Chapter 7
A MOTHER'S LOVE
Question:1 Where did Sita live and what was her family situation?
Answer: Sita lived in the small village of Mahua on the bank of the Punpun River. She was a poor widow and had only one son named Ratan. Despite her poverty, she loved her son deeply and wanted him to study and become a great man.
Question:2 How did Sita try to support her son’s education despite being poor?
Answer: Sita worked as a housemaid and also grew vegetables in her backyard. She used the money she earned to pay for her son Ratan’s studies. It was hard work, but she never complained because she wanted Ratan to have a good future.
Question:3 Was Ratan interested in his studies? Explain.
Answer: No, Ratan was not interested in his studies. He left school midway and showed no desire to continue learning, which made Sita very sad because all her efforts to educate him seemed wasted.
Question:4 What did Sita do to help Ratan start his career?
Answer: Sita sold some of her silver bangles to open a small shop for Ratan. This act showed her sacrifice and dedication to ensure her son could become independent and earn a living.
Question:5 How did Ratan perform in business after Sita opened the shop for him?
Answer: Ratan was naturally good at business. He sold many general items and gradually managed to save money, showing that he was capable of success when given the opportunity.
Question:6 What changes occurred in Ratan’s life after his business grew?
Answer: Once Ratan’s business grew, he got married to Bela. He became focused on his married life and gradually began to neglect his mother, Sita, even though she continued to help Bela with household work.
Question:7 How did Sita respond to Ratan neglecting her after marriage?
Answer: Despite being neglected, Sita continued to care for her family. She helped Bela with cooking, washing, and other household chores, and she doted on her grandson when he was born, showing her unconditional love and dedication.
Question:8 What natural disaster struck the village and how did it affect Ratan’s household?
Answer: A heavy flood occurred when the Punpun River overflowed. While Ratan’s house was on high land, it was still surrounded by water. The flood damaged his shop, leaked through the roof of the house, and caused great distress for the family, especially Sita.
Question:9 How was Sita affected by the flood and her health conditions at that time?
Answer: Sita’s health had been deteriorating, and the flood worsened her condition. She was shivering and coughing, left alone on a small cot outside the house while Ratan and Bela were inside, highlighting her vulnerability and the neglect she faced.
Question:10 What sight moved Ratan deeply during the flood?
Answer: Ratan was deeply moved when he saw Bela standing in the rain with their crying child, covering him with her wet sari. This reminded him of his own childhood and the care his mother had always provided, stirring feelings of guilt and love.
Question:11 How did Ratan react after witnessing Bela’s act of care for their child?
Answer: Ratan immediately went to his mother, realizing his neglect. He felt guilty and asked for her forgiveness, acknowledging that he had forgotten his duties as a son.
Question:12 What did Sita say to Ratan when he apologized?
Answer: Sita comforted Ratan, saying that a mother could never be angry with her own son. She assured him of her love and blessings, showing her forgiving and nurturing nature.
Question:13How did Bela react when she saw Ratan with Sita?
Answer: Bela’s eyes filled with tears as she saw the emotional reunion. She went near them and sat down, participating in the happy family reunion, which brought everyone closer together emotionally.
Question:14 What does the story illustrate about a mother’s love?
Answer: The story illustrates that a mother’s love is selfless, forgiving, and unconditional. Sita cared for Ratan and his family despite neglect, sacrifices, and her failing health, always prioritizing their well-being.
Question:15 Why did Ratan feel guilty about his behavior towards his mother?
Answer: Ratan felt guilty because he realized he had neglected his mother after marriage, failing to care for her health and comfort. Seeing Bela’s dedication to the child reminded him of Sita’s lifelong care, intensifying his remorse.
Question16 How did Sita support her grandson?
Answer: Sita adored her grandson, singing songs to him every day and showering him with affection, showing that her love extended to the next generation as well.
Question:17 How did the flood test the family dynamics?
Answer: The flood exposed the neglect Ratan had shown towards his mother, while also highlighting Bela’s care for their child. The crisis ultimately brought the family together, emphasizing the importance of responsibility, compassion, and family unity.
Question:18 What was Ratan’s reaction to Sita’s suffering outside in the rain?
Answer: Ratan was shocked and deeply moved when he saw his mother shivering and coughing outside. It reminded him of the sacrifices she had made for him, leading him to feel guilty and compassionate.
Question:19 How did the story portray Bela’s character?
Answer: Bela is shown as caring, responsible, and empathetic. Despite the flood and the leaking roof, she took immediate action to protect her child, showing her devotion and love for her family.
Question:20 How did the story resolve the conflict between Ratan and Sita?
