THE RATTRAP

YEH PADHO AUR PURA CHAPTER ON TIPS:

Important notes
 The Rattrap class 12 English lesson begins by introducing the rattrap seller who wanders,
collecting junk from here and there to put together and turn into functional rat traps.
 One day, a stranger whose cottage door he knocks on allows him to stay the night. The
man served the rat trap seller porridge with a pipe of tobacco, and they played games.
 The rat trap seller goes about his way when his host leaves in the morning to tend to his
cow. However, the rat trap seller returns to steal the money in the pouch by breaking the
window a little while later.
 After this, he stumbles through the forest, avoiding the highway to be on the safe side, all
the while thinking about how he allowed himself to fall into the world’s rat trap of
materialistic things like money (the thirty kronor he stole).
 He eventually lies down on the ground, which was extremely cold because the story is set
in late December. On top of this, his clothes were mostly rags, so it was even colder for
him. However, as he laid his head down, he heard the sound of the iron mill nearby and
followed it.
 When he arrived, people were sitting by the warmth of the furnace. No one bothered to
object to his being there, so he sat with them.
 The owner of the mill came by in the meantime to do his evening rounds, and upon seeing
the tramp, he mistook him for an old comrade, Nils Olof.
 The tramp had a beard and scraggly hair, so it was easy to mistake him for other people.
The tramp did not deny this, thinking he would get some more money if he went with it.
However, when the owner invited him to the manor, he declined, out of what the owner
thought was an embarrassment.
 Soon after, the owner’s daughter came to attempt to bring the tramp to the house in the
name of Christmas Eve, and he had to oblige.
 At the manor, the rat trap seller was given a bath, a haircut, a shave and fresh clothes in
the hope that his embarrassment coming from his condition would also wash off with his
filth.
 The daughter had her father allow him to stay, and the man looked like he needed a
hearty meal and some sleep.
At the Christmas mass, while the tramp still slept, the family found out about the stolen
money. On returning to the manor, the rat trap seller had already gone on his way.
 However, he did leave behind a Christmas present for the daughter - the thirty kronor to
return to the man in the cottage by the roadside, as written by him in a letter with it;
Because he was treated with respect, he returned the respect.

APNI KAKSHA 1
Multiple Choice Questions based on an extract.

Extract-1

"Since you have been so nice to me all day long as if I was a captain, I want to be nice
to you, in return, as if I was a real captain - for I do not want you to be embarrassed
at this Christmas season by a thief; but you can give back the money to the old man
on the roadside, who has the money pouch hanging on the window frame as a bait
for poor wanderers.
The rattrap is a Christmas present from a rat who would have been caught in this
world's rattrap if he had not been raised to captain, because in that way he got
power to clear himself.
"Written with friendship and high regard, Captain von Stahle."
i ) Which of the following CANNOT be attributed to the peddler, according to the above
extract?
a) Indebtedness
b) Reform
c) Self-pity
d) Self-awareness
Ans c)

ii ) Why did the peddler gift a rattrap as a Chrismas present?

a) It was all the peddler had that he could give away, and represented his turn to honesty.
b) It symbolized his successful escape from entrapment as he returned the stolen money.
c) It served as a reminder for Edla to be wary of the dangerous temptations of the world.
d) It was a practical and convenient present that the lady of the house could effectively use.
Ans a)

iii.) The word 'frame' has been used to indicate a rigid structure that surrounds
something such as a picture, door, or windowpane. There are other meanings of
'frame' too. Choose the option that DOES NOT list the meaning of 'frame'.
a) A person’s body with reference to its or build
b) A single complete picture in a series forming a cinema, television, or video film
c) The triangular structure for positioning the red balls in snooker
d) A thin solid object that seals a container or hole; a lid
Ans d)

iv) This communication includes

1. a promise
2. regret
3. an apology
4. shame
a) only 4
b) only 1
c) 1 & 3
d) 2 & 4
Ans c)
APNI KAKSHA 2
 Extract-02
...it was a big and confusing forest which he had gotten into. He tried, to be sure, to
walk in a definite direction, but the paths twisted back and forth so strangely! He
walked and walked without coming to the end of the wood, and finally he realised
that he had only been walking around in the same part of the forest. All at once he
recalled his thoughts about the world and the rattrap. Now his own turn had come.
He had let himself be fooled by a bait and had been caught. The whole forest, with
its trunks and branches, its thickets and fallen logs, closed in upon him like an
impenetrable prison from which he could never escape.

