The Taste of An Hilsa | BOSEM Class 9 English

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 THE TASTE OF AN HILSA

C. Answer the following questions briefly:

1. Where did Chaoba and Mani set out to fish before dawn?

Ans.: - Chaoba and Mani set out to fish before dawn at the Barak River.

2. What is the prayer of the shadhu in the morning?

Ans.: - The prayer of the shadhu in the morning is ‘Bom Bholenath, Jai Siva Sambhu’.

3. Why is Chaoba reluctant to sell the fish to the old man of the Naorem family?

Ans.: - Chaoba was reluctant to sell the fish to the old man of Naorem due to the latter's hesitancy to pay the fair price for the fish, despite being wealthy, and his tendency to engage in prolonged bargaining instead of accepting a reasonable offer.

4. Why did Mani hate to see the old man of Naorem?

Ans.: - Mani despised encountering the elderly gentleman from Naorem because their son Tomal had assaulted him two days ago.

5. Who were the other fishermen at the river besides Chaoba and Mani?

Ans.: - In addition to Chaoba and Mani, Rahimuddin and his son were among the fishermen at the river.

6. What was the talk between Chaoba and Rahimuddin about?

Ans.: - The conversation between Chaoba and Rahimuddin revolved around the price of their day's catch.

7. Whom did Chaoba want to feed the fish?

Ans.: - Chaoba intended to give the fish to his pregnant daughter, Sanarei, for a meal.

8. What did Tampha tell her father when he returned home?

Ans.: - Tampha informed her father that there was no rice available for the meal.

9. Why does Chaoba shudder when he hears the voice of Konsam Kanhai?

Ans.: - Chaoba trembled upon hearing Konsam Kanhai's voice, as he owed him two and a quarter rupees. He feared that Kanhai might take the fish to adjust the debt.

10. Why does Chaoba throw the wooden stool at the dog?

Ans.: - Chaoba hurls the wooden stool at the old and mangy dog because it serves as a painful reminder of his own impoverished and pitiable situation. His sudden surge of anger stemmed from the lack of rice, his debts, and his wife's chronic illness.

11. How does little Mukta react when he sees the fish being taken away?

Ans.: - When young Mukta witnessed the fish being taken away, he stayed composed, gazed at the fish, and remained motionless.

D. Answer the following in about 80 words each:

1. Write a note on the harsh life of a fisherman.

Ans.: - A fisherman endures a tough existence. He must rise early every morning, regardless of the season or weather, to fish. There's no assurance of catching a fish, and he may return home empty-handed at times. Additionally, he contends with other fishermen. Whatever small catch he secures must be sold in the market to purchase food and necessities for his family. Thus, he not only tends to his own needs but also must cater to the requirements of his family members.

2. Under what circumstances does Chaoba have to sell the hilsa?

Ans.: - Chaoba and his son arrived home, anticipating to savour the hilsa with his pregnant daughter Sanarei. He declined to sell the fish to the elderly man from Naorem. However, upon discovering a shortage of rice, he realised that enjoying the hilsa without rice would be impossible. Consequently, he had to sell the hilsa to procure rice for his family.

Think and answer:

1. Do you think that the selling of the fish by Chaoba at the end of the story is justifiable? Give reasons for your answer.

Ans.: - The decision for Chaoba to sell the fish at the concluding part of the story is reasonable due to the family's insufficient food supply. As daily wage earners, the notion of sacrificing rice for the sake of one fish becomes illogical. Selling the fish became necessary to prevent hunger for everyone in the family, making it a justifiable action.

2. Why does Chaoba say furiously to his wife? “Let you die, if you are going to die.”

Ans.: - In a moment of despair, Chaoba uttered those harsh words to his wife, feeling powerless due to their poverty. Constantly reminded of their financial struggles, he longed to savour the delicious hilsa fish with his family but, ultimately, had to part with it. His wife's chronic illness confined her to bed, rendering her unable to work and contribute to the family's needs, adding to the weight of their circumstances.

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