Get notes, summary, questions and answers (competency based), workbook answers (Evergreen and Morning Star), MCQs, extras, and pdf of the story Bonku Babu’s Friend by Satyajit Ray which is part of ICSE Class 9 English (Treasure Chest) syllabus. However, the notes should only be treated for references and changes should be made according to the needs of the students.
Summary
The story revolves around a character named Bonkubihari Datta, a humble and meek geography and Bengali teacher at the Kankurgachhi Village Primary School. One night, while walking home, Bonku Babu encounters a strange, glowing object in the middle of Poncha Ghosh’s bamboo grove. The object, resembling an upside-down glass bowl, emits a pink light and a humming sound. As he approaches, he is immobilized by an unseen force.
Suddenly, a creature emerges from the object. This creature, called Ang, is from the planet Craneus. Ang has a smooth, bald head, thin limbs, and a body covered in a shiny, pink outfit. His eyes are round and bright yellow, and his face has holes instead of a nose and mouth. Ang communicates with Bonku Babu, first in English and then in Bengali.
Ang shows Bonku Babu a small object that can immobilize anyone without causing physical harm. He also has a small tube that allows Bonku Babu to see any place he wishes. When asked, Bonku Babu admits he would like to see the North Pole, a place he has never visited due to his residence in a warm country.
Ang tells Bonku Babu that humans are an inferior species, but Bonku Babu is a good man. However, he criticizes Bonku Babu’s meekness, advising him to stand up against injustice and protest when insulted or hurt without provocation. After this encounter, Ang quickly departs in his spaceship.
Bonku Babu, still in awe of the encounter, returns home. He later attends a meeting where he boldly speaks out against the people present, criticizing their behaviour and announcing his encounter with Ang. This newfound assertiveness is a result of his interaction with Ang. The story ends with Bonku Babu leaving the meeting with a bounce in his step, his head held high, and a sense of uniqueness, having had an experience that no one else in the world has had.
Evergreen workbook answers/solutions
Multiple Choice Questions
1. Select the option that lists the events in their correct order.
I. Bonku Babu’s kurta is torn.
II. Bonku Babu and his friends talked about space-ships and space-travel.
III. They were talking about ghosts.
IV. Bonku Babu says to his friends, “Suppose … suppose they came here ?”
(a) IV, I, II, III
(b) III, I, II, IV
(c) III, II, I, IV
(d) IV, III, I, II
Answer: (b) III, I, II, IV
2. Which of the following is NOT true about Bonku Babu’s friends ?
(a) They often made fun of Bonku Babu
(b) His friends often talked about ghosts
(c) Bonku Babu used to meet his friends at Sripati Majumdar’s house.
(d) Two of his friends were named Ramkanai, and Bhairav Chakravarty.
Answer: (b) His friends often talked about ghosts
3. Read the sentences given below and answer the question that follows :
Bhairav Chakravarty grinned and said, “Bravo! What a thing to say ! Where is a creature from another planet going to land?” The tone of the speaker here is:
(a) serious
(b) sympathetic
(c) mocking
(d) interrogative
Answer: (c) mocking
4. Select the option that gives true character traits of Bonku Babu.
I. simple
II. docile
III. aggressive
IV. arrogant
V. tolerant
VI. unfriendly
(a) I, VI, II
(b) I, II, V
(c) IV, III, VI
(d) I, II, IV
Answer: (b) I, II, V
5. Bonku Babu never thought of going against Sripati Majumdar because.
(a) Bonku Babu had a sincere love for him.
(b) Sripati Majumdar was the headmaster of Bonku Babu’s school.
(c) Bonku Babu had never disobeyed anyone
(d) He was afraid of Sripati Majumdar.
Answer: (d) He was afraid of Sripati Majumdar.
6. Select the option that shows the correct relationship between statement (1) and statement (2).
- Bonku Babu was a timid fellow.
- He did not protest against his constant bullying by others
(a) 1 is independent of 2.
(b) 1 is a contradiction of 2.
(c) 1 is an example of 2.
(d) 1 is the cause for 2.
Answer: (d) 1 is the cause for 2.
7. “Consider his looks, not to mention his brains…. yes, Bunkum would be the ideal specimen !”
Which of the following words best describes the speaker’s tone ?
(a) frustrated
(b) satirical
(c) ironic
(d) irritated
Answer: (c) ironic
8. Choose the option that lists the sequence of events in the correct order.
- One day Bonku Babu had a meeting with an Alien Ang.
- Bonku Babu continued to be bullied by one and all because he never retaliated.
- Bonku Babu went to Sripati Babu’s house and surprised everyone with his bold and sarcastic comments.
- Ang advised him to stand up against any injustice.
(a) 2, 3, 4, 1
(b) 1, 2, 3, 4
(c) 2, 1, 4, 3
(d) 2, 1, 3, 4
Answer: (c) 2, 1, 4, 3
9. Ang’s words of advice made Bonku Babu feel ……. .
- ambitious
- bold
- confident
- frustrated
(a) Only 1
(b) Only 4
(c) 3 and 4
(d) 2 and 3
Answer: (d) 2 and 3
10. ‘In the same instant, the cup fell from Ramkanai’s hand, shattering to pieces, and splattering hot tea on most of the others.
Which of the following statements, shows the reason for what Ramkanai did ?
(a) Ramkanai forgot what he was doing.
(b) He lost his senses.
(c) He was so shocked by Bonku Babu’s behaviour that he lost self-control.
(d) He had a fit of epilepsy.
Answer: (c) He was so shocked by Bonku Babu’s behaviour that he lost self-control.
11. Bonku Babu had been teaching geography and Bengali at a village school for the last ……………….. .
(a) ten years
(b) two years
(c) twenty years
(d) twenty two years
Answer: (d) twenty two years
12. Bonku enjoyed telling his students stories about ……………….. .
(a) life in Africa
(b) discovery of the North Pole
(c) the fish in Brazil that ate human flesh
(d) all of the above
Answer: (d) all of the above
13. As Bonku was passing under a tamarind tree he was attacked by ……………….. .
(a) some dacoits
(b) a ghost
(c) men of Sripati Majumdar
(d) a ‘spook’
Answer: (d) a ‘spook’
