MP Board Class 9th English Solutions Chapter 5 The Snake and the Mirror

This is the story about a snake. It had entered (into) the narrator’s room. The narrator is a doctor by pro fession. He had just started his practice those days.

It was a hot summer night. The doctor had his meals at the restaurant and returned home. The rented house was not electrified it was a small rented room. So he lighted the kerosene lamp. Then he took off his coat and shirt and opened the two windows. After some time, he settled on the chair and took out a book. There was a large mirror on the table. Those days the doctor bothered much about his looks. He, therefore, picked up the comb and parted his hair. He looked at his reflection in the mirror. Then he practised an attractive smile. The room had many rats. They constantly made a noise. He lit a beedi and walked to and pro

The doctor got up. He started nurturing the thought of Manage. He lit a beedi. He paced up and down the room. The thought of his marriage came to him. He thought of marrying a wealthy doctor. His wife had to be fat. So she won’t catch him if he ran away. He came back and sat at the table. The sounds of rats had stopped. Suddenly, there was a dull thud. As he turned his head a fat snake landed over his shoulder. Before the doctor could think of anything, the snake had coiled around his left arm above the elbow. His hood was spread out. His head was hardly three or four inches from his face.

The doctor sat there as if he were a piece of stone. He thought of only one help the help from God. It seemed God appreciated that. The snake turned its head and looked into the mirror. The snake, then, unwound itself from the doctor’s arm. He fell into his lap. From there it crept on the table. Then it moved towards the mirror. Apparently, it wanted to see its reflection more closely into it. This was the doctor’s opportunity. Very slowly, he got up from the chair. He ran out of the house in no moments.

He reached a friend’s house and spent his time there. He came back to his house only next morning. It was about eight-thirty. He had with him his friend and one or two others. They had to move his things from there. However, they had little to carry. Some thief had taken away most of his things. There was no sign of the snake also.

यह कहानी एक सर्प के बारे में हैं। वह वक्ता के कमरे में घुस आया था। वक्ता एक डॉक्टर है। उसने उन्हीं दिनों अपने पेशे की प्रारम्भ किया था।

ग्रीष्म ऋतु की यह एक गरमं रात थी। रेस्तराँ में भोजन करने के बाद डॉक्टर अपने घर लौटा था। किराये के घर में बिजली का कनेक्शन नहीं था। इसलिए उसने मिट्टी के तेल की लालटेन जलाई। फिर अपना कोट और कमीज उतार कर उसने दोनों खिड़कियाँ खोल दीं। कुछ देर पश्चात् वह कुर्सी पर बैठ गया और उसने एक किताब निकाल ली। मेज के ऊपर एक बड़ा शीश था। उन दिनों डॉक्टर को अपनी शक्ल का बड़ा ख्याल रहता था। इसलिए उसने कंघा उठाया और अपने बालों को संवारा। उसने शीशे में अपनी छवि निहारी। फिर उसने चेहरे पर एक आकर्षक मुस्कराहट लाने का प्रयत्न किया। कमरे के अन्दर बहुत से चूहे थे। वे लगातार शोर कर रहे थे।

डॉक्टर उठ खड़ा हुआ। उसने बीड़ी जलाई। वह कमरे में इधर-उधर चक्कर लगाने लगा। उसे अपनी शादी का ख्याल आया। उसने एक धनवान डॉक्टर से विवाह के बारे में सोचा। उसकी पत्नी मोटी होनी चाहिए। इसलिए यदि वह दौड़ा तो वह उसे पकड़ न सकेगी। वह वापस आकर मेज पर बैठ गया। चूहों का शोर रुक गया था। अचानक एक ‘धम’ की भारी आवाज आयी। उसके सिर घुमाने तक एक मोटज्ञ साँप उसके कंधे पर आ चुका था। इससे पहले डॉक्टर कुछ सोच सका, साँप डॉक्टर के बायें बाजू पर कोहनी के ऊपर के भाग पर लिपट गया। उसका फन फैला हुआ था। उसका सिर उसके चेहरे से मुश्किल से तीन या चार इंच दूर होगा।