i ) How would you characterize the mood of the above extract?

a) mysterious, restful
b) ominous, despairing
c) thoughtful, whimsical
d) philosophical, anguished
Ans b)

ii ) By what bait had the peddler been fooled?

a) He had chosen to take the ‘safe’ forest route.
b) He had decided to avoid the public highway.
c) He had stolen money from the trusting crofter.
d) He didn’t realize the power of his rattrap analogy.
Ans c)

iii ) The consequence of ‘his own turn’ having come was that the peddler had___
a) got irreversibly lost in the thick warped forest.
b) been fooled and imprisoned in a hopeless prision.
c) been walking around the same part of the forest.
d) walked the whole forest without finding the end.
Ans a)

APNI KAKSHA 3
 Stand Alone MCQs
1. Who is the author of The Rattrap?
A) Selma Lagerlof
B) Thomas B. Allen
C) Howard Phillips
D) Sudha Murthy
Ans: A) Selma Lagerlof
2. Which country does the author belong to?
A) Singapore
B) Sydney
C) Sweden
D) Switzerland
Ans: C) Sweden
3. Where has the story been set up?
A) Jewellery shops
B) Forests of Sweden
C) Roads of Sweden
D) Mines of Sweden
Ans: D) Mines of Sweden
4. Sweden Mines are rich in which ore?
A) Brass
B) Copper
C) Steel
D) Iron ore
Ans: D) Iron ore
5. In what manner has the story been narrated?
A ) Non-fictious style
B) Realistic manner
C) Fairy tale manner
D) None of these
Ans: C) Fairy tale manner
6. What is the message of the story?
A) Love and kindness are powerful reformers.
B) Kindness is powerless
C) Kindness encourages thieves
D) Thieves need reprimand
Ans: A) Love and kindness are powerful reformers

APNI KAKSHA 4
7. This story revolves around whom?
A) Around Crofter and his daughter
B) Around crofter
C) Around ironman
D) Around peddler- the Rattrap seller
Ans: D) Around peddler- the Rattrap seller
8. What does the rattrap seller have to do to make his both ends meet?
A) Peddling
B) Selling
C) Begging
D) Thievery and begging
Ans: D) Thievery and begging
9. Why does the peddler knit up various kind of thoughts?
A) Because of greed
B) Because of travelling
C) Because of loneliness and poverty
D) None
Ans: C) Because of loneliness and poverty
10. In peddler’s view, what does the world look like?
A) A Rat
B) A Jungle
C) A Jigsaw
D) A Rattrap
Ans: D) A Rattrap

