The Great Stone Face-II

 

Summary

Ernest still lived in his native valley. He was simple hearted man. He always worked for the betterment of the world. Though he was considered to be an ordinary man yet he was humble and rich in thoughts. With the passage of time, Ernest became old. He had wise thoughts in his mind. He had become famous all over the world. Men came from distant places to see and speak to him. A new poet had appeared on earth while Ernest had been growing old. The poet was a native of Ernest’s valley but had stayed in distant cities for a long period. The poet had heard of Ernest’s character. One day, he came to his door. Ernest was reading a book and glancing lovingly at the mountain from time to time. Ernest gave him shelter for the night. The great stone face looked kindly at the poet. The poet found Ernest, wise, gentle and kind.

Ernest used to speak to his neighbours every evening. The poet also accompanied him the poet listened to his talk. He felt that Ernest’s life and character were a far nobler kind of poetry than his own poems just then, the poet saw the great stone face. He declared Ernest as the likeness of the great stone face every body agreed with him. Ernest still hoped that someone wiser and better than himself would appear sometime, bearing a likeness to the great stone face.

 

Textual Questions and Exercises

Q1. Write ‘True’ or ‘False’ against each of the following statements.

1. Ernest’s words reminded people of the wise old sayings. True
2. Total strangers from far away, who visited Ernest in the valley, found his face familiar. True
3. The Great Stone Face confirmed Ernest’s view that the poet could be worthy of its likeness. False
4. When Ernest and the poet met, they respected and admired each other equally. True
5. The poet along with Ernest addressed the inhabitants of the valley. False
6. The poet realised that Ernest’s thoughts were far nobler than his own verses. True

Q2. How was Ernest different from others in the valley?

Ans. Ernest was a humble, hardworking and thoughtful person. He was not an unknown person unlike others. As he grew old, he had became well known personality beyond limit of valley. College professors and even active men of cities came from far to meet him. Ernest received those people with gentle sincerity and spoke with them freely with open heart. He led a life of good deeds and with self-less love for others. He used to deliver thoughtful words from the depth of his heart. His words had power since they agreed with the reality of his life. While talking to his audience, his face would brighten and shine upon them, as with as mild evening light. In this way Ernest was different from others in the valley.

 

Q3. Why did Ernest think the poet was like the Stone Face?

Ans. The poet wrote songs with lofty thoughts. The poetry of the poet found his way to Ernest also. Ernest used to read the poet’s poems and songs after his day’s work and found them worthy. When the poet came to meet Ernest, he looked wise, gentle and kind. Even the Great Stone Face appeared bending forward to listen to his talk. For all these reasons, Earnest began to think that the poet was like the Great Stone Face.

Q4. What did the poet himself say about his thoughts and poems?

Ans. The poet said that Ernest could hear the distant voice of a heavenly song in his thoughts and poems. However, the poet felt that his own life had not corresponded with his thoughts. He had grand dreams, but they had been only dreams. Sometimes he even lacked faith in his own thoughts.

Q5. What made the poet proclaim Ernest was the Stone Face?

Ans. The poet observed Ernest while he was talking to his audience. Ernest was speaking kindly but from the depth of his heart and mind. The poet felt that Ernest’s own life and character were a nobler strain of poetry than he had ever written. The poet found great similarities between the misty white clouds around the Great Stone Face and the white hairs around the brow of Ernest. So, the poet proclaimed that Ernest himself was the Stone Face.

Q6. Write ‘Ernest’ or ‘Poet’, against each statement below.

Ans.(i) There was a gap between his life and his words. – Poet

(ii) His words had the power of truth as they agreed with his thoughts. – Ernest

(iii) His words were as soothing as a heavenly song but only as useful as a vague dream. – Poet

(iv) His thoughts were worthy. – Ernest

(v) Whatever he said was truth itself. – Ernest

(vi) His poems were noble. – Poet

(vii) His life was nobler than all the poems. – Ernest

(viii) He lacked faith in his own thoughts. – Poet

(ix) His thoughts had power as they agreed with the life he lived. – Ernest

(x) Greatness lies in truth. Truth is best expressed in one’s actions. He was truthful, therefore he was great. – Ernest

 

Q7. Who, by common consent, turned out to be like the Great Stone Face?

 Ans.By common consent, Ernest turned out to be like the Great Stone Face.

 

Q8. Did Ernest believe that the old prophecy had come true?What did he say about it?

Ans.No, Ernest did not believe that the old prophecy had come true. Even though everybody had agreed that he was the likeness of the Great Stone Face, he himself hoped that some wiser and better man than himself would appear, bearing a resemblance to the Great Stone Face.

Working with Language

Q1. Mark the meaning that best fits the word or a phrase in the story.

(i) (Sun) going down

(a) becoming smaller

(b) weakening

(c) setting

Ans.(c) setting

(ii) brightening

(a) making (it) look bright and cheerful

(b) lending (it) a special glow

(c) causing (it) to appear hopeful

Ans.(b) lending (it) a special glow

(iii) spacious

(a) lonely and wild

(b) big and wide

(c) special and important

Ans. (b) big and wide

(iv) prophecy

(a) proverb

(b) prediction

(c) rumour

Ans.(b) prediction

(v) marvelous

(a) wonderful

(b) surprising

(c) shocking

Ans.(a) wonderful

(vi) proclaim

(a) reveal

(b) declare

(c) shout

Ans.(b) declare

(vii) cease

(a) happen

(b) stop

(c) remain

Ans. (b) stop

(viii) (a night’s) shelter

(a) stay

(b) safety

(c) hospitality

Ans.(a) stay

(ix) gazed

(a) wandered about

(b) stared at

(c) thought of

Ans.(b) stared at

(x) took on

(a) challenged (an expression)

(b) resembled

(c) assumed

Ans. (c) assumed

Q2. Which form of the verb is more natural in these sentences? Encircle your choice.

(a) I’m not free this evening. I will work/am working on a project.

 Ans.I’m not free this evening. I am working on a project.

(b) Have you decided where you will go for your higher secondary? 

Yes, I have. I will go/am going to the Kendriya Vidyalaya.

Ans. Have you decided where you will go for your higher secondary? Yes, I have. I will go to the Kendriya Vidyalaya.

(c) Don’t worry about the dog. It won’t hurt/isn’t hurting you.

 Ans. Don’t worry about the dog. It won’t hurt you.

(d) The weatherman has predicted that it will snow/is snowing in Ranikhet tonight.

 Ans.The weatherman has predicted that it will snow in Ranikhet tonight.

(e) Swapna can’t go out this evening. Her father will come/is coming to see her.

 Ans.Swapna can’t go out this evening. Her father is coming to see her.

Q3. Complete these pieces of conversation using will or going to with the verbs given.

Ans. (a) Rani: Why are you turning on the radio?

Ravi: I am going to listen to the news.

(b) Rani: Oh, I can’t buy this book. I have no money.

Ravi: Don’t worry. I will lend you some.

(c) Rani: Look at those dark clouds.

Ravi: I think it is going to rain.

(d) Rani: What shall we have for dinner?

Ravi: I can’t decide.

Rani: Make up your mind.

Ravi: All right, then. We will have fried rice and dry beans.

(e) Rani: Why are you filling the kettle with water?

Ravi: I am going to make coffee.

(f) Rani: We need some bread and butter for breakfast.

Ravi: All right. I will go to the bakery and get some. (Before he goes out, Ravi talks to their father.)

Ravi: I am going to get some bread and butter. Do you want anything from the bakery?

Father: Yes, I want some salt biscuits.

Ravi: Fine, I will get you a packet.