The Sword of Damocles Source: Greek Legend

Literal Comprehension:
"The Sword of Damocles" is takne out from Greek legend. This story deals with an event that
occurred in Greek to the king Dionysius who was a ruler famous for harsh treatment that he
had given to his people and others who fell into his power. He was so tyrannical by his
people. Even though he greatly enjoyed intellectual society. He managed to surround himself
with a very brilliant court of men who were famous for their skill in science, letters and the
arts in general. Like all tyrants, he had a great numbers of flatters too. Among them, one was
Damocles who was the most celebrated of the foolish folk . He often flattered Dionysius in
his pleasure or in such a way that he could hear his admiration. He always said that it was
great honor to be a king like king Dionysius. He believed that the kings life was full of
happiness and very comfortable fortunately, King Dionysius was never deceived by such
fool flatters rather he resolved to teach him what it was to be a king. Once king Dionysius
called Damocles and ordered him to be a king during the royal feast. Damocles agreed
happily to be a king. The king Dionysius challenged him that he would resign the throne and
become a common people before the end of the feast.
Next day, the high born guests all assembled in the banquet Damocles put on the royal dress
and sat on the throne until the banquet was over. All the guest were suggested to give
Damocles the same honor of the king that day used to give to king Dionysius. The heavy
crown had already made his head ache. His mind was not in peace thinking that there might
have been poison on the dish which was offered to him. The worst of all the had a terrible
shock when he was a sharp edged naked sword suspended from the roof by single hair
exactly over his own head. Realizing that the slender hair might break and that would kill him
instantly, he asked permission from the tyrant to let him out from the throne. But the king
Dionysius refused to do so rather he forced him to sit there throughout the feast because the
intended to teach Damocles how foolish it was to sing of the happiness of Kings. Finally,
when the banquet ended, he immediately came out of the throne. He happily returned from
the having learnt well the wise lesson that boundless wealth doesn't necessarily bring
happiness and satisfaction.
Interpretation:
This story may be trying to tell us about something about threat and burden that the ruler has
to face during his tenure. In fact, to be a ruler is a matter of burden oven the duties and
responsibilities. For example, king Dionysius was a famous ruler of sicily, he used to keep
brilliant and skillful person from different field to secure himself from the possible attack. In
this way, this story deals with the wise lesson that boundless wealth doesn't necessarily bring
happiness and satisfaction.
Critical Thinking:
Although this is an interesting story, there are many things in the story which we find
disagreeable can a real king leave his throne to another person for a single day? Do people
suspend a sharp naked sword by a single hair exactly over the king's head in reality? Can
common man flatter the king in front of him? For those reasons, we totally don't agree with
the ideas of the story.
Assimilation:
After reading this story, I remembered a real event that occurred in my life five years ago. I
was very much jealous to the principal and whit his position. Further, I was interested to pass
the time in the way he passed later on, I was really given a change to be the principal of
Galyang Boarding School. After that the parents of the student and the staff of the school
started to come with various types of problems and challenges. On the contrary of my
expectation , I had to face different kind of challenges and obstacles to manage and run the
school smoothly. In this way, having found such challenges, I wanted to leave the position of
the principal as soon as possible.



1. Write the story Of "Yudhishthira's wisdom" from the point of View of the yaksha.
Ans: - I am Yama, the heavenly father of Yudhisthira, the pandav of Mahabharata. It is the
story related to the time when the pandavas were in exile. I had to test the wisdom of my son.
If in any way it had been eroded due to problems of life. I turned myself a Yaksha and
wanted for the chance, in the forest where they, the pandava were is exile, in hiding.
It was a very hot day, and the pandavas were chasing a deer. They all become very thirsty and
sat under the shade of a tree to reset. The youngest Pandav, sahadev, was gone to look for
water. After searching for sometime, he came near the pond which I had impanted. I kept
watch there, in a vanished condition. When he wanted to drink water from there, I stopped
him and asked him to first answer my questions. He did not see me, he only heard my voice.
So he thought that the sound was perhaps mistake of his ears. He ignored my warning and
tried to drink water. I made him unconscious.
For very long, when Sahadeva did not return, Nakula was sent. He also came near my pond,
and had to face the same result. In this same way Arjuna and Bhima also had the same
consequence. Finally Yudhisthira himself came, but he chose to answer the questions first
before drinking water. He was also sad seeing his four younger brothers lying in that
condition. I started asking him question like, "what made the sun shine: what is man's surest
weapon against danger etc. He answered the questions difficult question, to test his wisdom. I
Offered him in the life of one of his brothers back, for the wise answers he had given, I
thought he might demand bhima or Arjuna back, who were very strong fighters, and who
would help him in future fight of Mahabharata(Kurukshetra). But to my surprise, he
demanded the life of Nakula or Sahadeva. I was surprised, and asked the reason for it .His
answer was full with wisdom. He said that righteousness and truth was the only weapon with
a man. Other things are of no use without them. Since him, a son of Kunti was alive, so it was
only justified that a son of his step-mother, Madri, should also be alive (Nakula & Sahadeva
were Madri's son).