APNI KAKSHA 5
THINK AS YOU READ
Q.1 From where did the peddler get the idea of the world being a rattrap?
Ans: The peddler lived a dull and monotonous life. He had no family, no money and no
relatives. He was a vagabond. So, being alone most of the time, he used to go on thinking.
While thinking about the rattrap, he suddenly got the idea of the world being a rattrap.
Q.2 Why was he amused by this idea?
Ans: The peddler had never been treated well by the world. So he felt happy thinking ill of the
world. That is why he was amused by the idea that the whole world around him was
nothing but a big rattrap..
Q.3 Did the peddler expect the kind of hospitality that he received from the crofter?
(All India 2010)
Ans: No, the peddler did not expect the kind of hospitality that he received from the crofter. He
was always refused whenever he asked anyone for any kind of kindness. Thus, he had
expected the same, but, to his surprise, the crofter treated him very kindly and gave him
food and shelter.
Q.4 Why was the crofter so talkative and friendly with the peddler?
Ans: The crofter was a lonely man. He had no one in his house to give him company. He had no
wife, no children. So when he saw the peddler, he was very happy to get someone to talk
to.
Q.5 Why did he show the thirty kronor to the peddler?
Ans: The crofter narrated his story of living a comfortable life and having a good reasonable
income that he made due to his extraordinary cow that gave a lot of milk. He told the
peddler that he had earned thirty kronor last month. But the peddler expressed his
disbelief. In order to make him believe, the crofter opened the pouch and showed the
tramp the money
Q6. Did the peddler respect the confidence reposed in him by the crofter?
Ans: No, the peddler did not live up to the confidence reposed in him by the crofter. In fact, he
abused the trust of the crofter. He returned after some time, opened the window of the
cottage and stole the crofter’s hard-earned money.

THINK AS YOU READ

Q1. What made the peddler think that he had indeed fallen into a rattrap?
Ans: After stealing the crofter’s money, the peddler avoided the road and walked through the
forest. Soon the night fell and he could not find his way out. He walked and walked
without coming to the end of the wood. He finally realized that he was walking round and
round the same spot. This made him frustrated and tired. Now he realised that he had
indeed fallen into a rattrap.
Q2. Why did the ironmaster speak kindly to the peddler and invite him home?
Ans: The ironmaster mistook the peddler to be his old acquaintance Nils Olof who was a
captain and had resigned from the regiment long back. The ironmaster thought that the
man was going through a bad phase in his life and so invited him home, especially as it
was Christmas Eve.

APNI KAKSHA 6
Q 3. Why did the peddler decline the invitation?
Ans: The peddler declined the invitation, as he had stolen the money and was afraid of being
caught. Accepting the invitation would be like throwing oneself voluntarily into a lion’s
den.

THINK AS YOU READ

Q1. What made the peddler accept Elda Willmansson invitation?
Ans: Elda Willmansson came to invite the peddler with her fur coat and a valet. She spoke in a
very friendly manner and he felt confidence in her. She persuaded him to come home and
promised him that he would be allowed to leave whenever he would like to.
Q2. What doubts did Edla have about the peddler?
Ans: Edla noticed that peddler was very scared. She thought he could either be a thief or an
escapee from a prison.
Q 3. When did the ironmaster realize his mistake?
Ans: When the peddler was given a bath, a haircut and had a shave, the ironmaster realised at
the breakfast table that the tramp did not look like his regimental comrade and that he
had made a mistake.
Q.4 What did the peddler say in his defence when it was clear that he was not the
person the ironmaster had thought he was?
Ans. To defend himself, the peddler argued that he had never said that he was a captain or the
old comrade of the ironmaster. In fact, he had repeatedly declined the invitation to spend
the Christmas at the manor.
Q 5. Why did Edla entertain the peddler even after she came to know the truth about
him?
Ans: Edla was a kind lady. She empathized with the poor peddler and understood how difficult
his life had been. She was able to understand his loneliness and poverty. She entertained
him even though she knew who he was. Moreover, it was Christmas eve and she wanted
to extend Christmas cheer and goodwill to him.
THINK AS YOU READ
Q1. Why was Edla happy to see the gift left by the peddler?
Ans: Edla was happy to see the gift left by the peddler because it was symbolic of the positive
change in the peddler. He had left the stolen thirty kronor in the rattrap along with a
letter. He had requested that the money be returned to the crofter. Edla was happy to
know he had realised his mistake and made amends.
Q2. Why did the peddler sign himself as Captain von Stahle?
Ans: The peddler was accepted and welcomed to the house as Captain von Stahle. Edla gave
the peddler a kind treatment and in spite of knowing the reality, she treated him like a
captain. This awakened the latent goodness of his heart and he also behaved in a dignified
manner and signed himself as Captain von Stahle.

