Q1 of 18 Page 61

Here are some sentences from the text. Say which of them tell you, that the author:

(a) was afraid of the snake, (b) was proud of his appearance, (c) had a sense of humour, (d) was no longer afraid of the snake.


1. I was turned to stone.


2. I was no mere image cut in granite.


3. The arm was beginning to be drained of strength.


4. I tried in my imagination to write in bright letters outside my little heart the words, ‘O God’.


5. I didn’t tremble. I didn’t cry out.


6. I looked into the mirror and smiled. It was an attractive smile.


7. I was suddenly a man of flesh and blood.


8. I was after all a bachelor, and a doctor too on top of it!


9. The fellow had such a sense of cleanliness…! The rascal could have taken it and used it after washing it with soap and water.


10. Was it trying to make an important decision about growing a moustache or using eye shadow and mascara or wearing a vermilion spot on its forehead?

(a) was afraid of the snake –

1. I was turned to stone.


3. The arm was beginning to be drained of strength.


5. I didn’t tremble. I didn’t cry out.


(b) was proud of his appearance –


6. I looked into the mirror and smiled. It was an attractive smile.


8. I was after all a bachelor, and a doctor too on top of it!


(c) had a sense of humor –


2. I was no mere image cut in granite.


4. I tried in my imagination to write in bright letters outside my little heart the words, ‘O God’.


7. I was suddenly a man of flesh and blood.


9. The fellow had such a sense of cleanliness…! The rascal could have taken it and used it after washing it with soap and water.


10. Was it trying to make an important decision about growing a moustache or using eye shadow and mascara or wearing a vermilion spot on its forehead?


(d) was no longer afraid of the snake –


10. Was it trying to make an important decision about growing a moustache or using eye shadow and mascara or wearing a vermilion spot on its forehead?


More from this chapter

All 18 →
1

Discuss in pairs and answer each question below in a short paragraph (30 − 40 words).

“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?

 2

This story about a frightening incident is narrated in a humorous way. What makes it humorous? (Think of the contrasts it presents between dreams and reality. Some of them are listed below.)

1. (i) The kind of person the doctor is (money, possessions)


(ii) The kind of person he wants to be (appearance, ambition)


2. (i) The person he wants to marry


(ii) The person he actually marries


3. (i) His thoughts when he looks into the mirror


(ii) His thoughts when the snake is coiled around his arm


write short paragraphs on each of these to get your answer.

 2

Expressions used to show fear

Can you find the expressions in the story that tell you that the author was frightened? Read the story and complete the following sentences.


1. I was turned ______.


2. I sat there holding ______.


3. In the light of the lamp I sat there like ______.

 3

Match the meanings with the words/expressions in italics, and write the appropriate meaning next to the sentence. The first one has been done for you.

1. I knew a man was following me, I was scared out of my wits. (very frightened)


2. I got a fright when I realized how close I was to the cliff edge.


3. He nearly jumped out of his skin when he saw the bull coming towards him.


4. You really gave me a fright when you crept up behind me like that.


5. Wait until I tell his story — it will make your hair stand on end.


6. Paralyzed with fear, the boy faced his abductors.


7. The boy hid behind the door, not moving a muscle.