Textbook: Night of the Scorpion | English Kumarbharati Class 10 (Maharashtra SSC Board) PDF Download

 Page 1


100
1. Get into pairs and discuss the following with your partners and complete
the table.
Many people are superstitious. This means that they have belief for which they 
have no logical reason. 
An example of superstition is that - walking under a ladder brings bad luck.
In pairs, list any superstitions that you know of.
Superstition What it implies
(1) Smashing a mirror
(2)
(3)
(4)
(5)
Brings seven years of bad luck.
2. Brainstorm what you know about Scorpions. Use the points given below.
3.1  Night of the Scorpion
Unit Three
W arming Up !
Where they live
Their appearance
How they attack 
Any more information about them
Scorpions
Page 2


100
1. Get into pairs and discuss the following with your partners and complete
the table.
Many people are superstitious. This means that they have belief for which they 
have no logical reason. 
An example of superstition is that - walking under a ladder brings bad luck.
In pairs, list any superstitions that you know of.
Superstition What it implies
(1) Smashing a mirror
(2)
(3)
(4)
(5)
Brings seven years of bad luck.
2. Brainstorm what you know about Scorpions. Use the points given below.
3.1  Night of the Scorpion
Unit Three
W arming Up !
Where they live
Their appearance
How they attack 
Any more information about them
Scorpions
Night of the Scorpion
I remember the night my mother
was stung by a scorpion. Ten hours
of steady rain had driven him
to crawl beneath a sack of rice.
Parting with his poison - flash
of diabolic tail in the dark room -
he risked the rain again.
The peasants came like swarms of flies
and buzzed the name of God a hundred times
to paralyse the Evil One.
With candles and with lanterns
throwing giant scorpion shadows
on the mud-baked walls
they searched for him: he was not found.
They clicked their tongues.
With every movement that the scorpion made his poison 
moved in Mother’s blood, they said.
May he sit still, they said
May the sins of your previous birth
be burned away tonight, they said.
May your suffering decrease
the misfortunes of your next birth, they said.
May the sum of all evil
balanced in this unreal world
against the sum of good
become diminished by your pain.
May the poison purify your flesh
of desire, and your spirit of ambition,
they said, and they sat around
on the floor with my mother in the centre,
the peace of understanding on each face.
Nissim Ezekiel (1924-2004) was an Indian Jewish poet, actor, playwright, 
editor and art-critic. He was a foundational figure in post-colonial India’s 
literary history, specifically for Indian writings of a wider range.
The poem depicts the selfless love of a mother, who is stung by a 
scorpion.
l diabolic : having the
qualities of devil or
wicked
l paralyse : to stop an
activity
u??? Who does the word
‘him’ refer to in line
no.3 ?
u??? What does the phrase
‘to paralyse the evil
mean in stanza 3 ?
u??? Who are ‘they’ in
stanza 4 ?
u??? Why does the poem
begin with the poet’s
remembering the
night ?
u What forced the
scorpion to take
shelter in the poet’s
house ?
l diminished : to
lessen; reduce
101
Page 3


100
1. Get into pairs and discuss the following with your partners and complete
the table.
Many people are superstitious. This means that they have belief for which they 
have no logical reason. 
An example of superstition is that - walking under a ladder brings bad luck.
In pairs, list any superstitions that you know of.
Superstition What it implies
(1) Smashing a mirror
(2)
(3)
(4)
(5)
Brings seven years of bad luck.
2. Brainstorm what you know about Scorpions. Use the points given below.
3.1  Night of the Scorpion
Unit Three
W arming Up !
Where they live
Their appearance
How they attack 
Any more information about them
Scorpions
Night of the Scorpion
I remember the night my mother
was stung by a scorpion. Ten hours
of steady rain had driven him
to crawl beneath a sack of rice.
Parting with his poison - flash
of diabolic tail in the dark room -
he risked the rain again.
The peasants came like swarms of flies
and buzzed the name of God a hundred times
to paralyse the Evil One.
With candles and with lanterns
throwing giant scorpion shadows
on the mud-baked walls
they searched for him: he was not found.
They clicked their tongues.
With every movement that the scorpion made his poison 
moved in Mother’s blood, they said.