I was very impressed by his wisdom. So, firstly, I exposed myself and then restored the
consciousness of all the four pandavas. After that i gave them the boom of victory and
success, in future, and came back to my heavily abode, satisfied.
2. On the basis of your reading of The Savage Male" discusses four of the customs of
the Yanomamo people in about 150 words.
Ans: - This anthropological writing by"Marvin Harris" is associated with a study of the
behaviors of a tribe of American Indian living at the borders of Brazil and Venezuela.
They are the example of 'the most aggressive, warlike, and male-oriented societies in the
world. They are primitive military sexists. This study is based on certain customs
followed by these people.
Physical abuse to wife: All the Yanomamo men physically abuse their wives. In fact, the
women also grade themselves about the love from husband, or lover, on the basis of the
number of wounds and sear there are on their body. The wives are only to submit to the
orders and demands from the husbands. This is all done for creating an "image" or oneself as
a real male.
Use of hallucinogenic drugs: The taking of such drugs, blowing the hallucinogenic powder
into each others' nostrils etc. is almost monopoly of the males. It is a belief that taking of this
drug helps in coming in contact with spiritual powers. The female and looked down upon as
something dirty, so they are prevented form the use of this drug.
Menstrual blood is evil and dangerous: When the girl has her first menses, the yanomano
people lock her up inside a specially constructed bamboo cage. She is also forced to go
without food during this period she always has to live in seclusion during her menses.
The custom of duets between men: It is the best example of the Yanomano male chauvinist
syndrome. All fierce looking Yanomano people gather with their weapons. Men get divided
into 'host' and 'guest'. The host accuses the guest of stealing. The guest rebound saying that
the hosts have kept the best food for themselves. And there starts the 'chest pounding' duel. A
warrior from both parties come to the center, and stands to jump and hit on the opponent's
chest alternatively.
3. Write an essay on "The value of education" by comparing and contrasting the ideas
given by Library card" and why go to University". Your essay should include:
(a) Introduction
(b) Summary of "The Library Card"
(c) Summary of "Why go to University"
(d) Why is education considered to be supremely valuable?
Ans: The value of education is something about which you can go on writing so many things.
It is not something which can develop on a scale basis. The education helps people in two
ways -material and intellectual. If education is some thing which is associated with gaining
knowledge for better prospectus, then I do not prefer it. In my opinion the real value of
education is when it makes people enlightened and removed off from the various prejudices.
Education, more than anything, makes a man understand himself more. It opens a broader
spectrum for the men. Both these aspects are dealt up in two chapters. Through, both of them
i.e.the library and the university are places of learning. They both enlighten the people
(students). But both have different means to do so. The library is a place where a person
interacts with the books, but in a University, he interacts with people.
In the effort of trying to know more about the white writer (Mencken) who wrote in the favor
of the blacks, and got criticisms. Mr. Richard Wright (a Negro) comes to know about so may
other writers. He knows not only the writers but also the many other writers who have any
sort of bias. He comes to learn about so many books which seem to open the floodgates of
information and new worlds that Richard himself is amazed about how could people write so
much which they have known. This also clears the clouds of prejudices held by blacks against
the writers. But it also helps certain misconceptions held by Negros (including the writer) to
get cleared. The writer realizes the weakness of Negros themselves. He finds the Negros
themselves responsible for their condition. He realizes the bias and exploitation between the
Negros themselves. But after all it is only the bookish knowledge that Richard gets. He does
not get the real feel of human nature.
But in contrast of it, we have the University. There we get the real encounter with people. We
come in contact with so many people of so many ethnicity, language, class, culture etc. It is
an open book where one makes analysis and understanding on real basis. In this regard the
writer has suggested many points as to why to go to University. The University education
enhances our chances of career development by way of promotion and sop increasing income
and social standings. It teaches us rational and scientific thinking, tolerance, open-
mindedness, and the attitude of questioning established ideas. It even helps in a hygienic and
healthy living. We come in category of learned people, so we are given value, which only
library learning may not.Education enhance our self-confidence. Like in case of library,
University education also makes us inquisitive. Education by both ways gives us more
democratic perhaps.
In this way, even through the purpose of both- the library and the university are to give
education, but both are also different in their own ways.
4. Apply the four levels of regarding with texts to Marriage is a Private Affair
Ans: - It is one of the best short stories by Chinua Achbe. He is an Anglo-African writer,
and he has very fine understanding of the African culture. Basically, Africa is a continent of
numerous tribes. They all have their distinct cultures. It is the story of one such tribe, the Ibo
tribe.
