THE BIRD OF HAPPINESS
SUPPLEMENTARY READER CHAPTER 4
KARNATAKA CLASS 10 ENGLISH SOLUTIONS
ANSWER THE
FOLLOWING QUESTIONS
1) Will I ever make it”? Why did Wangjia feel so?
Ans:
In the first part of the journey, Wangjia faced very
hard difficulties. The smooth road had changed into a wide scree, and every
stone on it was as sharp as a knife. After the first hundred miles, the soles
of Wangjia’s boots were torn by the stones; after the second hundred miles, his
feet were badly cut; and after the third hundred miles, his hands were badly
injured. Because the journey was so hard, Wangjia had moments of doubt and
wondered if he would ever reach his goal.
2) What hardships did Wangjia undergo on his way to find the Bird?
Ans: Wangjia’s journey had three parts, and in
each part, his difficulties grew. In the first part, when Wangjia refused the
first monster’s order to kill Lousang’s mother, the smooth road became wide
scree, and every stone was sharp like a knife. After the first hundred miles,
the soles of his boots were torn by the stones; after the next hundred miles,
his feet were badly cut; and after the third hundred miles, his hands were
shredded. Because the journey was so hard, Wangjia sometimes doubted if he would
succeed.
In
the second part, when Wangjia refused the second monster’s order to poison old
Silong, the monster blew away his bread-bag and changed the blue mountains and
green rivers into a vast desert with no food. Wangjia walked 300 miles without
eating, with his head spinning and sharp pain in his stomach, as if cut by
knives.
The
last part of the journey was even worse. When Wangjia refused the third
monster’s order to take Bhima’s eyeballs, the monster gouged out his eyes. He
had to continue the journey blind, feeling his way with hands on the ground.
Still, he went bravely in the direction of the sun, believing the bird must be
there. Wangjia did all this because he kept his promise and remembered his
people’s hope that he would bring back the bird of happiness.
3) What changes came over Wangjia as the Bird of
Happiness caressed him?
Ans:
As soon as the Bird of Happiness touched Wangjia
gently, his eyes went back into their sockets, and he could see more clearly
than before. All his injuries were healed, and he felt stronger than ever. In
this way, magical changes happened to Wangjia when the Bird of Happiness
touched him.
4) Wangjia was face to face with three monsters.
Each monster had his own wish. Wangjia too had a wish. What contrast do you
draw between the wishes of the monster and the wish of Wangjia? What does the
folktale suggest with this contrast?
Ans: The first monster asked Wangjia to kill Lousang’s mother. Wangjia refused, saying he loved his mother and would never kill someone else’s mother. The second monster asked Wangjia to poison old Silong. Again, Wangjia said no. He told the monster that he loved his own grandpa and would not harm another’s grandfather. The third monster wanted Wangjia to take Bhima’s eyes to see the Bird of Happiness. Again, Wangjia refused, saying no one should harm a girl’s beautiful eyes. So, Wangjia rejected every evil wish of the monsters. If the monsters show the destructive side of the world, Wangjia shows the constructive spirit. The story teaches that when one stands for good and what is right, many obstacles appear. But with strong character and firm belief, one can face all hardships and reach the goal.
5) Read paragraph 1 and paragraph 28 and 29. What do you understand
from them about the meaning of real happiness?
Ans: The lesson clearly shows that when a person
is blessed by nature, they will feel happy. Happiness is not shown as having
material wealth. In the first paragraph, it is told that the poor people in
Tibet suffered from hunger and cold because the place had no rivers or good
land, no warmth or fresh flowers, no trees or green grass. In paragraphs 28 and
29, Wangjia asks for warmth and happiness, forests and flowers, fields and
rivers.
In
paragraph 29, the Bird of Happiness gave three cries. With the first cry, the
golden sun broke through the clouds, and a warm breeze came from the sky. At
the second cry, long stretches of forest appeared over the mountains; mountain
peach and other flowers bloomed, and thrushes and larks sang together. At the
third cry, green rivers and fields came into view, and little white rabbits
danced happily on the grass. After this, it is told that the people of the
place never faced hardships again. From all this, it is clear that happiness
means being blessed by nature to enjoy its beauty and pleasures.
6) What do you like the most in the story? Support
your answer by giving reasons.
Ans:
We like Wangjia the most in the story. He was very
young to take such a big risk. We admire his selfless hard work. He did an
important task for the good of his people. He faced many difficulties during
his task. He did not worry about his own life. Working for others is truly a
noble act. Everyone will respect and value his work.
7) Why did none
of the people who went in search of the Bird of Happiness return?
Ans:
The Bird of Happiness was guarded by three monsters that could kill a man by
simply blowing through their long beards. They made the journey too tough for
the people.
8) What
sustained Wangjia in the second phase of the journey?
Ans:
When Wangjia had nothing to eat, he went to a river, drank plenty of water and
continued on his way and continued with determination.
9) What did the
old folk of Tibet say about happiness?
Ans:
The old folk used to say that happiness was a beautiful bird. It lived far
away, on a snowy mountain in the east. Wherever the bird flew, happiness went
with it. The bird was said to be guarded by three monsters.
10) Why did
Wangjia decide not to go back?
Ans:
Though the journey was very tough, Wangjia decided not to go back. He knew that
the people at home were waiting for him to bring back happiness.
11) What was the result of Wangjia’s journey to find
the bird of happiness?
Ans:
Wangjia managed to do what no one else from his
village could do. He was able to find the Bird of Happiness. He also brought
the bird back to his village with him. Since the bird spread happiness wherever
it went, he was able to make his people happy.
