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Adventures in English
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Joys of Reading
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Business English
1. Write the story Of "Yudhishthira's wisdom" from the point of View of the yaksha.
Ans: - I am Yama, the
heavenly father of Yudhisthira, the pandav of Mahabharata. It is the story
related to the time when the pandavas were in exile. I had to test the wisdom
of my son. If in any way it had been eroded due to problems of life. I turned
myself a Yaksha and wanted for the chance, in the forest where they, the
pandava were is exile, in hiding.
It was a very hot day,
and the pandavas were chasing a deer. They all become very thirsty and sat
under the shade of a tree to reset. The youngest Pandav, sahadev, was gone to
look for water. After searching for sometime, he came near the pond which I had
impanted. I kept watch there, in a vanished condition. When he wanted to drink
water from there, I stopped him and asked him to first answer my questions. He
did not see me, he only heard my voice. So he thought that the sound was
perhaps mistake of his ears. He ignored my warning and tried to drink water. I
made him unconscious.
For very long, when
Sahadeva did not return, Nakula was sent. He also came near my pond, and had to
face the same result. In this same way Arjuna and Bhima also had the same
consequence. Finally Yudhisthira himself came, but he chose to answer the
questions first before drinking water. He was also sad seeing his four younger
brothers lying in that condition. I started asking him question like,
"what made the sun shine: what is man's surest weapon against danger etc.
He answered the questions difficult question, to test his wisdom. I Offered him
in the life of one of his brothers back, for the wise answers he had given, I
thought he might demand bhima or Arjuna back, who were very strong fighters,
and who would help him in future fight of Mahabharata(Kurukshetra). But to my
surprise, he demanded the life of Nakula or Sahadeva. I was surprised, and
asked the reason for it .His answer was full with wisdom. He said that
righteousness and truth was the only weapon with a man. Other things are of no
use without them. Since him, a son of Kunti was alive, so it was only justified
that a son of his step-mother, Madri, should also be alive (Nakula &
Sahadeva were Madri's son).
I was very impressed
by his wisdom. So, firstly, I exposed myself and then restored the
consciousness of all the four pandavas. After that i gave them the boom of
victory and success, in future, and came back to my heavily abode, satisfied.
2.
On the basis of your reading of “The Savage Male" discusses four of the
customs of the Yanomamo people in about 150 words.
Ans:
- This anthropological writing by"Marvin Harris" is associated with a
study of the behaviors of a tribe of American Indian living at the borders of
Brazil and Venezuela. They are the example of 'the most aggressive, warlike,
and male-oriented societies in the world. They are primitive military sexists.
This study is based on certain customs followed by these people.
Physical
abuse to wife: All the Yanomamo men
physically abuse their wives. In fact, the women also grade themselves about
the love from husband, or lover, on the basis of the number of wounds and sear
there are on their body. The wives are only to submit to the orders and demands
from the husbands. This is all done for creating an "image" or
oneself as a real male.
Use
of hallucinogenic drugs: The taking of such
drugs, blowing the hallucinogenic powder into each others' nostrils etc. is
almost monopoly of the males. It is a belief that taking of this drug helps in
coming in contact with spiritual powers. The female and looked down upon as
something dirty, so they are prevented form the use of this drug.
Menstrual
blood is evil and dangerous:
When the girl has her first menses, the yanomano people lock her up inside a
specially constructed bamboo cage. She is also forced to go without food during
this period she always has to live in seclusion during her menses.
The
custom of duets between men: It is the best example of the Yanomano male chauvinist syndrome.
All fierce looking Yanomano people gather with their weapons. Men get divided
into 'host' and 'guest'. The host accuses the guest of stealing. The guest
rebound saying that the hosts have kept the best food for themselves. And there
starts the 'chest pounding' duel. A warrior from both parties come to the
center, and stands to jump and hit on the opponent's chest alternatively.
3.
Write an essay on "The value of education" by comparing and
contrasting the ideas given by Library card" and “why go to
University". Your essay should include:
(a)
Introduction
(b)
Summary of "The Library Card"
(c)
Summary of "Why go to University"
(d)
Why is education considered to be supremely valuable?
Ans: The value of
education is something about which you can go on writing so many things. It is
not something which can develop on a scale basis. The education helps people in
two ways -material and intellectual. If education is some thing which is
associated with gaining knowledge for better prospectus, then I do not prefer
it. In my opinion the real value of education is when it makes people
enlightened and removed off from the various prejudices. Education, more than
anything, makes a man understand himself more. It opens a broader spectrum for
the men. Both these aspects are dealt up in two chapters. Through, both of them
i.e.the library and the university are places of learning. They both enlighten
the people (students). But both have different means to do so. The library is a
place where a person interacts with the books, but in a University, he
interacts with people.
In the effort of
trying to know more about the white writer (Mencken) who wrote in the favor of
the blacks, and got criticisms. Mr. Richard Wright (a Negro) comes to know
about so may other writers. He knows not only the writers but also the many
other writers who have any sort of bias. He comes to learn about so many books
which seem to open the floodgates of information and new worlds that Richard
himself is amazed about how could people write so much which they have known.
This also clears the clouds of prejudices held by blacks against the writers.
