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

Q1: The cat and the author are very fond of each other. How has this been shown in the story?
Ans:

The deep affection between the cat and the author is evident in numerous ways:

• The red tabby cat had been rescued by the author when she was a helpless kitten. She would never be far from him and knew that he was the one responsible for giving her a good life. 
• He would get up early in the morning and teasingly disturb her. She would then tag along after him, climb up his robe and crawl into his pocket to fall asleep. 
• Zan loved her so much that he would allow the cat to sit over his papers and swat at his pen while he did his homework. 
• He missed her terribly after losing her and would go over to watch the clearing of debris with the hope of finding her somewhere. 
• When she was restored back to Zan, the cat purred as happily as the author felt elated to get her back. Even the woman who rescued the cat knew that she was loved and sorely missed.
  
  

Q2:  What role did Zan’s school play in normalizing his life after the fire accident?
Ans. 

After the loss of all his belongings in the fire that ravaged his house, Zan, the narrator, started feeling depressed and embarrassed. At this time Zan was emotionally comforted  by the friendly and helpful actions of his schoolmates which are:

• His schoolmates took up a collection and bought him school supplies, notebooks, and all kinds of clothes – jeans, tops, and sweats, etc. 
• Those who had never spoken to him before came up to him and introduced themselves. Many invited him to their houses. Their genuine concern touched Zan.
• He felt relieved and began to believe that everything would be okay. He stopped focussing on his feelings of insecurity and opened up to all the wonderful people around him. The company of his new friends and sharing joys with them made his loneliness vanish and reconnected him to live.
  
  Fire engulfed Zan's house 

Q3: 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.

Q4: What values in Zan’s mother endeared him to her? Zan’s mother was his sole support after the death of his father. She carried out her responsibilities as a single parent with complete devotion. Zan loved her a lot and obeyed all that she
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.

Q5: 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.

Q6: 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.

Q7: 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 the story 'A House Is Not a Home', the narrator faces a series of unfortunate events. His house is destroyed in a fire, forcing him and his family to move to a rented house. Additionally, starting at a new school causes him to feel lonely and disconnected from his peers. However, soon enough, things begin to change for the better.

The narrator's schoolmates come together to help him overcome his difficulties. They generously provide him with essential items such as books and clothing, making it easier for him to adjust to his new environment. In addition, the narrator is deeply saddened by the loss of his beloved pet cat, which had gone missing during the fire.

Fortunately, a kind woman in the neighborhood finds the cat and returns it to the narrator, bringing him immense joy and relief. Thanks to the support and compassion of those around him, the narrator's life gradually returns to normal. This story illustrates the power of community and the importance of relying on others during times of hardship.

Q8: 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.

Q9: 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.

Q10: 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.