डॉक्टर वहाँ ऐसे बैठा रहा जैसे कोई पत्थर का टुकड़ा हो। उसके ख्याल में एक ही सहारा आया- भगवान का सहारा। लगाता था भगवान ने भी इस ( भावना) की कद्र की हो। साँप ने अपना सिर घुमाया और शीशे में देखा। फिर साँप ने डॉक्टर के बाजू की पकड़ ढीली की। वह उसकी गोदी में गिर गया। वहाँ से यह रेंग कर मेज पर आ गया। फिर वह वह शीशे की तरफ बढ़ चला। ऐसा लगता था मानों वह इसमें अपनी छवि को अधिक निक. टता से देखना चाहता था। डॉक्टर के लिए यही मौका था। बड़े धीरे से वह कुर्सी से उठा। अति शीघ्र वह घर के बाहर भाग गया।

वह एक मित्र के घर पहुँचा और अपना समय वहाँ बिताया। वह अगले दिन प्रात: अपने घर वापस आया। लगभग साढ़े आठ बजे थे। उसके साथ अपने मित्र और एक या दो अन्य व्यक्ति थे। उन्होंने वहाँ से उसका सामान उठाना था। परन्तु उनके उठाने के लिए वहाँ थोडा- कुछ बचा था। काई चोर उसकी अधिकतर चीजें उठाकर ले जा चुका था। साँप का भी कहीं पता न था।

I. Answer each question below in a short paragraph (30-40 words).

Q.1. “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 ?

Or

“The sound was a familiar one.” What sound did the doctor hear and when did it stop ?

Ans. The doctor heard a chirping pleasant sound. It was the sound of the rats. The doctor heard the sound four times. The phrases are ‘Again I heard that sound from above’. ‘Again came that noise from above’; ‘Suddenly there came a dull thud as if a rubber tube had fallen…’. The sounds stopped after the rats saw a snake as they got afraid of him.

Q.2. What two “important” and “earth shaking” decisions did the doctor take while he was seemed into the mirror ?

Or

What were the two important decisions that the narrator took while seemed into the mirror ?

Ans. One, he would shave daily. Second, he would grow a thin moustache to look more attractive. Third, he would always keep that attractive smile on his face.

Q.3. “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. The doctor’s opinion about himself was very good that he had an attractive smile when he first smiled. But when he smiled a little later, he pitied himself. It was because he saw his death quite near to when the snake was so near his face. His feeble smile indicated his nervousness.

His thoughts changed sudden in between. When he siniled first, there was no danger to his life. But when he saw the snake coiling his arm and reaching its hood very near his face, his thoughts changed. Both of joy and happiness changed into fear and death.

II. 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).

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

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

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

Ans. (i) The doctor is a poor person. He has hardly any money. He lives in an unelectrified house. It is a small rented room with plenty of rats living in it. He has just started his medical practice. He had about sixty rupees in his suitcase. He had only one black coat. Besides, he had some shirts and dhotis. So he is not a man of possessions or money.

(ii) The doctor wants to be rich. He also would like to have a good appearance. That’s why he decides to grow a thin moustache.

Q.2. (i) The person he wants to marry

(ii) The person he actually marries

Ans. (i) The doctor wants to marry a woman doctor. He wants that she should have a good medical practice and a lot of money. She should be fat as not to run after him and catch him.

(ii) He marries a thin reedy woman. She | has the gift of a sprinter.

Q.3. (1) His thoughts when he looks into the mirror

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

Ans. (i) His thoughts are full of joy and satisfaction. He decides to grow a thin moustache and keep smiling always. He finds his smile attractive.

(ii) He turned to stone. He sat like a stone image in the flesh. However, his mind was very active. He felt the great presence of the Creator. He decided to write the words ‘O God’ outside his little heart.

I. 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?

Ans. The following sentences tell that the author (a) was afraid of the snake: (1), (3), (4), (5) The following sentences tell that he (b) was proud of his appearance : (6), (8) The following sentences tell that (c) he had a sense of humour : (9), (10) The following sentences tell that (d) he was no longer afraid of the snake: (2), (7)

II. 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…..

Ans. 1. I was turned to stone.