12) If the monsters are designated to guard the Bird
of Happiness, why are they so cruel when the bird itself is so gentle?
Ans:
The three monsters gave Wangjia three tests to see
if he would kill or harm others for his own benefit. The monsters created
hardships to check if Wangjia would easily give up his goal. Since Wangjia passed
all the tests from the three monsters, he was allowed to see the Bird of
Happiness. So, the monsters were really a trick used by the Bird of Happiness
to know if Wangjia truly wanted to help his people.
13) How did, the bird of happiness relieve the poor
people of their hardships?
Ans:
Wangjia asked the Bird of Happiness for warmth and
joy, forests and flowers, fields and rivers. Standing on the mountain top, the
bird gave three loud cries. At the first cry, the golden sun shone through the
clouds, and a warm breeze came down. At the second cry, long stretches of
forest appeared across the mountains. Mountain peach and other flowers bloomed,
and thrushes and larks sang together. At the third cry, green rivers and fields
appeared, and little white rabbits danced happily on the grass. The people, who
had suffered hunger and cold all year, were finally free from their hardships.
14) Read the
story. Discuss with your partner and fill in the table given below.
Ans:
|
Monster’s |
Wangjia’s
answer/ actions |
|
|
First
Monster |
To
kill Lousang’s mother. |
He
loved his mother and he never killed other person mothers. |
|
Second
Monster |
To
poison old gaffer long. |
He
was fond of his grandpa and he never killed other man’s. |
|
Third
Monster |
To
bring Bhima’s eyeballs. |
No
one has the right to destroy a girl’s pretty eyes. He never gouges Bhima’s
eyes. |
15) We want to
lead a happy life. What according to you can make us happy? Some ways are
suggested below. Think about whether they are practicable or impracticable.
Discuss and Write them under the two columns appropriately.
a. working hard to satisfy everybody’s wants.
b. giving up all selfish desires.
c. striking a balance between selfishness and sacrifice.
d. working together for the good of all
e. leading a simple, contented life
f. devoting sometime of the day for the good of others.
Ans:
|
Practicable |
Impracticable |
|
(d)
Working together for the good of all (e) Leading
a simple contented life. (f)
Devoting sometime of the day for the good of others |
a) working
hard to satisfy everybody’s wants b)
giving up all selfish desires. c) striking
a balance between selfishness and sacrifice. |
SUMMARY
Everyone
in the world wants to be happy. But how to get happiness is not easy to answer.
The author tells a Tibetan folktale called The Bird of Happiness. Long ago, there was a poor
area in Tibet. People there suffered from hunger and cold. There were no rivers,
no trees, no green grass, no crops, no fruits, no flowers, and no vegetables.
The land was bad, and the people did not know what happiness was. Still, they
believed happiness must exist somewhere. According to the old folk, happiness
was a beautiful bird living on a snowy mountain far in the east. Wherever the
bird flew, happiness went with it. The bird was guarded by three old monsters
who could kill a person by blowing through their long beards. People sent to
find the bird never returned.
One
very brave boy, Wangjia, was chosen to find the Bird of Happiness. Following
Tibetan custom, village girls offered barley and wine, and village mothers
spread barley grains on his head to wish him a safe journey. Wangjia started
traveling east. After many days, he reached a tall snowy mountain that
glittered like silver. Suddenly, a black-bearded monster appeared. The giant
monster asked who he was and why he dared to step on the land. Wangjia said he
had come to find the Bird of Happiness. The monster told him to kill Lousang’s mother
or face punishment. Wangjia refused, saying he loved his mother and would not
kill another’s mother. The monster became angry and blew through his beard.
Instantly, the smooth road turned into a land full of sharp stones.
Wangjia
continued his journey. After the first hundred miles, his boot soles were torn;
after the second hundred, his feet were badly cut; and after the third hundred,
his hands were shredded. He felt it was very hard to go on and doubted himself.
But he remembered his people’s trust and decided to continue. He crawled on the
ground, his clothes torn and knees and shoulders hurt. Finally, he met the
second monster.
The second monster ordered
Wangjia to poison old Silong or die of hunger. Wangjia refused. In rage, the
monster blew through his beard, and Wangjia’s bread bag flew away. The
mountains and rivers turned into a desert with no food. Wangjia walked three
hundred miles without eating. His stomach hurt sharply, his www.educsector.com
head
spun, and he saw stars. He reached the third monster, old with a white beard.
The
monster ordered Wangjia to bring Bhima’s eyeballs to see the bird. Wangjia
refused, saying no one could destroy a girl’s eyes. The monster blew through
his beard, and Wangjia’s eyes jumped out. Blind, he continued toward the rising
sun, crawling nine hundred miles and climbing the snowy peak. Then he heard the
Bird of Happiness.
The
bird said, “My child, have you come for me?” Wangjia replied, “Yes, I have. Our
people want to see you. Please come with me.” The bird touched Wangjia, sang
for him, and his eyes returned. His vision became stronger, and his wounds
healed. The bird offered dried meat and cream cake and carried Wangjia back to
his village.
The
bird asked what Wangjia wanted. He said warmth, happiness, forests, flowers,
rivers, and fields. The Bird of Happiness cried three times. At the first cry,
the golden sun shone and a warm breeze came. At the second cry, forests
appeared, flowers bloomed, and larks sang. At the third cry, green rivers and
fields appeared, and white rabbits danced on the grass. From that day, the
people of the village never suffered from hunger or cold again.
.jpg)
0 Comments
Please do not enter any spam link in comment box