Chapter 15
The Girl With Crutches
Questions and Answers: Sabra Tarannum
1. Who is Sabra Tarannum and how did she first meet the narrator?
Answer: Sabra Tarannum is a young girl affected by polio since the age of three, which left her unable to use her right leg. She first met the narrator when she arrived at his office with her mother, seeking admission to his school, standing on crutches and politely asking for a chance to study.
2. How did the narrator react when he first saw Sabra?
Answer: The narrator observed Sabra’s sweet and innocent face, her shortened right leg, and her use of crutches. He responded with kindness and attention, asking her name and politely offering to help both her and her mother.
3. Why was Sabra’s mother worried about her education?
Answer: Sabra’s mother worried because her daughter was physically challenged due to polio. She feared that Sabra might struggle to keep up with her classmates and could feel left out, and she was concerned that others might see her as a burden.
4. How did the narrator respond to Sabra’s mother’s concerns?
Answer:The narrator comforted Sabra’s mother by saying that Sabra was not unfortunate or a burden. He described her as a child with special needs and assured that the school would offer the necessary facilities to support her learning with other students.
5. How did Sabra react when the narrator agreed to admit her?
Answer: Sabra breathed a sigh of relief when the narrator accepted her admission. She felt joyful and encouraged, knowing she now had the opportunity to study in a regular school despite her disability.
6. Who is Manju Madam and what role did she play in Sabra’s admission?
Answer: Manju Madam, a school staff member, interviewed Sabra to assess her abilities and decide the suitable class for her. After the evaluation, she recommended that Sabra be admitted directly into class six.
7. What qualities did Sabra show as a student in the school?
Answer: Sabra emerged as an exemplary student. She performed well academically, became well-liked by her classmates, and showcased her talents in singing and painting. Despite her physical challenges, she demonstrated intelligence, determination, and a positive outlook.
8. How did the narrator inspire Sabra to overcome her limitations?
Answer: The narrator told Sabra about the achievements of well-known physically challenged people such as Helen Keller, Louis Braille, Stephen Hawking, and Sudha Chandran. These stories encouraged her and gave her confidence that she too could succeed despite her disability.
9. Why did Sabra feel sad when she saw other children playing games?
Answer: Sabra felt a little sad and self-pitying when she watched other children play energetic games like Kabaddi or Kith-Kith at lunch. She became aware that her physical disability stopped her from joining in these activities.
10. How did the narrator help Sabra deal with her feelings of limitation?
Answer: The narrator motivated Sabra by sharing stories of successful individuals who had disabilities. These examples boosted her confidence and inspired her to concentrate on her abilities instead of dwelling on what she couldn’t do.
11. How did Sabra’s life change after joining the school?
Answer: After joining the school, Sabra thrived both academically and creatively. She earned respect and friendship from her classmates, nurtured her skills in singing and painting, and became more confident. The supportive school environment helped her grow and succeed.
12. Who are some of the famous physically challenged people mentioned in the story?
Answer: The story refers to Helen Keller, Louis Braille, Milton, Homer, Stephen Hawking, Surdas, Ravindra Jain, and Sudha Chandran as notable individuals who accomplished remarkable success despite facing physical challenges.
13. How does the story challenge the perception of physically disabled individuals?
Answer: The story illustrates that having a physical disability does not make someone less valuable or a burden. Sabra’s achievements, determination, and the examples of other accomplished individuals prove that people with disabilities can succeed and make significant contributions to society.
14. How did Sabra’s determination play a role in her success?
Answer: Sabra’s strong determination enabled her to overcome the challenges of her physical disability. By insisting on attending school, dedicating herself to her studies, and developing her talents in arts and singing, she showed that perseverance is essential for achieving success.
15. What role does encouragement play in Sabra’s journey?
Answer: Encouragement from the narrator and teachers was crucial in Sabra’s growth. Supportive words and inspiring stories boosted her confidence and motivated her to work hard and achieve excellence.
16. How did Sabra surprise the narrator later in life?
Answer: Years later, when the narrator was hospitalized after an accident, he was astonished to see Sabra there as a doctor. She had overcome her physical disability with the help of Jaipur Limbs and achieved professional success, walking independently without crutches.
17. What does Sabra’s story teach about overcoming adversity?
Answer: Sabra’s story shows that challenges can be overcome through determination, support, and encouragement. Despite her physical limitations, she pursued her education, honed her talents, and achieved success, proving that perseverance can triumph over adversity.
18. How did Sabra contribute to society as an adult?
Answer:As an adult, Sabra worked as a doctor, helping and inspiring her patients. She overcame her own challenges and made a meaningful contribution to the community through her professional and compassionate work.
19. What is Jaipur Limbs and how did it help Sabra?
Answer: Jaipur Limbs is an organization that supplies artificial limbs to people with physical disabilities. With their assistance, Sabra was able to walk unaided, manage her daily tasks independently, and pursue a successful professional career.
20. What moral lesson can be drawn from Sabra’s story?
Answer: The story teaches that a physical disability does not prevent success. With determination, encouragement, and proper support, individuals can accomplish remarkable achievements. It highlights the importance of perseverance, hope, and self-confidence.
