THE MIRACULOUS PITCHER-I

 

THE MIRACULOUS PITCHER-I

Word Meanings

Ready- prepared

Friendly manner- cordial way

Apologies’- beg for pardon

Fare-  food and drink

poor fare-  humble food

 to set down before-put down

forced -compelled

my good man- my honest husband

 morsel -piece of food

 would have gone without a morsel- would have been without food; would go on fasting

lack-miss

 better supper-  more delicious night meal

dame- mistress of a house

 scanty- inadequate; insufficient

miracle -wonder

 moderately -sized not too big or too small in size

bowl- round deep dish

earthen- made of earth

board -table

 in a great confusion- fully perplexed

thirsty- desirous for drinking water

starting up- rising

 astonishment- surprise

 proceeded -started

likewise- similarly

scarcely- hardly

 empty- containing nothing

curious-eager to know

Discover -find out

 Fountain- liquid coming up out of the bottom

Gushing- flowing out suddenly

Wonder- working

 strangers -the foreigners who were performing magic

bewildered- bewitched

emptied- removed the content

wayfarer-traveler

needy- form of poor

retired for the night- when to sleep

 likewise -similarly

 depart- leave, start forever

 chatting- talking

exclaimed- uttered vehemently

neighbours -next door dweller

blessed -consecrated

 tie up- keep fastening

fling- throw with great force

Question. 1 Give other words for the following:

Answer: frugal –economical

 Pause- stop

 Observed- maintained

 extended -stressed out

fare -food

lack- want

Question 2 Use the following in sentences of your own.

Answer: The man plays the taxi for a living.

Overwork made her weary.

The speaker, on his part, defended the treat.

In spite of his ill health, he traveled so long distant.

The beggar was in great confusion when the master of the house wanted something from him.

Q. 3 Explain the following:

(a) Some poor traveler is seeking hospitality among our neighbor’s yonder.

(b) An honest, hearty welcome to a guest works miracles with the fare.

(c.) To the great astonishment of Baucis, he proceeded to fill, not only his own bowl, but also his companion’s likewise.

Answer 3 (a) In the story ‘The Miraculous pitcher-I’   old and kind Philemon observed so. When he heard the loud barks of the dogs and fierce shout of her children, he could guess the habitual incident that generally took place in the nearby village. The common picture he could see in his mind was that some needy travelers who were thirsty, hungry, and wretched from long journeys on that extremely hot day were asking for food, drink, and a shelter to put up for that night to the villagers.

Answer 3 (b) This expression has been ordered by the elder of the two travelers for Baucis in the story ‘The Miraculous Pitcher’. Baucis had prepared with all those things she had in her house though this was a very hearty preparation she felt herself too much blameworthy and apologetic. But the poor guests were deeply satisfied with their hearty welcome. Sincere and artless hospitality shown to a guest by an honest host never went useless. The humble food they offered them had a quite rich value and the reward would come manyfold.

Answer 3 (c)  This has been said in the story ‘The miraculous pitcher, The poor dame of the cottage knew that the milk pot was almost empty. But quicksilver held the picture himself by its handle and poured milk into the bowls as if it had been full to the brim. The bowls were filled with milk from the almost empty pitcher. By this miraculous happening Baucis was absolutely taken aback because this was a great wonder that she had never seen before.

Q. 4 Without referring to the passage, give, in as many cases as you can, the adjectives that have been used to describe the following.:

The sunset; the old couple’s supper; the shouts of the children; the barking of the dogs; the travelers; the welcome given to the travelers.

Answer 4 The calm,  beautiful and gliding in the sunset;  poor, humble, scanty and frugal supper; rude confused but loud shouts of the children; the fierce, monotonous working of dogs, Poor weary, hot, thirsty and hungry travelers. An honest, hearty sincere and warm welcome

Something to think about

1. This is a story of 'times long ago'. Do you notice any words and expressions used in the story that would not ordinarily be used today?'

Ans. yonder; clad; fare; dame; likewise etc. are not ordinarily used.

2. The writer refers to 'this lovely village'. Why do you think the village was lovely?

Ans. The village is lovely because it is full of healthy and jubilant people. It has gardens, meadows, houses, clumps, trees, the wide green margined road with children playing on it. The village has wide scopes of business, enjoyment, and prosperity.

3. Why was it wrong for the people of the village to clap their hands when their children ran after some poor stranger?

 Ans. It was inhuman and immoral to clap their hands when their children ran after some poor strangers who were needy and helpless. It is a human duty to give assistance to the helpless. To give food to the hungry people, water to the thirsty people, and shelter to the tired people- these deeds are godly works. Instead of doing that the people encouraged and applauded their wicked children to do the helm of cruelty and immorality. That is why this was wrong.

Additional Questions

1. Why were Philemon and Baucis called the kindest people in the world?

Ans. In spite of their poverty, Philemon and Baucis could have cheerfully gone without meals any day rather than refusing a slice of their bread to a weary traveler who made a pause before their door. That's' why they were called so.

2. Who, you guess, is Quicksilver?

Ans. I think Quicksilver is God in disguise of a young boy.

3. How were the villagers? How do you infer so?

Ans. The villagers were selfish and rude. They set their dogs on the weary travelers who were seeking food and lodging to them. They also clapped their hands to see their children running after the poor strangers.

4. What miraculous thing happened at last?

Ans. The pitcher that had contained a few drops of milk turned into a pitcher of never-ending stock of milk.