14. The moving point of light seen by the residents of Kankurgachhi three months ago turned out to be ……………….. .
(a) a shooting star
(b) a Russain satellite called Khotka
(c) a Chinese satellite
(d) an American spaceship
Answer: (b) a Russain satellite called Khotka
15. Bonku Babu was the first person to spot the strange light but another got the credit for it. Who was that person ?
(a) Sripati Majumdar
(b) Chandi Babu
(c) Nidhu Babu
(d) Ramkanai
Answer: (c) Nidhu Babu
16. According to Sripati Babu if someone from a different planet came to earth, he would land in ……………….. .
(a) India
(b) some eastern country
(c) USA
(d) some western country
Answer: (d) some western country
17. The object that Bonku saw behind the pond looked like a big ……………….. .
(a) satellite
(b) glass bowl turned upside down
(c) mountain
(d) a tomb
Answer: (b) glass bowl turned upside down
18. The eyes of the alien were ……………….. .
(a) round and bright yellow
(b) shining red
(c) small and lustreless
(d) all of the above
Answer: (a) round and bright yellow
19. The alien had landed on the Earth by mistake. Where was he supposed to go ?
(a) Mars
(b) Jupiter
(c) Venus
(d) Pluto
Answer: (d) Pluto
20. The Alien named Ang had come down to earth from the planet ……………….. .
(a) Saturn
(b) Neptune
(c) Craneus
(d) Uranus
Answer: (c) Craneus
21. The small object, which looked like a pebble, the object which Ang showed to Bonku could ……………….. .
(a) kill the enemy
(b) make Ang a millionaire
(c) make an enemy powerless
(d) make Bonku very powerful
Answer: (c) make an enemy powerless
Comprehension Passages
PASSAGE-1
It was not as if there was never any reason for him to lose his temper. For the last twenty-two years, Bonku Babu had taught Geography and Bengali at the Kankurgachhi Village Primary School. Every year, a new batch of students replaced the old one, but old or new, the tradition of teasing poor Bonku Babu continued among all the students. Some drew his cartoon on the blackboard; others put glue on his chair; or, on the night of Kali Puja, they lit a chasing rocket and set it off right behind him.
Bonku Babu did not get upset by any of this. Only sometimes, he cleared his throat and said, “Shame on you, boys!”
1. What encouraged the students to tease Bonku Babu?
Answer: Bonku Babu’s calm demeanor and his failure to get upset by their teasing encouraged the students. He would only sometimes clear his throat and mildly say, “Shame on you, boys!”
2. Which tradition continued among the students ?
Answer: The tradition of teasing poor Bonku Babu continued among all the students, whether they were old or new.
3. The students teased Bonku Babu in different ways. What were they ?
Answer: The students teased Bonku Babu in different ways: some drew his cartoon on the blackboard, others put glue on his chair, and on the night of Kali Puja, they would light a chasing rocket and set it off right behind him.
4. How did Bonku Babu sometimes lightly condemn the students ?
Answer: Bonku Babu sometimes lightly condemned the students by clearing his throat and saying, “Shame on you, boys!”
5. What is unusual about Bonku Babu ?
Answer: What was unusual about Bonku Babu was that no one had ever seen him get cross, and it was difficult to imagine what he might say or do if he did get angry. Despite the students’ pranks, he did not get upset.
PASSAGE-2
Only the other day — less than two months ago — they were talking about ghosts. Usually, Bonku Babu kept his mouth shut. That day, for some unknown reason, he opened it and declared that he was not afraid of ghosts, that was all ! But it was enough to offer a golden opportunity to the others. On his way back home later that night, Bonku Babu was attacked by a ‘spook’. As he was passing under a tamarind tree, a tall, thin figure leapt down and landed on his back. As it happened this apparition had smeared black ink all over itself, possibly at the suggestion of someone at the meeting.
1. What made Bonku Babu shut his mouth ?
Answer: Usually, Bonku Babu kept his mouth shut during the discussions at Sripati Majumdar’s house, particularly when topics like ghosts were being discussed.
2. What offered a golden opportunity and to whom? What did they plan ?
Answer: Bonku Babu declaring that he was not afraid of ghosts offered a golden opportunity to the others at the meeting. They planned to prank him, and so, on his way back home later that night, as he was passing under a tamarind tree, a ‘spook’ in the form of a tall, thin figure, which had smeared black ink all over itself possibly at the suggestion of someone at the meeting, leapt down and landed on his back.
3. Who do you think was the lean, thin figure that landed on Bonku’s back? Why is he called ‘a spook’?
Answer: I think the lean, thin figure that landed on Bonku’s back was one of the men from Sripati Majumdar’s meeting, who was playing a prank. He is called ‘a spook’ because he was disguised as a ghost or an apparition to frighten Bonku Babu.
4. Why could Bonku Babu not recognise the apparition ?
Answer: Bonku Babu could not recognise the apparition because it was dark, and the figure had smeared black ink all over itself, likely to conceal its identity.
5. How did this encounter with the ghost affect Bonku Babu later in the story?
Answer: This encounter with the ‘ghost’ did not frighten Bonku Babu, but he was injured. His neck ached for three days, and his new kurta was torn and had black stains all over. This incident, a “joke” played on him, added to the series of humiliations he endured, which eventually contributed to his change later in the story after his encounter with Ang.
PASSAGE-3
Even, so, Bonku Babu had to come to these meetings. If he didn’t, what would Sripati Babu think? Not only was he a very important man in the school committee and in the village, but he couldn’t do without Bonku Babu. who could provide amusement to all. On one particular day, the topic of conversation was space – in other words, they were talking about spaceships and space travel.
1. Why was the presence of Bonku Babu important in the meetings at Sripati’s house?
Answer: The presence of Bonku Babu was important in the meetings at Sripati’s house because, according to Sripati Babu, he could provide amusement to all, serving as the butt of ridicule.
2. Bonku came even though he didn’t want to come. Why ?
Answer: Bonku Babu came to the meetings even though he didn’t want to because he was concerned about what Sripati Babu would think if he didn’t. Sripati Babu was a very important man in the school committee and in the village, and Bonku Babu was afraid that Sripati, being an influential person, could harm him, possibly affecting his job.
3. Why was Bonku so afraid of Sripati Majumdar ?
Answer: Bonku Babu was afraid of Sripati Majumdar because Sripati was a very important and influential man in the school committee and in the village, and Bonku Babu feared that Sripati could harm him.
4. Sometimes Bonku tried to keep away from this group. Why ?
Answer: Sometimes Bonku Babu tried to keep away from this group because while he could put up with the pranks played by his students, it became too much for him to bear when grown-ups, even middle-aged men, started playing the fool with him and poked fun at him at Sripati Babu’s gatherings, sometimes bringing his endurance almost to breaking point. On a number of occasions, he had come back thinking, “Enough, never again!”
5. One day which topic came up for conversation? What were the views of most of the persons?
Answer: One day, the topic of conversation that came up was space, specifically spaceships and space-travel. Most of the persons present, like Chandi Babu, were dismissive, calling the excitement about satellites “all humbug.” Nidhu Babu also downplayed satellites, comparing them to a spinning top. Chandi Babu further questioned the utility of rockets, stating they had no meaning for them in the village unless they could watch a launch in Calcutta. Ramkanai, being younger, did acknowledge space travel as a human achievement.
