What does the word “cardboard” denote in the poem? Why has this word been used?

Ans: ‘Cardboard’ in the poem refers to the small photograph that the poet comes across. It held
the memory of her mother and her cousins' beach holiday when they were kids.
This word has been used because with time material things lose their significance. The
photograph was one very fond memory of the poet’s mother who is now dead. For the mother,
the photograph was a memory but for the poet it is her mother's laughter when she recollected
her memories of the day. It emphasises the transient nature of humans and how gradually with
time everything is left behind and their actual significance almost lost.

What has the camera captured?

Ans: The camera captured a very fond memory. The photograph was taken on a beach holiday
where the author's mother and her cousins Betty and Dolly had fun and they were dressed up
weirdly for it. The poet’s mother was the big girl, twelve years or so in the picture and had a
sweet smile through her hair, smiling at their uncle, who held the camera. She stood in the
middle holding the arms of the cousins, paddling in the seawater.

The photograph brought an instant smile on the mother's face, when she was alive, as she
reminisced of those days.

What does the word “cardboard” denote in the poem? Why has this word been used?
Ans: ‘Cardboard’ in the poem refers to the small photograph that the poet comes across. It held
the memory of her mother and her cousins' beach holiday when they were kids.
This word has been used because with time material things lose their significance. The
photograph was one very fond memory of the poet’s mother who is now dead. For the mother,
the photograph was a memory but for the poet it is her mother's laughter when she recollected
her memories of the day. It emphasises the transient nature of humans and how gradually with
time everything is left behind and their actual significance almost lost.

What has the camera captured?

Ans: The camera captured a very fond memory. The photograph was taken on a beach holiday
where the author's mother and her cousins Betty and Dolly had fun and they were dressed up
weirdly for it. The poet’s mother was the big girl, twelve years or so in the picture and had a
sweet smile through her hair, smiling at their uncle, who held the camera. She stood in the
middle holding the arms of the cousins, paddling in the seawater.

The photograph brought an instant smile on the mother's face, when she was alive, as she
reminisced of those days.
Mention the three phases of the author’s relationship with his grandmother before he left
the country to study abroad.

Ans: The story traced three phases of the author and grandmother’s friendship. The primary
phase was the happiest time and it was when the relationship between author and grandmother
blossomed. Author and grandmother were constantly together in the village. Grandmother
raised him during the initial years of his life when his parents were busy settling their lives in the
city. She used to wake him up and get him ready and accompany him to school. It is in the
second phase when their friendship saw a steep turn. Author and grandmother shifted to the
city, and he went to an English medium school, in a motor bus. Grandmother could no longer
accompany him to the school and hence they grew apart. During the third phase, they lost all
the common ties. The author was given a room of his own in the university and soon moved
abroad for five years, leaving grandmother behind and alone. Even though they still loved each
other, their communication became nil.

Mention three reasons why the author’s grandmother was disturbed when he started
going to the city school.

Ans: After the author's parents were comfortably settled in the city, the author and grandmother
shifted with them, leaving the village life behind. This also marked the gradual disintegration of
their friendship. They started seeing each other for less time as the author went to an English
medium school and in a motor bus. Hence grandmother could not accompany him to the school
or help him in learning the lessons. She was disturbed by the education that was provided to
them. She could not understand the implications of reading about laws of gravity or Archimedes’
principles without teaching kids about God and holding scripture. She also did not like the idea
of the author showing interest and involvement in the subject of music because according to her
music was meant for harlots and beggars. But she never showed her disapproval towards these
things but remained silent.

Mention the three phases of the author’s relationship with his grandmother before he left
the country to study abroad.

Ans: The story traced three phases of the author and grandmother’s friendship. The primary
phase was the happiest time and it was when the relationship between author and grandmother
blossomed. Author and grandmother were constantly together in the village. Grandmother
raised him during the initial years of his life when his parents were busy settling their lives in the
city. She used to wake him up and get him ready and accompany him to school. It is in the
second phase when their friendship saw a steep turn. Author and grandmother shifted to the
city, and he went to an English medium school, in a motor bus. Grandmother could no longer
accompany him to the school and hence they grew apart. During the third phase, they lost all
the common ties. The author was given a room of his own in the university and soon moved
abroad for five years, leaving grandmother behind and alone. Even though they still loved each
other, their communication became nil.
Mention three reasons why the author’s grandmother was disturbed when he started
going to the city school.