APNI KAKSHA 7
Understanding the text
Q1. How does the peddler interpret the acts of kindness and hospitality shown by the
crofter, the ironmaster and his daughter?
Ans: The peddler was a vagabond who had no house, no family. He used to sell rattraps. One
evening when he was trudging along the road, he saw a cottage by the roadside. He
knocked at the door and asked for permission for night stay at the forge. The owner of the
cottage, gave him shelter, food, tobacco and his company and confidences. He even
showed him the thirty kronor that he had saved. But the peddler stole the money the next
day, violating the trust of the crofter. Later, the peddler thought that the crofter’s
hospitality was a bait for him to be trapped. Similarly, the ironmaster’s hospitality also
didn’t impress the peddler much because he was kind to him only because he thought
him to be his old acquaintance. But, on the contrary, Edla’s kindness and hospitality
stirred up the essential goodness in him because her kindness was without any selfish
motive in it like the crofter who wanted company and the ironmaster who wanted to help
his old friend. Edla wanted to give some comfort and happiness to the peddler even
though she knew that he was a tramp.
Q2. What are the instances in the story that show that the character of the ironmaster
is different from that of his daughter in many ways?
Ans: The ironmaster was the owner of Ramsjo Ironworks. He wanted to send good quality iron
to the market. He was a very vigilant observer and hardworking and used to visit his mill
even at night for supervision. He was kind and sympathetic to the peddler. But his
kindness to him is due to the fact that he mistook the peddler to be his old regimental
comrade Nils Olof. That is why when he came to know the truth about the peddler, he got
angry and threatened to call the sheriff. On the contrary, Edla is more observant than her
father. When she saw the peddler the first time, she thought he was either a thief or a jail
breaker. But she was unlike her father. She had special sympathy for the unfortunate
people. When her father, knowing the reality of the tramp, asked him to leave, Edla
insisted on him to stay to spend the Christmas with them. She knew that the peddler,
didn’t have any place in the world and so she invited him to celebrate Christmas with
them. It was only her tenderness and kind behaviour that aroused the essential goodness
in the peddler.
Q 3. The story has many instances of unexpected reactions from the characters to
another character’s behaviour. Pick out instances of these surprises.
Ans: ‘The Rattrap’ deals with human emotions. These emotions, at times, give rise to
unexpected behaviour. One of the most important unexpected behaviour is of the crofter
towards the peddler. When the peddler asked him for shelter in the night, he welcomed
him and gave him food, tobacco and company. The crofter bestowed so much confidence
in the peddler that he even showed him the thirty kronor that he had saved. In another
instance, the peddler was first persuaded by ironmaster to come to his home and when
he realised his mistake he got furious and threatened to call the sheriff. Yet another and
the most unexpected reaction is that of Edla Willmansson. When the peddler was asked
to leave immediately, Edla closed the door and insisted that the tramp stay at their home
for Christmas. She showed extraordinary kindness to him. The most unexpected
behaviour was that of the peddler. Edla’s kindness brought out the essential goodness in