May he sit still, they said
May the sins of your previous birth
be burned away tonight, they said.
May your suffering decrease
the misfortunes of your next birth, they said.
May the sum of all evil
balanced in this unreal world
against the sum of good
become diminished by your pain.
May the poison purify your flesh
of desire, and your spirit of ambition,
they said, and they sat around
on the floor with my mother in the centre,
the peace of understanding on each face.
Nissim Ezekiel (1924-2004) was an Indian Jewish poet, actor, playwright, 
editor and art-critic. He was a foundational figure in post-colonial India’s 
literary history, specifically for Indian writings of a wider range.
The poem depicts the selfless love of a mother, who is stung by a 
scorpion.
l diabolic : having the
qualities of devil or
wicked
l paralyse : to stop an
activity
u??? Who does the word
‘him’ refer to in line
no.3 ?
u??? What does the phrase
‘to paralyse the evil
mean in stanza 3 ?
u??? Who are ‘they’ in
stanza 4 ?
u??? Why does the poem
begin with the poet’s
remembering the
night ?
u What forced the
scorpion to take
shelter in the poet’s
house ?
l diminished : to
lessen; reduce
101
More candles, more lanterns, more neighbours,
more insects, and the endless rain.
My mother twisted through and through,
groaning on a mat.
My father, sceptic, rationalist,
trying every curse and blessing,
powder, mixture, herb and hybrid.
He even poured a little paraffin
upon the bitten toe and put a match to it.
I watched the flame feeding on my mother.
I watched the holy man perform his rites to tame the 
poison with an incantation.
After twenty hours
it lost its sting.
My mother only said
Thank God the scorpion picked on me
And spared my children.
- Nissim Ezekiel
l groaning : a
mournful sound
conveying pain or
grief
l incantation : the
chanting of words
that claim to have
magical power
l sceptic : one who
doubts general beliefs
l rationalist : a person
who believes in
reason and knowledge
than opinion and
belief
u When did the Mother
find relief  ?
1. After reading the poem, complete the following. What happens ?
There are three main parts of the poem. Do you know what they are about ?
The first one is done for you.
Lines What is happening ?
1-7 The scorpion comes into the home to escape the 
rain and stings the poet’s mother. 
8-33
34-48
ENGLISH WORKSHOP 
102
Page 4


100
1. Get into pairs and discuss the following with your partners and complete
the table.
Many people are superstitious. This means that they have belief for which they 
have no logical reason. 
An example of superstition is that - walking under a ladder brings bad luck.
In pairs, list any superstitions that you know of.
Superstition What it implies
(1) Smashing a mirror
(2)
(3)
(4)
(5)
Brings seven years of bad luck.
2. Brainstorm what you know about Scorpions. Use the points given below.
3.1  Night of the Scorpion
Unit Three
W arming Up !
Where they live
Their appearance
How they attack 
Any more information about them
Scorpions
Night of the Scorpion
I remember the night my mother
was stung by a scorpion. Ten hours
of steady rain had driven him
to crawl beneath a sack of rice.
Parting with his poison - flash
of diabolic tail in the dark room -
he risked the rain again.
The peasants came like swarms of flies
and buzzed the name of God a hundred times
to paralyse the Evil One.
With candles and with lanterns
throwing giant scorpion shadows
on the mud-baked walls
they searched for him: he was not found.
They clicked their tongues.
With every movement that the scorpion made his poison 
moved in Mother’s blood, they said.
May he sit still, they said
May the sins of your previous birth
be burned away tonight, they said.
May your suffering decrease
the misfortunes of your next birth, they said.
May the sum of all evil
balanced in this unreal world
against the sum of good
become diminished by your pain.
May the poison purify your flesh
of desire, and your spirit of ambition,
they said, and they sat around
on the floor with my mother in the centre,
the peace of understanding on each face.
Nissim Ezekiel (1924-2004) was an Indian Jewish poet, actor, playwright, 
editor and art-critic. He was a foundational figure in post-colonial India’s 
literary history, specifically for Indian writings of a wider range.
