Lesson 3

A Hero
By R. K Narayan
Word Meanings

Unexpected – not expected

Lad – boy
Flight – to climb quickly
Fixedly – to stare
Coward -weak hearted
Disputed – to argument
Frightful- fearful
Trembling- shaking
Mumbled – to speak in a low tone
Disgraceful – defame
Gloomily – sadly
Gazing – to stare
Whispered – to speak in a low tone
Leant – to give
Snored- to breathe noisily
Stirred – to move
Groaned – a deep, long sound showing pain or unhappiness
Pleaded – to request
Hesitated- to pause or wait
Cultivate- to develop
Strain- mark
Spat out- to give out
Instance – for example
Compact – closely packed together
Reassuring – to give confidence
Encased – to cover
Racked – great pain
Desperately – badly/miserably
Escape – to run away secretly
Threatened- to scare
Crawled- to walk without legs
Might- power / strength
Agonised – deep pain
Patted – to strike gently
Scout – guide
Notorious – famous for bad deeds
Temper – angry mood
Relieved – relaxed
Tremendous – in great amount
 Understanding the story

A) 1) newspaper
2) killed
3) unconvinced
4) grandmother
5) next month
6) second
7) office room

B) Answer the following questions briefly in about 30 words.

1) How did Swami react to the news of the village lad’s bravery? How was his reaction
different from his father’s reaction?

Ans) Swami was surprised to hear the news of village lad’s bravery. Further, when his
father said that courage is everything, Swami argued with him saying courage alone
could not do anything and both strength and age were important.

2) What was the challenge given to Swami by his father? How did he receive it?

Ans) Swami’s father challenged him to sleep alone in his office room to prove that he has
courage. Swami received it as a frightful proposition.

3) Describe Swami’s feelings in the office room at night.

Ans) In the office room, Swami felt cut off from humanity. He was pained and angry. As
the night advanced, his heart beat became faster out of fear. He remembered all the
stories of devils and ghosts he had heard all his life. Every moment, he expected devils
to come up to carry him away.

4) How did Swami catch the burglar?

Ans) When Swami was gazing into the darkness, he realised that something was moving
down. As it came nearer, he crawled out from under the bench, hugged it with all his
might, and used his teeth like a mortal weapon. There was an agonised thundering cry
followed by tumbling and falling amidst furniture. Soon everybody came in the room
and the burglar was caught.