21. How does the narrator’s attitude contribute to Sabra’s confidence?
Answer: The narrator showed Sabra respect, kindness, and fairness. By recognizing her abilities and admitting her with the necessary support, he enhanced her self-esteem and encouraged her to believe in her potential to succeed.
22. Why was Sabra considered a child with special needs rather than handicapped?
Answer: Sabra was described as a child with special needs because this term emphasizes her abilities and the support she requires, rather than her limitations. It focuses on helping her succeed instead of labeling her as a burden.
23. How does the story inspire teachers and society?
Answer: The story motivates teachers to approach physically challenged students with understanding and respect, ensuring they have opportunities to develop. It also urges society to recognize and appreciate the abilities of differently-abled individuals instead of concentrating on their limitations.
24. What role did education play in transforming Sabra’s life?
Answer: Education gave Sabra the knowledge, skills, and confidence necessary for success. It allowed her to explore her talents, grow professionally, and overcome both the social and physical obstacles created by her disability.
25. How did Sabra’s success affect her mother’s perception?
Answer:Sabra’s accomplishments convinced her mother that she was not a burden but a capable and talented child. Her success showed that with proper support and encouragement, children with disabilities can excel and bring pride to their families.
26. How does the story highlight the importance of motivation?
Answer: The story emphasizes motivation through the narrator’s support and the inspiring examples of famous individuals with disabilities. It shows that encouragement and guidance can help a person recognize their potential and successfully face challenges.
27. Why is Sabra’s story considered inspirational?
Answer: Sabra’s story inspires because it demonstrates how a child with physical challenges can overcome obstacles, excel academically and professionally, and motivate others. It underscores the importance of determination, perseverance, and a positive mindset.
28. How does the narrator address societal prejudices in the story?
Answer: The narrator confronts societal biases by seeing Sabra as a capable and talented student, not as a burden. He highlights that children with disabilities can be intelligent and successful, helping to change prevailing misconceptions.
29. What qualities made Sabra a popular student in school?
Answer: Sabra became well-liked because of her intelligence, talent in singing and painting, diligence, and kindness. Her determination, positive attitude, and active participation in school activities earned her the admiration of her classmates.
30. How does the story show the role of empathy in teaching?
Answer: The story highlights empathy in teaching through the narrator’s understanding of Sabra’s circumstances, attentiveness to her mother’s worries, and provision of encouragement and support. This caring approach made Sabra feel respected, valued, and motivated to succeed.
31. How did Sabra’s experience in school prepare her for adulthood?
Answer: Sabra’s school experience equipped her with education, social skills, and chances to nurture her talents. It built her confidence, taught her important skills, and laid the groundwork for her future career as a doctor.
32. How did Sabra’s achievements challenge the idea of a “burden” in society?
Answer: Sabra’s accomplishments in school and later as a doctor demonstrated that individuals with physical challenges can make meaningful contributions. Her success dispelled the notion that such people are burdens, proving they are capable of remarkable achievements.
33. What is the significance of the stories of Helen Keller, Stephen Hawking, and Sudha Chandran in the text?
Answer: The stories of Helen Keller, Stephen Hawking, and Sudha Chandran illustrate how individuals can succeed despite physical challenges. They inspired Sabra, helping her realize that her limitations did not determine her potential.
34. How did the narrator ensure that Sabra could keep pace with other students?
Answer: The narrator assured that Sabra would receive special support and facilities at school. He also placed her in a class appropriate to her abilities, enabling her to learn effectively and progress alongside her classmates.
35. How does Sabra’s story demonstrate the importance of self-belief?
Answer:Sabra’s persistence in going to school, her dedication to excelling in academics and her talents, and her ultimate achievement as a doctor show that having confidence in oneself is crucial for overcoming obstacles and reaching one’s goals.
36. How does the story highlight the role of assistive technology?
Answer: The story showcases assistive technology through Jaipur Limbs, which supplied Sabra with an artificial limb. This support allowed her to walk independently and pursue her profession, demonstrating how technology can empower individuals with physical challenges.
37. How did Sabra’s teacher and the narrator play complementary roles in her growth?
Answer: The narrator offered motivation, guidance, and admission, while Manju Madam assessed Sabra’s skills and placed her in the appropriate class. Their combined support created a nurturing environment that helped Sabra excel both academically and socially.
38. What lesson does the story teach about social inclusion?
Answer: The story emphasizes that children with special needs should be welcomed into regular educational and social activities. Such inclusion fosters their growth, boosts confidence, and allows them to contribute meaningfully, overcoming societal prejudices.
39. How does the story emphasize that physical disability does not limit talent?
Answer: Sabra achieved excellence in academics, singing, and painting despite her physical disability. This demonstrates that talent is not constrained by physical limitations and can thrive when nurtured with support and opportunities.
40. How does the story inspire readers to change their mindset about disability?
Answer: The story encourages readers to see physically challenged individuals as capable and talented. It highlights the importance of empathy, support, inclusion, and encouragement, demonstrating that with these, people can overcome obstacles and achieve remarkable success.
Answer by Mrinmoee