PASSAGE-4
Everyone agreed, with the sole exception of Bonku Babu. Chandi Babu decided to take things a bit further. He nudged Nidhu Babu silently, pointed at Bonku Babu and spoke innocently: “Why, I think Bonku is quite right. Isn’t it natural that aliens should want to come to a place where there’s a man like our Bonkubihari ? If they wanted to take away a human specimen, could they find anything better?”
“No, I don’t think so!” Nidhu Babu joined in.
“Consider his looks, not to mention his brains … yes, Bunkum would be the ideal specimen!”
“Right. Suitable for keeping in a museum or a zoo,” Ramkanai chipped in.
1. What had Sripati Babu said to which almost all agreed ?
Answer: Sripati Babu had said that if someone from a different planet were to come to Earth, they would not come to a God-forsaken place like Kankurgachhi. He believed that aliens were no fools, were like sahibs, and would land in some western country where all the sahibs live. Almost everyone agreed with this statement, with the sole exception of Bonku Babu.
2. Who nudged Nidhu Babu? Why ?
Answer: Chandi Babu nudged Nidhu Babu silently. He did this to take the mockery of Bonku Babu further, by pointing at Bonku Babu and innocently suggesting that it would be natural for aliens to want to come to a place where there was a man like Bonkubihari, especially if they wanted to take away a human specimen.
3. When Chandi Babu says “I think Bonku is quite right’, does he mean it ? In which tone does he speak?
Answer: No, Chandi Babu does not mean it when he says, “I think Bonku is quite right.” He speaks in an innocent but actually sarcastic or ironic tone, intending to mock Bonku Babu’s suggestion that aliens might come to Kankurgachhi.
4. For what would Bonku Babu be suitable according to Ram Kanai?
Answer: According to Ramkanai, Bonku Babu would be suitable for keeping in a museum or a zoo, chipping in after Nidhu Babu suggested Bonku would be the ideal specimen for aliens.
5. What impression do you form of the speakers participating in the discussion?
Answer: I form the impression that the speakers participating in the discussion, such as Sripati Babu, Chandi Babu, Nidhu Babu, and Ramkanai, are generally unkind, mocking, and condescending towards Bonku Babu. They seem to derive amusement from ridiculing him and are quick to dismiss his ideas and belittle him, treating him as an object of fun rather than a peer.
PASSAGE-5
Bonku Babu did not reply, but wondered silently: if anyone were to actually look for a specimen, weren’t the others just as suitable? Look at Sripati Babu. His chin was so much like a camel’s. And that Bhairav Chakravarty, his eyes were like the eyes of a tortoise. Nidhu Babu looked like a rat, Ramkanai like a goat, and Chandi Babu like a flittermouse. If a zoo really had to be filled up…!
Tears sprang to his eyes. Bonku Babu had come to the meeting hoping, for once, to enjoy himself. That was clearly not to be. He could not stay here any longer. He got up to his feet.
1. Did Bonku Babu reply to the derogatory remarks of the regulars? Why ?
Answer: No, Bonku Babu did not reply to the derogatory remarks of the regulars. He remained silent because he was generally meek and could not afford to lose his temper, knowing how difficult it would be to find another job at his age. He also feared the influential Sripati Majumdar.
2. What did Bonku think about Bhairav Chakravarty ?
Answer: Bonku Babu thought that Bhairav Chakravarty’s eyes were like the eyes of a tortoise.
3. According to Bonku how could a zoo be filled up ?
Answer: According to Bonku Babu’s silent thoughts, a zoo could be filled up with the regulars at Sripati Babu’s house, as he mentally compared Sripati Babu’s chin to a camel’s, Bhairav Chakravarty’s eyes to a tortoise’s, Nidhu Babu to a rat, Ramkanai to a goat, and Chandi Babu to a flittermouse.
4. Why had Bonku come to the meeting ?
Answer: Bonku Babu had come to the meeting hoping, for once, to enjoy himself.
5. In what state of mind Bonku Babu stood up to leave? Why ?
Answer: Bonku Babu stood up to leave with tears in his eyes, feeling deeply hurt and disappointed. He had hoped to enjoy himself for once, but the relentless mockery from the regulars made it clear that this was not going to happen, and he felt he could not stay there any longer.
PASSAGE-6
Puzzled, Bonku Babu walked another twenty yards, and then he suddenly saw the light. At first, he thought that a fire had broken out. Bang in the middle of the bamboo grove, in the clearing near a small pond, quite a large area was glowing pink. A dull light shone on every branch and every leaf. Down below, the ground behind the pond was lit by a much stronger pink light. But it was not a fire, for it was still.
Bonku Babu kept moving.
1. Which light is referred to in the second line ?
Answer: The light referred to in the second line is the strange, glowing pink light that Bonku Babu suddenly saw in the middle of Poncha Ghosh’s bamboo grove, in the clearing near a small pond.
2. Why did Bonku think that a fire had broken out ?
Answer: Bonku Babu thought that a fire had broken out because a large area in the middle of Poncha Ghosh’s bamboo grove was glowing pink, and a dull light shone on every branch and leaf, with a much stronger pink light illuminating the ground behind the pond.
3. How did the ground behind the pond look ?
Answer: The ground behind the pond was lit by a much stronger pink light.
4. What could be seen in the middle of the bamboo grove? How did it impact every branch and every leaf?
Answer: In the middle of the bamboo grove, a large area could be seen glowing pink. This light impacted every branch and every leaf by making a dull light shine on them.
5. What effect did the noise have on Bonku Babu? Why did he move forward?
Answer: The noise, a long, steady humming sound that made his ears ring, caused Bonku Babu to break out into goose pimples. He moved further forward because an irrepressible curiosity drove him, despite the unsettling noise.
PASSAGE-7
Through that door emerged a head—like a plain, smooth ball—and then the body of a weird creature. Its arms and legs were amazingly thin. With the exception of its head, its whole body was covered by a shiny, pink outfit. Instead of ears, it had tiny holes on each side of its head. On the face were two holes where there should have been a nose, and another gaping hole instead of a mouth. There was no sign of hair anywhere. Its eyes were round and bright yellow. They appeared to be glowing in the dark.
1. Who came out of the strange object?
Answer: A weird creature, who later introduced himself as Ang from the planet Craneus, came out of the strange object.
2. How did that creature look ?
Answer: The creature had a head like a plain, smooth ball, and its arms and legs were amazingly thin. Its whole body, except for the head, was covered by a shiny, pink outfit. Instead of ears, it had tiny holes on each side of its head. On its face, there were two holes where a nose should have been, and another gaping hole instead of a mouth. There was no sign of hair anywhere, and its eyes were round, bright yellow, and appeared to be glowing in the dark.
3. What did it have instead of ears ?
Answer: Instead of ears, the creature had tiny holes on each side of its head.
