On Killing a Tree

11.  Can a “simple jab of the knife” kill a tree? Why not?

No, a "simple jab of the knife" cannot kill a tree. It only wounds the outer bark, which quickly heals itself as the tree's sap rises, allowing it to recover. The true source of the tree's life and strength—its roots—remains undamaged and anchored in the earth. 

12.  How has the tree grown to its full size? List the words suggestive of its life and activity.

The tree has grown to its full size over a long time by consuming the earth—drawing nourishment from the soil and absorbing years of sunlight, air, and water. Words suggestive of its life and activity include: 'grown slowly,' 'consuming the earth,' 'rising out of it,' 'feeding upon its crust,' 'sprouting leaves,' and evidence of its vitality like 'bleeding bark' and the ability to 'heal' and 'expand again to former size.' This highlights its deep connection to the environment and its tenacious capacity for survival.

13.    What is the meaning of “bleeding bark”? What makes it bleed?

"Bleeding bark" is a metaphor used to describe the tree's sap or life fluid flowing out of the wounded areas. It is made to "bleed" when the tree is hacked and chopped by human effort, severing the tissues beneath the bark and causing the sap to ooze out as a form of suffering and a natural attempt to heal the injury.

24.  The poet says “No” in the beginning of the third stanza. What does he mean by this?

The poet says "No" to assert that merely hacking and chopping the tree is insufficient to kill it. He means that despite causing significant wounds to the trunk, the tree's powerful roots remain intact in the earth, guaranteeing its rapid recovery and eventual return to its full size.

15. What is the meaning of “anchoring earth” and “earth cave”?

Both "anchoring earth" and "earth cave" are metaphors. The "anchoring earth" is the soil that holds the tree's roots securely in place, providing the essential stability and nourishment that sustain its life. The "earth cave" is the deep hole or hollow in the ground where the tree's powerful roots have been safely lodged and hidden for years, emphasizing the depth of its connection and the protective sanctuary the earth provides.

26. What does he mean by “the strength of the tree exposed”?

By "the strength of the tree exposed," the poet means that the true source of the tree's life and resilience—its white, wet, and sensitive roots—are finally revealed after being pulled out of the earth. The roots, which were previously hidden, protected, and responsible for anchoring and nourishing the tree, represent its strength, and by exposing them, the process of killing the tree is completed.

37. What finally kills the tree?

What finally kills the tree is the complete act of uprooting it, wrenching the sensitive roots entirely out of the secure "anchoring earth." Once exposed, the roots—the true source of its life and strength—are then left to suffer scorching, choking, browning, and withering by the harsh sunlight and air, which permanently separates the tree from its life-support system.

Reach For the Top - Santosh Yadav

 

Thinking about the Text
(Page 102)

I.           Answer these questions in one or two sentences each. (The paragraph numbers within brackets provide clues to the answers.)

1.Why was the ‘holy man’ who gave Santosh’s mother his blessings surprised? (1)

The 'holy man' who gave Santosh's mother his blessings was surprised because she did not ask for a son, which was the traditional and expected blessing in their village. Instead, Santosh's grandmother intervened and requested a blessing for a daughter for Santosh's mother.

1.Give an example to show that even as a young girl Santosh was not ready to accept anything unreasonable. (2)

Santosh Yadav was a non-conformist from a young age, refusing to accept anything she deemed unreasonable. The most telling early example was her refusal to wear traditional Indian dresses, choosing instead to wear shorts in a society where girls were strictly expected to adhere to conventional attire.

2.Why was Santosh sent to the local school? (3)

Santosh Yadav was sent to the local village school because it was the prevailing custom in her family and the local society.

3.When did she leave home for Delhi, and why? (4)

Santosh Yadav left home for Delhi when she turned sixteen.

She left because she was facing immense pressure from her parents to get married, in line with the prevailing custom of her village. Santosh, however, was determined to get a proper education before marriage.

4.Why did Santosh’s parents agree to pay for her schooling in Delhi? What mental qualities of Santosh are brought into light by this incident? (4)

Santosh's parents initially refused to pay for her education in Delhi, but they finally agreed after she firmly and politely informed them of her plan to work part-time to earn the school fees herself. This incident highlights Santosh's strong will and determination, showing her unwavering focus on achieving her goal of a proper education.