Nnaemeka is an LBO boy from Iboboland, who has come to Laos. And has also married nane
attended from this marriage. He had wanted his son to marry in his own tribe, and had even
chosen a girl. So he breaks all relation with Nneameka and his wife. Nnaemeka stays back in
Laos. People of his own tribe appreciated his wife. The news used to reach Okeke, but he
would not melt. After some years through, when there is letter from Nene to Okeke, he has to
melt. Nene had requested that he allow his grandsons, who were grown up children then, and
who deeply wanted. Tough, she herself would not come due to his feelings.
This whole story revolves around the conflict between Nnaemeka and his father, Okeke.
After coming to Laos, Nnaemeka got a new world. This world was a cosmopolitan life of the
capital. This life was very different from the life in Iboboland, the tribal life in a secluded
corner of the country. This life changed his personality also. He become more opens minded
and less traditional. He thought that Marriage was a private affair between the only two
people involved in it. But Okeke was not convinced with this new generation thought. He
was still traditional and he had deep with his roots. His thinking was that the final decision
about the marriage of the son or daughter should be in the hands of the parents. This was the
main reason for the conflict between them. It is a conflict of the principles. But, after all,
Okeke was grandsons. Besides, it was also the patience that of Nnaemeka and more of Nene,
which paid at the last. But as far as marriage in Nigeria is concerned, it is not a private affair,
it seems from the story. This is truer for the rural and tribal area.
As per my own views, I would say that marriages should be let to be a private affair, as long
as children keep the sentiments of parents. The parents should also try to understand their
children. But if they try to interface on the question of religious and caste, I would perhaps
agree with such parents.
5. Write the story of IF NOT HIGHER?
If Not Higher
If Not Higher is a short and sweet story by I.L. Perennial.
Early every Friday morning, at the time of the Penitential Prayers, the rabbi of Nemirov
would vanish.
He was nowhere to be seen - neither in the synagogue nor in the two study houses nor at a
minyan. And he was certainly not at home. His door stood open: whoever wished could go in
and out; no one would steal from the rabbi. But not a living creature was within.
Where could the rabbi be? Where should he be? In heaven, no doubt. A rabbi has plenty of
business to take care of just before the Days of Awe. Jews, God bless them, need livelihood,
peace, health, and good matches. They want to be pious and good, but our sins are so great,
and Satan of the thousand eyes watches the whole earth from one end to the other. What he
sees, he reports; he denounces, informs. Who can help us if not the rabbi!
Thats what the people thought.
But once a Litvak came, and he laughed. You know the Litvaks. They think little of the holy
books but stuff themselves with Talmud and law. So this Litvak points to a passage in the
Gamara - it sticks in your eyes - where it is written that even Moses our Teacher did not
ascend to heaven during his lifetime but remained suspended two and a half feet below. Go
argue with a Litvak!
So where can the rabbi be?
"Thats not my business," said the Litvak, shrugging. Yet all the while - what a Litvak can
do! - He is scheming to find out.
That same night, right after the evening prayers, the Litvak steals into the rabbis room, slides
under the rabbis bed, and waits. Hell watch all night and discover where the rabbi vanishes
and what he does during the Penitential Prayers.
Someone else might have gotten drowsy and fallen asleep, but a Litvak is never at a loss; he
recites a whole tractate of the Talmud by heart.
At dawn he hears the call to prayers.
The rabbi has already been awake for a long time. The Litvak has heard him groaning for a
whole hour.
Whoever has heard the rabbi of Nemirov groan knows how much sorrow for all Israel, how
much suffering, lies in each groan. A mans heart might break, hearing it. But a Litvak is
made of iron; he listens and remains where he is. The rabbi - long life to him! - lies on the
bed, and the Litvak under the bed.
Then the Litvak hears the beds in the house begin to creak; he hears people jumping out of
their beds; mumbling a few Jewish words, pouring water on their fingernails, banging doors.
Everyone has left. It is again quiet and dark; a bit of light from the moon shines through the
shutters.
(Afterward, the Litvak admitted that when he found himself alone with the rabbi a great fear
took hold of him. Goose pimples spread across his skin, and the roots of his side locks
pricked him like needles. A trifle: to be alone with the rabbi at the time of the Penitential
Prayers! But a Litvak is stubborn. So he quivered like a fish in water and remained where he
was.)
Finally the rabbi - long life to him! - arises. First, he does what befits a Jew. Then he goes to
the clothes closet and takes out a bundle of peasant clothes: linen trousers, high boots, a coat,
a big felt hat, and a long, wide leather belt studded with brass nails. The rabbi gets dressed.
From his coat pocket dangles the end of a heavy peasant rope.
The rabbi goes out, and the Litvak follows him.
On the way the rabbi stops in the kitchen, bends down, takes an ax from the bed, puts it into
his belt, and leaves the house. The Litvak trembles but continues to follow.