The poem depicts the selfless love of a mother, who is stung by a 
scorpion.
l diabolic : having the
qualities of devil or
wicked
l paralyse : to stop an
activity
u??? Who does the word
‘him’ refer to in line
no.3 ?
u??? What does the phrase
‘to paralyse the evil
mean in stanza 3 ?
u??? Who are ‘they’ in
stanza 4 ?
u??? Why does the poem
begin with the poet’s
remembering the
night ?
u What forced the
scorpion to take
shelter in the poet’s
house ?
l diminished : to
lessen; reduce
101
More candles, more lanterns, more neighbours,
more insects, and the endless rain.
My mother twisted through and through,
groaning on a mat.
My father, sceptic, rationalist,
trying every curse and blessing,
powder, mixture, herb and hybrid.
He even poured a little paraffin
upon the bitten toe and put a match to it.
I watched the flame feeding on my mother.
I watched the holy man perform his rites to tame the 
poison with an incantation.
After twenty hours
it lost its sting.
My mother only said
Thank God the scorpion picked on me
And spared my children.
- Nissim Ezekiel
l groaning : a
mournful sound
conveying pain or
grief
l incantation : the
chanting of words
that claim to have
magical power
l sceptic : one who
doubts general beliefs
l rationalist : a person
who believes in
reason and knowledge
than opinion and
belief
u When did the Mother
find relief  ?
1. After reading the poem, complete the following. What happens ?
There are three main parts of the poem. Do you know what they are about ?
The first one is done for you.
Lines What is happening ?
1-7 The scorpion comes into the home to escape the 
rain and stings the poet’s mother. 
8-33
34-48
ENGLISH WORKSHOP 
102
2. Complete the following tables.
Background/setting of the poem
Type Evidence
(Quote lines from the poem)
Rural/Urban
Scorpion
Many images of the scorpion contrast in the opening lines of the poem. 
Find examples of each and add them to the columns below. 
Timid Dangerous
(1) hides
(2)  back
(i) Diabolic
(ii)   
Imagery
Look at the description of the village peasants. 
What does the imagery suggest about them?
The Images What images suggest
They came like swarms of flies. 
They buzzed the name of God.
They threw giant scorpion shadows 
on the mud-baked walls. 
They clicked their tongues.
3. Choose the correct alternative.
1. The child is afraid but admires
(a) the initiative of the peasants.
(b) his father trying every way to cure.
(c) the bravery of his mother.
2. His father and the villagers panic and hastily suggest . 
(a) to take her to the hospital.
(b) ayurvedic treatment.
(c) religious remedies to help.
3. The poet seems to see the villagers as impractical and almost irritating which
suggests that
(a) the poet is critical of caste
(b) the poet is critical of religion
(c) the poet is critical of tradition.
(A)
(B)
(C)
103
Page 5


100
1. Get into pairs and discuss the following with your partners and complete
the table.
Many people are superstitious. This means that they have belief for which they 
have no logical reason. 
An example of superstition is that - walking under a ladder brings bad luck.
In pairs, list any superstitions that you know of.
Superstition What it implies
(1) Smashing a mirror
(2)
(3)
(4)
(5)
Brings seven years of bad luck.
2. Brainstorm what you know about Scorpions. Use the points given below.
3.1  Night of the Scorpion
Unit Three
W arming Up !
Where they live
Their appearance
How they attack 
Any more information about them
Scorpions
Night of the Scorpion
I remember the night my mother
was stung by a scorpion. Ten hours
of steady rain had driven him
to crawl beneath a sack of rice.
Parting with his poison - flash
of diabolic tail in the dark room -
he risked the rain again.
The peasants came like swarms of flies
and buzzed the name of God a hundred times
to paralyse the Evil One.
With candles and with lanterns
throwing giant scorpion shadows
on the mud-baked walls
they searched for him: he was not found.
They clicked their tongues.
With every movement that the scorpion made his poison 
moved in Mother’s blood, they said.
May he sit still, they said
May the sins of your previous birth
be burned away tonight, they said.
May your suffering decrease
the misfortunes of your next birth, they said.
May the sum of all evil
balanced in this unreal world
against the sum of good
become diminished by your pain.
May the poison purify your flesh
of desire, and your spirit of ambition,
they said, and they sat around
on the floor with my mother in the centre,
the peace of understanding on each face.
