Chapter 2
THE BOY WHO LOST HIS APPETITE
Comprehension Questions and Answers
Question:1 Who was Sham, and what happened to him after his father passed away?
Answer: Sham was a rich young man who inherited all his father’s wealth when his father passed away early. He began living a luxurious life, enjoying all the comforts and riches he had acquired.
Question:2 How did Sham’s lifestyle change after inheriting wealth?
Answer: Sham started living a life of luxury. He ate rich food, stayed in bed all day, and avoided physical activity, which made him lazy and inactive.
Question:3 Despite having luxurious food, why did Sham not enjoy eating it?
Answer: Sham did not find food tasty because he lacked physical activity, effort, and appetite. His laziness and indulgence in comfort made him indifferent to the richness of his meals.
Question:4 What effect did inactivity have on Sham’s overall health and mood?
Answer: Inactivity caused Sham to lose interest in food, feel lethargic, and become disconnected from the natural satisfaction that comes from working or being active.
Question:5Why did Sham decide to take part in the hunt despite his laziness?
Answer: Although he was lazy and used to a comfortable life, Sham decided to take part in the hunt, possibly due to persuasion from friends or a sense of social participation, even though he was unprepared for physical activity.
Question:6 How did Sham struggle during the hunt, and why?
Answer: Sham struggled because he was not used to riding fast or engaging in strenuous activity. He lagged behind his friends and eventually got lost, showing his lack of physical endurance.
Question:7 How long did Sham wander in the woods, and what were his feelings?
Answer: Sham wandered in the woods for six to seven hours. He felt tired, hungry, and exhausted because he was unaccustomed to physical exertion and had not prepared for such an activity.
Question:8 Whom did Sham meet while wandering in the woods?
Answer: Sham came across a peasant’s hut while wandering and approached the peasant to ask for some food to relieve his hunger.
Question:9 How did the peasant respond to Sham’s request for food?
Answer: The peasant politely said he was poor and had only roti and dal, but he warmly welcomed Sham to share the simple meal with him.
Question:10 How did Sham react to the peasant’s simple food?
Answer: Sham was very hungry and truly enjoyed the simple food of roti and dal. He found it tastier and more satisfying than all the rich food he had been eating in his luxurious lifestyle.
Question:11 What lesson did Sham learn from eating the peasant’s food?
Answer: Sham realized that food enjoyed after physical exertion and with true hunger is far more satisfying than luxurious food eaten without effort. It taught him to appreciate simplicity and the value of effort.
Question:12 Did Sham continue to enjoy simple food after returning home?
Answer: No, after returning home to his luxurious lifestyle, Sham again found his rich food tasteless, highlighting that the pleasure of food is linked to effort and hunger.
Question:13 What question did Sham ask himself after experiencing the taste of simple food?
Answer: Sham wondered why the simple dal and roti tasted so good compared to rich food, leading him to reflect on the connection between effort, hunger, and enjoyment.
Question:14 How does the story emphasize the connection between effort and satisfaction?
Answer: The story shows that satisfaction is greater when something is earned or experienced through effort. Sham’s hunger and struggle made the simple meal delightful, unlike effortless luxury.
Question:15 What does Sham’s experience tell us about laziness and indulgence?
Answer: It shows that excessive laziness and indulgence in comfort can reduce enjoyment and appreciation of life’s basic pleasures, such as food.
Question:16 What moral lesson can be learned from Sham’s encounter with the peasant?
Answer: The moral is that simplicity and gratitude often bring more satisfaction than wealth and luxury, especially when accompanied by effort or need.
Question:16 How does hunger affect our perception of taste according to the story?
Answer: Hunger intensifies the enjoyment of food. Sham’s extreme hunger made the simple food taste delicious, whereas his satiation in luxury made rich food bland.
Question:17 Why did the peasant welcome Sham despite having very little food?
Answer: The peasant showed generosity and kindness, welcoming Sham to share his limited resources, which emphasizes human compassion and hospitality.
Question:18 How does the story portray the contrast between rich and poor lifestyles?
Answer: The story contrasts Sham’s luxurious but unfulfilling lifestyle with the peasant’s simple but satisfying and generous way of life, showing that wealth does not guarantee happiness.
Question:19 What is the significance of Sham getting lost in the woods?
Answer: Getting lost symbolizes the consequences of Sham’s inactivity and unpreparedness. It forces him to experience hardship and leads to a lesson in appreciation and humility.