The hushed dread of the Days of Awe hangs over the dark streets. Every once in a while a cry
rises from some minyan reciting the Penitential Prayers, or from a sickbed. The rabbi hugs
the sides of the streets, keeping to the shade of the houses. He glides from house to house and
the Litvak after him. The Litvak hears the sound of his heartbeats mingling with the sound of
the rabbis heavy steps. But he keeps on going and follows the rabbi to the outskirts of town.
A small wood stands just outside the town.
The rabbi - long life to him! - enters the wood. He takes thirty or forty steps and stops by a
small tree. The Litvak, overcome with amazement, watches the rabbi take the ax out of his
belt and strike the tree. He hears the tree creak and fall. The rabbi chops the tree into logs and
the logs into sticks. Then he makes a bundle of the wood and ties it with the rope in his
pocket. He puts the bundle of wood on his back, shoves the ax back into his belt, and returns
to the town.
He stops at a back street besides a small, broken-down shack and knocks at the window.
"Who is there?" asks a frightened voice. The Litvaks recognizes it as the voice of a sick
Jewish woman.
"I" answers the rabbi in the accent of a peasant.
"Who is I?"
Again the rabbi answers in Russian. "Vassil."
"Who is Vassil, and what do you want?"
"I have wood to sell, very cheap." And not waiting for the womans reply, he goes into the
house.
The Litvak steals in after him. In the gray light of early morning he sees a poor room with
broken, miserable furnishings. A sick woman, wrapped in rags, lies on the bed. She
complains bitterly, "Buy? How can I buy? Where will a poor widow get money?"
"Ill lend it to you," answers the supposed Vassil. "Its only six cents."
"And how will I ever pay you back?" asks the poor woman, groaning.
"Foolish one," says the rabbi reproachfully. "See, you are a poor, sick Jew, and I am ready to
trust you with a little wood. I am sure youll pay. While you, you have such a great and
mighty God and you dont trust him for six cents."
"And who will kindle the fire?" asks the widow? "Have I the strength to get up? My son is at
work."
"Ill kindle the fire," answers the rabbi.
As the rabbi puts the wood into the oven he recited, in a groan, the first portion of the
Penitential Prayers.
As he kindled the fire and the wood burned brightly, he recited, a bit more joyously, the
second portion of the Penitential Prayers. When the fire was set, he recited the third portion,
and then shut the stove.
The Litvak who saw all this became a disciple of the rabbi.
And ever after, when another disciple tells how the rabbi of Nemirov ascends to heaven at the
time of the Penitential Prayers, the Litvak does not laugh. He only adds quietly, "If not
higher."

6. Apply the four levels of interacting the text to "If Not Higher".
Ans:- Literal comprehension: Early Every Friday morning at a time of penitential prayers,
the rabbi of Nimirov would vanish .He was no where to be seen. Other People were of the
opinion that during the prayers, he would go to heaven while the litvak did not believe that
openly. In order to find out the whereabouts of the rabbi, the litvak managed him to go
secretly to his room on the eve of the penitential prayers and hid under the bed. Early
morning when others were praying for the people of Israel, the rabbi disguised himself as a
peasant and left the house. After sometimes, he went to the nearby forest and cut the firewood
and made a bundle of firewood. He, then, entered the house of poor Jewish women and
persuaded her to buy the firewood but she did not buy as she was poor, than, he gave the
firewood and candled the fire to her, He than started reciting the different portions of
penitential prayers. Having seen such humanistic deeds of the rabbi, the litvak was deeply
moved and from that time onwards, he becomes his disciple.
Interpretation: This story may be trying to tell us that doing goods deeds on earth may be a
more exalted activity than doing God's will in heaven. Besides that, this story also focuses on
the humanitarian activities that make a person great and noble. To do good deeds on this
earth is a great reward on another world. Only by doing prayer god is not happy rather god
becomes happy in doing humanitarian deeds and helping the needy people as the rabbi has
done in the story.
Critical thinking: This story sounds highly idealistic as it delivers the moral lessons. In this
selfish and materialistic world, no one will get the virtuous character like the rabbi in the
story. The rabbi like people becomes simply laughing stock in the modern society. Any way,
the story is good to deliver the moral lessons.
6. Summarize the plot of "If Not Higher" in one sentence.
Ans: - The rabbi of Nimirov happened to disguise himself as a peasant during the penitential
prayers, the festival of Jews, and went to help the needy people, however, general people
would think that he would go the heaven during the prayers but the litvak identified the
reality of the rabbi by his skeptical nature.