APNI KAKSHA 8
 him and he left the home leaving behind a gift for Edla along with the money he had
stolen.
Q4. What made the peddler finally change his ways?
Ans: It was ironmaster’s daughter Edla’s kindness and empathy that changed the peddler.
Throughout his life, the peddler had never received such kindness. Initially, when Edla
invited him home, she gave him the freedom to leave whenever he wanted. Later, when
the ironmaster realised his mistake, he wanted to call the sheriff but out of kindness
allowed him to leave. But Edla closed the door and insisted on him to stay for Christmas.
Her kindness brought out the essential goodness in the tramp. Edla not only served him
good food and looked after him very well, but she also offered him to come to their house
every Christmas. This generous and kind nature worked as a catalyst to bring about a
positive change in the peddler. Thus, by returning the stolen money along with a rattrap
as a Christmas present along with a note for Edla, the peddler left the house honorably.
Q5. How does the metaphor of the rattrap serve to highlight the human predicament?
Ans: The story deals with the metaphor of ‘Rattrap’. It refers to the theory that life is one big
rattrap. It exists for a purpose to set baits for people. It offers riches and joys, luxuries and
comforts, food and shelter, heat and clothing exactly as a rattrap offers cheese and pork.
The moment anyone lets himself be tempted to touch the bait, it closes on him and then
everything comes to an end. The peddler in the story was caught into the trap by the
hospitality received at the crofter. His extreme poverty forced him to steal the money. He
was at this moment caught into the trap of his own guilt. Even at the ironmaster’s house
he is caught in his own trap. But it is Edla’s extreme kindness and generosity which
enabled him to come out of this trap of his and leave the house as a freeman, after
confessing his wrong deed and leaving the stolen money. Thus, the metaphor of rattrap
very aptly highlights the fact that if you take something you want wrongfully, you will
usually get trapped in life.
Q6. The peddler comes out as a person with subtle sense of humor. How does this serve
in lightening the seriousness of the theme of the story and also endear him to the
reader?
Ans: The peddler is one of the most interesting characters in this story. His theory of rattrap is
an excellent example of humor in the story. The very idea of comparing a man’s greed for
money and wealth to a rat which hungrily looks around for food and finally gets in the
trap, evokes humor. Moreover, the tramp himself committed the same error by stealing
the crofter’s money is so ironical. The peddler’s attempt not to undeceive the ironmaster,
in spite of being afraid to accept the invitation, is very comical. Some of the other funny
scenes are when he displayed his smartness after he was recognized by the ironmaster.
The display of his anger and frustration at the point when the ironmaster threatened to
call the police is also very humorous. In spite of all the things that he did, he came out to
be a very lovable character and endears us when he confessed his guilt and left the house
in an honorable manner leaving the stolen money, a note and a Christmas gift for Edla.

APNI KAKSHA 9
Short type questions
Q1. What did the peddler sell? How did he make those things?
Ans: The peddler sold small rattraps made of wire. He made them himself. He got the material
by begging in the stores or at the big farms.
Q.2 The peddler was given to thievery and hegging. Why?
Ans: The peddler made small rattraps and sold them. But his business was not profitable. So
he had to resort to both begging and petty thievery to keep his body and soul together.
Q.3 Why did the peddler drive pleasure from his idea of the world as a rattrap?
Ans: The peddler used to sell rattraps. The world had never been kind to him, so it gave him
joy to think ill of it in this way. It became a cherished pastime for him. He thought some
people had already been caught in this rattrap while the others are circling around it.
Q4. Why did Edla plead her father not to send the vagabond away?
Ans: Edla had felt so happy when she thought how she would be going to entertain the
stranger on the Christmas Eve. She could not get away from the idea all at once, and that
was why she pleaded her father for the vagabond. She wanted him to enjoy a day of peace
with them in their house.
Q5. Why did the crofter welcome the peddler in his cottage?
Ans: The crofter lived alone in his cottage. He was without wife and child. He welcomed the
peddler to over- come his loneliness.
Q 6. How can you say that the crofter was a good host?
Ans: The crofter was indeed a good host. He welcomed the peddler in his cottage. He shared
with him his meal and tobacco. He also played a game of cards with him. All this show
that the crofter was a good host
Q7. What do we learn about the crofter's nature from the story, "The Rattrap'?
Ans: The crofter lived alone in his cottage. He welcomed the peddler in his cottage and offered
him meal and tobacco. He also played a game of cards with him. Though the crofter was a
good host yet he entertained the peddler only to overcome his own loneliness
Q8. Why did the crofter show his thirty kronor to the peddler?
Ans: The crofter was very proud of his cow. He told the peddler that it gave enough milk to
support him. To prove himself true he showed his thirty kronor to the peddler which he
had received as a payment for the milk.
Q9. How did the ironmaster react on seeing the stranger lying close to the furnace?
Ans: The ironmaster saw the peddler at the forge. The ironmaster walked close to him. He
thought the peddler was his one of the regimental acquaintances. He called him by the
name of Nils Olof The ironmaster felt sorry to see his miserable condition and he invited
the peddler to his home.
Q10. Why didn't the peddler tell the ironmaster that he was not Captain Nils Off?
Ans: The peddler thought that if the ironmaster thought that he was an old acquaintance, he
might perhaps help him with a few kronor. Therefore the peddler didn't tell the
ironmaster that he was not his old acquaintance.