Nissim Ezekiel (1924-2004) was an Indian Jewish poet, actor, playwright, 
editor and art-critic. He was a foundational figure in post-colonial India’s 
literary history, specifically for Indian writings of a wider range.
The poem depicts the selfless love of a mother, who is stung by a 
scorpion.
l diabolic : having the
qualities of devil or
wicked
l paralyse : to stop an
activity
u??? Who does the word
‘him’ refer to in line
no.3 ?
u??? What does the phrase
‘to paralyse the evil
mean in stanza 3 ?
u??? Who are ‘they’ in
stanza 4 ?
u??? Why does the poem
begin with the poet’s
remembering the
night ?
u What forced the
scorpion to take
shelter in the poet’s
house ?
l diminished : to
lessen; reduce
101
More candles, more lanterns, more neighbours,
more insects, and the endless rain.
My mother twisted through and through,
groaning on a mat.
My father, sceptic, rationalist,
trying every curse and blessing,
powder, mixture, herb and hybrid.
He even poured a little paraffin
upon the bitten toe and put a match to it.
I watched the flame feeding on my mother.
I watched the holy man perform his rites to tame the 
poison with an incantation.
After twenty hours
it lost its sting.
My mother only said
Thank God the scorpion picked on me
And spared my children.
- Nissim Ezekiel
l groaning : a
mournful sound
conveying pain or
grief
l incantation : the
chanting of words
that claim to have
magical power
l sceptic : one who
doubts general beliefs
l rationalist : a person
who believes in
reason and knowledge
than opinion and
belief
u When did the Mother
find relief  ?
1. After reading the poem, complete the following. What happens ?
There are three main parts of the poem. Do you know what they are about ?
The first one is done for you.
Lines What is happening ?
1-7 The scorpion comes into the home to escape the 
rain and stings the poet’s mother. 
8-33
34-48
ENGLISH WORKSHOP 
102
2. Complete the following tables.
Background/setting of the poem
Type Evidence
(Quote lines from the poem)
Rural/Urban
Scorpion
Many images of the scorpion contrast in the opening lines of the poem. 
Find examples of each and add them to the columns below. 
Timid Dangerous
(1) hides
(2)  back
(i) Diabolic
(ii)   
Imagery
Look at the description of the village peasants. 
What does the imagery suggest about them?
The Images What images suggest
They came like swarms of flies. 
They buzzed the name of God.
They threw giant scorpion shadows 
on the mud-baked walls. 
They clicked their tongues.
3. Choose the correct alternative.
1. The child is afraid but admires
(a) the initiative of the peasants.
(b) his father trying every way to cure.
(c) the bravery of his mother.
2. His father and the villagers panic and hastily suggest . 
(a) to take her to the hospital.
(b) ayurvedic treatment.
(c) religious remedies to help.
3. The poet seems to see the villagers as impractical and almost irritating which
suggests that
(a) the poet is critical of caste
(b) the poet is critical of religion
(c) the poet is critical of tradition.
(A)
(B)
(C)
103
4. This is a poem as it tells a story. 
(a) reflective
(b) imaginative
(c) narrative
5. Using the first person gives the feeling that it is told from
(a) personal experience
(b) public experience
(c) private experience
6. ‘The scorpion picked on me. And spared my children’ depicts
(a) mother’s bravery
(b) mother’s endurance
(c) selfless and unconditional love of mother.
7. The poem does not have a rhyme scheme, which means the poem is a perfect
example of a
(a) Ballad
(b) Sonnet
(c) Free verse
8. The poem is titled ‘Night of the Scorpion’, for, the major part of the poem,
(a) the mother remains triumphant at the end.
(b) the scorpion is the victor.
(c) the father succeeds in curing the mother.
9. The peasants chant the name of God to
(a) nullify the stinging experience
(b) praise God.
(c) appease God.
10. The click of tongues reflects their to the predicament. 
(a) individual response
(b) collective response
(c) group response
4. From the poem provide evidence for the following :
Stages Evidence (lines from the poem)
(a) the attempts by the peasants to help
alleviate the mother’s pain.
(b) the action of these same peasants to
kill the scorpion
(c) the reaction of the rational father.
(d) the various superstitions versus the
‘scientific’
(e) evil versus good.
104