But it also helps certain misconceptions held by Negros (including the writer)
to get cleared. The writer realizes the weakness of Negros themselves. He finds
the Negros themselves responsible for their condition. He realizes the bias and
exploitation between the Negros themselves. But after all it is only the
bookish knowledge that Richard gets. He does not get the real feel of human
nature.
But in contrast of it,
we have the University. There we get the real encounter with people. We come in
contact with so many people of so many ethnicity, language, class, culture etc.
It is an open book where one makes analysis and understanding on real basis. In
this regard the writer has suggested many points as to why to go to University.
The University education enhances our chances of career development by way of
promotion and sop increasing income and social standings. It teaches us
rational and scientific thinking, tolerance, open-mindedness, and the attitude
of questioning established ideas. It even helps in a hygienic and healthy
living. We come in category of learned people, so we are given value, which
only library learning may not.Education enhance our self-confidence. Like in
case of library, University education also makes us inquisitive. Education by
both ways gives us more democratic perhaps.
In this way, even
through the purpose of both- the library and the university are to give
education, but both are also different in their own ways.
4.
Apply the four levels of regarding with texts to “Marriage is a Private Affair”
Ans: - It is one of
the best short stories by ‘Chinua Achbe’. He is an Anglo-African writer, and he
has very fine understanding of the African culture. Basically, Africa is a
continent of numerous tribes. They all have their distinct cultures. It is the
story of one such tribe, the Ibo tribe.
Nnaemeka is an LBO boy
from Iboboland, who has come to Laos. And has also married nane attended from
this marriage. He had wanted his son to marry in his own tribe, and had even
chosen a girl. So he breaks all relation with Nneameka and his wife. Nnaemeka
stays back in Laos. People of his own tribe appreciated his wife. The news used
to reach Okeke, but he would not melt. After some years through, when there is letter
from Nene to Okeke, he has to melt. Nene had requested that he allow his
grandsons, who were grown up children then, and who deeply wanted. Tough, she
herself would not come due to his feelings.
This whole story
revolves around the conflict between Nnaemeka and his father, Okeke. After
coming to Laos, Nnaemeka got a new world. This world was a cosmopolitan life of
the capital. This life was very different from the life in Iboboland, the
tribal life in a secluded corner of the country. This life changed his
personality also. He become more opens minded and less traditional. He thought
that ‘Marriage was a private affair’ between the only two people involved in
it. But Okeke was not convinced with this new generation thought. He was still
traditional and he had deep with his roots. His thinking was that the final
decision about the marriage of the son or daughter should be in the hands of
the parents. This was the main reason for the conflict between them. It is a
conflict of the principles. But, after all, Okeke was grandsons. Besides, it
was also the patience that of Nnaemeka and more of Nene, which paid at the
last. But as far as marriage in Nigeria is concerned, it is not a private
affair, it seems from the story. This is truer for the rural and tribal area.
As per my own views, I
would say that marriages should be let to be a private affair, as long as
children keep the sentiments of parents. The parents should also try to
understand their children. But if they try to interface on the question of religious
and caste, I would perhaps agree with such parents.
If Not Higher
If Not Higher is a short and sweet story by I.L. Perennial.
Early every Friday morning, at the time of the Penitential Prayers, the rabbi of Nemirov would vanish.
He was nowhere to be seen - neither in the synagogue nor in the two study houses nor at a minyan. And he was certainly not at home. His door stood open: whoever wished could go in and out; no one would steal from the rabbi. But not a living creature was within.
Where could the rabbi be? Where should he be? In heaven, no doubt. A rabbi has plenty of business to take care of just before the Days of Awe. Jews, God bless them, need livelihood, peace, health, and good matches. They want to be pious and good, but our sins are so great, and Satan of the thousand eyes watches the whole earth from one end to the other. What he sees, he reports; he denounces, informs. Who can help us if not the rabbi!
That’s what the people thought.
But once a Litvak came, and he laughed. You know the Litvaks. They think little of the holy books but stuff themselves with Talmud and law. So this Litvak points to a passage in the Gamara - it sticks in your eyes - where it is written that even Moses our Teacher did not ascend to heaven during his lifetime but remained suspended two and a half feet below. Go argue with a Litvak!
So where can the rabbi be?
"That’s not my business," said the Litvak, shrugging. Yet all the while - what a Litvak can do! - He is scheming to find out.
That same night, right after the evening prayers, the Litvak steals into the rabbi’s room, slides under the rabbi’s bed, and waits. He’ll watch all night and discover where the rabbi vanishes and what he does during the Penitential Prayers.
Someone else might have gotten drowsy and fallen asleep, but a Litvak is never at a loss; he recites a whole tractate of the Talmud by heart.
At dawn he hears the call to prayers.
The rabbi has already been awake for a long time. The Litvak has heard him groaning for a whole hour.
Whoever has heard the rabbi of Nemirov groan knows how much sorrow for all Israel, how much suffering, lies in each groan. A man’s heart might break, hearing it. But a Litvak is made of iron; he listens and remains where he is. The rabbi - long life to him! - lies on the bed, and the Litvak under the bed.
Then the Litvak hears the beds in the house begin to creak; he hears people jumping out of their beds; mumbling a few Jewish words, pouring water on their fingernails, banging doors. Everyone has left. It is again quiet and dark; a bit of light from the moon shines through the shutters.
