The Two Gentlemen from Verona

Question 5-(a):
"We do many things, sir," Nicola answered seriously. Heglanced at us hopefully.
Ans.The narrator was surprised to see the boys shining  shoes because he thought that they sold fruits for a living. However, when he questioned the boys regarding this, Nicola said that they also did a lot of other things for a living. The boys hoped that the narrator would ask for their services and in return would earn some good money.

5-(b):He coloured deeply under his sunburn, then grew pale
Ans.The narrator was astonished to see that boys worked hard day and night and yet lived meagerly. He wanted to know what the boys did with the money they earned. When he questioned Nicola, he appeared uncomfortable and it was clear that the narrator’s question embarrassed him.

Q 5-(c): He smiled uncomfortably. "Just plans, sir," he answered in a low voice.
Ans. When the narrator suggested that the boys were saving to emigrate to the States. Nicola  responded that how much ever they wished to do that, currently they had other plans, which he was unwilling to and uncomfortable sharing with thenarrator.
Q. 5-(d): Yet in both these boyish faces there was a seriousness which was far beyond their years.
Ans   Although  the boys were small and innocent, there was behavior  which was unbelievable at their age.

Q. 6-(a): Why didn't Luigi, the driver, approve of the two boys?
Ans : Luigi judged the two boys by their appearance. He did
not approve of the two boys because they were shabbily dressed and he thought that they might sell bad fruit.
Q. 6-(b): Why were the narrator and his companion impressed by the two boys?
Ans. : The narrator and his companion were surprised that the boys were doing so many things at such a young age. Under the hot sun they sold fruits, newspapers, ran errands and were tourist guides as well. They did any odd job that they were asked to do. Their willingness to do any kind of work impressed the narrator and his companion.

Q. 6-(c): Why was the author surprised to see Nicola and Jacopo working as shoeshine boys?
Ans. The  narrator was surprised to see Nicola and Jacopo shining shoes because he thought that selling fruits was their only occupation.

Q6-(d): How were the boys useful to the author?
Ans : The boys did everything the narrator and his companion asked them to do: they showed them around the city, bought tickets for the opera for them,
told them about good restaurants and ran all their errands.
Q. 6-(e): Why were the boys in the deserted square at night? What character traits do they exhibit?
Ans : The boys were waiting for the last bus from Padua so that they could sell all their papers. This explains the fact that the two boys were very hardworking and
dedicated
Q 6-(f): The narrator asks the boys, "Must you work so hard? You both look rather tired."
The boys reply, "We are not complaining, sir." What do you learn about the boys from their reply?
Ans : The boys were very focused and committed. Their only motive was to pay for their sister’s treatment. They did not care for their comfort but  worked tirelessly  to earn money.
Q. 6-(g): When the narrator asks the boys about their plans, they are evasive. Why don't they disclose their problems?
Ans : The two boys did not want the narrator to know oftheir problems because they were strong and courageous kids in the face of adversity who did not
want a stranger to  sympathise  with them. They were ready to work hard and earn in order to find solutions to their problems.
Q 7-(a): Appearances are deceptive. Discuss with reference to the two boys.Ans : The narrative began with description of the shabby appearance of the two boys—Nicola and Jacopo. Inspite of their appearance, the narrator bought fruit
from them. In the following days, the narrator discovered that the boys did a lot of other things apart from selling fruit  All this made the narrator think that the boys were working so hard to save money to emigrate to America. However, it
is revealed during the course of the story that their only motive was to be able to pay for their sister’s treatment. War had destroyed most of their family and yet it had not filled them with despair.  Behind their shabby appearances were hidden two noble souls whose dedication and selflessness promises a new hope
for mankind.

Q 7-(b):Do you think the boys looked after Lucia willingly? Give reasons for your answer.
Answer : The boys loved their sister. She was the only family left  after the war was over. When they realized that their sister had tuberculosis of the spine, they got her admitted to a hospital. They worked hard day and night to pay for her treatment. They visited their sister every Sunday in the hospital. They loved their sister and didn’t want to lose her.

c) How does the story 'Two Gentlemen of Verona' promise hope for society?
Ans. Both Nicola and Jacopo show selflessness and reflect great dignity in their behaviour. They are deeply devoted to save their sister. In their earnest endeavour they become role models, epitomes of sacrifice who can enlighten the path for rest of the humanity to follow.

PAGE 11

Value based questions

10. The narrator realises why Nicola and Jacopo work so hard. Yet he does not go in to meet their sister nor does he speak to them about what he learns from the nurse. Working in groups, discuss the follwoing aspects of the story and share your views with the class.

(a) The love and devotion, and the family values Nicola and Jacopo display.
Ans. Nicola is only 13 years old and Jacopo is 12. Yet, they have a man's heart each. They work hard day an night, never mind doing petty jobs like vending strawberries, hawking newspapers, polishing shoes. They show tourists round the town and run errands. They do all this to earn money which is used for the treatment of their sister who has been suffering from tuberculosis of spine. It vividly depicts their love, devotion and the family values.