Question:20 How does physical activity relate to the enjoyment of food in the story?
Answer: Physical activity increases appetite and makes food taste better. Sham’s exertion during the hunt heightened his hunger and made the peasant’s simple meal extremely enjoyable.
Question:21 What does Sham’s reaction to the peasant’s food reveal about human nature?
Answer: It reveals that humans naturally appreciate what they earn or work for, and that struggle or effort enhances gratitude and pleasure.
Question:22 How did Sham show gratitude to the peasant?
Answer: Sham thanked the peasant sincerely for his hospitality and the food he provided, showing respect and recognition for the peasant’s generosity.
Question:23 What does the story suggest about the importance of humility?
Answer: The story suggests that humility allows one to appreciate simple joys, respect others regardless of social status, and gain valuable life lessons.
Question:24 How does Sham’s experience reflect the idea of “earning one’s reward”?
Answer: Sham earned the enjoyment of his meal through physical exertion and need. This demonstrates that rewards feel more satisfying when they are earned or accompanied by effort.
Question:25 How does the story contrast taste perception in different circumstances?
Answer: The story contrasts Sham’s enjoyment of food when hungry and after effort versus his indifference when food is plentiful and effortless, highlighting context’s effect on perception.
Question:26 Why does the story suggest that simplicity is sometimes better than luxury?
Answer: Simplicity offers satisfaction, gratitude, and genuine enjoyment that luxury may not provide when it is taken for granted or indulged in excessively.
Question:27 What role does hunger play in Sham’s transformation?
Answer: Hunger awakens Sham’s appreciation for basic sustenance, teaching him that effort and need are essential for truly valuing life’s pleasures.
Question:28 How does the author use the peasant character to teach a moral lesson?
Answer: The peasant’s generosity and simple lifestyle serve as a contrast to Sham’s luxury, demonstrating that kindness and simplicity bring true satisfaction.
Question:29 What could Sham have done differently to continue enjoying food at home?
Answer: Sham could have engaged in physical activity, worked for his meals, or maintained a balanced lifestyle to preserve his appetite and enjoyment.
Question:30 How does the story show the relationship between effort and gratitude?
Answer: The story shows that effort, such as exertion during hunting or experiencing need, enhances gratitude and appreciation for what one receives, like Sham feeling grateful for the simple meal.
Question:31 How does Sham’s experience illustrate the proverb “Hunger is the best sauce”?
Answer: Sham’s hunger after wandering and exerting himself made the simple roti and dal taste delicious, perfectly illustrating that need makes even simple food satisfying.
Question:32 What does the story teach about the importance of experiencing hardships?
Answer: Experiencing hardships teaches appreciation, humility, and the value of effort, as Sham learned by wandering, getting lost, and finally enjoying the peasant’s food.
Question:33 How does the story emphasize moral virtues such as gratitude and humility?
Answer: Sham’s gratitude to the peasant and reflection on his lifestyle highlight the virtues of being thankful and humble, regardless of wealth or status.
Question:34 How does the narrative connect physical activity to mental and emotional satisfaction?
Answer: Physical activity like hunting stimulated Sham’s body, increased his appetite, and led to emotional satisfaction when he ate the simple meal, showing a link between body and mind.
Question:35 What does Sham learn about the value of food and resources?
Answer: Sham learns that food’s value is not in its richness but in the effort required to earn or enjoy it, and that simple resources can provide immense satisfaction if appreciated properly.
Question:36 How could this story serve as a lesson for people today?
Answer: The story teaches modern readers to appreciate simplicity, value effort, avoid laziness, and recognize that wealth alone does not guarantee happiness or fulfillment.
Question:37 How does Sham’s return to his old lifestyle affect him after his realization?
Answer: Returning to a life of luxury makes the food tasteless again, showing that without effort or physical activity, he cannot recapture the joy he experienced with the simple meal.
Question:38 What is the significance of the author describing the roti and dal as “more delicious than rich food”?
Answer: It highlights that context, hunger, and appreciation affect satisfaction more than the material quality of food, emphasizing the moral lesson of simplicity.
Question:39 Summarize the main moral of Sham’s story.
Answer: The main moral is that effort, need, and humility enhance enjoyment and gratitude. Simple pleasures often bring more satisfaction than luxurious indulgence, and true appreciation comes from experience and struggle.
Answer by Mrinmoee