Greek Legend
1. Summarize the story. The Sword of Damocles In a single Paragraph.
Ans.:- Dionysius, the strict ruler of strict, was well hated and always feared his death. He
liked the company of learned men but also had many flatterers in the court. Damocles, a great
flatterer always praised the happiness and gift of King Dionysius. Fed up with this, One day
Dionysius decided to teach him a lesson and informed that Damocles would be the king and
everyone would pay him respect as a king. Dressed in Kings clothes and crown, he was
made to sit on the throne. At first, In spite of some awkwardness, he began to enjoy the post
but suddenly, while looking upward, he saw naked sword hanging by a hair over his head. In
great fear of his life, he could not enjoy anything. Then the ceremony is ended and he learned
a great lesson.
Literal comprehension: - Dionysius was the king of Sicily in the 4
th
century B.C. He has
both famous and tyrannical. He was surrounded by intelligent courtiers as well as flatterers.
Among the flatterers was a foolish courtier called Damocles. He was always lauding talking
very highly and praising the king. He aired lout his opinion of the king being the happiest
person in the king being the happiest person in the world and he sat upon the throne of Sicily.
However, Dionysius was not deceived by such Flattered. To amuse himself Dionysius told
Damocles that he could sit on the throne the next day during the banquet and know how a
king feels.
So the next day, Damocles was clothed in royal hobs and was told by the king to wear a
golden crown and sit on the throne during the banquet. Damocles sat down on the throne
wearing rich silk clothes with the crown on his head. At first he enjoyed the newly gained
status, but after a while his head became heavy because of the crown. He was treated like a
king, every dish of food to be tasted before it was served to him. To make sure that it was not
poisoned. At first Damocles liked being in this position but suddenly his spirits were
dampened he looked up and got the sock of his life just above his head was a sword hanging
upon a single strand of hair. If the slender hair hrock, the sword would kill him instantly
Damocles immediately wanted to get down prom the throne, but Dionysius ordered him to
remain where he was throughout the banquet Damocles was terror-sinker as he felt the sword
would fall upon his head and take away his life. Paralyzed with fear he could not eat his food
to sit on the throne then became an unpleasant experience. He only kept looking at the
hanging sword after several hours. The banquet ended and he was more than happy to remove
the crown form his head and get down from the throne and become an ordinary subject.
Interpretation: - The writer may be telling us that a high position has its risks and dangers
boundless and wealth and power does not always being happiness and satisfaction. Damocles
was a coward who pared for his life.
Critical thinking: - This may be an imaginary story. It is absurd of king to allow al common
man to sit upon his throne. King Dionysius was playing a cruel joke by a hanging a sword
above Damocles head. Flatterers praise people but their words are empty devoid of meaning.
Assimilation: - this story teaches us that we should not be deceived by flatterers and it also
makes it clear that to hold high power and greatness. One must be strong and full of courage.
1. A: - Summarize the story. "Phaedo.
PHAEDO
Word meaning
Execute

Hemlock-

Execution

Coincidence
Two characters Phaedo and Echecrates were having discussion about the last moment of
Socrates. Phaedo was a devoted disciple of Socrates. He was present there at the last moment
of Socrates death; he gave the following description to Echecrates.
Socrates had been accused of misleading the youth a causing them to hold free opinions.
After the trial he had not been immediately executed (punishment of death) because there was
a tradition in Greece to send ship to Delos in the name of Apollo and due to this incidence the
execution was postponed, after the ship from Delos will arrive, he would be executed.
When the ship was arrived, on that all Socrates friends and relatives had come to the prison.
The day had been passed in conversation as was his way in prison and out. After the long
philosophical discussion about soul, Socrates went and took a bath. He sent all his family
members home. Then the Jailer came to him by weeping in and said that Socrates had to
drink poison that day. He cried and went away; Socrates didnt afraid he praised that men and
sent one of his men to bring the poison. When Crito said that his master could drink it a little
later, Socrates replied that he would make himself ridiculous in his eyes. It was better not to
stick to life if he did not give him anything. Socrates took the cup of hemlock and swallowed
in one breath. Than his friends began to weep and he stopped them. The poison was creeping
up to his heart. His last words were to his friends Crito, asking him to offer a cock to the
healing god, Asclepius,
Asclepius is the Greek god of Medicine, and an offering would typically to make to thank the
god for curing a disease, Socrates suggestion in his dying words is that he has been cured of
the disease that is life, and should therefore be thankful to Asclepius. For as long as we are
alive our soul is tempted and distracted by the flesh. Only thorough death can our soul
achieve that release that cures if these ills.