4. What tells you that the ‘weird creature’ Bonku saw could not be a human ?
Answer: Several features tell me that the ‘weird creature’ Bonku saw could not be a human: its head was like a plain, smooth ball; its arms and legs were amazingly thin; it had tiny holes on each side of its head instead of ears; its face had two holes where a nose should be and a gaping hole for a mouth; it had no hair anywhere; and its round, bright yellow eyes appeared to be glowing in the dark.
5. What did the strange creature do after coming out of that object ?
Answer: After coming out of the object, the strange creature walked slowly towards Bonku Babu and stopped only a few feet away. Then, it gave him a steady, unblinking stare for nearly a minute before speaking to him.
PASSAGE-8
Bonku Babu did not know what to say. He was feeling quite uncomfortable, for the creature had reached out and was examining Bonku Babu’s arms and legs with its long, bony fingers. When it finished, it introduced itself. “I am Ang, from the planet Craneus. A far superior being than man.
“What! This creature, barely four feet tall, with such thin limbs and weird face, was superior to man? Bonku Babu nearly burst out laughing. Ang read his mind immediately. “There’s no need to be so sceptical. I can prove it. How many languages do you know?”
Bonku Babu scratched his head. “Bengali, English and… er… Hindi… a little Hindi… I mean…”
1. What made Bonku Babu feel uncomfortable ?
Answer: Bonku Babu felt quite uncomfortable because the creature had reached out and was examining his arms and legs with its long, bony fingers.
2. What did the creature tell Bonku about himself ?
Answer: The creature told Bonku Babu that he was Ang, from the planet Craneus, and that he was a far superior being than man.
3. What surprised Bonku when he listened to the alien ?
Answer: Bonku Babu was surprised that this creature, who was barely four feet tall, with such thin limbs and a weird face, claimed to be superior to man. The idea made him nearly burst out laughing.
4. How did the strange creature introduce himself to Bonku Babu ?
Answer: The strange creature introduced himself to Bonku Babu by stating, “I am Ang, from the planet Craneus. A far superior being than man.”
5. What tells you about Ang’s superiority to ordinary human beings ?
Answer: Several things tell me about Ang’s superiority to ordinary human beings. Firstly, Ang could read Bonku Babu’s mind immediately. Secondly, Ang knew 14,000 languages from our solar system and thirty-one languages from planets outside our system, having visited twenty-five of them, whereas Bonku Babu knew only two and a half. Thirdly, Ang was 833 years old, while Bonku Babu was fifty. Ang also possessed advanced technology, such as a small pebble-like object that could render an enemy powerless and a tube-like device through which Bonku Babu could see distant places like the North Pole and Brazil.
Project Assignments
1. How did Bonku Babu’s students tease him and what used to be his reaction?
Answer: Bonku Babu’s students had a long-standing tradition of teasing him. For the twenty-two years he taught geography and Bengali at the Kankurgachhi Village Primary School, every batch of students, old or new, continued this practice. Their pranks were varied: some would draw his cartoon on the blackboard, others would put glue on his chair, and on occasions like the night of Kali Puja, they would even light a chasing rocket and set it off right behind him.
Despite these provocations, Bonku Babu rarely lost his temper. No one had ever actually seen him get cross. His usual reaction was quite mild; only sometimes, he would clear his throat and simply say, “Shame on you, boys!” He maintained his calm partly because he couldn’t afford to lose his job, and also because he found reward in teaching the few good students in every class.
2. Describe the happenings at the meeting in Sripati Majumdar’s house.
Answer: During the weekends, Bonku Babu would visit the house of the lawyer, Sripati Majumdar, to spend the evenings with other regulars. These gatherings, however, were often a source of discomfort for Bonku Babu. Nearly everyone present would poke fun at him, making him the butt of their ridicule, and sometimes their teasing would push his endurance to its limit. Sripati Majumdar himself, an important man in the village and on the school committee, didn’t discourage this behavior and, in fact, seemed to enjoy the amusement Bonku Babu provided.
Specific incidents highlight this atmosphere. For instance, when the conversation once turned to ghosts, Bonku Babu uncharacteristically declared he wasn’t afraid of them. This provided a “golden opportunity” for the others, and later that night, he was attacked by a ‘spook’ – someone from the group disguised and covered in black ink – who jumped on his back from a tamarind tree. His new kurta was torn and stained, and his neck ached for days.
On another occasion, the topic was space travel and satellites. When Bonku Babu, who had actually spotted a strange light first, found Nidhu Babu taking credit for it, he said nothing. The group, largely ignorant about satellites, offered their dismissive views. When Bonku Babu gently suggested, “Suppose… suppose they came here?” referring to aliens, he was loudly ridiculed by Bhairav Chakravarty. Sripati Babu then authoritatively stated that aliens, being “sahibs,” would only land in Western countries, not a “God-forsaken place” like Kankurgachhi. This led to further mockery, with Chandi Babu, Nidhu Babu, and Ramkanai sarcastically suggesting Bonku Babu would be an ideal “specimen” for aliens, suitable for a museum or a zoo. These remarks deeply hurt Bonku Babu, who had hoped for once to enjoy himself.
3. Narrate the incident in which Bonku Babu comes across Ang.
Answer: After being cruelly mocked at Sripati Majumdar’s house, Bonku Babu left, feeling dejected. As he walked home via a shortcut, he noticed something unusual: the crickets were eerily silent. Soon, he saw a strange, glowing pink light in Poncha Ghosh’s bamboo grove, near a small pond. At first, he thought it was a fire, but the light was still. Curiosity overcoming his goose pimples from a strange humming sound that made his ears ring, he moved closer.
He then saw an object that looked like a giant glass bowl turned upside-down, covering the pond, emitting a strong, gentle pink light. As he tried to get a better look, he suddenly felt an electric current and was rendered completely immobile, as if tied by an invisible rope. A few moments later, the object stopped ‘breathing’, the humming ceased, and his ears stopped ringing.
A thin, human-like voice spoke in a strange language, then in English, asking, “Who are you?” Bonku Babu identified himself. The voice then spoke “Namaskar!”, and Bonku Babu felt the invisible bonds disappear. A portion of the glass mound slid open like a door, and a creature emerged. It had a head like a plain, smooth ball, amazingly thin arms and legs, a shiny pink outfit covering its body (except the head), tiny holes for ears, two holes for a nose, a gaping hole for a mouth, and round, bright yellow, glowing eyes with no hair anywhere.
This creature, Ang from the planet Craneus, approached Bonku Babu. After confirming he was on Earth (he was supposed to go to Pluto), Ang, despite being barely four feet tall, declared himself a far superior being to man. To prove this, Ang mentioned knowing 14,000 languages and being 833 years old. He showed Bonku Babu a small pebble-like object that could render an enemy powerless without physical harm – this was what had immobilized Bonku. Ang then used a small tube with a glass end to show Bonku Babu vivid scenes of places he longed to see: the North Pole with its Aurora Borealis, igloos, polar bears, and fighting walruses; and then Brazil, showing a dense forest with a giant anaconda and a canal where a crocodile was swiftly stripped to its bones by piranhas.
