Q1. What does the author notice one Sunday afternoon? What is his mother’s reaction? What does she do?
Answer (English):
The author notices smoke coming out from the ceiling of his house one Sunday afternoon. His mother runs inside, brings out important documents, and throws them on the lawn. She rushes back inside again to save other things.
उत्तर (Hindi):
लेखक ने एक रविवार दोपहर अपने घर की छत से धुआँ उठता देखा। उसकी माँ अंदर दौड़ीं, ज़रूरी कागज़ात बाहर लाकर लॉन में फेंक दिए और फिर से अंदर भागीं ताकि और सामान बचा सकें।
Q2. Why does he break down in tears after the fire?
Answer (English):
The author breaks down in tears because everything—his books, schoolbag, homework, and personal belongings—was destroyed in the fire. He felt helpless and lost.
उत्तर (Hindi):
आग लगने के बाद लेखक रो पड़ा क्योंकि उसकी किताबें, स्कूल बैग, होमवर्क और निजी सामान सब जलकर नष्ट हो गया। वह खुद को असहाय और खोया हुआ महसूस कर रहा था।
Q3. Why is the author deeply embarrassed the next day in school? Which words show his fear and insecurity?
Answer (English):
The author felt embarrassed because he had no shoes, no proper clothes, and no schoolbag. He felt like a stranger and thought that everyone would make fun of him. Words like fear, insecurity, outcast show his feelings.
उत्तर (Hindi):
लेखक बहुत शर्मिंदा था क्योंकि उसके पास जूते नहीं थे, ठीक कपड़े नहीं थे और न ही स्कूल बैग। उसे लगता था कि वह अजनबी जैसा है और सब उसका मज़ाक उड़ाएँगे। डर, असुरक्षा, उपेक्षित जैसे शब्द उसकी भावना बताते हैं।
Q4. The cat and the author are very fond of each other. How has this been shown in the story? Where was the cat after the fire? Who brings it back and how?
Answer (English):
The author loved his cat very much and always kept it with him. After the fire, the cat was missing, which made him very sad. Later, a woman who had rescued the cat and taken care of it brought it back to the author after reading about the fire.
उत्तर (Hindi):
लेखक अपनी बिल्ली से बहुत प्रेम करता था और हमेशा उसे अपने पास रखता था। आग लगने के बाद बिल्ली गायब हो गई जिससे वह बहुत दुखी हो गया। बाद में एक महिला, जिसने बिल्ली को बचाकर रखा था, अख़बार में खबर पढ़कर उसे लेखक को लौटा गई।
Q5. What actions of the schoolmates change the author’s understanding of life and people, and comfort him emotionally? How does his loneliness vanish and how does he start participating in life?
Answer (English):
The schoolmates brought him school supplies, books, clothes, and shoes. Their kindness and support made the author realize that people are good and caring. His loneliness vanished as he made friends and started participating in school life again.
उत्तर (Hindi):
स्कूल के बच्चों ने उसे किताबें, कॉपी, कपड़े और जूते दिए। उनकी दयालुता और मदद से लेखक को विश्वास हुआ कि लोग अच्छे और सहानुभूतिशील होते हैं। उसका अकेलापन दूर हो गया और उसने दोबारा स्कूल जीवन में भाग लेना शुरू किया।
Q6. What is the meaning of “My cat was back and so was I”? Had the author gone anywhere? Why does he say that he is also back?
Answer (English):
The author means that with the return of his beloved cat, his lost happiness and peace also returned. He had not physically gone anywhere, but emotionally he had felt lost. With his cat’s return, he felt complete again.
उत्तर (Hindi):
लेखक का मतलब है कि उसकी प्यारी बिल्ली के लौट आने से उसकी खोई हुई खुशी और शांति भी वापस आ गई। वह शारीरिक रूप से कहीं नहीं गया था, लेकिन मानसिक रूप से खुद को खोया हुआ महसूस कर रहा था। बिल्ली के लौटने पर उसने खुद को फिर से पूरा महसूस किया।