Chapter 3
How Daddy Decided What He Wanted to Be
1.What professions did little Daddy consider when he was a child?
Ans: Little Daddy considered many professions, including a night watchman, an ice-cream man, a car mechanic, a pilot, an actor, a clerk, a sailor, a shepherd, and even a dog. He explored each one with curiosity and imagination.
2.Why did little Daddy first want to become a night watchman?
Ans: He liked the idea of walking around the town at night while everyone slept. He thought it would be fun to make noises and explore the town while performing the watchman’s duties.
3.Why did little Daddy change his mind and want to become an ice-cream man?
Ans: He was attracted to the ice-cream man’s bright green cart and the idea of eating ice cream all day. He imagined it would be a very enjoyable and tasty way of life.
4.How did little Daddy plan to combine being a car mechanic and an ice-cream man?
Ans: He planned to sell ice cream in the morning, work at the auto workshop for a while, and return to sell ice cream in the afternoon. He even intended to park his green cart outside the workshop.
5.What other imaginative role did little Daddy try, and how did he act it out?
Ans: He decided to be a dog, running on all fours, barking at strangers, and attempting to scratch behind his ear with his foot. This showed his playful and experimental approach to learning.
6.How did the sage influence little Daddy’s understanding of life?
Ans: The sage asked whether he wanted to be a man and encouraged him to think about what it means to be a true man. This prompted little Daddy to reflect on responsibility, morality, and maturity.
7.What lesson did little Daddy learn from the sage’s question?
Ans: He realized that he was too young to fully understand what he wanted to be and that the most important goal was to become a good man first, before thinking about professions or fantasies.
8.What was little Daddy’s final answer when asked what he wanted to be?
Ans: He said he wanted to be a man, emphasizing the importance of moral values, character, and being a good human being above all else.
9.Why did little Daddy’s parents initially find his ambitions amusing?
Ans: They thought his ideas of being a dog, ice-cream man, or night watchman were childish and funny. However, they recognized he was serious in exploring his desires and allowed him to indulge his curiosity.
10.How does the story highlight the importance of imagination in childhood?
Ans: It shows that imagination helps children explore possibilities, learn creatively, and understand different roles in society. Imagination is a natural part of development that can guide learning.
11.Why did little Daddy insist on being a night watchman again when people laughed at him?
Ans: He wanted to show determination and independence. Despite ridicule, he maintained his choices and creativity, demonstrating resilience and self-confidence.
12.What does little Daddy’s attempt to act like a dog signify?
Ans: It reflects his experimental nature, willingness to learn by doing, and playful curiosity. It also illustrates how children test boundaries to understand themselves and the world.
13.Why did little Daddy feel ashamed after speaking with the sage?
Ans: He realized that he had focused on fun and fantasy instead of understanding what it truly means to be a responsible human being. The sage’s question made him introspective.
14.How does the story explain the connection between moral values and career choices?
Ans: The story conveys that no matter what profession a person chooses, the foundation should be integrity, kindness, and moral behavior. Character matters more than any specific job.
15.What role does persistence play in little Daddy’s exploration of professions?
Ans: Persistence allows him to experiment with multiple professions, analyze each option, and reflect deeply. It highlights the importance of patience and curiosity in understanding one’s goals.
16.What does the story teach about the growth from childhood to maturity?
Ans: It teaches that children often explore fantasies and ambitions, but with guidance, reflection, and learning, they develop maturity, self-awareness, and moral understanding.
17.How did little Daddy plan to manage multiple jobs simultaneously?
Ans: He devised a schedule to sell ice cream in the mornings and afternoons while working as a car mechanic during the day, showing early planning and problem-solving skills.
18.Why is being “a good man” considered more important than any profession in the story?
Ans: The story emphasizes that moral integrity and character are the foundation of a meaningful life, and no profession can substitute for being a responsible and good human being.
19.What did little Daddy learn about limitations and practicality?
Ans: He learned that some fantasies, like being a dog, are impractical. Realizing limitations helps one focus on achievable goals while maintaining moral and social responsibilities.
20.How did humor enhance the story of little Daddy?
Ans: Humor in little Daddy’s ideas and actions, like running on all fours or combining jobs, makes the story entertaining while also delivering lessons about creativity, reflection, and learning from mistakes.
21.What does little Daddy’s changing career choices teach about decision-making?
Ans: It teaches that exploring options and thinking critically is important. Decisions should be guided by reflection, practicality, and moral understanding rather than whim alone.
22.How does little Daddy’s story emphasize self-awareness?
Ans: By reflecting on the sage’s question, little Daddy learns to understand himself, recognize his immaturity, and focus on becoming a good human being, highlighting self-awareness as key to personal growth.
23.Why is curiosity important in childhood according to the story?
Ans: Curiosity drives learning, exploration, and understanding of the world. It allows children to experiment with ideas and ultimately helps them discover meaningful priorities in life.
24.How does the story balance imagination with lessons on responsibility?
Ans: The story encourages imagination through little Daddy’s playful exploration while teaching responsibility through the sage’s guidance and reflection, showing that both are important for growth.
25.How did little Daddy handle ridicule from others?
Ans: He responded with determination and humor, maintaining confidence in his choices and thinking creatively to combine jobs or roles, demonstrating resilience in the face of social pressure.
26.Summarize the moral of “How Daddy Decided What He Wanted to Be.”
Ans: The story teaches that the ultimate goal in life is to become a good person. Childhood curiosity and imagination are important, but moral integrity, character, and self-awareness are what truly define a successful life.
Answer by Mrinmoee