Finally, Ang told Bonku Babu that his major fault was being too meek and mild, which was why he had made little progress in life. Ang advised him that he must always speak up against injustice and protest if anyone hurt or insulted him without provocation, as taking things quietly is wrong for any creature. With that, Ang leapt back into his spaceship, which rose above the bamboo grove and vanished. The crickets started chirping again, and Bonku Babu, realizing the extraordinary nature of his experience, resumed his walk home, his mind in a wondrous haze but a new resolve forming.
4. Give a description of Ang and the circumstances that make the setting of the story unusual.
Answer: Ang, the alien from the planet Craneus, had a very distinct and non-human appearance. His head was like a plain, smooth ball, completely devoid of hair. His arms and legs were described as amazingly thin. His body, with the exception of his head, was covered in a shiny, pink outfit. Instead of conventional ears, Ang had tiny holes on each side of his head. His facial features were also unique: two holes where a nose would typically be, and another gaping hole that served as a mouth. His eyes were particularly striking – round, bright yellow, and they appeared to be glowing in the dark. Despite being only about four feet tall, Ang possessed superior intelligence and abilities, claiming to be 833 years old and knowing 14,000 languages. He also had advanced technology, like a device to immobilize others and another to show vivid, real-time images of distant locations.
The circumstances that make the setting of the story unusual stem primarily from the stark contrast between the ordinary, rural village of Kankurgachhi and the extraordinary event of an alien encounter. Kankurgachhi is depicted as a mundane, “God-forsaken place” where the regulars at Sripati Babu’s house believe nothing significant, especially an alien landing, could ever happen. The specific landing site – Poncha Ghosh’s bamboo grove, a familiar local spot near a small pond – further heightens this contrast. The lead-up to Ang’s appearance also contributes to the unusual atmosphere: the sudden, eerie silence of the crickets, which Bonku Babu notices, followed by the appearance of a mysterious, large pink glowing light and a strange humming sound. The spaceship itself, described as a “giant glass bowl turned upside-down,” appearing in such a commonplace setting, makes the entire scenario profoundly unusual and surreal for Bonku Babu and for the story’s atmosphere.
5. What kind of transformation happens to Bonku Babu ? How far do you agree that such a transformation is possible in life ?
Answer: A profound transformation happens to Bonku Babu after his encounter with Ang. For twenty-two years, he had been a meek, timid, and tolerant school teacher, enduring constant teasing from his students and ridicule from his adult acquaintances at Sripati Majumdar’s gatherings. He rarely, if ever, got angry or spoke out against the injustice and disrespect he faced. However, Ang’s direct advice – that he must always speak up against injustice and protest if anyone hurts or insults him without provocation, and that taking things quietly is wrong – acted as a catalyst.
The Bonku Babu who attends the meeting at Sripati’s house the very next day is a completely changed man. He is no longer sheepish. He enters like a “small hurricane,” bursts into an uproarious guffaw, and then boldly and confidently addresses the group. He tells them it’s his last meeting with them, calls their talk “absolute rubbish,” and proceeds to confront each of his tormentors directly and fearlessly. He tells Chandi Babu to return his stolen shoes and umbrella, calls Nidhu Babu a “Nitwit” if he’s to be called “Bunkum,” dismisses Sripati Babu’s need for sycophants, and even informs Poncha Ghosh about Ang’s landing in his bamboo grove. He slaps Bhairav Chakravarty on the back so hard he chokes, and then makes a triumphant exit, “striding out with a bounce and a whistle, his eyes sparkling, his head held high.” He transforms from a passive victim into an assertive individual who stands up for himself.
Regarding whether such a transformation is possible in life, the story suggests that a truly extraordinary and perspective-altering experience, coupled with direct, empowering advice from an unexpected source, can indeed trigger a significant change in someone’s demeanor and behavior. Bonku Babu’s encounter was not just a simple event; it was a validation of his quiet interests (geography, distant lands) and a direct challenge to his lifelong passivity from a being he perceived as vastly superior. While an alien encounter is fantastical, in real life, profound experiences, moments of sudden clarity, or the impact of a powerful mentor or event can sometimes lead individuals to shed long-held inhibitions and find the courage to change their way of interacting with the world, especially if they have been suppressing their true feelings for a long time. The story shows that once Bonku Babu found his voice, the years of pent-up frustration were released, leading to a dramatic but, for him, liberating transformation.
6. “Those who do not speak out against injustice and maltreatment are bound to be exploited and have to suffer.” Discuss the statement in the light of the story ‘Bonku Babu’s Friend’.
Answer: The story of ‘Bonku Babu’s Friend’ strongly supports the statement that “Those who do not speak out against injustice and maltreatment are bound to be exploited and have to suffer.” Bonku Babu’s life before meeting Ang is a clear illustration of this. For over two decades, he endured relentless teasing from his students, who drew his cartoons, put glue on his chair, and set off rockets behind him. He also suffered continuous ridicule and humiliation at the weekend gatherings at Sripati Majumdar’s house, where he was made the “butt of ridicule” by grown men. They played cruel pranks on him, like the ‘spook’ incident, and openly mocked his intelligence and appearance.
Bonku Babu suffered this exploitation precisely because he did not speak out. He was “much too meek and mild,” and his usual response to provocation was silence or a very gentle “Shame on you, boys!” He took things quietly, partly out of fear for his job and his timid nature. This passivity made him an easy target and allowed the exploitation to continue unchecked for years.
Ang’s arrival and his pointed advice become the turning point. Ang explicitly tells Bonku Babu, “You must always speak up against injustice, and protest if anyone hurts or insults you without any provocation. To take things quietly is wrong, not just for man, but for any creature anywhere.” This counsel directly addresses Bonku Babu’s lifelong habit of silent suffering.
The transformation in Bonku Babu after he internalizes this advice is immediate and dramatic. The very next day, he confronts his tormentors at Sripati Babu’s house. He speaks out boldly against their “absolute rubbish,” calls out their specific wrongdoings (like Chandi Babu hiding his shoes), and refuses to be their source of amusement any longer. By speaking out, he not only ends his suffering in that particular context but also reclaims his dignity. His tormentors are left stunned and speechless, their power over him broken. Thus, the story powerfully demonstrates that silence in the face of injustice perpetuates suffering, while finding the courage to speak out is essential to ending exploitation and asserting one’s self-worth.
Morning Star workbook answers/solutions
Multiple Choice Questions II
1. Who among of the following was a good storyteller?
(a) Nidhu Babu.
