Chapter 7

                                                   A Pact with the Sun



Short Questions and Answers

  1. Who saw the approaching sunrays?
    Answer:
    Saeeda.

  2. How did Saeeda react when she saw the sunrays?
    Answer:
    Her heart leapt with joy and she shouted for her mother to come out.

  3. What did Saeeda’s mother do when she came out?
    Answer:
    She sat on her charpoy in the courtyard, reclining against bolsters.

  4. How long did Saeeda’s mother sit in the sun?
    Answer:
    For an hour.

  5. How did Saeeda’s mother feel after feeling the sun and fresh air?
    Answer:
    She felt as if she were in a new world.

  6. How did Saeeda’s mother’s face change after the sunlight?
    Answer:
    Though pale, her face glowed and her eyes shone bright.

  7. What did Saeeda do when she saw her mother enjoying the sunlight?
    Answer:
    She was bathed in sunlight herself, and her mother kissed her.

  8. What natural elements did Saeeda’s mother notice in the morning air?
    Answer:
    The fragrance from nearby flowers and birds singing new tunes.

  9. Did Saeeda’s mother feel better immediately after the sunlight?
    Answer:
    Yes, she felt better already.

  10. Is Saeeda’s mother fully recovered now?
    Answer:
    Yes.

  11. Does she still follow the doctor’s advice?
    Answer:
    Yes, she continues to sit in sunlight and breathe fresh air every day.

  12. How often does she sit in the sun now?
    Answer:
    For an hour every day.

  13. What did the sunrays bring to Saeeda’s mother?
    Answer:
    Warmth, light, and a sense of renewal.

  14. What emotion filled Saeeda’s mother’s eyes when she first saw the sun?
    Answer:
    Tears of gratitude.

  15. What did Saeeda’s mother realize about sunlight and fresh air?
    Answer:
    That they were essential for her health and well-being.

  16. How did the morning environment appear to Saeeda’s mother?
    Answer:
    Full of new fragrance, bird songs, and life.

  17. How long had it been since Saeeda’s mother felt the sun?
    Answer:
    Months.

  18. What role did the child, Saeeda, play in her mother’s recovery?
    Answer:
    She communicated with the sunrays and encouraged her mother to go out.

  19. What object did Saeeda’s mother sit on in the courtyard?
    Answer:
    Her charpoy.

  20. Who is the author of the story?
    Answer:
    Zakir Husain (translated from Urdu and slightly modified).


Long Questions and Answers

  1. Describe Saeeda’s reaction when she saw the sunrays approaching.
    Answer:
    Saeeda’s heart leapt with joy, and she shouted to her mother to come out and enjoy the sunlight.

  2. How did Saeeda’s mother feel when she first experienced the sunlight and fresh air?
    Answer:
    She felt as if she were in a new world, with glowing eyes and a renewed sense of life.

  3. What changes were observed in Saeeda’s mother’s appearance after sitting in the sun?
    Answer:
    Though her face was pale, it glowed and her eyes shone bright, showing signs of recovery.

  4. How did Saeeda participate in the sunlight experience?
    Answer:
    She was bathed in sunlight along with her mother, sharing the warmth and brightness.

  5. What natural aspects enhanced Saeeda’s mother’s mood that morning?
    Answer:
    The fragrance of flowers and the birds singing new tunes contributed to her sense of rejuvenation.

  6. How long had Saeeda’s mother been deprived of sunlight before this incident?
    Answer:
    She had been deprived of sunlight for months.

  7. What role did the doctor’s advice play in her recovery?
    Answer:
    The doctor’s advice to have an hour of sunlight and fresh air daily significantly contributed to her full recovery.

  8. How does the story illustrate the importance of sunlight and fresh air?
    Answer:
    By showing how Saeeda’s mother regained her health, vitality, and mood after following the doctor’s advice.

  9. What emotions did Saeeda’s mother display upon seeing her daughter in the sun?
    Answer:
    Gratitude and love, as she kissed Saeeda and appreciated her presence.

  10. How did the morning environment contribute to the overall atmosphere of recovery?
    Answer:
    The sunlight, fresh air, bird songs, and flower fragrance created a cheerful, healing, and rejuvenating environment.

  11. Why did Saeeda shout to her mother?
    Answer:
    To inform her that the sun was shining and to encourage her to enjoy its warmth.

  12. How did the charpoy help Saeeda’s mother during her sun exposure?
    Answer:
    It provided a comfortable seat for her to relax while reclining against bolsters.

  13. What lesson does the story teach about following medical advice?
    Answer:
    Following proper medical advice, including natural remedies like sunlight and fresh air, can lead to recovery even after prolonged illness.

  14. How does the story combine elements of nature and human effort in healing?
    Answer:
    The story shows how sunlight and fresh air (nature) combined with determination (human effort) restore health.

  15. How did Saeeda’s mother express her gratitude for the sunrays?
    Answer:
    She shed tears of gratitude and felt renewed energy and joy.

  16. In what ways did the story portray the child’s influence on adults?
    Answer:
    Saeeda’s belief and communication with the sun motivated her mother to follow instructions and regain her health.

  17. How is the morning described when Saeeda’s mother finally sits in the sun?
    Answer:
    The morning is depicted with sunlight, fresh air, fragrance from flowers, and birds singing, creating a rejuvenating scene.

  18. Why is Saeeda’s mother still following the doctor’s advice even after full recovery?
    Answer:
    To maintain her health and continue enjoying the benefits of sunlight and fresh air daily.

  19. How does the story convey hope and healing through simple natural elements?
    Answer:
    The story shows that exposure to sunlight and fresh air, combined with care and patience, can restore health and bring joy.

  20. Summarize the ending of “A Pact with the Sun.”
    Answer:
    Saeeda’s mother fully recovers with the help of sunlight, fresh air, and the child’s faith; she continues to follow the doctor’s advice daily, and nature’s role in her healing is highlighted, symbolizing hope and rejuvenation.

Answer by Mrinmoee