Page 16 - LN2
P. 16
QUESTIONS AND ANSWERS
Q1.―The sound was a familiar one.‖ What sound did the doctor
hear? What did he think it was? How many times did he hear it?
When and why did the sounds stop?
Ans. The doctor heard a familiar sound caused by the movement of
the rats. He heard this sound thrice. After the third time, the sounds
stopped. Suddenly, he heard a dull thud as if a rubber tube had
fallen to the ground. When he turned, he saw that a snake had
wriggled over the back of the chair and landed on his shoulder.
Q2. What two ―important‖ and ―earth-shaking‖ decisions did the
doctor take while he was looking into the mirror?
Ans. The first important decision that he took while looking into the
mirror was that he would shave daily and grow a thin moustache to
look more handsome. The second decision was to always keep his
attractive smile planted on his face.
Q3. ―I looked into the mirror and smiled,‖ says the doctor. A little
later he says, ―I forgot my danger and smiled feebly at myself.‖
What is the doctor‘s opinion about himself when: (i) he first smiles,
and (ii) he smiles again? In what way do his thoughts change in
between, and why?
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