(Afterward, the Litvak admitted that when he found himself alone with the rabbi a great fear took hold of him. Goose pimples spread across his skin, and the roots of his side locks pricked him like needles. A trifle: to be alone with the rabbi at the time of the Penitential Prayers! But a Litvak is stubborn. So he quivered like a fish in water and remained where he was.)
Finally the rabbi - long life to him! - arises. First, he does what befits a Jew. Then he goes to the clothes closet and takes out a bundle of peasant clothes: linen trousers, high boots, a coat, a big felt hat, and a long, wide leather belt studded with brass nails. The rabbi gets dressed. From his coat pocket dangles the end of a heavy peasant rope.
The rabbi goes out, and the Litvak follows him.
On the way the rabbi stops in the kitchen, bends down, takes an ax from the bed, puts it into his belt, and leaves the house. The Litvak trembles but continues to follow.
The hushed dread of the Days of Awe hangs over the dark streets. Every once in a while a cry rises from some minyan reciting the Penitential Prayers, or from a sickbed. The rabbi hugs the sides of the streets, keeping to the shade of the houses. He glides from house to house and the Litvak after him. The Litvak hears the sound of his heartbeats mingling with the sound of the rabbi’s heavy steps. But he keeps on going and follows the rabbi to the outskirts of town.
A small wood stands just outside the town.
The rabbi - long life to him! - enters the wood. He takes thirty or forty steps and stops by a small tree. The Litvak, overcome with amazement, watches the rabbi take the ax out of his belt and strike the tree. He hears the tree creak and fall. The rabbi chops the tree into logs and the logs into sticks. Then he makes a bundle of the wood and ties it with the rope in his pocket. He puts the bundle of wood on his back, shoves the ax back into his belt, and returns to the town.
He stops at a back street besides a small, broken-down shack and knocks at the window.
"Who is there?" asks a frightened voice. The Litvaks recognizes it as the voice of a sick Jewish woman.
"I" answers the rabbi in the accent of a peasant.
"Who is I?"
Again the rabbi answers in Russian. "Vassil."
"Who is Vassil, and what do you want?"
"I have wood to sell, very cheap." And not waiting for the woman’s reply, he goes into the house.
The Litvak steals in after him. In the gray light of early morning he sees a poor room with broken, miserable furnishings. A sick woman, wrapped in rags, lies on the bed. She complains bitterly, "Buy? How can I buy? Where will a poor widow get money?"
"I’ll lend it to you," answers the supposed Vassil. "It’s only six cents."
"And how will I ever pay you back?" asks the poor woman, groaning.
"Foolish one," says the rabbi reproachfully. "See, you are a poor, sick Jew, and I am ready to trust you with a little wood. I am sure you’ll pay. While you, you have such a great and mighty God and you don’t trust him for six cents."
"And who will kindle the fire?" asks the widow? "Have I the strength to get up? My son is at work."
"I’ll kindle the fire," answers the rabbi.
As the rabbi puts the wood into the oven he recited, in a groan, the first portion of the Penitential Prayers.
As he kindled the fire and the wood burned brightly, he recited, a bit more joyously, the second portion of the Penitential Prayers. When the fire was set, he recited the third portion, and then shut the stove.
The Litvak who saw all this became a disciple of the rabbi.
And ever after, when another disciple tells how the rabbi of Nemirov ascends to heaven at the time of the Penitential Prayers, the Litvak does not laugh. He only adds quietly, "If not higher."
6. Apply the four levels of interacting the text to "If Not Higher".
If Not Higher is a short and sweet story by I.L. Perennial.
Early every Friday morning, at the time of the Penitential Prayers, the rabbi of Nemirov would vanish.
He was nowhere to be seen - neither in the synagogue nor in the two study houses nor at a minyan. And he was certainly not at home. His door stood open: whoever wished could go in and out; no one would steal from the rabbi. But not a living creature was within.
Where could the rabbi be? Where should he be? In heaven, no doubt. A rabbi has plenty of business to take care of just before the Days of Awe. Jews, God bless them, need livelihood, peace, health, and good matches. They want to be pious and good, but our sins are so great, and Satan of the thousand eyes watches the whole earth from one end to the other. What he sees, he reports; he denounces, informs. Who can help us if not the rabbi!
That’s what the people thought.
But once a Litvak came, and he laughed. You know the Litvaks. They think little of the holy books but stuff themselves with Talmud and law. So this Litvak points to a passage in the Gamara - it sticks in your eyes - where it is written that even Moses our Teacher did not ascend to heaven during his lifetime but remained suspended two and a half feet below. Go argue with a Litvak!
So where can the rabbi be?
"That’s not my business," said the Litvak, shrugging. Yet all the while - what a Litvak can do! - He is scheming to find out.
That same night, right after the evening prayers, the Litvak steals into the rabbi’s room, slides under the rabbi’s bed, and waits. He’ll watch all night and discover where the rabbi vanishes and what he does during the Penitential Prayers.
Someone else might have gotten drowsy and fallen asleep, but a Litvak is never at a loss; he recites a whole tractate of the Talmud by heart.
At dawn he hears the call to prayers.
The rabbi has already been awake for a long time. The Litvak has heard him groaning for a whole hour.