APNI KAKSHA 10
Important Long Question Answers
Q.1 How did the peddler feel after robbing the crofter? What course did he adopt and
how did he react to the new situation? What does his reaction reveal? (Delhi 2013)
Ans. The crofter had treated the peddler with hospitality, and had even reposed his trust in the
poor vagabond. Still the peddler robbed him and was quite pleased with his smartness.
However, the fear of getting caught haunted him. So, he avoided the public highway and
turned into the woods. It was a big and confusing forest, and due to the approaching
darkness, the peddler lost his way. He got exhausted moving around the same place, and
was filled with despair. He began to feel that the forest was like a big rattrap and the
thirty kronor he had stolen were like a bait set to tempt him.
His reaction reveals that he was feeling guilty for having stolen the crofter’s money. His ,
heart was filled with remorse and self-loathing for his act of weakness. However, his
thoughts are perhaps also a way of justifying his crime.
Q.2 The story, The Rattrap’ is both entertaining and philosophical. Do you agree with
this statement? Why/Why not? (Foreign 2011)
Ans. The story, ‘The Rattrap’ is indeed, both entertaining and philosophical. The fast-paced
narrative in the third person, generous use of dialogue by the author and different
characters belonging to different mindsets and locales make the story interesting and
entertaining. Besides, the author has managed to keep up the suspense till the end.
The incidents in the forge, with the ironmaster coming at midnight, hold our attention.
The peddler’s incessant refusals to the ironmaster to accompany him, but his accepting
Edla’s invitation in one go, the ironmaster’s realisation of his mistake, and Edla’s
sympathy and generosity, all make the story quite gripping. While all the above events
make the story interesting, there is also an element of philosophy in the story.
Somewhere, the peddler’s theory of the world being a rattrap is true. One feels caught up
like a rat in the entrappings of the world. Some people fall into this trap never to come
out of it again. The story teaches us that, as human beings, we are not above temptations.
Q.3 The story focuses on human loneliness and the need to bond with others. Explain.
Ans. All. the characters in the story suffer from loneliness and are dreary souls. First of all, the
tramp appears to lead a sad, monotonous existence, left to his own musings. He is always
greeted by sour faces and cold words.
The old crofter’s fate has been somewhat kinder to him. Bereft of his wife and children, he
lives all alone in a cottage by the roadside, and is rather happy to have visitors around.
We also have the ironmaster and his daughter, Edla, who have no company for Christmas.
The ironmaster’s wife is dead and his sons are settled abroad.
He, with his daughter, are happy to play hosts for his friend. Thus, all of them have a
strong desire for bonding and comradeship. The crofter is happy to be friends with the
peddler, although only for a nig^it. It is the bonding with the ironmaster’s daughter that
transforms the peddler. The love, understanding and dignity that he gets from the girl
makes him leave his dishonest ways and redeem himself.
Q.4 Give examples from the story, The Rattrap’ to show how the ironmaster is different
from his daughter. (Delhi 2009)
or

APNI KAKSHA 11
 Compare and contrast the character of the ironmaster with that of his daughter.
Ans. The character of the ironmaster was very different from that of his daughter. He was an
ambitious and arrogant man. When he saw the peddler, he mistook him for his old
regimental comrade, and invited him home, but this was more out of his sense of pride
than out of sympathy or generosity.
When the ironmaster realised that he had been mistaken, he called the peddler dishonest
and threatened to call the Sheriff. When he learnt that the peddler was a thief, he was ‘
worried about his own silverware.
On the other hand, Edla, the ironmaster’s daughter, was a kind and compassionate lady
who was really sympathetic and considerate towards the peddler right from the
beginning. She treated him with respect and dignity even after knowing that he was not a
captain. It was her generous attitude which finally changed the peddler, bringing out the
essential goodness of his nature.

