Chapter 2
The Friendly Mongoose
1. Describe the family in the story The Friendly Mongoose.
Answer: The story describes a farmer, his wife, and their small baby son living in a village. They loved their child very much and wanted to ensure that he would not grow up lonely. The family lived a simple life, depending on farming for their livelihood. Their affection for the child led them to think of keeping a pet for companionship.
2. Why did the farmer decide to bring a pet into the house?
Answer: The farmer felt that when his son grew up, he would need a companion and a friend to play with. Since the parents would be busy with their work, a pet would provide company and emotional support to the child. This thought motivated the farmer to bring a pet into the house.
3. Why was a mongoose chosen as a pet?
Answer: A mongoose was chosen because it is known to be loyal, friendly, and capable of protecting its surroundings from snakes. The farmer believed that the mongoose would grow up alongside the child and become his close companion and protector.
4. Describe the growth of the mongoose and the baby.
Answer: Within five or six months, the mongoose grew into a full-sized, lovely animal with shining black eyes and a bushy tail. On the other hand, the farmer’s son was still a baby, sleeping and crying in his cradle. Despite the difference in growth, they shared a friendly bond.
5. Why did the farmer’s wife feel uneasy about leaving the baby with the mongoose?
Answer: The farmer’s wife feared that the mongoose, being an animal, might harm the baby. Her motherly instincts made her cautious, and she was worried about the baby’s safety in her absence.
6. How did the farmer respond to his wife’s fears?
Answer: The farmer dismissed his wife’s fears and reassured her by saying that the mongoose was gentle and friendly. He believed that the mongoose and the baby were best friends and that there was no danger at all.
7. What circumstances led both parents to leave the baby alone?
Answer: The farmer’s wife went to the market to buy groceries, while the farmer stepped out to look at his fields. On his way back, he met some friends and got delayed, unknowingly leaving the baby alone with the mongoose.
8. What did the farmer’s wife see when she returned home?
Answer: When she returned, she saw the mongoose sitting at the entrance of the house with blood smeared on its face and paws. This shocking sight immediately alarmed her.
9. What conclusion did the farmer’s wife jump to on seeing the mongoose?
Answer: Without thinking, she assumed that the blood belonged to her baby and that the mongoose had killed her child. Her fear turned into anger instantly.
10. Why was the farmer’s wife’s action described as hasty and rash?
Answer: Her action was hasty and rash because she did not verify the situation or check on her baby. Acting blindly in anger, she struck the mongoose without knowing the truth.
11. How did the farmer’s wife kill the mongoose?
Answer: She lifted the heavy basket full of groceries and brought it down with all her strength on the mongoose, killing it instantly.
12. What did the farmer’s wife discover inside the house?
Answer: Inside the house, she found her baby sleeping peacefully in the cradle. On the floor lay a black snake, torn and bleeding.
13. What had actually happened in the house?
Answer: A poisonous snake had entered the house to attack the baby. The loyal mongoose fought bravely with the snake and killed it to save the child.
14. How did the farmer’s wife realize her mistake?
Answer: Seeing the dead snake and the safe baby made her understand that the blood on the mongoose was not her baby’s but the snake’s.
15. How did the farmer’s wife express her repentance?
Answer: She cried bitterly, touched the mongoose, and spoke in grief, regretting her foolish action. Her tears showed deep remorse and guilt.
16. Why was the mongoose called “friendly”?
Answer: The mongoose was called friendly because it was loyal, loving, and protective toward the family, especially the baby.
17. What message does the story convey?
Answer: The story teaches that one should never act in anger or jump to conclusions without knowing the truth. Hasty decisions often lead to irreversible regret.
18. How does the story highlight the danger of anger?
Answer: The farmer’s wife’s anger blinded her judgment, causing her to kill the innocent mongoose. This shows how anger can destroy wisdom.
19. Do you think the farmer’s wife was evil? Why or why not?
Answer: No, she was not evil. She was a loving mother whose fear for her child overpowered her reason. Her regret proves her good nature.
20. What role does misunderstanding play in the story?
Answer: Misunderstanding is the central cause of tragedy in the story. A wrong assumption led to the death of a loyal animal.
21. How does the story emphasize loyalty?
Answer: The mongoose showed extreme loyalty by risking its life to protect the baby from a deadly snake.
22. Why is patience important according to the story?
Answer: Patience allows us to think clearly and avoid mistakes. The lack of patience caused irreversible loss in the story.
23. How could the tragedy have been avoided?
Answer: If the farmer’s wife had checked the cradle first or waited to understand the situation, the mongoose would have survived.
24. What qualities of the mongoose impressed you most?
Answer: Its bravery, loyalty, and selfless love impressed me the most.
25. What lesson does the story teach parents?
Answer: Parents should remain calm and rational even in emotional situations and not let fear control their actions.
26. How does the story show the bond between humans and animals?
Answer: The mongoose treated the baby like its own, showing deep emotional bonding.
27. Why is the story considered a moral tale?
Answer: Because it teaches ethical values like patience, trust, and careful judgment.
28. How does the ending affect the reader?
Answer: The tragic ending leaves the reader saddened and reflective about the consequences of impulsive behavior.
29. Do you think animals can be loyal companions?
Answer: Yes, animals can be extremely loyal, as shown by the mongoose’s sacrifice.
30. What does the snake symbolize in the story?
Answer: The snake symbolizes danger and hidden threats in life.
31. What does the mongoose symbolize?
Answer: The mongoose symbolizes loyalty, courage, and innocent sacrifice.
32. Why is the story relevant today?
Answer: Even today, people act hastily without knowing facts, leading to regretful outcomes.
33. How does fear influence decision-making in the story?
Answer: Fear overpowered logic and led to a tragic mistake.
34. What would you have done if you were in the farmer’s wife’s place?
Answer: I would first check on the baby before reacting.
35. What emotions does the story evoke?
Answer: The story evokes sympathy, sadness, and regret.
36. How does the story teach responsibility?
Answer: It teaches us to be responsible for our actions and decisions.
37. What role does trust play in the story?
Answer: Lack of trust in the mongoose led to tragedy.
38. How is repentance portrayed?
Answer: Through the farmer’s wife’s tears and sorrowful realization.
39. What moral advice does the story give?
Answer: “Think before you act.”
40. Write the central theme of The Friendly Mongoose.
Answer: The central theme of the story is that rash actions taken without understanding the situation can lead to irreversible loss and lifelong regret.
Answer by Mrinmoee
