Chapter 9

                                                The Child’s Return -1


1. Who is Raicharan and how did he come to the master’s house?

Answer: Raicharan is a servant who joined his master’s house when he was only twelve years old. He was brought into the family to serve and take care of household duties.

2. What responsibility was given to Raicharan at a young age?

Answer: He was given the responsibility of looking after his master Anukul when Anukul was a small child.

3. How did Raicharan’s relationship with Anukul change over time?

Answer: Raicharan first cared for Anukul as a child, but later Anukul grew up, went to school, college, became a judge, and Raicharan remained his faithful servant throughout.

4. What change happened in Anukul’s life later?

Answer: Anukul got married and started a new family life, which changed the household situation for Raicharan.

5. Why did Raicharan feel he had two masters?

Answer: After Anukul’s marriage, Raicharan had to serve both Anukul and his wife, so he felt he had two masters instead of one.

6. How did Raicharan treat Anukul’s son when he was born?

Answer: Raicharan loved the child deeply, played with him, and took care of him with great affection and joy.

7. How did the child react to Raicharan’s care?

Answer: The child trusted Raicharan completely and enjoyed playing with him.

8. What did Raicharan predict about the child’s future?

Answer: Raicharan said that the child would become a judge one day because of his cleverness.

9. Why was Raicharan’s happiness great when the child started walking?

Answer: He was extremely happy because he felt proud of the child’s growth and development.

10. How did Raicharan entertain the child?

Answer: He entertained the child by playing games, acting like a horse, and allowing the child to win pretend fights.

11. What gifts did Anukul bring for his son?

Answer: Anukul brought a go-cart, a yellow silk coat, a gold cap, and gold ornaments for his son.

12. How did Raicharan feel about these gifts?

Answer: He felt proud and joyful to dress the child in beautiful clothes and take him out.

13. What natural event is described in the story?

Answer: The rainy season is described, with heavy rain causing floods in rivers and fields.

14. How is the river described in the story?

Answer: The river is described as a hungry snake that spreads over villages, roads, and fields.

15. Where did Raicharan take the child one afternoon?

Answer: He took the child to the rice fields near the river bank.

16. What did the child see near the river?

Answer: The child saw a Kadamba tree full of flowers and became interested in it.

17. What did the child ask Raicharan for?

Answer: The child asked for the flowers, pointing at the Kadamba tree.

18. Why did Raicharan hesitate to go to the tree?

Answer: He hesitated because the path was muddy and dangerous near the river.

19. What excuse did Raicharan make to avoid going to the tree?

Answer: He pretended to see a bird to distract the child.

20. What did Raicharan finally decide?

Answer: He decided to go and fetch the flowers while asking the child to stay in the cart.

21. What warning did Raicharan give the child?

Answer: He warned the child not to go near the water.

22. What did the child do when Raicharan left?

Answer: The child got out of the cart and moved toward the river.

23. Why did the child go towards the river?

Answer: The child was attracted by the flowing water and the sounds of the river.

24. What did Raicharan find when he returned?

Answer: He found the cart empty and the child missing.

25. How did Raicharan react when he could not find the child?

Answer: He became shocked, cried out in fear, and searched everywhere in panic.

26. What did Raicharan shout after losing the child?

Answer: He shouted “Master! Little Master!” in deep sorrow.

27. How did the river react to the tragedy?

Answer: The river kept flowing silently as if nothing had happened.

28. What did the villagers do after hearing about the missing child?

Answer: They searched the area with lamps, looking for the child everywhere.

29. What suspicion arose about the child’s disappearance?

Answer: Some suspected gypsies, while others even suspected Raicharan.

30. How did the child’s mother react emotionally?

Answer: She became desperate, crying and begging Raicharan to return her child.

Answer by Mrinmoee