Class 9 Enlgish Beehive Chapter 5 NCERT solutions| 9thgrader

Chapter - 5: The Snake and the Mirror

I. Discuss in pairs and answer each question below in a short paragraph (30–40 words).

1. “The sound was a familiar one.” What sound did the doctor hear? What did he think it was? How many times did he hear it? (Find the lines in the text and write them.)

Ans: The doctor heard a thud-like sound made by something falling. He thought it was a regular noise and heard it three times. The lines in the text are: "The sound was a familiar one. One could say that rats and I shared the room."

2. What two “important” and “earth-shaking” decisions did the doctor take while he was looking into the mirror?

Ans: The doctor made two important decisions while looking into the mirror: First, he decided to shave daily and grow a thin mustache to look more handsome. Second, he decided to always keep that attractive smile on his face.

3. “I looked into the mirror and smiled,” says the doctor. A little later he says, “I forgot my danger and smiled feebly at myself.” What is the doctor’s opinion about himself when: (i) he first smiles, and (ii) he smiles again? In what way do his thoughts change in between, and why?

Ans: (i) When the doctor first smiles, he admires his own looks and feels proud of his appearance and potential for marriage. (ii) When he smiles again, it is a feeble smile, reflecting his helplessness and the recognition of his foolishness for being so vain. In between, his thoughts change due to the sudden danger posed by the snake on his shoulder, making him realize the triviality of his earlier thoughts compared to the threat to his life.

II. This story about a frightening incident is narrated in a humorous way. What makes it humorous? (Think of the contrasts it presents between dreams and reality. Some of them are listed below.)

(i) The kind of person the doctor is (money, possessions)

Ans: The doctor is poor with few possessions and lives in a run-down room. He dreams of being a handsome, well-groomed man with a charming personality and great success.

(ii) The kind of person he wants to be (appearance, ambition)

Ans: He dreams of marrying a fat, rich woman with many children, thinking she won't chase him if he runs away. In reality, he marries a thin woman with active habits, contrasting sharply with his dream.

(iii) His thoughts when he looks into the mirror

Ans: When he looks into the mirror, he is vain and self-absorbed, thinking about his looks and future.

(iv) His thoughts when the snake is coiled around his arm

Ans: When the snake coils around his arm, his thoughts shift to fear and survival, realizing his earlier vanity was foolish.

III. A full-length story can be made out of the incident described in this extract. Suggest some interesting incidents that could be included in the story.

Ans: Some interesting incidents could include:

The doctor's early life and why he chose to live in such a run-down place.
More humorous encounters with the rats in his room, showing his daily struggles.
The doctor's interactions with his patients, revealing his character and mannerisms.
A detailed account of how he eventually marries his wife and the contrast between his expectations and reality.
Aftermath of the snake incident, including how he explains it to others and how it changes his perspective on life.