2. What is the main theme of the story, The Sword of Damocles.
Ans. :- People may think that people in power and high position lead a happy life without any
tension and trouble but it is not so. The life of king, prince and emperor seem quite happy on
the surface level but they too have to undergo with great tension and trouble at times. No
doubt, high position has its own charms and glory it has its own risk. It is better to look into
the things rather than at the things to know the reality of anything
The Brave little Parrot
1. Apply the four levels of interacting the text to the story, The Brave Little Parrot.
Ans.:-
Literal Comprehension: Long ago, the Buddha was born as a little Parrot. The forest in
which he lived was caught with fire and the animals began to run away very desperately in
order to find safety. By seeing the plight of the animals the parrot decided to help them. He,
then darted (gone) to the river, dipped himself in the water, and flew back over the raging
(danki raheko) fire and sprinkled some drops of water but they vanished very easily. The
parrot did the same thing time and time again. By seeing such hopeless activities of the parrot
one of the gods was deeply moved. The god, then, disguised himself in the form of eagle and
approached (came near) the parrot. The god advised him to save his life as he could do
nothing to put out the fire. The parrot replied by saying that he needed help not the advise.
Now, the god in the form of eagle was ashamed, and began to shed tears in such tears in such
a way that the fire was extinguished very soon. Hence, all the animals in the forest were
saved.
Interpretation:- This story may be trying to tell us that one should selflessly help those who
are in need of help. Selflessly help those who are in need of help. Selflessly helping others is
reward in itself. Beside that, this story is also trying to convey the message that to help other
during the crisis is serving the god. This story is full of moral lessons.
Critical Thinking:- The story is a little farfetched and gets one thinking of the possibility of
such events. They really gods or Deva? However. These are parables of pables with moral
lessons, so its purpose may be justified.
Assimilation: - After reading this story. I am reminded about many Buddhist legends or
jatakd tells which a parables to show self-lessness to annihilate to destroy. I desire becomes
free from the cycle of rebirth like the Buddha.
AHAB AND NABOTH
The Holy Bible
Literal comprehension: - Nabath the jezveelite had a beautiful vineyard in Samaria Ahab the
king of Samaria. Coveted (to take it forcefully) this vineyard. Which was near the palace?
Ahab offered to exchange the vineyard far another one Naboth refused to give the vineyard
saying that it was the inheritance of his far father (Inheritant family property). Ahab felt
frustrated and elepressed because he could not buy Naboth vineyard. Ahab could neither eat
nor sleep. His wife jezebel found the cause of Ahabs depressed mood. She told him that as
he was the rural of Samaria. He should eat well as be happy. She said that she would acquire
Naboth vineyard far him. Then she wrote letters to the elders and nobles to proclaim a fast a
wicked palm was to set 10 sons of Belial to bear witness that Naboth had committed
blasphemy against god and the king.
So the elders proclaimed a fast and the sons of Belial whole witness against Naboth, Saying
that he had committed the crime of blasphemy against god and the king. Punishment far
blasphenny was to stone the person to death. Naboth carried outside the city and was stoned
to death after Naboth and Death. Ahab took possession of Naboth vineyard.
Then god sent a message to a prophet named Elizah to go and meet Ahab the king of somaria.
God directed Elizah to tell Ahab that he had committed two sins First he had killed Naboth
and second he had taken away Naboth land. Elizah told Ahab that he would have to pay far
both his sins Ahab felt Astounded as to how quickly the word had found out about his evil
deeds. Elizah told him that the same dogs which had licked the blood of Naboth would like
his blood too.
Interpretation:-The Bible may be telling us that we will have to pay far our sins and evil
deeds because god is watching all the times known everything.
Critical thinking: - it was surprising to see Ahab being greedy. He was the king of somaria
and there were many pieces of land which he could buy. He did not need to crave (to have a
disive) far Naboth vineyard. Jezebel has been characterized as a wicked queen fler action of
falsely implicating Naboth so that he could he stoned to death is unpardonable.
The sword of Damocles
Literal Comprehension: - Dionysius was the king of Sicily in the 4
th
century B.C. He was
both famous and tyrannical (Cruelly). He was surrounded by intelligent courtiers as well as
flatters. Among the flatterers was a foolish courtier called Damocles. He was always lauding
talking very highly and praising the king. He aired lout his opinion of the king being the
happiest person in the world and he sat upon the throne of Sicily. However, Dionysius was
not deceived by such flatterer. To amuse himself Dionysius told Damocles that he could sit
on the throne the next day during the banquet and known how a king feels.
So the next day, Damocles was clothed in royal robes and was told by the king to wear a
golden crown and sit on the throne during the banquet. Damocles sat down on the throne
wearing rich silk clothes with the crown on his head. At first he enjoyed the newly gained
status. But after a while his head became heavy because of the crown. He was treated like a
king, every dish of food to be tasted before it was served to him. To make sure that it was not
poisoned. At first Damocles liked being in this position but suddenly his spirits were
dampened. He looked up and got the sock of his life just above his head was a word hanging
upon a single strand offhand. If the slender hair Brock, the word would kill him instantly
Damocles immediately wanted to get down from the throne , but Dionysius ordered him to
remain where he was thought out the banquet Damocles was terror-strike as he felt the sword
would fall upon his head and take away his life. Paralyzed with fear, he could not eat his food
to sit on the throne then become an unpleasant experience. He only kept looking at the
hanging and word.After several hours. The banquet ended he was more than happy to remove
the crown from his head and get down from the throne and become an ordinary subject.
