A Tiger in the House (Q & A)

1.        Comprehension check :

1. Who was Timothy and where was it discovered?

Ans: Timothy was the name of a tiger cub. It was discovered by the writer’s Grandfather on a hunting expedition in the Terai Jungle near Dehra.

2. Why did Grandfather accompany the party?

Ans: The Grandfather accompanied the camp because he knew the Siwalik forests than other members of the camp.

3. The writer says that the camp was very splendid (grand, ବଡ). Why?

Ans: The writer says that the camp was very splendid because the hunting camp consisted of seven large tents, a dining tent and a number of servant tents and arrangements for a good dinner.

4. Who discovered Timothy and when?

Ans: Grandfather discovered Timothy when he was strolling down the forest path at some distance from the rest of the party.

5. Do you think Grandfather was very bold? Why do you think so?

Ans: Yes, I think so. Because a common person cannot pick up a wild animal. But Grandfather picked-up the tiger-cub and brought it to home.

6. What kind of special quality did Grandfather have? How was Grandfather different from other members of the party?

Ans: Grandfather had the special quality of being the only member of the party to have bagged something dead or alive.

7. Do you think Grandfather will pet the tiger cub at home?

Ans: Yes, I think Grandfather will pet the tiger cub at home.

2.       Comprehension check :

1. Who are there in this part of the story?

Ans: There are Timothy, his two companions (the monkey, Toto & a small mongrel puppy), and Grandfather.

2. Who named the tiger cub and who brought it up?

Ans: Tiger cub was named by Grandmother, was brought up (ଲାଳନ ପାଳନ) by our cook, Mahmoud.

3. What was the diet of the tiger cub?

Ans: The diet of the tiger cub was raw mutton and cod liver oil, to be followed later by a tempting (attractive) diet of pigeons and rabbits.

4. Who were Timothy’s companions at home?

Ans: The monkey, Toto & a small mongrel puppy are his two companions at home.

5. What was Timothy’s favorite amusement? How did the writer become Timothy’s favourite?

Ans: Timothy’s favourite amusement was to walk, secretly before anyone who should play with him. Writer became Timothy’s favourite by creeping closer and closer to him. Suddenly making an attack – like attempt at his feet, rolling over his back and kicking with delight, pretending to bite his ankles.

6. What kind of change came over Timothy, when he was six months old?

Ans: When Timothy was about six months old a change came over him; he grew steadily less friendly. When out for a walk with me, he would try to steal away to stalk a cat or someone’s pet animal.

7. Grandfather decided to transfer Timothy to a zoo. Why?

Ans: Grandfather decided to transfer Timothy to zoo because sometimes in night Timothy eat up chicken. So Grandfather felt that he (Timothy) is now adult and decided to send the tiger (Timothy) to zoo.

8. Where did Grandfather take him and how?

Ans: Grandfather took Timothy to Lucknow zoo, a distance of two hundred miles by travelling a first class compartment with Timothy only.

9. Do you think Timothy will be happy at the new place?

Ans: As the place will be new for Timothy. So I think the tiger will not be happy.

3.       Comprehension check :

1.       Read the last part of the story and say what it is about.

Ans: The last part of the story is about Grandfather’s visit at the zoo to see how Timothy was getting on. Unfortunately he played with another tiger then came to know that it is not Timothy, he (Timothy) was died by suffering from pneumonia. After knowing that Timothy is dead he came out of the zoo by giving a scomful look at the keeper.

2.       When did Grandfather visit the zoo and why?

Ans: Grandfather visited the zoo about six months later when he along with Grandmother were visiting relatives in Lucknow.

3.       What did Grandfather do at the cage where Timothy was kept?

Ans: At the cage where Timothy was kept, Grandfather put his arm through the bars of the cage to feel the response of Timothy.

4.       How did the tiger behave towards Grandfather?

Ans: As soon as Grandfather put his arm through the bars of the cage, the tiger approached to him and allowed Grandfather to put both hands around his head.

5.       What did he suggest the Keeper?

Ans: As the leopard kept besides frightening the tiger. So Grandfather suggested the keeper to put the tiger somewhere else.

6.       Was the tiger really Timothy? How do you know this?

Ans: No, the tiger was not Timothy. As the zoo keeper said, Timothy had died two months ago after suffering from pneumonia.

