Multiple Choice Question
1. How did Nathu emphasise his annoyance?
(a) By rousing dust while brooming
(b) By breaking the pan by hitting it
(c) By plodding barefoot on the road outside the bank
(d) By sitting on the steps of the bank instead of brooming.
Answer: (a)
2. Who was the person whom Sitaram met at the fourth home he visited?
(a) Mrs Bhushan
(b) Mrs Srivastava
(c) Deep Chand
(d) Ganpat
Answer: (b)
3. In whose employment did Sitaram try to look for a job for Nathu?
(a) Mrs Bhushan
(b) Mrs Srivastava
(c) Deep Chand
(d) Ganpat
Answer: (b)
4. Why was Sitaram glad in the beginning of the story?
(a) He was able to help both his friend and his customer
(b) He did not have an account in the bank
(c) He had completed his rounds of delivering clothes
(d) All of the above
Answer: (d)
5. Mrs Srivastava misunderstood Sitaram's statement and started believing that the Pipalnagar bank was on the verge of
(a) insolvency.
(b) debt.
(c) loss.
(d) bankruptcy.
Answer: (d)
6. What did Mrs Bhushan say about the bank?
(a) The bank was not paying its sweeper
(b) The bank was about to go bankrupt
(c) The bank was going to close down
(d) The bank was sound and in safe hands
Answer: (b)
7. What was Deep Chand's profession?
(a) A sweeper
(b) A shopkeeper
(c) A barber
(d) A merchant
Answer: (c)
8. What did Deep Chand's customer do when he heard the news?
(a) Scolded Deep Chand for injuring him while shaving
(b) Talked to Mrs Srivastava
(c) Broke the bank's glass panels
(d) Rushed to contact Govind Ram on telephone.
Answer: (d)
9. In the story, Seth Govind Ram
(a) was holidaying in Kashmir.
(b) harassed the Bank's Manager.
(c) decided to rush back to the bank.
(d) All of the above.
Answer: (a)
10. Which of the following is NOT true about Ganpat, the beggar?
(a) He was not lame
(b) He had a thousand rupees in the bank
(c) He was miraculously cured
(d) None of the above
Answer: (a)
11. According to the rumours, what had Seth Govind Ram done?
(a) Indulged in luxuries
(b) Had run away from the country
(c) Had committed suicide
(d) All of the above
Answer: (d)
12. What did the account holders demand from the bank?
(a) Justice
(b) Their locker keys
(c) Immediate release of their money
(d) Information about the bank.
Answer: (c)
13. What is the moral of the story, 'A Boy Who Broke The Bank?
(a) Banks are risky for saving money
(b) Rumours are destructive
(c) Rumours connect people
(d) None of the above
Answer: (b)
Extract I
Nathu grumbled to himself as he swept the steps of the Pipalnagar Bank, owned by Seth Govind Ram. He used the small broom hurriedly and carelessly, and the dust, after rising in a cloud above his head settled down again on the steps. As Nathu was banging his pan against a dustbin, Sitaram, the washerman's son, passed by. Sitaram was on his delivery round. He had a bundle of freshly pressed clothes balanced on his head. 'Don't raise such dust,' he called out to Nathu. 'Are you annoyed because they are still refusing to pay you an extra two rupees a month?'
Extract II
Mrs Srivastava had to do some shopping. She gave instructions to the ayah about looking after the baby, and told the cook not to be late with the mid-day meal. Then she set out for the Pipalnagar market place, to make her customary tour of the cloth shops. A large shady tamarind tree grew at one end of the bazaar, and it was here that Mrs Srivastava found her friend Mrs Bhushan sheltering from the heat.
Extract III
Read the extract given below and answer the questions that follow:
"Deep Chand who was cutting the hair of an elderly gentleman, was so startled that his hand shook and he nicked his customer's right ear. The customer yelped with pain and distress: pain, because of the cut, and distress because of the awful news he had just heard. With one side of his neck still unshaven, he sped across the road to the general merchant's store where there was a telephone."
(i) Who was Deep Chand? Who gave him the news? Why?
Answer: Deep Chand was a barber in the town of Pipalnagar. He received the news about the bank's impending collapse from Kamal Kishore, the owner of the photography shop. Kishore gave him the news to advise him to withdraw his money from the bank as he knew that Deep Chand had an account there.