Interpretation:-The writer may be telling us that a high position has its risks and dangers
boundless and health and power does not always being happiness and satisfaction. Damocles
was a crown who peared for his life.
Critical Thinking:-This may be an imaginary story. It is absurd for king to allow a common
man to sit upon his throne. King Dionysius was playing a cruel joke by a hanging a sword
above Damocles head. Flatters praise people but their words are empty droid of meaning.
Assimilation:-This story teaches us that we should not be deceived by flatterers and it also
makes it clear that to hold high power and greatness, one must be strong and full of courage.
The Cricket
Literal comprehension:-
Interpretation:- The writer way be telling us that china had and authoritatively rule in the old
days. The common people were not free and had to obey the governor and the majistrate. The
story also portrays the cruel spot of cricket frighting.
Critical thinking: - Cricket fighting is a cruel spot just like bear biting cock-fighting etc.
because it gives pleasure to the spectators and pain to the animals.
Assimilation: - In Nepal too people in the village indulge in cock fighting. In japan, they still
have beetle fighting these are all cruel spots in which birds and insects die fighting.
Cloning
Cloning, the genetically identical creation of human being or animals is called cloning.
Human being are too curious by nature like Pandora like Pandora, they cannot control
themselves by warnings, whatever the result of their action may be, they are tempted to do it ,
Research into cloning may be compared with the opening of Pandora's Box. If handled
wisely, nothing will happen. If not, we may have to face any kinds of unpleasant thing, any
kind of chaos or disorder.
If we started cloning or making exact copies of people, it would create a lot of problems. As
we know that cloning could be blessing for sterile couple. But what our society will accept
the asexual reproduction? Sex is human being right, it is the gift of god and we should not
challenge the nature or god because these things will take us far away from our cultural and
in future it may cause some serious problem, like rapid growth of population. Human being is
proud of their unique personality. A world where everyone looks the same would be pretty
boring. Cloning would not allow us to look unique. Then, it might lead to the creation of
genetically engineered groups of people for specific purpose, such as warfare of slavery;
thirdly, cloning could result in the introduction of additional defects into the human gene
pool. Fourthly, cloning of human is unsafe. There are just too many unknown factors that
could badly, affect the offspring. Next, a clone may have diminished sense of individually. A
clone may have fewer rights than other people (who are not clones) moreover, doctors might
specifically aim the use of clones as sources of organs, for human organs transplants.
Following this, cloning is contrary to the traditional concept of family life.
Our society is running on the feet of norms and cultural and cloning can cause disturbance in
this cycle process. In some case if the couple accepts the donor eggs or sperm and has a baby,
but what their parents will accept that baby. What will happen if that couple dies in some
kind of accidents or other things who will accept that baby? These are some serious question
should be solved before applying cloning system. We can take another example that nature
had some rule and regulation in everything so we should be careful about this.
Four levels of Library Card
Literal Comprehension:- Context: This Piece is taken from an autobiographical novel "The
Black boy" written by Richard wright, an African American Novelist, in the beginning of the
20th century.
Once after reading an editorial which denounced H. L. Mencken, Richard Wright was curious
to know about Mencken. He borrowed the Library card from Mr. Falk and read two of
Mencken books. He then realized that he had so far neglected something important in life.
The world became different to him. he was able to know his boss better. He was interested in
the point of view of the writer rather than the plots. He understood his mother's suffering.
Books gave him a sense of life itself. He could not write because he needed the very breath of
life which was beyond his reach. He did not like to talk about himself because it was too
painful. His life in the south was so conditioned that he had to do what the whites expected of
him, not what he himself wanted. To lead a free life he had to go to the North. But he could
bot tell this to the whites in his office. Neither could he submit to the whites, nor fight against
them. He had no hope of being a professional writer after going to the North. So he was
confused.
Interpretation: - This story shows that where there is a will there is a way. The writer had to
struggle for education. He had a sincere desire to learn, so he becomes successful in his aim.
This story also gives us a clear picture of the condition of the Negroes in the USA, In the
1920s. Long after the end of civil war, the whites treated the blacks as non-men. They were
not allowed to use parks, playgrounds and libraries. They were conditioned by the whites in
such a way that if they were expected to laugh they had to laugh. They were not free to be
serious and to brood. They could not think independently. They could not say that wanted
lead a better life by going to the North. It would be a challenge to the southern whites.
Critical thinking: - We regard the USA as the highly democratic society. Therefore we
doubt if the blacks were so unfairly treated by the whites. Were they not allowed to use the
library? Was there no compulsory high school education for them in the USA? Was it really
difficult for a black to live independently? Do people have such a great desire for learning as
the writer had?
