised that if the snake struck him, he did not even have any