Whoever has heard the rabbi of Nemirov groan knows how much sorrow for all Israel, how much suffering, lies in each groan. A man’s heart might break, hearing it. But a Litvak is made of iron; he listens and remains where he is. The rabbi - long life to him! - lies on the bed, and the Litvak under the bed.
Then the Litvak hears the beds in the house begin to creak; he hears people jumping out of their beds; mumbling a few Jewish words, pouring water on their fingernails, banging doors. Everyone has left. It is again quiet and dark; a bit of light from the moon shines through the shutters.
(Afterward, the Litvak admitted that when he found himself alone with the rabbi a great fear took hold of him. Goose pimples spread across his skin, and the roots of his side locks pricked him like needles. A trifle: to be alone with the rabbi at the time of the Penitential Prayers! But a Litvak is stubborn. So he quivered like a fish in water and remained where he was.)
Finally the rabbi - long life to him! - arises. First, he does what befits a Jew. Then he goes to the clothes closet and takes out a bundle of peasant clothes: linen trousers, high boots, a coat, a big felt hat, and a long, wide leather belt studded with brass nails. The rabbi gets dressed. From his coat pocket dangles the end of a heavy peasant rope.
The rabbi goes out, and the Litvak follows him.
On the way the rabbi stops in the kitchen, bends down, takes an ax from the bed, puts it into his belt, and leaves the house. The Litvak trembles but continues to follow.
The hushed dread of the Days of Awe hangs over the dark streets. Every once in a while a cry rises from some minyan reciting the Penitential Prayers, or from a sickbed. The rabbi hugs the sides of the streets, keeping to the shade of the houses. He glides from house to house and the Litvak after him. The Litvak hears the sound of his heartbeats mingling with the sound of the rabbi’s heavy steps. But he keeps on going and follows the rabbi to the outskirts of town.
A small wood stands just outside the town.
The rabbi - long life to him! - enters the wood. He takes thirty or forty steps and stops by a small tree. The Litvak, overcome with amazement, watches the rabbi take the ax out of his belt and strike the tree. He hears the tree creak and fall. The rabbi chops the tree into logs and the logs into sticks. Then he makes a bundle of the wood and ties it with the rope in his pocket. He puts the bundle of wood on his back, shoves the ax back into his belt, and returns to the town.
He stops at a back street besides a small, broken-down shack and knocks at the window.
"Who is there?" asks a frightened voice. The Litvaks recognizes it as the voice of a sick Jewish woman.
"I" answers the rabbi in the accent of a peasant.
"Who is I?"
Again the rabbi answers in Russian. "Vassil."
"Who is Vassil, and what do you want?"
"I have wood to sell, very cheap." And not waiting for the woman’s reply, he goes into the house.
The Litvak steals in after him. In the gray light of early morning he sees a poor room with broken, miserable furnishings. A sick woman, wrapped in rags, lies on the bed. She complains bitterly, "Buy? How can I buy? Where will a poor widow get money?"
"I’ll lend it to you," answers the supposed Vassil. "It’s only six cents."
"And how will I ever pay you back?" asks the poor woman, groaning.
"Foolish one," says the rabbi reproachfully. "See, you are a poor, sick Jew, and I am ready to trust you with a little wood. I am sure you’ll pay. While you, you have such a great and mighty God and you don’t trust him for six cents."
"And who will kindle the fire?" asks the widow? "Have I the strength to get up? My son is at work."
"I’ll kindle the fire," answers the rabbi.
As the rabbi puts the wood into the oven he recited, in a groan, the first portion of the Penitential Prayers.
As he kindled the fire and the wood burned brightly, he recited, a bit more joyously, the second portion of the Penitential Prayers. When the fire was set, he recited the third portion, and then shut the stove.
The Litvak who saw all this became a disciple of the rabbi.
And ever after, when another disciple tells how the rabbi of Nemirov ascends to heaven at the time of the Penitential Prayers, the Litvak does not laugh. He only adds quietly, "If not higher."
6. Apply the four levels of interacting the text to "If Not Higher".
Ans:- Literal
comprehension: Early Every Friday morning at a time of penitential
prayers, the rabbi of Nimirov would vanish .He was no where to be seen. Other
People were of the opinion that during the prayers, he would go to heaven while
the litvak did not believe that openly. In order to find out the whereabouts of
the rabbi, the litvak managed him to go secretly to his room on the eve of the
penitential prayers and hid under the bed. Early morning when others were
praying for the people of Israel, the rabbi disguised himself as a peasant and
left the house. After sometimes, he went to the nearby forest and cut the
firewood and made a bundle of firewood. He, then, entered the house of poor
Jewish women and persuaded her to buy the firewood but she did not buy as she
was poor, than, he gave the firewood and candled the fire to her, He than
started reciting the different portions of penitential prayers. Having seen
such humanistic deeds of the rabbi, the litvak was deeply moved and from that
time onwards, he becomes his disciple.
Interpretation: This story may be trying to tell us that doing
goods deeds on earth may be a more exalted activity than doing God's will in
heaven. Besides that, this story also focuses on the humanitarian activities
that make a person great and noble. To do good deeds on this earth is a great
reward on another world. Only by doing prayer god is not happy rather god becomes
happy in doing humanitarian deeds and helping the needy people as the rabbi has
done in the story.
