Homecoming notes

() What new mischief got into Phatik’s head?

Answer: The new mischief that got into Phatik’s head Was to shift a heavy log from the riverbank by
force as a Prank, which would anger and surprise the log’s owner

(li) Why was the log lying on the mud-flat of the River?

Answer: The log lying was lying on the mud-flat of the river to be shaped into a mast for a boat

(ii) What did Phatik decide?

Answer: Phatik decided that all the boys should work Together to shift the heavy log from its place and
and roll it away as a prank.

(iv) What would the boys enjoy?

Answer: The boys would enjoy seeing the owner of the log of wood being surprise and angry

(v) Who posed an obstacle in carrying out of the plan?How?

Answer: Makhan, Phatik’s younger brother, posed an Obstacle by sitting on the log and refusing to
move.

(vi) What did Phatik decide to do when Makhan refused to move from the log of wood?

(vi) He decided that they would roll the log of wood along with Makhan.

(vii) How did Makhan react when he was rolled along with the log ?

(vii) He rushed at Phatik, scratched his face, beat him and kicked him, and then went crying home.

(viii) Why did Phatik wipe his Face?

(viii) Just before this, Phatik had gotten into a fight with his brother Makhan and had got beaten and
scratched in the face, that is why he had to wipe his face.

(ix) Who was this middle aged man who stepped on shore?

Answer: This middle aged man was Bishamber, Phatik's uncle.

(x) What did the 'man' ask the boy? What reply did the

boy give? What was wrong with the answer?

Answer: The man asked Phatik where the Chakravortis lived. Phatik vaguely replied "Over there" while
chewing grass, but his answer was unhelpful.

(xi) What can you say about Phatik's rude behaviour with the stranger?

Answer: Phatik's rude behavior shows his immaturity and lack of respect for adults. He is unhelpful on
purpose and continues chewing grass indifferently.

(xii) Who came soon after this incident? How did he take Phatik home?
Answer: Soon after this incident, a servant from Phatik’s house came. He took Phatik up roughly, and
carried him, kicking and struggling in helpless rage.

(xiii) Who is the grey-haired stranger?

Answer: The grey-haired stranger referred to here is Bishamber, Phatik’s uncle

(xiv) Why was Phatik’s mother angry when the stranger entered?

Answer: Phatik’s mother was angry because she thought Phatik had been hitting his brother Makhan
again.

(xv)How did she welcome ‘the stranger?

Answer: She welcomed the stranger (Bishamber) by recognizing him as her brother, crying out in
surprise, bowing to the ground and touching his feet.

(xvi)Which tragic incident had taken place in the absence of the stranger?

Answer: The tragic incident that had taken place in Bishamber’s absence was that Phatik’s mother had
lost her husband.

(xvii)What shows that Bishamber was a caring brother?

Answer: It shows Bishamber was a caring brother because as soon as he came back to Calcutta, he made
inquiries about his sister and rushed to see her as soon as he found out where she was.

(xviii) What did Bishamber decide after he heard about Phatik?

Answer: He decided to take Phatik along with him to Calcutta and there he would study along with his
own children.

(xix) How did Phatik react when he heard about this?

Answer: He got excited and wad happy to go to Calcutta with his uncle.

(xx) What did he give his brother Makhan before leaving for Calcutta?

Ans: He gave his fishing rod, a big kite and marbles to his brother.

(xxi)How did Phatik’s aunt react to his arrival?

Answer: Phatik’s aunt was not happy to see him as she considered him to be an unnecessary addition to
the family.

(xxii) Why was his aunt unhappy with his addition in the family?

Answer: She was unhappy because she already had three boys of her own to manage and did not want
to take on anyone else.

(xxiii) According to Phatik’s aunt what should Bishamber have done?

Answer: According to the aunt, Bishamber should have thought twice before committing the
indiscretion of bringing Phatik into their midst.
(xxiv) What impression do you form of Phatik’s aunt from the above passage?

Answer: The passage gives the impression that Phatik’s aunt was selfish, unwelcoming, and insensitive to
take in her nephew. She saw Phatik only as a burden.

(xxv) According to Tagore what is the biggest nuisance in the world of human affairs? Why is it so?

Answer: According to Tagore, the biggest nuisance in the world of human affairs is a boy at the age of
fourteen. This is because he is neither ornamental nor useful, gets in the way, and it is hard to shower
affection or tolerate him.

(xxvi)Why is the boy of fourteen criticized when he talks like a grown up person?

Answer: When a boy of fourteen talks like a grown up person, he is criticized for being impertinent.

(xxvii)What are we told about physical growth of a boy at the age of fourteen?

Answer: We are told that physically a boy grows very rapidly at fourteen – he grows out of his clothes
quickly his voice changes and becomes hoarse/unsteady, and his face grows angular and unsightly.

(xxviii)The shortcomings of a child can be excused but not of a boy of fourteen. Why?

Answer: The shortcomings of a young child can be excused but not of a fourteen-year-old boy because
he is expected to behave more maturely and responsibly at that age.

(xxix) What does a young lad’s heart crave for most at this age?

Answer: At this age a young lad’s heart craves most for recognition and love/affection from others.

(xxx)What happens if a boy of fourteen is continuously scolded

Answer: If a boy of fourteen is continuously scolded, he pecomes like a stray dog that has lost his master

(xxxi) What is the height of bliss for a boy of fourteen?

Answer: For a boy of fourteen, the height of bliss is to receive the kind looks and affection of women,
and never to be slighted by them

(xxxii) How did Phatik feel in his uncle’s house?

Answer: Phatik felt anguished to be an unwelcome guest in his aunt’s house, despised and slighted by
her on every occasion.

(xxxiii) How did Phatik react whenever his aunt asked him to do something?

Answer: Whenever his aunt asked Phatik to do something, he would be so overjoyed that he would
overdo it.

(xxxiv)How did Phatik react whenever his aunt asked him to do something?

Answer: Whenever his aunt asked Phatik to do something, he would be so overjoyed that he would
overdo it.

(xxxv) How is a boy of fourteen a big nuisance?

Answer: A boy of fourteen is a big nuisance because he is seen as neither ornamental nor useful, gets in
the way, and it is hard to shower affection or tolerate his behaviour. He is at an awkward growing age
and can seem immature.

(xxxvi)How did Phatik fare at school?

Answer: Phatik fared very poorly at school. He was the most backward boy in the whole school,

(xxxvii) How did he endure the punishment?

Answer: He endured punishment patiently and silently, like an overladen donkey suffers blows on its
back.

(xxxviii)”… he stood wistfully by the window and gazed at the roofs of the distant houses” What light
does this line throw a Phatik’s state of mind?

Answer: This line shows that Phatik felt lonely, wistful and longing for home as he gazed at the distant
houses while other boys played

(xxxix) “Looking at the children playing on the open terrace filled his heart with a longing”. Which
longing is being referred to here?

Answer: It refers to Phatik’s longing to be able to play freely and be carefree like those children, as he
was unhappy at school.

(40) What did Phatik ask his uncle one day? What was his uncle’s reply?

Answer: One day Phatik summoned courage and asked his uncle when he could go home. His uncle
replied that Phatik would have to wait until the holidays come, which was not for a few more months.