Class 7 English An Alien Hand Question Answers - Long Question Answer: Bringing up Kari

Q1. How did the author struggle to come out of the water? How did Kari help him?
Ans: The author tried to save the life of the boy and Kari was standing on the shore and he stretched his trunk. At first, the author dived into the water and pulled the body of the boy ashore but he failed in his attempt as the slow water currents were dragging him down. After that, the author went underwater and then stuck their feet to the riverbed and then shot like an arrow upwards. He was holding the boy in his hand. At this Kari jumped into the water, seeing the author and boy coming up and then he grabbed the author by the neck and pulled both of them out of the water.

Q2. Why did the author think of Kari as a baby?
Ans: Kari sometimes acts like a baby which made the author think of him as the baby. The author pondered that it is very important to train Kari to be good and he needs to be scolded when being naughty otherwise he would become more mischief than before. For example, once, someone offered bananas to Kari and he started loving it. Then he started stealing bananas from the plate of fruits on the table.

Q3. How did the author react when he saw that Kari was stealing bananas?
Ans: When the author discovered that the Kari was the one who steals bananas and not the snake then he joyously pulled his ears and brought him to his parents. He told them that it was neither me nor the servants but Kari who stole the bananas. The author scolded him like children and said that if ever he found stealing then he would get punished for the mischief.

Q4. What happens when Kari is scolded? How did he take it?
Ans: Kari listens very quietly when someone scolds him for the mischief. He knew that he was at fault when the author scolded him for stealing. And Kari never stole again as his pride got injured. But if someone gives anything to Kari he squeals with joy and also thanks the giver. Adding to it, the author also mentioned that the elephant only listened when he was at fault and if someone scolds him without any reason then he returns it in his way.

Q5. What things did the author teach Kari? “Kari is a fast learner.” What does this mean?
Ans: The author taught different things to Kari which involved sitting, standing, walking slow, and walking fast. Kari learned Mali after the completion of three lessons which meant that when the author would say Mali, Kari had to pull his trunk forward and start walking. But contrary to that, he took a long time to understand Dhat, which meant to sit down.
The author also mentioned that it was very difficult to teach him a master call which meant the strange howling and hissing sound that usually comes when a snake and tiger are at war. But despite that, Kari learned things faster compared to other animals.

Q6. ‘Animals are equally sensitive to human’. Discuss from the lesson keeping in mind the behaviour of Kari.
Ans: It is fact that humans and animals share some common attributes like sensitivity, understanding, and considerate. Kari once made efforts to save a drowning boy. Likewise, when it was scolded for stealing fruits, it never picked up things for itself. It was unpardonedable offence for Kari if anyone punishes it without being reasonable. It took ruthless shape to save its master, it can smell any danger.

Q7. The enclosure in which Kari lived had a thatched roof that lay on thick tree stumps. Examine the illustration of Kari’s Pavilion on page 8 and say why it was built that way.
Ans: Kari’s pavilion was built of the thatched roof that lay on thick tree stumps because it was very high and would not fall when Kari bump against the poles.

Q8. Finding good twigs for Kari took a long time. Why?
Ans: The narrator had to work hard to gather soft new twigs for Kari. He had to climb all kinds of trees. If the twigs were deformed, Kari refused to eat them.

Q9. Kari was like a baby. What are the main points of comparison?
Ans: Kari was like a baby as it had to be trained to be good if otherwise. It was up to more mischief than ever. Like a baby he too played some mischief. He used to steal away the fruits from the dinning table.

Q10. Kari learnt the commands to sit and to walk. What were the instructions for each command?
Ans: Kari learnt the commands to sit down or stand up and walk fast or slow. The word “Dhat” was the command to sit down. The word ‘Mali’ was the command to walk.

Q11. ‘The more you listen about animals, the more you like it’. Comment.
Ans: The author gave detailed description of baby elephant. He talks about the habits and playful activities, which are fascinating. One starts looking to the level that he wish to own it as a pet. Although it was difficult to feed yet everyone wish to adopt it. The love that is showered by it on the narrator creates a bond in the mind of readers.

Q12. Did Kari enjoy the morning bath in the river? Give a reason for your answer.
Ans: Yes, Kari enjoyed his morning bath in the river. He would lie down on the sand bank while the narrator rubbed him with the clean sand of the river for an hour. After that he would lie in the water for a long time. His skin would shine like ebony on coming out from water and he would squeal with pleasure as the narrator rubbed water down his back.

Q13. Why did Kari push his friend into the stream?
Ans: Kari pushed his friend into the stream because a boy was drowing in the river. Kari wanted his friend to save the life of that boy, so he pushed his friend into the stream.

Q14. Kari helped himself to all the bananas in the house without anyone noticing it. How did he do it?
Ans: Kari stole bananas from the table near a window in the dining room. He put his trunk through the window very much like a snake and disappeared with all the bananas without any one noticing it.


Q15. What is “the master call”? Why is it the most important signal for an elephant to learn?
Ans: The master call is a strange hissing, howling sound, as if a snake and a tiger were fighting each other. It is the most important signal for an elephant because whenever master is in trouble, one master call will bring the elephant near him.