Critical
thinking: This story sounds
highly idealistic as it delivers the moral lessons. In this selfish and
materialistic world, no one will get the virtuous character like the rabbi in
the story. The rabbi like people becomes simply laughing stock in the modern
society. Any way, the story is good to deliver the moral lessons.
6.
Summarize the plot of "If Not Higher" in one sentence.
Ans: - The rabbi of Nimirov
happened to disguise himself as a peasant during the penitential prayers, the
festival of Jews, and went to help the needy people, however, general people
would think that he would go the heaven during the prayers but the litvak
identified the reality of the rabbi by his skeptical nature.
Greek Legend
1.
Summarize the story. “The Sword of Damocles” In a single Paragraph.
Ans.:- Dionysius, the
strict ruler of strict, was well hated and always feared his death. He liked
the company of learned men but also had many flatterers in the court. Damocles,
a great flatterer always praised the happiness and gift of King Dionysius. Fed
up with this, One day Dionysius decided to teach him a lesson and informed that
Damocles would be the king and everyone would pay him respect as a king.
Dressed in King’s clothes and crown, he was made to sit on the throne. At
first, In spite of some awkwardness, he began to enjoy the post but suddenly,
while looking upward, he saw naked sword hanging by a hair over his head. In great
fear of his life, he could not enjoy anything. Then the ceremony is ended and
he learned a great lesson.
Literal
comprehension: - Dionysius was the
king of Sicily in the 4th century B.C. He has both famous and tyrannical. He was
surrounded by intelligent courtiers as well as flatterers. Among the flatterers
was a foolish courtier called Damocles. He was always lauding talking very
highly and praising the king. He aired lout his opinion of the king being the
happiest person in the king being the happiest person in the world and he sat
upon the throne of Sicily. However, Dionysius was not deceived by such
Flattered. To amuse himself Dionysius told Damocles that he could sit on the
throne the next day during the banquet and know how a king feels.
So the next day,
Damocles was clothed in royal hobs and was told by the king to wear a golden
crown and sit on the throne during the banquet. Damocles sat down on the throne
wearing rich silk clothes with the crown on his head. At first he enjoyed the
newly gained status, but after a while his head became heavy because of the
crown. He was treated like a king, every dish of food to be tasted before it
was served to him. To make sure that it was not poisoned. At first Damocles
liked being in this position but suddenly his spirits were dampened he looked
up and got the sock of his life just above his head was a sword hanging upon a
single strand of hair. If the slender hair hrock, the sword would kill him
instantly Damocles immediately wanted to get down prom the throne, but
Dionysius ordered him to remain where he was throughout the banquet Damocles
was terror-sinker as he felt the sword would fall upon his head and take away
his life. Paralyzed with fear he could not eat his food to sit on the throne
then became an unpleasant experience. He only kept looking at the hanging sword
after several hours. The banquet ended and he was more than happy to remove the
crown form his head and get down from the throne and become an ordinary
subject.
Interpretation: - The writer may be telling us that a high position has its
risks and dangers boundless and wealth and power does not always being
happiness and satisfaction. Damocles was a coward who pared for his life.
Critical thinking: - This may be an imaginary story. It is absurd of king to
allow al common man to sit upon his throne. King Dionysius was playing a cruel
joke by a hanging a sword above Damocles head. Flatterers praise people but
their words are empty devoid of meaning.
Assimilation: - this story teaches us that we should not be deceived by
flatterers and it also makes it clear that to hold high power and greatness.
One must be strong and full of courage.
1.
A: - Summarize the story. "Phaedo”.
PHAEDO
Word meaning
Execute –मृत्युदण्ड दिनु
Hemlock- विषालु वनस्पति
Execution – मृत्युदण्ड
Coincidence – संयोग
Two characters Phaedo
and Echecrates were having discussion about the last moment of Socrates. Phaedo
was a devoted disciple of Socrates. He was present there at the last moment of
Socrates death; he gave the following description to Echecrates.
Socrates had been
accused of misleading the youth a causing them to hold free opinions. After the
trial he had not been immediately executed (punishment of death) because there
was a tradition in Greece to send ship to Delos in the name of Apollo and due
to this incidence the execution was postponed, after the ship from Delos will
arrive, he would be executed.
When the ship was
arrived, on that all Socrates’ friends and relatives had come to the prison.
The day had been passed in conversation as was his way in prison and out. After
the long philosophical discussion about soul, Socrates went and took a bath. He
sent all his family members home. Then the Jailer came to him by weeping in and
said that Socrates had to drink poison that day. He cried and went away;
Socrates didn’t afraid he praised that men and sent one of his men to bring the
poison. When Crito said that his master could drink it a little later, Socrates
replied that he would make himself ridiculous in his eyes. It was better not to
stick to life if he did not give him anything. Socrates took the cup of hemlock
and swallowed in one breath. Than his friends began to weep and he stopped
them. The poison was creeping up to his heart. His last words were to his
friends Crito, asking him to offer a cock to the healing god, Asclepius,
Asclepius is the Greek
god of Medicine, and an offering would typically to make to thank the god for
curing a disease, Socrates suggestion in his dying words is that he has been
cured of the disease that is life, and should therefore be thankful to
Asclepius. For as long as we are alive our soul is tempted and distracted by
the flesh. Only thorough death can our soul achieve that release that “cures”
if these ills.
