Test: The Boy Who Broke the Bank - Class 8 MCQ

Nathu's complaint about his delayed wages inadvertently sparks a rumor about the bank's bankruptcy. This rumor spreads rapidly through the community, illustrating how quickly misinformation can escalate and cause panic among the townspeople.

Mrs. Prakash is the first to hear about Nathu’s complaints when Sitaram mentions them. She then spreads the information to Mrs. Bhushan, which sets off a chain reaction of rumors that lead to widespread panic in the town.

The townspeople react to the rumor by rushing to withdraw their money from the bank, fearing it is about to collapse. This illustrates how quickly fear can drive people to act irrationally in response to rumors.

Faiz Hussain plays a crucial role in escalating the rumor when he accidentally nicks a customer while cutting hair. The customer, already agitated by the rumor, exacerbates the situation by spreading the belief that the bank is in trouble, leading to further panic.

The bank manager, faced with the angry crowd demanding cash, promises that they will be able to withdraw money the next day. This response reflects his attempt to manage the chaos, even as the situation becomes increasingly out of control.

The story primarily explores the theme of the power of rumors and misinformation. It demonstrates how quickly misunderstandings can escalate, leading to chaos and panic within a community, as seen through the rapid spread of the rumor about the bank's financial troubles.

At the end of the story, Nathu is seen sitting and waiting for his wages, oblivious to the chaos he inadvertently caused. His confusion highlights the disconnect between his personal grievances and the larger societal panic that ensued from a simple complaint.

The phrase "spreads like forest fire" implies that the rumors spread rapidly and uncontrollably throughout the community. This metaphor effectively captures the swift and destructive nature of misinformation, as it quickly ignites fear and chaos among the townspeople.

The central message of the story is that clear communication and critical thinking are essential to prevent chaos and misunderstandings. The narrative illustrates how easily fear and exaggeration can distort reality, leading to unnecessary turmoil in a community.

Humor in the narrative serves to highlight the absurdity of the situation, as the chaos stems from a trivial complaint. Ruskin Bond uses humor to convey the folly of human behavior in the face of rumors, making the story both engaging and thought-provoking.