Chapter- 3.4 How the First Letter was Written
1. Question: Who is the author of the story?
Answer: The story is written by Rudyard Kipling.
2. Question: What is the title of the original story?
Answer: The original story is “How the First Letter Was Written.”
3. Question: Who drew the picture that caused the misunderstanding?
Answer: Taffy (Taffimai Metallumai) drew the picture.
4. Question: Why did Taffy draw the picture?
Answer: She drew the picture to explain to the Stranger-man that her father, Tegumai, needed help repairing his spear.
5. Question: Whom did Taffy show the picture to?
Answer: She showed the picture to the Neolithic ladies sitting on the Stranger-man.
6. Question: What did Taffy draw incorrectly about her father?
Answer: She drew Tegumai with a broken arm, which was not true.
7. Question: What did the spear sticking into Tegumai’s back represent in the drawing?
Answer: It was her careless drawing, but it looked as if Tegumai was wounded.
8. Question: Why do the Neolithic ladies get shocked?
Answer: They misunderstood Taffy’s picture and believed that Tegumai was being attacked by enemies.
9. Question: What did the Stranger-man think about the picture?
Answer: He believed it was a warning message showing that Tegumai was in danger.
10. Question: Why does the Stranger-man misinterpret the drawing?
Answer: Because Taffy’s drawing was unclear, and he could not understand her language.
11. Question: Who were actually shown as “a whole pack of people” in the picture?
Answer: They were Taffy’s beavers, but they looked like people.
12. Question: Why is the picture considered humorous?
Answer: Because Taffy’s childish drawing created completely wrong meanings.
13. Question: What kind of spear problem does Tegumai originally face?
Answer: Tegumai’s spear is broken while hunting.
14. Question: How would you describe Taffy?
Answer: She is creative, loving, but careless in drawing details.
15. Question: Why does Tegumai not understand the confusion?
Answer: He does not know the Stranger-man has misunderstood the drawing.
16. Question: How does the story show the importance of communication?
Answer: It shows that unclear communication can cause big misunderstandings.
17. Question: What is meant by “Neolithic ladies”?
Answer: Women belonging to the Stone Age era in the story.
18. Question: Why are the Neolithic ladies described as sitting “patiently”?
Answer: They are carefully listening and observing the picture.
19. Question: How does Kipling create humour in the story?
Answer: Through exaggerated misunderstandings and childlike illustrations.
20. Question: What is the Stranger-man’s attitude in the story?
Answer: He is polite, innocent, and eager to help.
21. Question: Why is the Stranger-man called “ignorant” in the workshop question?
Answer: Because he does not understand Taffy’s language or drawing.
22. Question: What does Taffy want from the Stranger-man?
Answer: She wants him to fetch help to repair Tegumai’s spear.
23. Question: Why do the women panic after seeing the drawing?
Answer: They believe Tegumai is being attacked by many enemies.
24. Question: What does “colloquial style” mean in the story?
Answer: The story is written in an informal, conversational way.
25. Question: What expression shows the storyteller addresses the audience directly?
Answer: “O Best Beloved” is used to speak directly to the reader.
26. Question: How does Taffy show she loves her father?
Answer: She tries to help him by sending a message.
27. Question: Why is the scene described as “shocking” by Taffy?
Answer: Because her drawing looks dramatic and confusing.
28. Question: What is the main reason for the confusion in the story?
Answer: Taffy’s drawing is misinterpreted by the Stranger-man and the villagers.
29. Question: What lesson can be learned from the story?
Answer: Clear communication is important to avoid misunderstandings.
30. Question: Why is the story enjoyable for young readers?
Answer: It is funny, imaginative, and filled with lively characters.
Answer by Dimpee Bora