2.
What is the main theme of the story, “The Sword of Damocles.”
Ans. :- People may
think that people in power and high position lead a happy life without any
tension and trouble but it is not so. The life of king, prince and emperor seem
quite happy on the surface level but they too have to undergo with great
tension and trouble at times. No doubt, high position has its own charms and
glory it has its own risk. It is better to look into the things rather than at
the things to know the reality of anything
The
Brave little Parrot
1. Apply the four
levels of interacting the text to the story, “The Brave Little Parrot”.
Ans.:-
Literal
Comprehension: Long ago, the Buddha
was born as a little Parrot. The forest in which he lived was caught with fire
and the animals began to run away very desperately in order to find safety. By
seeing the plight of the animals the parrot decided to help them. He, then
darted (gone) to the river, dipped himself in the water, and flew back over the
raging (danki raheko) fire and sprinkled some drops of water but they vanished
very easily. The parrot did the same thing time and time again. By seeing such
hopeless activities of the parrot one of the gods was deeply moved. The god,
then, disguised himself in the form of eagle and approached (came near) the
parrot. The god advised him to save his life as he could do nothing to put out
the fire. The parrot replied by saying that he needed help not the advise. Now,
the god in the form of eagle was ashamed, and began to shed tears in such tears
in such a way that the fire was extinguished very soon. Hence, all the animals
in the forest were saved.
Interpretation:- This story may be trying to tell us that one
should selflessly help those who are in need of help. Selflessly help those who
are in need of help. Selflessly helping others is reward in itself. Beside
that, this story is also trying to convey the message that to help other during
the crisis is serving the god. This story is full of moral lessons.
Critical
Thinking:- The story is a little
farfetched and gets one thinking of the possibility of such events. They really
gods or Deva? However. These are parables of pables with moral lessons, so its
purpose may be justified.
Assimilation: - After
reading this story. I am reminded about many Buddhist legends or jatakd tells
which a parables to show self-lessness to annihilate to destroy. I desire
becomes free from the cycle of rebirth like the Buddha.
AHAB
AND NABOTH
The
Holy Bible
Literal comprehension:
- Nabath the jezveelite had a beautiful vineyard in Samaria Ahab the king of Samaria.
Coveted (to take it forcefully) this vineyard. Which was near the palace? Ahab
offered to exchange the vineyard far another one Naboth refused to give the
vineyard saying that it was the inheritance of his far father (Inheritant
family property). Ahab felt frustrated and elepressed because he could not buy
Naboth vineyard. Ahab could neither eat nor sleep. His wife jezebel found the
cause of Ahab’s depressed mood. She told him that as he was the rural of
Samaria. He should eat well as be happy. She said that she would acquire Naboth
vineyard far him. Then she wrote letters to the elders and noble’s to proclaim
a fast a wicked palm was to set 10 sons of Belial to bear witness that Naboth
had committed blasphemy against god and the king.
So the elders proclaimed
a fast and the sons of Belial whole witness against Naboth, Saying that he had
committed the crime of blasphemy against god and the king. Punishment far
blasphenny was to stone the person to death. Naboth carried outside the city
and was stoned to death after Naboth and Death. Ahab took possession of Naboth
vineyard.
Then god sent a
message to a prophet named Elizah to go and meet Ahab the king of somaria. God
directed Elizah to tell Ahab that he had committed two sins First he had killed
Naboth and second he had taken away Naboth land. Elizah told Ahab that he would
have to pay far both his sins Ahab felt Astounded as to how quickly the word
had found out about his evil deeds. Elizah told him that the same dogs which
had licked the blood of Naboth would like his blood too.
Interpretation:-The Bible may be telling us that we will have
to pay far our sins and evil deeds because god is watching all the times known
everything.
Critical
thinking: - it was surprising
to see Ahab being greedy. He was the king of somaria and there were many pieces
of land which he could buy. He did not need to crave (to have a disive) far
Naboth vineyard. Jezebel has been characterized as a wicked queen fler action
of falsely implicating Naboth so that he could he stoned to death is
unpardonable.
The
sword of Damocles
Literal
Comprehension: - Dionysius
was the king of Sicily in the 4th century B.C. He was both famous and tyrannical (Cruelly). He was
surrounded by intelligent courtiers as well as flatters. Among the flatterers
was a foolish courtier called Damocles. He was always lauding talking very
highly and praising the king. He aired lout his opinion of the king being the
happiest person in the world and he sat upon the throne of Sicily. However,
Dionysius was not deceived by such flatterer. To amuse himself Dionysius told
Damocles that he could sit on the throne the next day during the banquet and
known how a king feels.