(ii) How did he react to the rumour? Do you think he followed the advice given to him?
Answer: Deep Chand was startled by the news, to the point that his hands shook and he accidentally nicked his customer's ear. Given his reaction, it is highly likely that he intended to follow the advice given to him and withdraw his money from the bank.
(iii) How did his customer react? Was his reaction followed by other people in the town?
Answer: His customer reacted in a panic, immediately leaving the barber shop, even with one side of his neck unshaven, to rush to the general merchant's store to use the telephone, presumably to verify the news or to take action regarding his account at the bank. This panicked reaction was mirrored by many others in the town, as the rumor about the bank's collapse spread rapidly, causing a mass hysteria and a rush to withdraw money from the bank.
(iv) What was it that concerned the customer more than his injury? What does this reflect about the general tendency of the customers of the bank?
Answer: The customer was more concerned about the news of the bank's possible collapse than his injury. This reflects a general tendency of the bank's customers to prioritize their financial security above everything else, indicating the level of trust they had in the bank and the potential gravity of its collapse.
(v) Name two people who spread the rumour. How did each get the news and how he/she spread it?
Answer: Two people who played a significant role in spreading the rumor were Mrs. Srivastava and Mrs. Bhushan. Mrs. Srivastava got the news from Sitaram, who mentioned that Nathu was not being paid by the bank. She then shared this information, albeit somewhat altered, with Mrs. Bhushan during their conversation under the tamarind tree. Mrs. Bhushan then further spread the rumor by telling her husband, who then relayed it to others, thereby contributing to the rapid spread of the rumor in the town.
Extract IV
Read the extract given below and answer the questions that follow:
"The bird has flown! Seth Govind Ram has left town. Definitely, it means a collapse.' And then he dashed out of the shop, making a beeline for his office and chequebook."
(i) "The bird has flown!". What did Deep Chand meant by this?
Answer: By saying "The bird has flown!", Deep Chand meant that Seth Govind Ram, the owner of the bank, has fled the town, implying that the rumor about the bank's impending collapse was true and that Seth Govind Ram had possibly absconded to avoid the consequences of the bank's failure.
(ii) How did Deep Chand's action contribute to the possible collapse of the bank?
Answer: Deep Chand's immediate reaction to the rumor and his hasty decision to rush to his office to get his chequebook contributed to the growing panic in the town. His actions would have been noticed by others, thereby adding to the hysteria and the rush to withdraw money from the bank, which ultimately could lead to the bank's collapse.
(iii) How did Deep Chand conclude that the bank had collapsed?
Answer: Deep Chand concluded that the bank had collapsed based on the rumor that was circulating in the town, which suggested that the bank was in financial trouble and that Seth Govind Ram had left the town to possibly avoid the repercussions of the bank's failure. His conclusion was not based on verified information but rather on the rumor that was spreading like wildfire.
(iv) Who was responsible for the apparent collapse of the bank? Why do you think so?
Answer: The apparent collapse of the bank was initiated by a series of misunderstandings and rumors that spiraled out of control. Initially, it was Nathu's complaint about not receiving his salary that sparked the rumor. However, as the story progressed, various individuals like Sitaram, Mrs. Srivastava, Mrs. Bhushan, and others played a part in spreading and exacerbating the rumor. Therefore, it can be said that the responsibility for the apparent collapse of the bank is shared among several individuals who contributed to the spread of the rumor, either knowingly or unknowingly.
(v) How does the story show that the people trusted one another without finding out the real cause behind the rumour?
Answer: The story showcases the trust people had in one another by depicting how quickly and unquestioningly the rumor spread throughout the town. The residents of Pipalnagar did not seek to verify the information; instead, they relied on word-of-mouth information from people they knew and trusted. This demonstrates a strong sense of community trust, but also shows the negative consequences of not verifying information before reacting to it.
Extract V
Read the extract given below and answer the questions that follow:
Men stood in groups at street corners discussing the situation. Pipalnagar seldom had a crisis, seldom or never had floods, earthquakes or drought; and the imminent crash of the Pipalnagar Bank set everyone talking and speculating and rushing about in a frenzy. Some boasted of their farsightedness, congratulating themselves on having already taken out their money, or on never having put any in; others speculated on the reasons for the crash, putting it all down to excesses indulged in by Seth Govind Ram. The Seth had fled the state, said one. He had fled the country, said another, he was hiding in Pipalnagar, said a third. He had hanged himself from the tamarind tree, said a fourth, and had been found that morning by the sweeper-boy.