(b) Bhairav Chakravarty.
(c) Bonku Babu
(d) Sripati Majumdar.
Answer: (c) Bonku Babu
2. Why does Bonku Babu say, “Shame on you boys!”?
(a) The boys teased Bonku Babu.
(b) The boys were fond of throwing stress to Bonku Babu.
(c) They abused him in the class.
(d) The boys insulted him in the class.
Answer: (a) The boys teased Bonku Babu.
3. Which of the following is correct about Bonku Babu?
(a) Bonku Babu was a prankster
(b) He was a storyteller.
(c) He was a bad tempered teacher
(d) He was a day-dreamer.
Answer: (b) He was a storyteller.
4. What is referred to as a “golden opportunity”?
(a) To scare Bonku Babu with a ‘spook’.
(b) To find a tamarind tree to hang a spook.
(c) To find spaceships in the village.
(d) To meet an alien.
Answer: (a) To scare Bonku Babu with a spook’.
5. Besides his injured neck what harm did the spook do to Bonku Babu?
(a) He was attacked by a “spook”.
(b) His new kurta was torn and black stains all over.
(c) He was forced to sing.
(d) His shoes were hidden.
Answer: (b) His new kurta was torn and black stains all over.
6. Why did Bonku Babu leave early that day?
(a) Everybody was hurling bitter remarks on him.
(b) He was in a hurry to correct the papers.
(c) He felt that it was not a congenial environment for him.
(d) He was very much shocked.
Answer: (c) He felt that it was not a congenial environment for him.
7. What was Ramkanai’s idea about “Saturday”?
(a) Saturday is week end.
(b) Saturday is inauspicious.
(c) Saturday is auspicious for ghosts and spooks.
(d) To avoid doing any good work on Saturday.
Answer: (c) Saturday is auspicious for ghosts and spooks.
8. Why was the silence eerie according to Bonku Babu?
(a) There was absolute silence.
(b) It was evening time.
(c) The animals were asleep.
(d) There was no light only a dull light shone on every branch.
Answer: (a) There was absolute silence.
9. Why was Bonku Babu feeling uncomfortable with the alien?
(a) The creature was unusually tall and had a weird face.
(b) Bonku Babu was afraid of him.
(c) The strange creature was examining Bonku Babu’s arms and legs.
(d) He suspected the creature to be a ghost.
Answer: (c) The strange creature was examining Bonku Babu’s arms and legs.
10. Why was Bonku Babu not able to move even an inch?
(a) Ang’s pebble like object had made him immobile.
(b) He was froze at the sight of the spaceship.
(c) He was afraid of ghost.
(d) He was puzzled at the sight of Ang.
Answer: (a) Ang’s pebble-like object had made him immobile.
Context Questions
Extract 1
For the last twenty-two years, Bonku Babu had taught geography and Bengali at the Kankurgachhi Village Primary School. Every year, a new batch of students replaced the old one, but old or new, the tradition of teasing poor Bonku Babu continued among all the students.
(i) What in the extract shows that the students were teasing Bonku Babu for a long time?
Answer: Bonku Babu had been teaching for twenty-two years, and every year, the tradition of teasing him continued with both old and new batches of students, showing that this teasing had been ongoing for a long time.
(ii) What form of teasing was used by his students?
Answer: The students drew cartoons of Bonku Babu on the blackboard, put glue on his chair, and set off a chasing rocket behind him during Kali Puja, among other pranks.
(iii) How did Bonku Babu react to the teasing by the students?
Answer: Bonku Babu did not get upset and maintained his calm. Occasionally, he would clear his throat and mildly rebuke them by saying, “Shame on you, boys!”
(iv) According to the bank Babu, what made his life as a teacher worth living?
Answer: The presence of a few good students in each class, whom he could teach and mentor, made his life as a teacher worthwhile. He found teaching these students rewarding.
(v) Why did Banku Babu put up with the teasing?
Answer: Bonku Babu endured the teasing because he couldn’t afford to lose his job and knew how difficult it would be to find another one at his age. Additionally, he found satisfaction in teaching the few good students in each class.
Extract 2
Only the other day — less than two months ago, they were talking about ghosts. Usually, Bonku Babu kept his mouth shut. That day, for some unknown reason, he open it and declared that he was not afraid of the ghost that was all! but it was enough to offer a golden opportunity to others. On his way back home later, that night Banku Bhaiya was attacked by a spook.
(i) What made his associates arrange and attacked on Bonku babu by a spook? How is it shown in the story that the attack was arranged by associates?
Answer: Bonku Babu’s declaration that he was not afraid of ghosts provided an opportunity for his associates to play a prank. The attack was arranged by them, as it is mentioned that the “spook” smeared with black ink was possibly suggested by someone at the meeting.
(ii) Describe in your own words the attack by the spook.
Answer: As Bonku Babu was passing under a tamarind tree, a tall, thin figure, smeared with black ink, jumped onto his back, pretending to be a ghost. This figure was likely one of his associates.
(iii) What happened to Bonku Babu as a result of the attack?
Answer: Bonku Babu was not scared, but he was injured. His neck ached for three days, and his new kurta was torn and stained with black ink.
(iv) What was the favourable conditions for the spook to attack?
Answer: The attack took place at night, under the cover of darkness, and Bonku Babu was walking alone, which made it easier for the prank to be carried out.
(v) Why did Bonku Babu attend a meeting despite the attack by the spook? If he were not to attend the meeting what would happen? what does it show about rural life in this area?
Answer: Bonku Babu attended the meetings because he was concerned about what Sripati Babu, an important figure in the village and the school committee, might think if he didn’t show up. Not attending could have affected his standing in the community. This illustrates the social pressures and the importance of maintaining one’s position in the close-knit rural society.
Extract 3
That particular evening Bonku Babu was the first to spot the strange light. Then he call Nidhu Babu and showed it to him. However, when he arrived at the meeting, he found that Nidhu Babu has coolly claimed full credit for being a person to see it, and was boasting a great deal about it. Bonku Babu said nothing
(i) Why did Nidhu Babu say that he was the first person to spot the strange light? What does it say about his character?
Answer: Nidhu Babu falsely claimed credit for spotting the light to boast and seek attention. This shows that he is self-serving and willing to take advantage of others to elevate himself in front of his peers.
(ii)what does Bonku Babu’s silence show about his character?
Answer: Bonku Babu’s silence demonstrates his meekness and tolerance. He is not confrontational and tends to accept injustices quietly rather than challenge them.
(iii) Later, why did they change the topic of satellites?
Answer: The group shifted to talking about satellites to avoid continuing the conversation about the strange light, perhaps because they lacked knowledge or interest in the initial topic and wanted to discuss something more concrete.
(iv) What did Ramkanai say about human achievement?
Answer: Ramkanai acknowledged that although none of them had contributed to it, space exploration and satellites represented a significant achievement for humanity.