So the next day,
Damocles was clothed in royal robes and was told by the king to wear a golden
crown and sit on the throne during the banquet. Damocles sat down on the throne
wearing rich silk clothes with the crown on his head. At first he enjoyed the
newly gained status. But after a while his head became heavy because of the
crown. He was treated like a king, every dish of food to be tasted before it
was served to him. To make sure that it was not poisoned. At first Damocles
liked being in this position but suddenly his spirits were dampened. He looked
up and got the sock of his life just above his head was a word hanging upon a
single strand offhand. If the slender hair Brock, the word would kill him
instantly Damocles immediately wanted to get down from the throne , but
Dionysius ordered him to remain where he was thought out the banquet Damocles
was terror-strike as he felt the sword would fall upon his head and take away
his life. Paralyzed with fear, he could not eat his food to sit on the throne
then become an unpleasant experience. He only kept looking at the hanging and
word.After several hours. The banquet ended he was more than happy to remove
the crown from his head and get down from the throne and become an ordinary
subject.
Interpretation:-The writer may be telling us that a high
position has its risks and dangers boundless and health and power does not
always being happiness and satisfaction. Damocles was a crown who peared for
his life.
Critical
Thinking:-This may be an
imaginary story. It is absurd for king to allow a common man to sit upon his
throne. King Dionysius was playing a cruel joke by a hanging a sword above
Damocles head. Flatters praise people but their words are empty droid of
meaning.
Assimilation:-This story teaches us that we should not be
deceived by flatterers and it also makes it clear that to hold high power and
greatness, one must be strong and full of courage.
The
Cricket
Literal
comprehension:-
Interpretation:- The
writer way be telling us that china had and authoritatively rule in the old
days. The common people were not free and had to obey the governor and the
majistrate. The story also portrays the cruel spot of cricket frighting.
Critical
thinking: - Cricket fighting
is a cruel spot just like bear biting cock-fighting etc. because it gives
pleasure to the spectators and pain to the animals.
Assimilation: - In Nepal too people in the village indulge
in cock fighting. In japan, they still have beetle fighting these are all cruel
spots in which birds and insects die fighting.
Cloning
Cloning, the
genetically identical creation of human being or animals is called cloning.
Human being are too
curious by nature like Pandora like Pandora, they cannot control themselves by
warnings, whatever the result of their action may be, they are tempted to do it
, Research into cloning may be compared with the opening of Pandora's Box. If
handled wisely, nothing will happen. If not, we may have to face any kinds of
unpleasant thing, any kind of chaos or disorder.
If we started cloning
or making exact copies of people, it would create a lot of problems. As we know
that cloning could be blessing for sterile couple. But what our society will
accept the asexual reproduction? Sex is human being right, it is the gift of
god and we should not challenge the nature or god because these things will
take us far away from our cultural and in future it may cause some serious
problem, like rapid growth of population. Human being is proud of their unique
personality. A world where everyone looks the same would be pretty boring.
Cloning would not allow us to look unique. Then, it might lead to the creation of
genetically engineered groups of people for specific purpose, such as warfare
of slavery; thirdly, cloning could result in the introduction of additional
defects into the human gene pool. Fourthly, cloning of human is unsafe. There
are just too many unknown factors that could badly, affect the offspring. Next,
a clone may have diminished sense of individually. A clone may have fewer
rights than other people (who are not clones) moreover, doctors might
specifically aim the use of clones as sources of organs, for human organs
transplants. Following this, cloning is contrary to the traditional concept of
family life.
Our society is running
on the feet of norms and cultural and cloning can cause disturbance in this
cycle process. In some case if the couple accepts the donor eggs or sperm and
has a baby, but what their parents will accept that baby. What will happen if
that couple dies in some kind of accidents or other things who will accept that
baby? These are some serious question should be solved before applying cloning
system. We can take another example that nature had some rule and regulation in
everything so we should be careful about this.
Four
levels of Library Card
Literal Comprehension:- Context: This Piece is taken from an autobiographical novel
"The Black boy" written by Richard wright, an African American
Novelist, in the beginning of the 20th century.
Once after reading an
editorial which denounced H. L. Mencken, Richard Wright was curious to know
about Mencken. He borrowed the Library card from Mr. Falk and read two of
Mencken books. He then realized that he had so far neglected something
important in life. The world became different to him. he was able to know his
boss better. He was interested in the point of view of the writer rather than
the plots. He understood his mother's suffering. Books gave him a sense of life
itself. He could not write because he needed the very breath of life which was
beyond his reach. He did not like to talk about himself because it was too
painful. His life in the south was so conditioned that he had to do what the
whites expected of him, not what he himself wanted. To lead a free life he had
to go to the North. But he could bot tell this to the whites in his office.
Neither could he submit to the whites, nor fight against them. He had no hope
of being a professional writer after going to the North. So he was confused.
Interpretation:
- This story shows that
where there is a will there is a way. The writer had to struggle for education.
He had a sincere desire to learn, so he becomes successful in his aim. This
story also gives us a clear picture of the condition of the Negroes in the USA,
In the 1920s. Long after the end of civil war, the whites treated the blacks as
non-men. They were not allowed to use parks, playgrounds and libraries. They
were conditioned by the whites in such a way that if they were expected to
laugh they had to laugh. They were not free to be serious and to brood. They
could not think independently. They could not say that wanted lead a better
life by going to the North. It would be a challenge to the southern whites.
Critical
thinking: - We regard the USA
as the highly democratic society. Therefore we doubt if the blacks were so
unfairly treated by the whites. Were they not allowed to use the library? Was
there no compulsory high school education for them in the USA? Was it really
difficult for a black to live independently? Do people have such a great desire
for learning as the writer had?