(i) What were the men who stood in groups talking about?
Answer: The men who stood in groups were discussing the situation of the imminent crash of the Pipalnagar Bank.
(ii) How did the people react? What made them think that Seth Govind Ram had fled with their money?
Answer: The people reacted with panic and started speculating about the reasons for the crash. The absence of Seth Govind Ram during this crisis made them think that he had fled with their money.
(iii) What were the rumours about Seth Govind Ram?
Answer: The rumours about Seth Govind Ram were that he had fled the state, fled the country, was hiding in Pipalnagar, or had hanged himself from the tamarind tree.
(iv) Why was the tamarind tree important?
Answer: The tamarind tree was important as it was a significant location in the market where people often met and gossiped. Additionally, one of the rumours suggested that Seth Govind Ram had hanged himself from this tree.
(v) Do you think that the way Seth Govind Ram behaved made the rumours easier to believe? Give reasons to support your answer.
Answer: Yes, the way Seth Govind Ram behaved, particularly his absence during the crisis, made the rumours easier to believe. In small towns, where everyone knows everyone, the absence of a key person during a crisis can lead to wild speculations.
Extract VI
Read the extract given below and answer the questions that follow:
People were turned back from the counters and told to return the following day. They did not like the sound of that. And so they gathered outside, on the steps of the bank shouting 'Give us our money or we'll break in!' and 'Fetch the Seth, we know he's hiding in a safe deposit locker!' Mischief makers who didn't have a paisa in the bank, joined the crowd and aggravated their mood. The manager stood at the door and tried to placate them.
(i) Who were the people at the counters? Why were they asked to return the next day?
Answer: The people at the counters were the bank's customers who came to withdraw their money. They were asked to return the next day because the bank had run out of cash due to the sudden rush of withdrawals.
(ii) What was their reaction? Why was anyone not able to 'Fetch' the Seth? Why?
Answer: Their reaction was of anger and panic. They gathered outside the bank, shouting and demanding their money. Nobody was able to 'Fetch' the Seth because he was on a holiday in Kashmir and was not in town.
(iii) Why did the mischief makers, who didn't even have a paisa in the bank join the crowd? How did the crowd mentality of the masses add to the confusion?
Answer: The mischief makers joined the crowd to create more chaos and enjoy the situation. The crowd mentality added to the confusion because in such situations, people often act irrationally, influenced by others' actions and emotions without verifying the facts.
(iv) What, do you think, would have happened outside the bank after the brick was hurled through the air?
Answer: After the brick was hurled through the air, it might have led to more aggressive actions, with the possibility of violence and vandalism outside the bank.
(v) According to you, which incident reflected the madness of the town?
Answer: The incident where even the mischief makers, who had no money in the bank, joined the protesting crowd and aggravated their mood, reflects the madness of the town. It shows how easily people can get carried away without understanding the real situation.
Extract VII
He declared that the bank had plenty of money but no immediate means of collecting it; he urged them to go home and come back the next day. "We want it now!" chanted some of the crowd. "Now, now, now!" And a brick hurtled through the air and crashed through the plate glass window of the Pipalnagar Bank.
(i) How did the manager try to pacify the crowd?
ANSWER: The manager tried to pacify the crowd by declaring that the bank had plenty of money but no immediate means of collecting it. He urged them to go home and come back the next day.
(ii) Was he speaking the truth? What did the crowd do when they were asked to come the next day?
ANSWER: Yes, the manager was speaking the truth. When they were asked to come the next day, some of the crowd chanted "We want it now!" and a brick was thrown which crashed through the plate glass window of the Pipalnagar Bank.
(iii) Why did people want their money as soon as possible? Why didn't anyone believe the manager? Why did the townsfolk merely rely on the rumours?
ANSWER: People wanted their money as soon as possible because they believed the rumours about the bank going bankrupt. Nobody believed the manager because of the widespread distrust for the bank and its owner, and the existing rumours. The townsfolk merely relied on the rumours because in a small town setting, word of mouth travels fast and people tend to trust known sources rather than official statements.
