Bholi by K A Abbas-Footprints without Feet-Class X English-English for Class 10

 Lesson- 9: Bholi by K A Abbas

Short Answer-Type Qs

Q1. Why did Sulekha start stammering?

Ans. Sulekha could not speak till she was five. When she spoke, she usually stammered. Other children used to laugh at her. So she spoke very little.

Q2. Why was Ram Lal worried about Bholi and not about his other children?

Ans. Bholi was a simpleton. She was neither intelligent nor good to look at. So Ram Lal was often worried to think about her marriage. His other children would be married easily. So he was not worried about them.

Q3. Why was Bholi reluctant (hesitant) to go to school with her father?

Ans. Bholi had some fear in her mind. She did not know anything about school. She also thought that she would be sent out forever like the cow Luxmi. So she was reluctant to go to school with her father.

Q4. Did Bholi enjoy her first day at school? What made her happy on this very day?

Ans. First, she was made to sit in a corner of her classroom. Then she saw so many girls there. It made her relax. The teacher was very loving and kind to her. It all made her happy on the first day of her school.

Q5.For what unusual reasons is Bholi sent to school?

Ans. Ram Lal was under pressure from Tehsildaar to send his daughters to school. His wife told him to send only Bholi to school. She was a simpleton, so there was less risk of her getting married to anyone.

Q6. Does Bholi enjoy her first day at school? Give a reason in support of your answer.

Ans. She did not enjoy her first day at school fully. She did not know anything about school. She had her own fears also. But the teacher was loving and kind. She also saw some girls there. It relaxed her.

Q7. Why do Bholi’s parents accept Bishamber’s marriage proposal?

Ans. They accepted the marriage proposal because 1. Bishember was a rich person. 2. He was not demanding dowry. 3. Bholi was a simpleton. She was also not a good-looking girl.

Q8. Why was Sulekha nick-named Bholi?

Ans. Sulekha had an injury in her head. She was of just 10 months old at that time. The injury damaged some part of her mind. So she was slow at mind. People called her Bholi due to this reason.

Q9. What were Bholi’s apprehensions (fears) about going to school? What made her feel that she was going to a place that is better than her home?

Ans. In the beginning, she was afraid to go to school. Then she was bathed and her hair was combed. She wore a new dress. Then she understood that she was going to a better place. Her fears were removed.

Q10. Describe the teacher’s role in changing Bholi’s course of life.

Ans. The teacher treated Bholi lovingly. He asked her name very politely. She stammered a little. The teacher encouraged her to speak. Bholi’s all fears disappeared due to the teacher's good behavior.

Q11. Why did Tehsildaar come to Ram Lal’s village? What did he ask Ram Lal to do?

Ans. A school for girls was opened in the village. The Tehsildar came to perform its opening. He advised Ramlal to send his daughter to school. It would set an example as he was also a Govt officer.

Long Ans.-Type Qs

Q1. Describe how the teacher changed Bholi. Or the character of Bholi

Ans. The teacher played a very important role in changing the life of Bholi. Her name was Sulekha. Bholi was the name given to her by her parents. She was a very simple girl. She was unable to speak words properly. She was also not so good to look at. There were pockmarks on her face. So no one was ready to marry her. One day her father took her to school. Her teacher asked her name. She was very much afraid. But the teacher spoke to her lovingly. He encouraged her to speak. She gained confidence. That removed her fears about school. A new hope entered her mind. She wished to become the most learned person of her village. That would stop all from laughing at her. Thus the teacher played a very important role in her life.

Q2. Why did Bholi refuse to marry Bishamber Nath even when he was ready to marry her?

Ans. The marriage ceremony of Bholi with Bishamber Nath was going on.  He was trying to put a garland around Bholi’s neck. Suddenly, somebody pulled the veil from Bholi’s face. Bishamber saw pockmarks at her face. He refused to marry. Bholi’s father put his turban in Bishamber’s feet. He begged him to marry his daughter, But Bishamber demanded for rupees five thousand. Bholi’s father brought the money and placed it in front of Bishamber. But at that very time, Bholi refused to marry that greedy person. She saved herself from marrying such a greedy person.