Weathering the Storm in Ersama Class 9 Worksheet English Moments Chapter 6

Q.1. “For the next two days, Prashant sat huddled with his friend’s family in the open on the rooftops. They froze in the cold and incessant rain; the rain water washed away Prashant's tears. The only thought that flashed through his mind was whether his family had survived the fury of the super cyclone. Was he to be bereaved once again?
(i) What had Prashant done for the next two days?

Prashant sat huddled with his friend’s family in the open on the rooftops for the next two days.

(ii) What happened to Prashant and his friend’s family?

They froze in the cold and incessant rain. They sat on the rooftops.

(iii) What washed away Prashant’s tears?

Incessant rain washed away Prashant’s tears.

(iv) What was the only thought that flashed through Prashant’s mind?

The only thought that flashed through Prashant’s mind was whether his family had survived the fury of the cyclone.

Q.2. What happened when Prashant had gone to spend a day with his friend?

Seven years after his mother’s death, Prashant had gone to the block headquarters of Ersama, a small town in coastal Orissa, some eighteen kilometers from his village. He went there to spend a day with his friend. Then suddenly in the evening a dark and menacing storm started. Strong winds had started beating the houses with a fury. Prashant had never witnessed such a storm. Heavy rain filled the darkness and old trees had uprooted and fell to the earth.

Q.3. How did Prashant and his friend’s family take refuge during the cyclone?

For the next two days, Prashant and his friend’s family sat huddled in the open on the rooftop. They got frozen in the rain. Two coconut trees had fallen on the roof, this was a blessing in disguise because these coconuts kept the family from starving in the following days.

Q.4. What made Prashant move after two days?

Prashant was caught in the storm for two days, during which the only thought in his mind was about his family and their survival. Two days later, when the rain ceased and the water slowly began to recede, Prashant started out to look for his family without any further delay.

Q.5. What did Prashant decide after looking at the weird situation of the town?

After this furious and devastating cyclone, there was a lot of destruction and huge loss of life and property. As Prashant looked at the desperate situation in the town, he decided to step in as a leader of this village. He started working on it. He organised a group of youths and elders to pressurise the merchant once again to part with his rice. This time they succeeded and returned triumphantly. They brought food for everyone through the receding waters. They collected the branches of the fallen trees to light up a fire to cook the rice. This was for the first time when the survivors had filled their bellies. Then Prashant organised a team to clean the shelter of filth, urine, vomit and floating carcasses. They also cared for the wounded people. Not only food, but Prashant also took care of the people. He arranged various shelters for the children and women. He could feel the pain of the wounded and the separated ones. So he gave them moral support.

Q.6. “ On 27october 1999, seven years after his mother’s death, Prashant had gone to the block headquarters of Ersama, a small town in coastal Orissa, some eighteen kilometers from his village, to spend the day with a friend. In the evening, a dark and menacing storm quickly gathered. Winds beat against the houses with a speed and fury that Prashant had never witnessed before.

(i) When did Prashant go to the block headquarters of Ersama?

Prashant went to the headquarters seven years after his mother’s death on 27 october,1999.

(ii) Why did Prashant go to Ersama?

Prashant went to Ersama to a friend’s house to spend a day with him.

(iii) How far was the town from his village?

The town was some eighteen kilometers away from his village.

(iv) What happened in the evening?

In the evening a dark menacing storm gathered, winds beat against the houses with speed and fury.

Q.7. Describe the furious storm.

On 27 October 1999, a devastating cyclone hit Orissa and killed thousands of people. Strong wind beat against the houses and heavy and incessant rain filled the darkness. Ancient trees had uprooted and crashed to the earth. People screamed as their houses had washed away. The angry lashes of water swirled in the houses, it was neck deep. The wind velocity was 350km per hour. The surge of the ocean continued for next thirty six hours.

Q.8. What thought flashed through Prashant’s mind?

When Prashant and his friend’s family were caught in the furious storm, the only thought that flashed through Prashant’s mind was that whether his family had survived that storm. Was he to be bereaved again? He wanted to rush to his family and find them to be safe. After losing his mother, he didn’t want to be alone again.

Q.9. What scenes Prashant had to witness as he waded through the waters?

As he waded through the water, he witnessed the scenes which grew more and more macabre. There were human bodies-men, women and children. There were carcasses of dogs, goats and cattle which the current swept against him as he moved. He could not see even a single house standing. Everything was smashed to earth and destroyed.

Q.10. “Adversities bring out the heroes”. Describe Prashant’s character with reference to the chapter. What values make an efficient and popular leader?

Orissa was hit by a super cyclone in 1999. This storm changed the whole town and there was a great loss in terms of life and property. During this adversity Prashant came up as a hero and became the survivor. He was himself separated from his family but he collected courage and hope, finally he met them in a camp and got relieved. Looking at the weird situation he decided to get a grip over himself. Eighty six lives were lost, ninety six houses have been washed away. There was shortage of food for the people. He decide to become a volunteer and bring a change. He oraganised a group of youths and elders to arrange food and bring relief to the victims. He collected the orphaned children and tell the women to rake care of them. Then an NGO was also started by some efforts where women were working. He himself played cricket with the children. This was how Prashant worked for all those who had broken up or lost someone in their lives. Prashant came out to be a hero for all those whom he helped to survive. His determination, hardships and love and care for others made him a popular and an efficient leader.