Previous year questions

Q1. Why did the peddler sign himself as Captain von Stahle? (All India 2009)
Ans: Edla Willmansson had been rather nice to the peddler and had treated him with the
honour that was due to a Captain. The peddler, through this mistaken identity, got an
opportunity to raise himself and get above the petty temptations of the world. So he
signed himself as Captain von Stahle.
Q2. Why did the peddler think that the world was a rattrap? (All India 2009)
Ans: The peddler considered the whole world as a big rattrap, its sole purpose being to set
baits for people. The joys and riches of this world are nothing but tempting baits and
anyone who is tempted by them was captured by the rattrap which completely closed in
on him.
Q3. Why was Edla happy to see the gift left by the peddler? (All India 2010)
Ans: Edla was happy to see the gift left by the peddler as he had respected her faith in him.
Edla had retained him in her house even after knowing his real identity and he, in turn,
had shown her that the guest she had honoured was as honourable as the Captain. The
latent goodness of his heart had been awakened and he had been able to overcome the
bait of the rattrap.
Q4. Which act of the crofter surprised the peddler? Why? (Comptt. Delhi 2010)
Ans: The peddler was always shunned away wherever he went. No one treated him with
kindness and so he had lost all hope of being shown any kind of warmth. But when he
approached the crofter’s roadside cottage he was surprised by the latter’s warm welcome
and generous hospitality.
Q5. How was the peddler treated at the crofter’s cottage? (Comptt. All India 2010)
Ans: At the crofter’s cottage the peddler was welcomed warmly and received generous
hospitality. The crofter was an old and lonely man and the prospect of getting the
peddler’s company overjoyed him. So he poured all his warmth and friendly courtesy on
the peddler.
Q6. Why was the crofter so talkative and friendly with the peddler? (Delhi 2011)

APNI KAKSHA 12
Ans: The crofter was lonely. He lived alone in his cottage without a wife, a child or any
companion. Since he suffered from acute loneliness he was extremely happy when he got
the peddler’s company. That is why he was so talkative and friendly with the peddler.
Q7. Why was the peddler surprised when he knocked on the door of the cottage? (All
India 2011)
Ans: At the crofter’s cottage the peddler was welcomed warmly and received generous
hospitality. The crofter was an old and lonely man and the prospect of getting the
peddler’s company overjoyed him. So he poured all his warmth and friendly courtesy on
the peddler.
Q 8. What made the peddler finally change his ways? (All India 2011)
Ans: The peddler was touched by Edla’s kind treatment. She treated him like a Captain in spite
of knowing his real identity. This awakened the latent goodness of his heart because he
wanted to show Edla he was worthy of the honour she had given him. So he finally
changed his ways.
Q 9. Why did the peddler keep to the woods after leaving the crofter’s cottage? How did
he feel? (All India 2011)
Ans: The peddler discards the public highway and keeps to the woods after leaving the
crofter’s cottage because he wants to avoid being caught with the thirty kronors that he
had stolen from the crofter’s house. He walks through mazes of forest paths but lands
nowhere. When he realizes he has been trapped he feels extremely tired and sinks to the
ground in despair.
Q10. Did the stranger agree to go to the ironmaster’s house? Why or why not? (Comptt.
Delhi 2011)
Ans: Initially the stranger declined the ironmaster’s invitation. He had the stolen thirty
kronors on him and thought it was like going into the lion’s den. But then he accepted the
ironmaster’s invitation because Edla’s sympathy and compassion allayed his fears and
her friendly manner made him to have confidence in her.

APNI KAKSHA 13