Chapter- 4.2 The Storyteller
1. Q: Who was Bertha?
A: Bertha was a very good girl who had won three medals for goodness.
2. Q: Why was Bertha in the park?
A: She was given permission as a reward for her goodness.
3. Q: Why did the wolf come into the park?
A: The wolf came looking for something to eat.
4. Q: How did Bertha try to save herself?
A: She hid in a bush near her.
5. Q: What gave Bertha away?
A: The clinking sound of her three medals gave her away.
6. Q: How did Bertha meet her end?
A: The wolf dashed into the bush, dragged her out, and devoured her.
7. Q: What was left after the wolf ate Bertha?
A: Only her shoes, bits of clothing, and her three medals.
8. Q: How did the smaller girl react to the story’s ending?
A: She said the story had a beautiful ending.
9. Q: What did the bigger girl say about the story?
A: She said it was the most beautiful story she had ever heard.
10. Q: What did Cyril say about the story?
A: He said it was the only beautiful story he had ever heard.
11. Q: Who disagreed with the children’s opinion?
A: The aunt expressed a dissentient opinion.
12. Q: What did the aunt call the story?
A: She called it a “most improper story” for young children.
13. Q: Why did the aunt think the story was improper?
A: Because it undermined years of her careful teaching.
14. Q: What did the bachelor say he managed to do for ten minutes?
A: He kept the children quiet for ten minutes.
15. Q: Why was this impressive?
A: Because the aunt could not keep them quiet earlier.
16. Q: What did the bachelor think the children would do later?
A: He believed they would pester their aunt for more improper stories.
17. Q: What word is used to describe the aunt’s opinion?
A: “Dissentient,” meaning not agreeing.
18. Q: What does the word “assail” mean in the story?
A: It means to attack.
19. Q: Where was the bachelor going when he told the story?
A: He was travelling in a train carriage.
20. Q: Why did the bachelor invent this kind of story?
A: To keep the children quiet and occupied.
21. Q: What annoyed the aunt during the journey?
A: The children were noisy and restless.
22. Q: Why did the aunt first disapprove of the bachelor’s presence?
A: She thought he would influence the children wrongly.
23. Q: What did the bachelor use to make the story interesting?
A: Unexpected twists, such as the wolf finding Bertha by her medals.
24. Q: What rewarded Bertha originally?
A: Her behaviour and goodness.
25. Q: How did Bertha’s goodness ironically cause her death?
A: The medals she earned for goodness made noise and exposed her.
26. Q: What message did the bachelor jokingly convey to the aunt?
A: That her methods failed to control the children, but his succeeded.
27. Q: What did the bachelor think about the aunt afterwards?
A: He felt pity for her future—children would trouble her for more such stories.
28. Q: What did the children enjoy most about the story?
A: The unexpected and dramatic ending.
29. Q: What does the story mainly criticize?
A: Conventional, moralistic, boring storytelling for children.
30. Q: What is the theme shown through Bertha’s fate?
A: Blind goodness does not always protect; life can be unpredictable.
Answer by Dimpee Bora
