Who is the real culprit according to the king? Why does he escape punishment?
According to the king, the real culprit was the merchant’s father who was dead. But his father was dead and someone had to be punished in his place. He escapes from the punishment because he is too thin to be correctly executed on the stake.
How does the guru manage to save his disciple’s life?
What are the Guru’s words of wisdom? When does the disciple remember them?
What are the two strange things the guru and his disciple find in the Kingdom of Fools?
Why does the disciple decide to stay in the Kingdom of Fools? Is it a good idea?
Name all the people who are tried in the king’s court, and give the reasons for their trial.
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?
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?
What does the author notice one Sunday afternoon? What is his mother’s reaction? What does she do?
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 lost child lose interest in the things that he had wanted earlier?
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?
Can you think of some other ending for the story?
What do you think happens in the end? Does the child find his parents?
How does Bill Bryson end up in a “crash position” in the aircraft?
Is Lushkoff a willing worker? Why, then, does he agree to chop wood for Sergei?
How does he narrate the story of the tusker? Does it appear to be plausible?
Why did the swallow not leave the prince and go to Egypt?
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?
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?