II.           Answer each of these questions in a short paragraph (about 30 words).

1.How did Santosh begin to climb mountains?

Santosh's interest in climbing mountains started when she was staying at the Kasturba Hostel in Jaipur for her college education. Her room overlooked the Aravalli Hills, and she would often see local villagers ascending the hill and disappearing. Driven by curiosity, she went to investigate one day and found the mountaineers. She approached them and asked if she could join, and they not only gave her a positive and encouraging reply but also motivated her to take up climbing professionally. This initial encounter inspired her to save money and enrol herself at the Nehru Institute of Mountaineering in Uttarkashi.

2.What incidents during the Everest expedition show Santosh’s concern for her team-mates?

Santosh Yadav's deep concern for her teammates during the Everest expedition was evident in two significant incidents. Firstly, she demonstrated exceptional selflessness by sharing her oxygen with a severely ill fellow climber, Mohan Singh, which ultimately saved his life. Secondly, she made immense efforts to provide special care to another dying climber at the South Col, although sadly, she was unsuccessful in saving him. These actions underscore her compassionate nature and strong team spirit, showing that she prioritised the well-being and safety of her climbing partners over her own needs.

3.What shows her concern for the environment?

Santosh Yadav demonstrated her commitment to the environment after successfully conquering Mount Everest by carrying down 500 kilograms of garbage from the Himalayas. This significant effort to clean up the mountain, a part of her expedition's environmental initiative, clearly shows her deep concern for environmental conservation and her sense of responsibility toward protecting the pristine and fragile Himalayan ecosystem.

4.How does she describe her feelings at the summit of the Everest?

Santosh described her feelings at the summit of Mount Everest as "indescribable," noting that it took some time for the enormity of the moment to truly "sink in." Her most powerful feeling was one of intense patriotism and pride as she held the Indian tricolour aloft on the "roof of the world." She also experienced a spiritual moment of profound ecstasy, affirming that the overwhelming sense of achievement, pride, and spiritual bliss was beyond words.

5.Santosh Yadav got into the record books both times she scaled Mt. Everest. What were the reasons for this?

Santosh Yadav secured her place in the record books on two separate occasions when scaling Mount Everest. The first time, in 1992, she became the youngest woman in the world to reach the summit. Her second, even more remarkable feat came in 1993, when she climbed the peak again as part of an Indo-Nepalese Women's Expedition, making her the only woman in the world to have scaled Mount Everest twice.

THE LAST LEAF

 1. What is Johnsy’s illness? What can cure her, the medicine or the willingness to live?

 Johnsy's illness is pneumonia. According to the doctor, her cure depends not just on medicine but on her willingness to live. She has lost all interest in life and has decided she is not going to get well, which means medicines alone would not work for her. Her recovery requires her desire to fight the illness and live.

2. Do you think the feeling of depression Johnsy has is common among teenagers? 

 Yes, the feeling of depression that Johnsy experiences is quite common among teenagers. Many young people today feel lonely, hopeless, or discouraged when they face failure, illness, or emotional stress. Like Johnsy, they may lose interest in life and need care, understanding, and encouragement from others. With love and support, they can regain hope and find strength to overcome their struggles.

3. Behrman has a dream. What is it? Does it come true? 

 Behrman’s dream is to paint a masterpiece someday. He wants to create a painting that will make him famous and give meaning to his life. His dream finally comes true when he paints the last leaf on the wall during a stormy night to save Johnsy’s life. Though he dies of pneumonia soon after, the painted leaf becomes his masterpiece — a symbol of hope and sacrifice.

4. What is Behrman’s masterpiece? What makes Sue say so? 

 Behrman’s masterpiece is the last leaf he painted on the wall during the stormy night to give Johnsy hope and save her life. Sue calls it his masterpiece because it looked so real that Johnsy believed it was an actual leaf and regained her will to live. Behrman sacrificed his life to paint it, and thus this act of courage, love, and selflessness made the painting truly his greatest work.