Answer: The conflict was resolved through Ratan’s realization of his mistakes and his sincere apology, combined with Sita’s forgiveness. The reunion demonstrated the power of love, empathy, and family bonds.
Question:21 What sacrifices did Sita make for Ratan’s education?
Answer: Sita worked as a maid, grew vegetables, and never complained about hard labor. She even sold her silver bangles to open a shop for Ratan, sacrificing her personal comfort for his future.
Question:22 How did Ratan’s neglect affect Sita’s health?
Answer: Ratan’s neglect meant that Sita did not receive proper medical care, and her health gradually deteriorated, leaving her weak and vulnerable, especially during the flood.
Question:23 What lesson did Ratan learn from seeing Bela care for their child?
Answer: Ratan learned the value of parental love and responsibility. He realized how much his mother had sacrificed for him and understood the importance of taking care of her in return.
Question:24 How does the story show the importance of empathy?
Answer: The story shows empathy through Ratan’s change of heart when he understood Sita’s suffering, and through Bela’s immediate care for her child despite personal discomfort. Empathy strengthened the family bond.
Question:25 What role did the flood play in the story?
Answer: The flood acted as a catalyst, revealing Ratan’s neglect, testing Bela’s care, and ultimately bringing the family together through an emotional reunion. It emphasized human vulnerability and family support.
Question:26 How did Sita ensure her son had a better future despite financial difficulties?
Answer: Sita ensured Ratan’s future by working tirelessly, saving money, and investing in a small shop for him, demonstrating her foresight, sacrifice, and dedication.
Question:27 What qualities of Sita are highlighted in the story?
Answer: Sita is portrayed as selfless, caring, patient, loving, and forgiving. She prioritizes her family’s needs over her own and shows unconditional love even when neglected.
Question:28 How did Ratan and Bela show their love after realizing Sita’s care?
Answer: Ratan apologized sincerely to Sita, showing remorse and recognition of her sacrifices. Bela also joined in the emotional reunion, expressing her empathy and care, strengthening the family bond.
Question:29 How did childhood memories affect Ratan’s behavior?
Answer: Seeing Bela care for the child reminded Ratan of the love and sacrifices his mother had shown him during his own childhood. This memory triggered guilt, reflection, and ultimately a change in behavior.
Question:30 How did Sita react to Ratan’s apology?
Answer: Sita forgave Ratan immediately, expressing that a mother could never be angry with her son. She reassured him of her love and blessings, showing her forgiving and nurturing nature.
Question:31. Why did Ratan initially neglect his mother after marriage?
Answer: After marriage, Ratan focused on his wife and child, forgetting his duties towards his aging mother. He became absorbed in his new responsibilities and failed to notice her needs.
Question:32 How is the theme of familial love depicted in the story?
Answer: Familial love is depicted through Sita’s unconditional care for Ratan and his family, Bela’s concern for her child, and Ratan’s eventual realization and apology, showing how love, forgiveness, and responsibility are central to family life.
Question:33 What message does the story convey about parental sacrifices?
Answer: The story conveys that parents, especially mothers, often make countless sacrifices for their children’s well-being, education, and future without expecting anything in return.
Question:34 How did the flood intensify the emotional climax of the story?
Answer: The flood created a crisis situation that highlighted Sita’s vulnerability and Ratan’s neglect, intensifying the emotional impact of the family reunion and emphasizing the importance of care and empathy.
Question:35 How does the story show the contrast between neglect and care?
Answer: The story contrasts Ratan’s initial neglect of Sita with Bela’s attentive care for their child during the flood. This contrast serves to show the consequences of negligence and the value of compassion.
Question:36 How did Sita contribute to maintaining family harmony?
Answer: Sita contributed by forgiving Ratan, helping Bela with household work, and loving her grandson. Her patience and understanding helped maintain family unity despite challenges.
Question:37 Why did Ratan feel strange when he saw Bela in the rain with the child?
Answer: Ratan felt a strange mix of emotions because it reminded him of his own childhood care from his mother, made him realize his neglect, and stirred feelings of guilt, compassion, and love.
Question:38 What role does empathy play in resolving conflicts in the story?
Answer: Empathy allows Ratan to understand Sita’s sacrifices and Bela’s care, which leads him to apologize and reconcile. Empathy bridges misunderstandings and strengthens relationships.
Question:39 How did the story end?
Answer: The story ended with a happy family reunion. Ratan apologized to Sita, Sita forgave him, and Bela joined them with the child. The family’s love and forgiveness restored harmony and strengthened their bonds.
Question:40 What moral lessons can we learn from the story?
Answer: The story teaches the importance of respecting and caring for parents, recognizing their sacrifices, showing empathy, maintaining family unity, and valuing love, forgiveness, and responsibility in relationships.
Answer by Mrinmoee
