Chapter 9

A MAN'S TRUE SON


A Tick the correct alternatives:

1. The gentleman gave a great feast in

(a) morning

(b) noon

(c) evening

(d) night

Answer: (c) evening


2. The thief was hiding in

(a) the hall

(b) the roof

(c) the room

(d) the toilet

Answer: (b) the roof


3. The gentleman found inside the box

(a) a diamond

(b) a pearl

(c) a gold ring

(d) a neckless

Answer: (b) a pearl


4. The thief was treated with

(a) rudeness

(b) kindness

(c) cruelty

(d) abuses

Answer:  (b) kindness

C. Answer the following questions in about 30-40 words each:

1. What was the occasion of feast in the house of the gentleman?

 Answer: The occasion was the birthday of the gentleman. He held a great feast in the evening to celebrate it and invited many of his relatives and friends to share in his happiness.


2. Who were the guests in the feast?

Answer: The guests were the gentleman’s relatives and well-wishers who had come from far and near. They had come to greet him on his birthday and brought him thoughtful gifts.


3. Why were the gifts placed in the centre of the hall?

Answer: The gifts were placed in the centre of the hall so that all the guests could see and admire them. It was a way to display the love and respect shown by the guests.


4. What strange thing did the gentleman notice after the feast was over?

Answer: After the feast, the gentleman noticed the shadow of a man’s head on the floor, which made him realize that someone was hiding in the roof. He understood that it was a thief.


5. Why did the gentleman order his servant to bring back the dishes?

Answer: The gentleman cleverly ordered the dishes back, pretending that not all guests had been served. He did this to invite the thief down without frightening or confronting him directly.


6. What was in the box brought by the stranger on the gentleman's birthday?

Answer: The box brought by the stranger contained a precious pearl, which was worth a great deal of money. It was a token of gratitude for the gentleman’s past kindness.


7. Why was the gentleman unable to recognise the stranger?

Answer: The gentleman was unable to recognize the stranger because his eyesight had grown dim with age. Also, he had only seen the thief from afar years ago and did not know his name.


8. Who was the stranger?

Answer: The stranger was the same man who had once hidden in the roof of the house as a thief. He had reformed his life after receiving kindness from the gentleman and had become wealthy.


9. What did the gentleman give to the thief?

Answer: The gentleman treated the thief like any other guest and served him dinner with courtesy. Before he left, the gentleman gifted him a valuable present along with a bag of coins.


D. Answer the following questions in about 60 words each:

1.How did the gentleman recognise the stranger?

Answer: The gentleman could not recognize the stranger by sight because his eyesight had become weak. However, when the stranger spoke gently and reminded him of the night he was found hiding in the roof, the gentleman remembered the incident. The stranger's words and story helped him recall the kindness he had shown to the thief long ago.


2. How did the kindness of the gentleman influence the life of the thief?

Answer: The gentleman’s unexpected kindness deeply touched the thief’s heart. Instead of punishing him, he treated him with respect and generosity. This act changed the thief’s life completely—he gave up his evil ways and began to live honestly. Over the years, he worked hard, became wealthy, and continued spreading kindness, just as the gentleman had once shown him.


3. What did the gentleman say to the stranger at the end of the story?

Answer: At the end of the story, the gentleman said that although he had many sons and grandsons, none were as dear to him that night as the stranger. He felt grateful that his small act of kindness had led to many more. He called the stranger his true son and thanked him for returning to share his story.


4. "Through a little kindness which I did to you so many years ago, other acts of kindness have been born" Explain with reference to the story A Man's True Son.

Answer: This line reflects the central message of the story. The gentleman had once shown kindness to a thief by treating him with respect instead of punishing him. That simple act deeply impacted the thief, who changed his life, lived honestly, and became generous. He passed on the kindness he had received. Thus, one small deed led to many more, proving how powerful and far-reaching a single act of kindness can be.


5. Explain the title of the story 'A Man's True Son'.

Answer: The title "A Man’s True Son" symbolizes the bond formed not by blood, but by values and actions. The old gentleman felt that the reformed thief was his true son because he carried forward the spirit of kindness and humanity. Unlike his real sons, the stranger honored and multiplied the goodness shown to him. This made the old man feel a deep emotional connection, calling him his true son.