(v) What is the prospect of a rocket landing in the village? Why? What was Bonku Babu’s view on this?
Answer: The group dismissed the idea of a rocket landing in their village as irrelevant to their lives. Bonku Babu, however, entertained the possibility, showing his openness to imaginative and extraordinary ideas, unlike his more cynical peers.
Extract 4
“Consider his looks, not to mention his brains… yes, Bunkum would be the ideal specimen!”
“Right. Suitable for keeping in a museum. Or a zoo,” Ramkanat chipped in.
Bonku Babu did not reply, but wondered silently: if anyone were to actually look for a specimen, weren’t the others just as suitable? Look at Sripati Babu. His chin was so much like a camel’s. And that Bhairav Chakravarty his eyes were like tortoise. Nidhu Babau looks like a rat, Ramkhanai is like a goat and Chandi Babu is like a flittermouse. If a zoo really had to be filled up…!
Tears sprang to his eyes.
(i) Why did he call Bonk Babu an ‘ideal specimen’ and for whom?
Answer: Bonku Babu was called an ‘ideal specimen’ for aliens to take, as the others mocked him for his perceived simplicity and lack of intelligence.
(ii) Why did he call him as “Bunkum”? what does it say about his perception of Bonku Babu?
Answer: They called him “Bunkum” as a way of belittling him, implying that he was talking nonsense. It reflects their disrespect and dismissive attitude towards Bonku Babu.
(iii) Name three of his associates whom Bonku Babu says could be other specimens. what reasons does he gave for his choice?
Answer: Bonku Babu suggests Sripati Babu (with a chin like a camel), Bhairav Chakravarty (with tortoise-like eyes), and Nidhu Babu (who looks like a rat) as suitable specimens for a zoo, highlighting their own physical quirks.
(iv) Why didn’t Bonku Babu wonder silently about his associates what would have happened if he had spoken?
Answer: Bonku Babu stayed silent because he was too mild-mannered to speak up. If he had voiced his thoughts, it might have led to a confrontation or ridicule.
(v) How did Bonku Babu reply to each of his associates mentioned in the extract and the end of the story?
Answer: At the end of the story, Bonku Babu finally stands up for himself, directly confronting his associates and delivering cutting remarks to each of them, showcasing his newfound confidence after the encounter with Ang.
Extract 5
Puzzled, Bonku Babu walked another 20 yards and then he suddenly saw the light. At first, he thought that a fire had broken out. Bang in the middle of Poncha Ghosh’s the bamboo groove, in the clearing near a small pond, quite a large area was glowing pink. A dull light on every branch and every leaf. Down below the ground behind the pond was lit by much stronger, pink light.
(i) From where Bonku Babu was coming? Was he in a hurry that day?
Answer: Bonku Babu was returning from a meeting at Sripati Babu’s house. He was not in a particular hurry, but he was walking with purpose due to the unsettling atmosphere caused by the unusual silence of the crickets and the eerie environment.
(ii) Describe what Bonku Babu saw in front of him?
Answer: Bonku Babu saw a pink glow in Poncha Ghosh’s bamboo grove. The light illuminated every branch and leaf, and a much stronger pink light radiated from the ground behind a small pond.
(iii) What made Bonku Babu think that fire had broken out in the area? How did he react?
Answer: At first, Bonku Babu thought the pink glow was the result of a fire because of the way the area was lit up. However, upon realizing the light was steady and not flickering like fire, he became curious rather than panicked and continued to move closer.
(iv) Briefly describe the object that Bonku Babu saw?
Answer: He saw an object that resembled a giant glass bowl turned upside-down, covering the pond. It was from this object that the pink light was emanating.
(v) Imagine yourself to be in Bonku Babu’s place. What would you have done? Why?
Answer: If I were in Bonku Babu’s place, I would likely have been cautious and hesitant, perhaps considering retreating rather than approaching the strange light. However, curiosity might have drawn me closer, much like it did for Bonku Babu, to understand the unusual sight.
Extract 6
“I am Ang, from the planet Craneus. A far superior being than man”. What! This creature, barely four feet tall, with such thin limbs and a weird face. Was superior to man? Bonku Babu nearly burst out laughing. Ang read his mind immediately. “There’s no need to be so sceptical. I can prove it. How many languages do you know?”
(i) Who was Ang? and describe his appearance according to the extract.
Answer: Ang was an alien from the planet Craneus. He was described as being barely four feet tall, with thin limbs, a weird face, and bright yellow, glowing eyes. His body was covered in a shiny, pink outfit, and he lacked traditional human features like a nose and hair.
(ii) Why does he say he is superior to human beings?
Answer: Ang claimed to be superior to humans because of his advanced age (833 years), knowledge of over 14,000 languages, and his experiences on various planets. He also mentioned that his species had stopped eating meat centuries ago, showing a form of moral or intellectual superiority.
(iii) what does Ang say about his knowledge of language?
Answer: Ang boasted that he knew every language spoken in the solar system, including 31 languages from planets outside of it, demonstrating his vast intellectual capability.
(iv) How does Bonku Babu react when Ang greeted him?
Answer: At first, Bonku Babu was sceptical and nearly laughed at Ang’s claim of superiority. However, once Ang began demonstrating his abilities, Bonku Babu became more respectful and astonished.
(v) Compare Ang and Bonku Babu.
Answer: Ang is portrayed as a confident and superior being with vast knowledge, whereas Bonku Babu is portrayed as a simple, humble man with limited knowledge and a meek nature. Ang is advanced, with a deep understanding of the universe, while Bonku Babu represents an average human with ordinary experiences and a lack of self-confidence.
Extract 7
Bonku Babu peered through the glass and felt all his hair rise. Could this be true? Could he really believe eyes? Before him stretched and endless expanses of snow dotted with large Hill locks also covered with ice and snow. Above him, against a deep blue sky, all the colours of a rainbow were forming different patterns, changing every second. The Aurora Borealis what was that? An igloo. There was a group of polar bears wait, there was another animal, a strong, peculiar creature…
(i) What did Bonku Babu think he wanted to see?
Answer: Bonku Babu thought he wanted to see the North Pole, as he was from a warm country and was fascinated by the idea of snow-covered landscapes.
(ii) what was ‘the glass’ who gave it to Bonku Babu? Why?
Answer: The “glass” was a tube-like instrument with a piece of glass at one end. Ang gave it to Bonku Babu, allowing him to see distant places like the North Pole and Brazil, fulfilling Bonku Babu’s desire to experience these locations.
(iii) which was the strange peculiar creature?
Answer: The strange creature Bonku Babu saw through the glass was a walrus, which appeared large and intimidating during a fight with another walrus.
(iv) when Ang mentioned Brazil what was the first thought that come to Bonku Babu? What does it show about Banku Babu’s character?
