What is the meaning of “My cat was back and so was I”? Had the author gone anywhere? Why does he say that he is also back?
Here, the author wants to points out that his ideology of life gone is a complete change. His schoolmates have helped him with open hearts. They have extended invitations for their houses. Their actual concern makes the author touch his heart so much that he breathes as the sign of relief. He feels that the things well be good very soon. After a month woman came with a cat, then the narrator grabbed and hugged her. His friends were also hugging the narrator. This overwhelming feelings of loss and tragedy seemed to reduced. He was deeply obliged to the stranger who had brought his cat to him. He could not help by saying that he was back to his original self. In reality, he had gone nowhere but had become exhausted with his life due to colossal lose. He felt that he had returned to his original self like his cat, who came to his house.
Why does he break down in tears after the fire?
What does the author notice one Sunday afternoon? What is his mother’s reaction? What does she do?
What actions of the schoolmates change the author’s understanding of life and people, and comfort him emotionally? How does his loneliness vanish and how does he start participating in life?
Why is the author deeply embarrassed the next day in school? Which words show his fear and insecurity?
The cat and the author are very fond of each other. How has this been shown in the story? Where was the cat after the fire? Who brings it back and how?
What are the things the child sees on his way to the fair? Why does he lag behind?
How does Toto come to grandfather’s private zoo?
In what way is Iswaran an asset to Mahendra?
What are the two strange things the guru and his disciple find in the Kingdom of Fools?
Why do the courtiers call the prince ‘the Happy Prince’? Is he really happy? What does he see all around him?
What havoc has the super cyclone wreaked in the life of the people of Orissa?
What is Johnsy’s illness? What can cure her, the medicine or the willingness to live?
Bill Bryson says, “I am, in short, easily confused.” What examples has he given to justify this?
Has Lushkoff become a beggar by circumstance or by choice?
In the fair he wants many things. What are they? Why does he move on without waiting for an answer?
Why does the disciple decide to stay in the Kingdom of Fools? Is it a good idea?
Can you think of some other ending for the story?
Is Lushkoff a willing worker? Why, then, does he agree to chop wood for Sergei?
What are the Guru’s words of wisdom? When does the disciple remember them?
When does he realise that he has lost his way? How have his anxiety and insecurity been described?
What does the swallow see when it flies over the city?
Why does the lost child lose interest in the things that he had wanted earlier?
How does he narrate the story of the tusker? Does it appear to be plausible?
What are the precious things mentioned in the story? Why are they precious?
Why do you think Bill Bryson’s wife says to the children, “Take the lids off the food for Daddy”?