7.       What did the Keeper say to Grandfather about the tiger?

Ans: This tiger was trapped in the hills only last month and it is very dangerous.

8.       What made Grandfather give a scornful look to the keeper?

Ans: When Grandfather came to know that it is not Timothy. He was terribly upset and though that Timothy had died due to careless of zoo keepers. So he walked out of the zoo by giving a scomful look to the keeper.

9.       Which character in this story do you like most and why?

Ans: In this story, I like Grandfather’s character, his affection, love and understanding towards animal.

10.    Can you give another title to the story? Give reasons for your new title?

Ans: Based on the story, the title can be renamed as “Timothy: A pet tiger”

D. Writing

1. Who was Timothy? What made Grandfather to bring him home with him?

Ans: Timothy was a tiger-cub. Grandfather accompanied a hunting expedition (ଶିକାର ଅଭିଯାନ) to the forests of the Siwalik hills. He had a deep knowledge about the forest, joined the hunting party. He discovered a tiger-cub while strolling down the forest path at some distance from the rest of the party. The tiger-cub was eighteen inches long, hiding among the intricate roots of a banyan tree. Grandfather picked it up and brought to home because the tiger-cub was alone.

2. Who were Timothy’s companions and how was he brought up at home?

Ans: The tiger-cub was brought up under the care of Grandfather. Grandmother named the tiger-cub Timothy.  Toto (a monkey) and a small mongrel puppy was Timothy’s companions. Initially milk was given to Timothy but latter it was put on a diet of raw mutton and cod liver oil and then followed by tasty pigeons and rabbits.

3. Why did Grandfather decide to transfer Timothy to a zoo?

Ans: When Timothy was about six months old, he became less friendly. Sometimes at night a frenzied cackling sound came from poultry house and in the morning there would be feathers lying all over the veranda. Grandfather felt that Timothy is now adult and decided to send the tiger (Timothy) to zoo.

4. What things did Grandfather do at the cage when he visited the zoo?

Ans: About six months later, when Grandfather and Grandmother were visiting relatives in Lucknow, Grandfather took the opportunity of calling at the zoo to see how Timothy was getting on. Arriving at zoo, Grandfather went straight to the particular cage where Timothy was kept. The tiger was there, crouched in a corner, fully grown with magnificent striped coat.

5. How did the tiger react to Grandfather’s activities?

Ans: Grandfather climbing the mailing with ease and put his arms through the bars of the cage. The tiger approached the bars and allowed Grandfather to put both hands around his head. Grandfather stroked the tiger’s forehead and ticked his ear. Whenever the tiger growled, Grandfather smacked him across the mouth. The tiger licked Grandfather’s hand and sprang away, when a leopard in the next cage snarled at the tiger.

6. What made Grandfather become so sad and what happened to him in the end?

Ans: When Grandfather came to know that, this tiger is not Timothy and it was trapped in the hills only last month. Timothy had died of pneumonia, this news made him so sad. At the end, he withdraw his hand from the cage in fear and walked off after wishing a “Good night” to the tiger.

7. Can you suggest some more lines to end the story in a different way?

Ans: After hear the sad news from the keeper of the zoo, Grandfather surprised with sock. The tiger still licking his arms with affection. Grandfather still not in a mood to accept the news that Timothy is no more….

E. Activity:

Activity 0I:

Read the statements under column ‘A’ and write the names of the characters under ‘B’ (Who said) and the names under ‘C’ (To whom?). The first one has been done for you.

Activity II:

Read the following jumbled sentences and arrange them in proper order to get the summary of the story, ‘The Tiger in The House:

Grandfather took Timothy to a zoo at Lucknow.  [5]

Timothy was brought up properly by attractive and good diet. [2]

Timothy was discovered by Grandfather on a hunting expedition and was brought home. [1]

The zoo authorities were glad to receive the well fed and fairly civilized tiger as a gift. [6]

When Timothy was about six months old, a change came over him and he became less friendly and more furious. [4]

About six months later, Grandfather visited the zoo to see Timothy, the tiger. [7]

Grandfather left the zoo very sadly. [9]

The Keeper said that the tiger had died two months before. [8]

Timothy lived happily like one of the members of the writer’s family. [3]