Answer: When Ang mentioned Brazil, Bonku Babu immediately thought of piranhas, the carnivorous fish. This shows that Bonku Babu’s knowledge of foreign places came from what he had read or heard, rather than personal experience, indicating a curious but limited worldview.
(v) After watching through the tube for sometime, why could not Bonku Babu beer to watch anymore? what did and ask after Bonku Babu was it through the instrument?
Answer: Bonku Babu could not bear to watch anymore because the vivid scenes, especially the sight of piranhas devouring a crocodile, overwhelmed him. Afterward, Ang asked if Bonku Babu now believed in his superiority.
Extract 8
Look, I have been observing you and I have examined your arms and legs you belong to a much inferior species. There is no doubt about that. However, as human beings go you are not too bad. I mean you are a good man but you have a major fault you a must to make and build. That is why you have have made so little progress in life. You must always speak up against injustice and protest. If anyone hurts or insult you without any provocation to take things quietly is wrong. Not just for Ma’am but for any creature anywhere anyway it was nice to have meet you all though. I wasn’t really supposed to be here at this time. There’s no point investing more time on your earth. I had better go.”
(i) According to Ang what was Bonku Babu measure fault? Why did Ang says that manga Bonku Babu made little progress in life?
Answer: Ang believed Bonku Babu’s major fault was that he was too meek and mild. Ang suggested that Bonku Babu’s passive nature and reluctance to speak out against injustice or insult had prevented him from making significant progress in life.
(ii) What did Ang advise Bonku Babu to do if anyone hurt him without any provocation?
Answer: Ang advised Bonku Babu to speak up against injustice and protest if anyone hurt or insulted him without reason, as remaining silent was wrong for any creature.
(iii) Why did Ang leave the planet in a hurry?
Answer: Ang left the planet in a hurry because he was not supposed to be there at that time and saw no point in staying longer on Earth.
(iv) State whether Ang really existed or was a literary device to show one’s selfconfidence.
Answer: Ang could be interpreted as a real character in the story, but symbolically, he represents a literary device to help Bonku Babu realize his own worth and potential, awakening a new sense of self-confidence.
(v) How did Bonku Babu take Ang’s advise what was its result?
Answer: Bonku Babu took Ang’s advice to heart. The next day, he confidently stood up to the people who had mocked him, speaking his mind for the first time. The result was that Bonku Babu felt empowered and liberated from his past submissiveness.
Extras/additional
Questions and answers
Extract 1
No one had ever seen Bonku Babu get cross. To tell the truth, it was difficult to imagine what he might say or do if he did get angry.
It was not as if there was never any reason for him to lose his temper. For the last twenty-two years, Bonku Babu had taught geography and Bengali at the Kankurgachhi Village Primary School. Every year, a new batch of students replaced the old one, but old or new, the tradition of teasing poor Bonku Babu continued among all the students. Some drew his cartoon on the blackboard; others put glue on his chair; or, on the night of Kali Puja, they lit a chasing rocket and set it off right behind him.
(i) What subjects did Bonku Babu teach?
Answer: Bonku Babu taught two subjects: geography and Bengali, both of which he had been teaching for many years at the village school. His students, however, often failed to show respect for his efforts in educating them.
(ii) Where did Bonku Babu teach?
Answer: He taught at the Kankurgachhi Village Primary School, a small rural institution where he had spent the better part of his life as a teacher.
(iii) How did the students treat Bonku Babu?
Answer: The students regularly teased him. They would draw his cartoon on the blackboard, put glue on his chair, and even light a chasing rocket behind him during Kali Puja as part of their pranks.
(iv) How long had Bonku Babu been teaching?
Answer: Bonku Babu had been teaching at the Kankurgachhi Village Primary School for twenty-two years, a considerable amount of time during which he patiently endured the constant mischief of his students.
(v) Did Bonku Babu ever lose his temper with the students?
Answer: Despite all the teasing and pranks, Bonku Babu never lost his temper. It was difficult to imagine him getting angry, even though he had faced numerous reasons to be upset over the years.
Extract 10
“Now do you believe that we are superior?” Ang wanted to know. Bonku Babu ran his tongue over his parched lips. “Yes. Oh yes. Certainly. Of course!” he croaked.
“You are much too meek and mild. That is why you have made so little progress in life. You must always speak up against injustice, and protest if anyone hurts or insults you without any provocation.”
(i) What question did Ang ask Bonku Babu?
Answer: Ang asked Bonku Babu whether he now believed that Ang’s species was superior to humans.
(ii) How did Bonku Babu respond to Ang’s question?
Answer: Bonku Babu, feeling overwhelmed and intimidated, responded by agreeing with Ang and saying “Yes, certainly, of course!”
(iii) What advice did Ang give Bonku Babu?
Answer: Ang advised Bonku Babu to stop being so meek and mild, urging him to speak up against injustice and not to let others insult or hurt him without protest.
(iv) What did Ang believe was the reason for Bonku Babu’s lack of progress in life?
Answer: Ang believed that Bonku Babu’s passive and submissive nature was the reason he had made little progress in life.
(v) How did Ang view taking things quietly without protest?
Answer: Ang viewed taking things quietly without protest as wrong, not just for humans but for any creature, suggesting that one should always stand up against injustice.
MCQs: Knowledge Based
1. For how many years had Bonku Babu been teaching at the Kankurgachhi Village School?
(A) Twenty years
(B) Twenty-two years
(C) Fifteen years
(D) Thirty years
Answer: (B) Twenty-two years
120. The “spook” incident where Bonku Babu was attacked under the tamarind tree was likely orchestrated by:
(A) Real ghosts.
(B) His students as a prank.
(C) Someone at Sripati Babu’s meeting.
(D) A misunderstanding in the dark.
Answer: (C) Someone at Sripati Babu’s meeting.
MCQs: Competency Based
1. Select the option that lists the events in their correct order.
I. A giant, translucent dome opens to reveal a strange creature.
II. A moving point of pink light is seen above a bamboo grove at night.
III. Bonku Babu is attacked by a figure disguised as a ghost.
IV. Bonku Babu boldly rebukes his acquaintances at a gathering.
(a) II, III, I, IV
(b) III, II, I, IV
(c) II, I, III, IV
(d) III, I, II, IV
Answer: (a) II, III, I, IV.
20. Select the option that lists the sequence of events in the correct order.
- Bonku Babu declares at the gathering that it will be his last visit.
- He chuckles at his own newfound confidence before departing.
- He describes how an alien named Ang arrived from another planet.
- He slaps one acquaintance’s back so hard that tea splatters.
(a) 1, 3, 2, 4
(b) 1, 4, 3, 2
(c) 1, 2, 3, 4
(d) 1, 3, 4, 2
Answer: (d) 1, 3, 4, 2.
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