(b) Their pride in themselves and their family 
Ans. Nicola and Jacopo are not ashamed of doing petty jobs to earn money for the treatment of their sister, Lucia who is afflicted with tuberculosis. War has not broken thei spirits. They are proud of themselves and their family. Though children, they do not want any help or favour from anyone. It shows their pride in thmslves and their family.

(c) The trust they place in the narrator
Ans. Before leaving, the narrator asks if he would be of any help to them, Jacopo requests the narrator to send them to Poleta in their car which they might not have asked anybody. After initial disagreement between the brothers and reassurance from the narrator they agree to go with him. They are very comfortable and trust him completely.

(d) The reason the narrator does not disclose to them that he knows their secret.
Ans. Nicola initially is not comfortable with the narrator driving them to Poleta. After some thinking they agree.The moment they reach their destination they jump out of the car and do not ask the narrator to come with them. On the other hand, they suggest him to spend time at a café in the village. The narrator understands their reluctance to share their purpose of visit with him and, therefore, does not disclose to them that he knows their secret.

Writing

11. As the narrator, write an article on the lesson of love, faith and trust that you have learnt from the two young boys of Verona.

Answer

IT DOESN'T TAKE YEARS TO GAIN MATURITY

Tragedies and adversities either bring out the best, or the worst, among people. They prove to be great testing times which end up in glory or disaster. The bitter and indomitable struggle of Nicola and Jacopo, amidst the ravages of war, takes on epic proportions. The two young boys depict great maturity, wisdom and faith in the invincibility of human spirit. The die-hard nature of two boys changes the nature of people around them, with their vibrant spark of humanity. 

The two boys not only create a home to survive from the rubble, but pitch in their best efforts
to sustain their sister Lucia. Their intrinsic vitality encourages them to take up any work that is available i.e. shining shoes, selling newspapers and fruits or escorting the tourists for sightseeing.

They don’t mind eating black bread or figs, or wearing torn clothes because they’re single-mindedly focused on their sister’s treatment. The boys resort to any kind of emotional blackmail or charity to provide for their sister. Their dignity and perseverance show their extreme faith in their own ability to cater to their sister’s medical treatment. 
So, the relentless struggle of two boys offers a kaleidoscopic view of love, tenderness, wisdom and trust, which even a catastrophic war failed to crush.

12. After her brothers' visit, Lucia writes a page in her diary about her past life and her present situation. As Lucia write the diary entry in about 150 words.

Date:
Day:
Time:

I am very happy today because my brothers Nicola and Jacopo came to see me. They told me that they had come with a kind man by car. Jacopo was chirping. You know, he is as lively as a squirrel. Nicola is mature like a man. He looks after me as parents. How loving and affectionate they are!
I feel very lonely when they are not here. I know, they have to go to city to find some work thee. After all, they have to pay the hospital charges every week.
The demon of war has snatched our comfortable and cultured life. Dear Father, I remember, he was a famous singer. I, myself, had been training as a singer. But the Germans came with their bombs and destroyed our home. We are homeless, starving and suffering. It was a bad winter.
For months, we had to keep ourselves alive in a sort of shelter we built with our own hands amidst the rubble. For three years, the Germans ruled the city. We grew up to hate the Germans. Both of them joined the resistance movement. last year when the war was over, we had peace at lat. they came back. They found me ailing. I was diagnosed suffering from tuberculosis of the spine.
They brought me in the hospital. Now, I am showing steady recovery. One day I will walk and sing again.
This is all due to their efforts. I understand that they at this young age. Normally, an elder siblings looks after the younger ones, takes care of them. In my case, it is opposite. I will be grateful to them for the sacrifice they are making for me. They are embodiments of love, devotion and sincerity. They are my family. Moreover, they are my God on this earth. I am indebted to them for what they are doing forever. I owe them my gratitude.
May God bless these noble souls long and happy life!
Amen!
Lucia

The Frog and the Nightingale

Question-answer

(a) How did the creatures of Bingle bog react to the nightingale's singing?

Ans.  The creatures of Bingle Bog applauded the nightingale’s songs. In fact, they Animals and birds, from far and wide, came to hear her sing her melodious songs.

(b) Which are the different ways in which the frog asserts his importance?

Ans. The frog asserts his importance by being authoritative, territorial and imposing. He pretended to be a great singer and he also said that he was the reporter of Bog ‘Trumpet’. He boasted that he was a music critic and a musician like Mozart and was ready to train her.

(c) Why is the frog's joy both sweet and bitter?

Ans. The joy of the frog was sweet as so many people came to attend her concert. and he could  earn a lot of money. However, it was bitter as he was  jealous of the nightingale’s talent and popularity.

(d) Why was the frog angry?
Ans The frog was angry because the nightingale’s song had become dull and it no longer inspired the audience. This had suddenly crashed the income of frog making him angry.

(e) How did the frog become the unrivalled king of the bog again?

Ans. In a bid to make the frog and her audience happy, the nightingale overexerted herself  , burst a vein and died. As there were no singer in the bog , the frog became the unrivalled king of the bog.
Page No: 95 

11. Discuss the following questions and write the answers in your note-books.

(a) Bring out the irony in the frog's statement - 'Your song must be your own'.