Assimilation:
- Being a learner of English, I got a number of
suggestions and inspirations from this story. From now on i will try to guess
the meaning of a new word by reading it in its context. if i cannot guess ,
then i will look it up the dictionary. Like the writer, i was fed up with
English Grammars. Now i will try to develop my sense of English by reading
novels. More ever, i have a hidden desire to write books in Nepali, not in
English. In spite of my feelings and desires, i have become a failure, now i
have realized my weakness. I do not have a sense of life. The very breath of
life is beyond my reach. i will try to enlarge my horizon by reading a lot of
goods books. i will also be deeply involved in the life of real people. Above
all, writer's life has inspired me to go on reading even in hostile conditions.
The
great Answer
Literal
comprehension: - This is a strange and
beautiful story of w and mother and her 4 year old daughter escaped to Spain
from German occupied France. During the 2nd world war, many refugees wanted to ran away to
the USA by traveling across Spain form France, which had partly been captured
by Hitler many Jewish refugees began to flock near the Spanish boarder as the
German police followed the Nazi Armies into France. The mother wanted to get
across to Spain with her child and sail away to the USA safely. If the Gestapo
found her than her child would be throne in to a concentration camp or sent to
a gas chamber.
The Spanish border
guards did not allow the Jewish refugees to pass thorough the border. Therefore
the mother prayed to the god of Abraham Issac and Jacob for deliverance. The
next day a man form the underground told her that he was leading the party of
refugees across a difficult track over the alps mountain range in to Spain so
the mother and her daughter went to the place of Rendezvous (spending time in a
pleasure) and saw many old man, middle-aged man and young man but there were no
children. The young and middle aged man volunteered to carry the little girl
turn by turn. The group leader said that they should place faith in god and
themselves because If they turned back they would certainly face death at the
hands of German police their Journey began and some of the old man became
exhausted still the leader encourage them and told them to rest a little walk
again using their last ounce of strength 3 old man, who had helped to carry the
lady’s child, found new strength, new life and a newer world of freedom. Every
one of them crossed the border safely. Here was the great answer to the riddle
of life
Interpretation:
- The writer may be
telling us that where there is will there is way. If you have the courage even
impossible things become possible in other words courage is the surest weapon
against danger and coverage is also the great answer or the secret of freedom
if the refugees did not flick coverage to climb the alps to go into Spain they
would surely have faced death in a gas chamber of a forced labor camp there was
not turnip back and they had no choice but to move forward and they were indeed
successful life is difficult determination and hard work. The fruit is sweet.
Critical
thinking: - People pray to god
when they are in trouble or are facing difficulty just as the mother prayed to
the god of Abraham. This is only a psychological satisfaction. Besides it is
quite hypocritical because people forget god once they are safe and sound. This
seems to be only another religious story. Which relies on faith in God?
Assimilation: - This story has taught me that in times of
trouble or difficulty praying go god may help to ease our pain a little the
next thing we can do is to think about others who are facing a bigger problems
than ours. Such an out will make us more human, courageous and confident to
tackle or deal with any hardship in life.
To
His coy Mistress
Literal
Comprehension:-Andrew marvel wrote
some of the finest Meta. Physical poetry, in this poem he has expressed his
attitude towards love.
The poet is found
complaining about the limited time of youth to his beloved. If there had been
plenty of time, her shymess would not be a problem. They would sit down
together is contemplate about method to best express their love. He imagined
that she would be the side of the river Ganges in India, while he would be the
side of his river Huber in England. In love distance does not matter as long as
their feelings for each other are strong. It is natural for lovers to pine for
their love when they are far apart the poet proclaims he would love her 10 yrs
before the biblical floods and she may repuse him fill the conversion of the
Jews. Still his love her would grow gradually and would be vaster than the
vastest empires if time allowed he would appreciate her beautiful minutely by
taking 1000 yrs to praise her eyes is other features however, the poet feels
this is not possible as no one can escape times winged chariot implying that
people grew old to the passage of time. The flitting time would make his
beloved beauty vanish is make her grow old and finally she would penish the spring
of love which one enjoys during his her youth would not be the same with the
advancement of age and even if the grave provided privacy to the lovers to meet
it would be impractical and foolish to in-grace his sweet heart in the grave.
The poet is seemed imploring begging his lover to make love while they are
still young in the prime of their youth a time when everything appears
beautiful. He urges her not to languish or waste time but for unit in body is
soul to reach the point of expectancy.they cannot stop the sun, but they can at
least dip themselves in the pleasures of love.
Interpretation:
- the poet may be implying that his shy beloved
must love him before it is too late. They must make love in the prime of their
youth is the full of vitality.the poet seems to be emphasizing on the
importance of time is considers at appropriate time to be the best.This poem is
quite obscene of the 17th century the poet seems to be expressing only the physical aspect
of love. Love is celestial involving the feeling of sharing, caring,
companionship understanding and not only beauty is youth. Inspite of this poem
being classed as pornography it cannot be denied that it is a model of fine
metaphysical poetry.
Assimilation:
- After reading the poem find the misconception
of love in the fate front. A misleading idea of love with his hand care hitting
out on physical love. Another factor which strikes my mind is the concept of
time. The poet seems to emphasize on the adage that time is hide waits for no
man.
