Class 9 Moments Supplementary Reader Chapter 8 Question Answers - A House is Not a Home

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Q1: What is the meaning of “My cat was back and so was I”? Had the author gone anywhere? Why does he say that he is also back?

Ans: Zan’s cat was brought back home after more than a month of absence. She had run away due to fear of fire and could not be brought back early as her collar had those phone numbers that had got disconnected due to the fire. 

Zan too was back to his normal cheerful life. His absence was emotional, unlike the physical absence of his cat. Zan says that he is also back since he wants to point out the return of his faith in the goodness of life. He had drifted away from joys of friendship and comfort of familiarity on moving to a new school. By the time his cat returned, his gratitude for life had also returned in the company of new friends.

Q2: What values in Zan’s mother endeared him to her? 
Ans: Some of the values that endeared Zan's mother to him included her unwavering devotion as a single parent, her courage, and her emotional strength. Despite facing challenges, she always prioritized Zan's well-being and happiness, which he deeply respected and appreciated. This was evident when she selflessly risked her life to recover cherished memories of her late husband and when she showed emotional resilience by sending Zan back to school immediately after the fire incident. 

These admirable qualities not only made Zan love and obey her wholeheartedly, but also made him determined to save her from the fire, even at the risk of his own safety.

Fire engulfed Zan's house Q3: Describe the author’s experience at school after the fire tragedy.
Ans: The author had just joined a new school. He was facing a big problem to make himself fit in the new school. Just after a couple of days, his house caught fire. His school bag and shoes had burnt in a fire.

The next day he went to school. He was around school like a wanderer. Everything appeared to him strange. He did not know what was going to happen to him. He returned home with a broken heart. He was experiencing terrible developments in his life.

The next day when he went to school; he found a strange atmosphere all around. People were getting together all around him. They had collected money for him and arranged school supplies and clothing for him. This changed his vision for life once again.

Q4: Have any of your classmates/schoolmates had an experience like the one described in the story where they needed help? Describe how they were helped.
Ans: Yes, two years ago, my friend Raju visited the market to buy some household things. It was a crowded market and a shop caught fire due to a short circuit. The panic-stricken people rushed here and there. 

My friend too was trying to leave that place. He, with three people, got himself locked in a nearby shop to escape from the smoke. But the shop was filled with smoke within a little span of time. 

They felt suffocated by the fumes. They considered that their end was near. In the meantime, a team of an NGO broke open the shutter and took them out of the shop. They were hospitalised quickly. I could get my friend back because of the team and the grace of God.

Q5: Sometimes, unexpected trouble strikes our life. But people around us come to our aid. Describe this with reference to the lesson ‘A House Is Not a Home’.
Ans: In A House Is Not a Home, the narrator faces a series of challenges after a fire destroys his home, forcing him and his family to move to a rented house. Starting at a new school adds to his struggles, leaving him feeling isolated and disconnected. However, his schoolmates step in to support him by providing essentials like books and clothing, helping him adjust to his new environment.

The loss of his beloved pet cat during the fire deeply saddens him, but his spirits are lifted when a kind neighbor finds and returns the cat. With the support and kindness of those around him, the narrator gradually rebuilds his life. The story emphasizes the strength of community and the importance of compassion during difficult times.

Q6: The value of a person in one’s surroundings is truly known in one’s hardship. Comment with reference to the story ‘A House is Not a Home’.
Ans: People in one’s surroundings are sometimes indifferent and less co-operative. They keep busy in their own business, but they are truly known in one’s hardship when they come forward to support whole-heartedly the sufferer. 

In the story ‘A House is Not a Home’, the author felt uncomfortable in the new school because he was not familiar with the school environment, teachers and classmates. When he lost each and everything in the fire, he felt insecure and in this harsh time, his schoolmates introduced themselves to him.  They all contributed and gifted his school supplies. As everyone was aware of his plight, all the teachers knew about his hardship. Thus the sympathy and co-operation in school comforted him. Now his opinion changed about his new school and he started making friends.

Q7: The lady who handed over Zan’s cat to him did a noble deed. Write a few reasons to appreciate her deed.
Ans. The author loved his cat very much. He lost his cat when his house caught fire. He tried to find the cat but did not get her.  After a month, a woman came to him with his cat. He could not believe it. He grabbed his cat and started jumping. 

The wonderful woman somehow handed over his cat to him. She tried her best to find the owner of the cat. On seeing the collar and the phone number written on it, she decided that the cat was loved and missed. She was a good lady. She realized the feeling of the owner of the cat. The author called her wonderful as getting his cat back was no less than a wonder for him. Really, she did a noble deed.

Q8: Zan’s life, one month after the fire incident, was happier than his earlier life. Discuss a few reasons for this change.
Ans: Following are the reasons why Zan's life changed one month after the fire incident:

1.  Support from schoolmates: After the fire incident, Zan's schoolmates come forward to help him by providing him with essential items such as clothes, books, and stationery. This support makes Zan feel cared for and less alone in his time of need.
2. Finding his lost cat: Zan's happiness increases when a neighbor helps him find his lost cat. The reunion with his beloved pet brings him comfort and a sense of normalcy amidst the chaos of his life.
3. Overcoming insecurities: As Zan receives support and affection from those around him, he begins to overcome his insecurities and opens up to others. This helps him form new friendships and feel more confident in himself.
4. Growth and resilience: The fire incident forces Zan to face adversity and grow as a person. He becomes more resilient and learns to adapt to the challenges in his life, ultimately leading to increased happiness.