Ans. Irony is a literary device which means the expression of one's meaning by saying something which is the direct opposite of one's thoughts.
 Earlier the frog tells the nightingale that she should not boast about her original song but later on he finds fault in the nightingale by saying that one’s song must be one’s own.

(b) Do you think the end is justified?

Ans.  The end faced by the innocent nightingale is pitiful yet justified. It portrays the truth where evil people have an upper-hand over the innocent ones. Thus, it is natural that the ‘innocence’ of the nightingale is killed by the ‘cruel and crafty designs’ of evil  symbolised by the frog.

(c)  Do you think the nightingale is 'brainless'? Give reasons for your answer.

Ans.

No, I don't think the nightingale is brainless. Being simple, innocent and shy does not  mean foolish. She wanted to be a successful singer. So, she accepted the frog's advice of giving her vocal training. Her only fault was that she lacked confidence and could be influenced easily.

(d) Inspite of having a melodious voice and being a crowd puller, the nightingale turns out to be a loser and dies. How far is she responsible for her own downfall? 

Ans.  The nightingale is, herself, responsible for her own downfall. She doesn't use her capability to judge and evaluate sweet-tongued people. That is why she is exploited and killed by the evil designs of the frog who ploys her to her death.

(e) Do you agree with the Frog's inference of the Nightingale's character? Give reasons for your answer.

Ans.  Yes, I agree with the frog’s notion of the Nightingale’s character. Being flattered and submissive and timid, she invited her own death upon herself. She should have been able to see through the frog’s plots and behaved accordingly. However, her innocence didn't allow her to evaluate the frog’s tricks.

14. Write an obituary for the nightingale. You may begin like this: May the kind soul……… (or you may make use of your own beginning)

Answer  (just read it, you don’t have to do it in your notebook)
May the kind and innocent soul of the Nightingale rest in peace! The nightingale was very innocent, timid, simple and compassionate. She was the symbol of human
  values. She was very virtuous. Her absence among us can be felt all the time. She bore evil towards none but had to pay the price of being innocent, submissive, simple-hearted and credulous. The death of the Nightingale teaches us that one must look out and be vigilant against sweet-tongued people, who turn friendly instantly. We must all learn something from the sacrifice of the Nightingale. We must shun the people having the qualities of the frog.

13. The nightingale has scaled the heights of success. But now the audience is dwindling, the frog is unhappy and reprimands her all the time. She is mentally and physically exhausted and fears failure. As the nightingale, write a diary entry highlighting her fears and analyzing the reasons for her failure.

21st April
Monday
I still remember the time when the bog creatures were pleasantly surprised to hear my soothing, sweet and divine voice. Everyone admired my song. My song was such a hit that the creatures requested me to sing again and again. But the great days passed too soon.
Now they are no longer interested in my song. Constant singing has damaged my vocal chords. I cannot sing melodiously as my voice has got hoarse. I am surprised and sad at the indifferent attitude of the bog creatures. Even my master frog is annoyed with me and scolds me all the time. He keeps on reminding me that my song lacks a certain force and my singing is full of errors. Am I not a good singer? Will I ever be able to sing well? Perhaps not. because my song has lost its spontaneity and originality. The audience who used to applaud my song are now losing interest and withdrawing. The frog constantly reprimands me because the total collection of money from the sale of tickets to my concert has fallen sharply. How will I pay the sixty shilling- the remaining fee for the training? I am mentally and physically exhausted. I shudder at the mere thought of being a failure where once I was applauded for my singing.
Oh God! Please help me

Nightingale 

The Frog and the Nightingale

Class X

The Frog and the Nightingale

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=7r52yxVKlII

Summary

n a bog, which was called Bingle Bog, there lived a frog, who was crazy about his singing and incessantly sang from the evening to the morning light. All the creatures living in the bog found his songs to be most unpleasant and they tried to beat and insult him, but the frog was very insensitive and boastful. The frog kept singing with extreme passion because this was his way of expressing his heart-felt elation.

One day the creatures of the bog were pleasantly surprised to hear a very melodious and soothing song sung by a nightingale. The frog was shocked and felt jealous. He wanted to be the undisputed singer of the bog. The nightingale’s song created a sensation and all the creatures praised it tremendously.

The frog was very cunning and he introduced himself as the owner of the tree, on which the nightingale sang. He also boasted that he was a music critic, who wrote for ‘Bog Trumpet’. The nightingale was impressed that a musician like Mozart was taking interest in her. When the frog offered to train her for a modest fee, the nightingale felt that her dream had come true. The exploitation of the nightingale began. The frog would organise musical concerts and mint money. He would make the nightingale practice even in adverse weather. He instructed her to sing passionately and with full force, since that was what the public wanted. Initially a number of creatures flocked to listen to her, but later the crowd dwindled because the nightingale’s songs became routine, lusterless and her voice was tired. The frog would scold and humiliate her for no reason. One day, out of sheer stress and fatigue, the nightingale’s vein burst and she died.

The frog called the nightingale ‘stupid’, ‘nervous’ and ‘without originality’. His ego was satisfied and he again became the ‘unrivalled singer’ of the bog.

The Brook
Class -IX
The Brook
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=JrIv3lgb3qE