Ans: After the author's parents were comfortably settled in the city, the author and grandmother
shifted with them, leaving the village life behind. This also marked the gradual disintegration of
their friendship. They started seeing each other for less time as the author went to an English
medium school and in a motor bus. Hence grandmother could not accompany him to the school
or help him in learning the lessons. She was disturbed by the education that was provided to
them. She could not understand the implications of reading about laws of gravity or Archimedes’
principles without teaching kids about God and holding scripture. She also did not like the idea
of the author showing interest and involvement in the subject of music because according to her
music was meant for harlots and beggars. But she never showed her disapproval towards these
things but remained
You Will Probably Agree That This Story Does Not Have Breathless Adventure and
Exciting Action. Then What in Your Opinion Makes It Interesting?
Ans: There are various elements in a story that makes it interesting and a page-turner for the
readers. Sometimes a simple language but an intriguing plot makes the story successful. A
climax is a point in the story where the plot takes an unexpected turn. Having one or two
climaxes in the story makes the reader almost forced to read ahead and hence is an interesting
element to add to the story.
In this story too the language keeps us in suspense about whom the horse belongs to and gives
it a mystical element. Adding trivial daily habits and emotions makes the reader connected with
the story and it becomes more relatable. The relationship between the cousin and the author is
something we came across in this story. It was interesting to see how their relationship
developed over time.
Also it was interesting to see how effortlessly Aram and Mourad maintained the two hallmarks,
namely trust and honesty of their tribe is proudly known for till the end. The natural and subtle
pace with which the story flowed, along with lucid description, and a captivating writing style
makes this story engaging and fun for the reader.

2. Did the Boys Return the Horse Because They Were Conscience-Stricken or Because
They Were Afraid?
Ans: The boys return the horse because they were conscience-stricken. We all have dreams
and aspirations to try something different from what we normally encounter. For the boys riding
a horse was one such dream. They were innocent and had no heart to hurt anyone. John Byro,
the farmer, did not think for once that the boys were trying to steal the horse. He trusted the
people of his clan and his heart even refused to admit that the kids could indulge in something
like that and hence claimed that the horse was the twin of his horse. The kids themselves were
guilt-stricken when they realized what heinous act they were about to commit. Stealing
something is a crime.
The kids are often taught in their homes that stealing is an act they must not indulge themselves
in. Realizing they did something like that would have thrown them in a pit of guilt. They would
have also felt that this would eventually ruin their family reputation too which would have led to
unfavorable consequences.
You Will Probably Agree That This Story Does Not Have Breathless Adventure and
Exciting Action. Then What in Your Opinion Makes It Interesting?
Ans: There are various elements in a story that makes it interesting and a page-turner for the
readers. Sometimes a simple language but an intriguing plot makes the story successful. A
climax is a point in the story where the plot takes an unexpected turn. Having one or two
climaxes in the story makes the reader almost forced to read ahead and hence is an interesting
element to add to the story.
In this story too the language keeps us in suspense about whom the horse belongs to and gives
it a mystical element. Adding trivial daily habits and emotions makes the reader connected with
the story and it becomes more relatable. The relationship between the cousin and the author is
something we came across in this story. It was interesting to see how their relationship
developed over time.
Also it was interesting to see how effortlessly Aram and Mourad maintained the two hallmarks,
namely trust and honesty of their tribe is proudly known for till the end. The natural and subtle
pace with which the story flowed, along with lucid description, and a captivating writing style
makes this story engaging and fun for the reader.

2. Did the Boys Return the Horse Because They Were Conscience-Stricken or Because
They Were Afraid?
Ans: The boys return the horse because they were conscience-stricken. We all have dreams
and aspirations to try something different from what we normally encounter. For the boys riding
a horse was one such dream. They were innocent and had no heart to hurt anyone. John Byro,
the farmer, did not think for once that the boys were trying to steal the horse. He trusted the
people of his clan and his heart even refused to admit that the kids could indulge in something
like that and hence claimed that the horse was the twin of his horse. The kids themselves were
guilt-stricken when they realized what heinous act they were about to commit. Stealing
something is a crime.
The kids are often taught in their homes that stealing is an act they must not indulge themselves
in. Realizing they did something like that would have thrown them in a pit of guilt. They would
have also felt that this would eventually ruin their family reputation too which would have led to
unfavorable consequences.
1. What Do You Notice about the Beginning and the Ending of the Poem?
Ans. As the poem begins, I notice that the poet had described the laburnum tree on an
afternoon of September bathed in yellow light. Only a few leaves of the tree had turned golden
and all the seeds had fallen. The tree was portrayed as calm and silent. At the end of the poem,
I notice that when the goldfinch left to the unknown after making its final whistle-chirping sounds
the tree remained empty and still.