(iv) What is the irony in the situation mentioned in the extract?
ANSWER: The irony in the situation is that the bank, which was actually sound, collapsed due to baseless rumours. Despite the manager's attempts to tell the truth, the townsfolk's trust in rumours led to the bank's downfall.
(v) The tongue is mightier than the sword. How does this story support this statement.
ANSWER: The story supports the statement "The tongue is mightier than the sword" by showing how a simple rumour, when spread through words, caused the collapse of a sound bank. The power of words and rumours proved to be stronger than any physical force in this situation.
Extract VIII
He cried: "Hooligans! Sons of donkeys! As though it isn't bad enough to be paid late, it seems my work has also to be increased!" He smote the steps with his broom scattering the refuse. "Good morning, Nathu," said the washerman's boy getting down from his bicycle. "Are you ready to take up a new job from the first of next month?"
(i) What made Nathu angry enough to swear? What does this say about his status?
ANSWER: Nathu was angry because he had not been paid his salary on time, and on top of that, he had to deal with the additional mess (glass, stones, rubbish) on the steps of the bank. This shows his low status and vulnerability as a poor worker who is not treated fairly.
(ii) What new job is the washerman's boy talking about? How frequently does he meet Nathu?
ANSWER: The washerman's boy is talking about a new job as a sweeper for Mrs Srivastava, who is in need of one. Given their casual conversation, it seems the washerman's boy meets Nathu quite frequently, perhaps daily, during his rounds.
(iii) What had happened? Why would Nathu have to take up a new job?
ANSWER: The bank where Nathu worked had collapsed due to a rumour, and hence he would have to look for a new job as the bank was no longer operational.
(iv) What was supposed to happen later in the morning?
ANSWER: Later in the morning, the bank manager was expected to arrive at the bank.
(v) The boy who broke the bank was the last to know it. Comment.
ANSWER: This statement highlights the irony of the situation. Nathu, whose innocent grumbling indirectly led to the spread of the rumour and the eventual collapse of the bank, was the last person to find out about the bank's downfall. It underscores the unintended consequences of seemingly trivial actions in a tightly-knit community.
Project Work
1. Who do you think is truly responsible for the breaking of the Bank? Give reasons.
Answer:
While Nathu's grumbling about his unpaid salary initiated the chain of events, the real culprits behind the bank's collapse are the townsfolk who spread the rumor without verifying its authenticity. The bank's downfall was a result of collective irresponsibility. People's tendency to believe and propagate unverified information without considering its consequences led to a panic-induced bank run.
2. Why and how did the rumour spread so fast in the small town? Why are rumours harmful?
Answer:
The rumor spread quickly because of the close-knit nature of the small town. In such a setting, news travels fast as everyone knows everyone else. Gossip and casual conversations are common, making it a fertile ground for rumors. Additionally, the absence of the bank's owner, Seth Govind Ram, during this crucial time, added fuel to the fire. Rumors are harmful because they can distort reality, lead to unnecessary panic, and cause irreversible damage to individuals or institutions, as seen in this story.
3. The boy who crashed the Bank was the last person to know about the collapse. Comment.
Answer:
This situation is deeply ironic. Nathu, who indirectly caused the bank's downfall, remained oblivious to the chaos unfolding around him. His primary concern was his unpaid salary, and he had no inkling about the catastrophic effects of his innocent grumbling. This highlights the unpredictability of consequences and how a small act can snowball into something much larger.
4. Rumours are spread by fools and accepted by greater fools'. Comment.
Answer:
This adage underscores the dangers of spreading and believing in rumors. Those who spread rumors without verifying their authenticity act irresponsibly. However, those who accept these rumors without questioning or seeking the truth are even more at fault. Such blind acceptance can lead to significant harm, as demonstrated by the bank's collapse in the story.
5. Give a brief description of the character of Nathuram.
Answer:
Nathuram is the sweeper-boy at Pipalnagar Bank. He is depicted as a simple, hardworking individual frustrated with the delay in his salary payment. Nathuram's primary concerns revolve around his livelihood, and he remains mostly unaware of the broader implications of his actions. He is dedicated to his job, evident from his decision to clean the bank's steps even after knowing about its collapse. Nathuram's character embodies innocence, and he becomes an unwitting catalyst in the story's central event.