2. I sat there holding my breath.

3. In the light of the lamp I sat there like a stone image in the flesh.

III. In the sentences given below some words and expressions are italicised. They are variously mean that one

● is very frightened.

● is too scared to move.

● is frightened by something that happens suddenly.

● makes another feel frightened.

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 realised 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. Paralysed with fear, the boy faced his abductors.

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

Ans. 2. I got a fright when I realized how close I was to the cliff edge. (too scared to move).

3. He nearly jumped out of his skin when he saw the bull coming towards him. (frightened by something that happens suddenly)

4. You really gave me a fright when you crept up behind me like that. (make another feel frightened)

5. Wait until I tell his story-it will make your hair stand on end. (too scared to move)

6. Paralysed with fear, the boy faced his abductors. (very frightened)

7. The boy hid behind the door, not moving a muscle. (too scared to move)

II. Expressions used to show fear Study these sentences:

His friend asked, “Did you see the snake the next day, doctor ?”

His friend asked the doctor whether /if he had seen the snake the next day.

The little girl wondered, “Will I be home before the TV show begins?” The little girl if/whether she would be home before the TV show began.

Someone asked, “Why has the thief left the vest behind?”

Someone asked why the thief had left the vest behind.

The words if/whether are used to report questions which begin with: do, will, can, have, are etc. These questions can be answered ‘yes’ or ‘no’.

Questions begining with why/when/ where/how/which/what are reported using these same words.

The reporting verbs we use in questions with if/whether/why/when etc. are: ask. inquire and wonder.

Report these questions, using if /whether or why/when/where/how/which/what. Remember the italicised verbs change into the past tense.

1. Pooja asked her friend, “Do you think your teacher will come today?”

2. Rohan asked his colleague, “Where will you go this summer ?”

3. He asked the little boy, “Why are you studying English ?”

4. She asked me, “When are we going to leave?”

5. Pran asked me, “Have you finished reading the newspaper ?”

6. Gita asked her, “How long have you lived here?”

7. Sheila asked the children, “Are you ready to do the work ?”

Ans. 1. pooja asked her friend if he (she). thought his (her) teacher would come that day.

2. Rohan asked his colleague where he/ she would go that summer.

3. He asked the little boy why he was studying English.

4. She asked me when they were going to leave.

5. Pran asked me if I had finished reading the newspaper.

6. Gita asked her how long she had lived there.

7. Sheila asked the children if they were ready to do the work.

Q.1. Try to rewrite the story without its humour, merely as a frightening incident. What details or parts of the story would you leave out?

Ans. The Most Frightening Incident

It was a hot summer night. I had been living in a shed made of straw. There was an old table. On it there was a mirror. I was looking in the mirror. Then a snake fell on my shoulder. Before I could do anything, the snake had coiled around my left arm. It was above the elbow. Its hood was spread out. Its head was hardly three or four inches from my face.

I almost froze with fear. My breath stopped. I was like a stone. I knew if I moved even one centimetre, the snake would sting me. I couldn’t move even a centimetre. I started praying to God. By chance the snake’s eyes fell on its reflection in the mirror. It slowly fell down on my lap.

It then moved on to the table. It started looking at its own reflection in the mirror. I saw that I was breathing. I, at once, jumped off and ran like a mad man. I felt that I was safe. I thanked God greatly.

Q.2. Read the description given alongside this sketch from a photograph in a newspaper (Times of India, 4 September 1999). Make up a story about what the monkey is thinking, or why it is looking into a mirror. Write a paragraph about it.

Ans. When a Monkey Got a Mirror Last month I saw a strange incident about a monkey. Our colony has a lot of them. I saw once that a monkey had got a piece of looking mirror. He was looking into it. He was seeing his own face. But he never thought that it was his. He grinned, chuckled and showed teeth. His reflection also did the same. He thought that there was another monkey around. He searched for him all around. He turned his face around him. Or perhaps, he was thinking how beautiful! he looked! He also saw the reflection of other things. He grew more and more interested in the mirror. We also were enjoying his actions of looking at the mirror.

After sometime, another big monkey came. There were two more monkeys. They started fighting. In that the monkey threw the mirror at one of them. It broke into pieces. Each monkey got one piece each. They started repeating the actions of the monkey with a mirror.