2. To What is the Bird’s Movement Compared? What is the Basis for the Comparison?
Ans. The bird’s movement in the poem was compared to that of a lizard. Lizards when moving
on the wall make watchful movements towards their prey and suddenly attach it. According to
the poet, the bird’s movements were vigilant and unexpected as it arrived at the laburnum tree
just like a lizard.

1. What Do You Notice about the Beginning and the Ending of the Poem?
Ans. As the poem begins, I notice that the poet had described the laburnum tree on an
afternoon of September bathed in yellow light. Only a few leaves of the tree had turned golden
and all the seeds had fallen. The tree was portrayed as calm and silent. At the end of the poem,
I notice that when the goldfinch left to the unknown after making its final whistle-chirping sounds
the tree remained empty and still.

2. To What is the Bird’s Movement Compared? What is the Basis for the Comparison?
Ans. The bird’s movement in the poem was compared to that of a lizard. Lizards when moving
on the wall make watchful movements towards their prey and suddenly attach it. According to
the poet, the bird’s movements were vigilant and unexpected as it arrived at the laburnum tree
just like a lizard.

What difference did you notice between the reaction of the adults and the children when
faced with danger?
Ans: As a human being grows, he loses faith and the mystical spark he as a kid had. They
become more practical and lead to conclusions just seeing the practical surroundings around
them. The kids on the other hand try to find magic and happiness in everything they have. The
kids and the adults behaved in opposite ways when they encountered the dire situation.
The adults lost all the hope they could muster and sensed that their end was near. The children
on the other hand were optimistic. Sue made a card despite being gravely injured and her head
swollen and bleeding. She made caricatures of Mary and the narrator.
Even the little boy of six, Jon told his dad that he was not afraid to die if they all could be
together. The optimism of the kids even inspired the elder to not give up and he asked Larry to
steer a course of 185 degrees which finally landed them on the island. The kids' optimistic
outlook even while looking into eyes with death motivated everyone and eventually saved
everyone.

6. How does the story suggest that optimism helps to endure “the direst stress”?
Ans: Optimism helps us to view even the direst situations through a positive lens. It helps us
overcome all the difficulties that life throws at us. Optimism helps especially when we are stuck
in troubled waters and helps us get out of it, more courageous and stronger. It raises our spirits
and keeps us working hard consistently. The family, despite being struck in storm and in a
wrecked ship did not lose hope and tried their best to survive. Mary steered the ship through the
storm during the critical hours whereas Larry and Herbie maintained their calm and remained
optimistic even under the stressful situation. His seven-year daughter tried to make the best out
of the situation they were in and did not trouble them with her head injury which took about six
minor operations to heal. The positive outlook of the kids motivated the narrator. His final
decision to steer the ship a course of 185 degrees saved them. The family stayed together and
survived the storm by reaching Ile Amsterdam by the evening.

What difference did you 0notice between the reaction of the adults and the children when
faced with danger?
Ans: As a human being grows, he loses faith and the mystical spark he as a kid had. They
become more practical and lead to conclusions just seeing the practical surroundings around
them. The kids on the other hand try to find magic and happiness in everything they have. The
kids and the adults behaved in opposite ways when they encountered the dire situation.
The adults lost all the hope they could muster and sensed that their end was near. The children
on the other hand were optimistic. Sue made a card despite being gravely injured and her head
swollen and bleeding. She made caricatures of Mary and the narrator.
Even the little boy of six, Jon told his dad that he was not afraid to die if they all could be
together. The optimism of the kids even inspired the elder to not give up and he asked Larry to
steer a course of 185 degrees which finally landed them on the island. The kids' optimistic
outlook even while looking into eyes with death motivated everyone and eventually saved
everyone.

6. How does the story suggest that optimism helps to endure “the direst stress”?
Ans: Optimism helps us to view even the direst situations through a positive lens. It helps us
overcome all the difficulties that life throws at us. Optimism helps especially when we are stuck
in troubled waters and helps us get out of it, more courageous and stronger. It raises our spirits
and keeps us working hard consistently. The family, despite being struck in storm and in a
wrecked ship did not lose hope and tried their best to survive. Mary steered the ship through the
storm during the critical hours whereas Larry and Herbie maintained their calm and remained
optimistic even under the stressful situation. His seven-year daughter tried to make the best out
of the situation they were in and did not trouble them with her head injury which took about six
minor operations to heal. The positive outlook of the kids motivated the narrator. His final
decision to steer the ship a course of 185 degrees saved them. The family stayed together and
survived the storm by reaching Ile Amsterdam by the evening.