THE TIGER KING
1. How did the chief astrologer react to the tiger king’s question about the manner
of his death? How did the tiger king take it?
A. When the baby barely ten days old opens its lips in speech the chief astrologer
was wonderstruck. He thought it to be incredible that the baby raised an
intelligent question –to know about the manner of his death. The astrologer told
that the prince was born in the hour of the bull. The bull and tiger are enemies.
Therefore, death to him shall come from the Tiger. The tiger king growled, “Let
tigers beware!”
2. Why was it celebration time for all the tigers inhabiting Pratibandapuram?
A. There was a celebration time for all the tigers inhabiting Pratibandapuram
because the state banned tiger hunting by anyone except the Maharaja and a
proclamation was issued to the effect that if any one dared to fling a stone at a
tiger, all his wealth and property would be confiscated.
3. What did the Maharaja do when he stood in danger of losing his kingdom in
refusing the British officer permission for tiger hunting?
A. The Maharaja obtained some fifty expensive diamond rings of different designs
from a British Jewellery Company in Calcutta and send them to the British
officer’s good lady expecting her to choose one or two rings and send the rest
back. But she kept all the rings and thanked the Maharaja for the gift. This cost
the Maharaja three lakh rupees; but his kingdom was saved.
4. What plan did the Maharaja think of to fulfill his vow to kill hundred tigers
after the tiger population became extinct in his state?
A. When the tiger population became extinct in his state the Maharaja planned to
marry a girl of royal family of a native state with a large tiger population so that
he would kill the remaining thirty tigers in the sate of his father –in-law when he
visits that.
5.What caused the death of the Maharaja?
A. The prophecy of the chief astrologer came true. A toy-wooden tiger-the
hundredth tiger killed the Maharaja. The silver quill on the wooden tiger pierced
his hand when he was plying with it on the crown prince’s third birthday. It caused
a suppurating sore that spread all over the arm. He was operated but died.
6. Why did the astrologer offer to become an Insurance agent?
 Astrologers were called at the birth of the king, who prophesied on the
request of the baby king about the manner of his death that he would be
killed by the hundredth tiger, killed by the king.
 If his prophecy about the death of the king by a tiger proves wrong he
offered to become an Insurance agent.
Long questions:
Q.1 “ The operation is successful. The maharaja is dead.” Comment on the irony of
the situation.
 The three famous surgeons were called from Madras to treat the Maharaja.
 The whole incident is a satire on the life of rich and people in power.
 Everything in their life should be grand be it a disease, purchases or
treatment.
 So when the Maharaja got hurt by a wooden splinter, specialist from Madras
were called
 The surgeons discussed and debated for some time and decided to operate
 At the end of the operation they said the operation was successful but the
Maharaja was dead.
 As if the procedure was important to them but life had no meaning for them.
 The job of doctors is to save people and not highlight the technicalities of
the treatment.
 But here it was just that, poor Maharaja was relegated to a nonentity whose
life was not of much consequences to them.
THE ENEMY
1. Why didn’t Dr Sadao put the wounded man back in the sea even though he was
his enemy?
A. Dr Sadao could not put the wounded man back in the sea even though he was an
enemy because he was a Doctor and the foremost duty of a doctor is to save life.
He knew the man would die if not tended medically. This would be against medical
ethics. So, he rescued him to give medical treatment.
2.How did the servant express their displeasure?
A. The servants did not like the idea of helping an enemy. Yumi refused to wash the
white man. They stopped working; but became watchful as long as a white man was
harbored there.
3.How did Hanna show her human side to the wounded man after the operation?
A. Hanna nursed the man herself. When he was getting ready to face some fearful
eventuality she told him not to be afraid of anything. Then she knelt and fed him
gently from the porcelain spoon. She also told him that he would be soon be strong.
4.What did Dr Sadao do to send off the man?
A. As soon as it was dark Dr Sadao dragged the stout boat down to the shore. He
put food, bottled water and two quilts. He medically examined the man. Then gave
him his own little flashlight to signal for food, gave him Japanese clothes, covered
his blond head and let him go.
5.What message does ‘The Enemy’ give?
A. ‘The Enemy’ gives the message that humanism transcends all manmade
prejudices and barriers. Here Dr Sadao upholds the ethics of medical profession in
treating an enemy. The story is a great lesson of peace, love, sympathy, fellow
feeling and humanism.
Short Questions:
Q.1 Why was Dr Sadao not sent along with the Japanese troops though he was
such a good surgeon?
 Sadao- very able doctor and famous scientist- should have ideally been
sent with the troops- would have served the Japanese troops.
 Wasn’t sent because he was perfecting a discovery that was likely to
render wounds clean
 Also because the General was ailing and might need him for his operation.
Q.2 Why did the messenger’s visit frighten Hana?
 The messenger had come because the General was in pain and needed the
services of Mr Sadao
 However Hana had thought that the servants had given them away before
the police and he had come with summons to arrest them.
 So she was mortally scared.
Long Questions:
Q.1 Dr Sadao’s instinctive affinity transcends national and cultural prejudices and
barriers. Discuss.
 As a young boy he obeyed his father and honoured the fact that his
education was his father’s chief concern.
 Sadao was skilful Japanese surgeon who lived in Japan during World War II.
 Together with his wife Hana, and the servants, Sadao had a comfortable
life.
 Earlier, he had several years in the United States during medical school.
 While in the United States, Sadao experienced cultural prejudice and bias
first hand. Even though he did have a positive experience including that of a
teacher and landlady Americans did.
 Is a dutiful son, an excellent husband and a thorough professional- believes
that it is a “cardinal sin” on part of a surgeon not to know the human body
completely
 Faces a dilemma whether to help the prisoner of war or to assert loyalty to
the country and finally gives in to the call of humanity.
His instinctive affinity transcends cultural and national prejudices and
barriers.
Q.2 Sadao and Hana were true patriots and human beings. Justify with
reference to the story.
 Both full of patriotism, proud of Japan and its culture.
 Hated Americans, found them repulsive, full of prejudices against
Japanese.
 Both Sadao and Hana considered humanity above patriotism
 As a doctor, he could not leave his patient in distress, could not stop
himself from saving the life of the wounded American soldier.
 Both risked their lives and reputation by helping and sheltering the
soldier
 Hana was equally compassionate- washed the soldier’s wounds herself
when Yumi refused.
 Considered every soldier as a human being in distress.
 Did not hand him over to police initially as the soldier was weak and
could die.
 Did not want to keep the American soldier when he fully recovered.
 Sadao told the General about the soldier. He had no objection if the
soldier was killed by the assassins- but was ill-at ease and worried
that harm may come to him- shows that he is essentially kind.
 Helped the soldier to escape, gave him food, clothes and water on his
boat.
 Sadao found relief when the soldier did not give any signal through his
flash light as he was safe.
 Saved the soldier as true human beings.
 Wanted to get rid of him as true patriots.