Assimilation: - Being a learner of English, I got a number of suggestions and inspirations
from this story. From now on i will try to guess the meaning of a new word by reading it in
its context. if i cannot guess , then i will look it up the dictionary. Like the writer, i was fed
up with English Grammars. Now i will try to develop my sense of English by reading novels.
More ever, i have a hidden desire to write books in Nepali, not in English. In spite of my
feelings and desires, i have become a failure, now i have realized my weakness. I do not have
a sense of life. The very breath of life is beyond my reach. i will try to enlarge my horizon by
reading a lot of goods books. i will also be deeply involved in the life of real people. Above
all, writer's life has inspired me to go on reading even in hostile conditions.
The great Answer
Literal comprehension: - This is a strange and beautiful story of w and mother and her 4
year old daughter escaped to Spain from German occupied France. During the 2
nd
world war,
many refugees wanted to ran away to the USA by traveling across Spain form France, which
had partly been captured by Hitler many Jewish refugees began to flock near the Spanish
boarder as the German police followed the Nazi Armies into France. The mother wanted to
get across to Spain with her child and sail away to the USA safely. If the Gestapo found her
than her child would be throne in to a concentration camp or sent to a gas chamber.
The Spanish border guards did not allow the Jewish refugees to pass thorough the border.
Therefore the mother prayed to the god of Abraham Issac and Jacob for deliverance. The next
day a man form the underground told her that he was leading the party of refugees across a
difficult track over the alps mountain range in to Spain so the mother and her daughter went
to the place of Rendezvous (spending time in a pleasure) and saw many old man, middle-
aged man and young man but there were no children. The young and middle aged man
volunteered to carry the little girl turn by turn. The group leader said that they should place
faith in god and themselves because If they turned back they would certainly face death at the
hands of German police their Journey began and some of the old man became exhausted still
the leader encourage them and told them to rest a little walk again using their last ounce of
strength 3 old man, who had helped to carry the ladys child, found new strength, new life
and a newer world of freedom. Every one of them crossed the border safely. Here was the
great answer to the riddle of life
Interpretation: - The writer may be telling us that where there is will there is way. If you
have the courage even impossible things become possible in other words courage is the surest
weapon against danger and coverage is also the great answer or the secret of freedom if the
refugees did not flick coverage to climb the alps to go into Spain they would surely have
faced death in a gas chamber of a forced labor camp there was not turnip back and they had
no choice but to move forward and they were indeed successful life is difficult determination
and hard work. The fruit is sweet.
Critical thinking: - People pray to god when they are in trouble or are facing difficulty just
as the mother prayed to the god of Abraham. This is only a psychological satisfaction.
Besides it is quite hypocritical because people forget god once they are safe and sound. This
seems to be only another religious story. Which relies on faith in God?
Assimilation: - This story has taught me that in times of trouble or difficulty praying go god
may help to ease our pain a little the next thing we can do is to think about others who are
facing a bigger problems than ours. Such an out will make us more human, courageous and
confident to tackle or deal with any hardship in life.
To His coy Mistress
Literal Comprehension:-Andrew marvel wrote some of the finest Meta. Physical poetry, in
this poem he has expressed his attitude towards love.
The poet is found complaining about the limited time of youth to his beloved. If there had
been plenty of time, her shymess would not be a problem. They would sit down together is
contemplate about method to best express their love. He imagined that she would be the side
of the river Ganges in India, while he would be the side of his river Huber in England. In love
distance does not matter as long as their feelings for each other are strong. It is natural for
lovers to pine for their love when they are far apart the poet proclaims he would love her 10
yrs before the biblical floods and she may repuse him fill the conversion of the Jews. Still his
love her would grow gradually and would be vaster than the vastest empires if time allowed
he would appreciate her beautiful minutely by taking 1000 yrs to praise her eyes is other
features however, the poet feels this is not possible as no one can escape times winged chariot
implying that people grew old to the passage of time. The flitting time would make his
beloved beauty vanish is make her grow old and finally she would penish the spring of love
which one enjoys during his her youth would not be the same with the advancement of age
and even if the grave provided privacy to the lovers to meet it would be impractical and
foolish to in-grace his sweet heart in the grave. The poet is seemed imploring begging his
lover to make love while they are still young in the prime of their youth a time when
everything appears beautiful. He urges her not to languish or waste time but for unit in body
is soul to reach the point of expectancy.they cannot stop the sun, but they can at least dip
themselves in the pleasures of love.
Interpretation: - the poet may be implying that his shy beloved must love him before it is
too late. They must make love in the prime of their youth is the full of vitality.the poet seems
to be emphasizing on the importance of time is considers at appropriate time to be the
best.This poem is quite obscene of the 17
th
century the poet seems to be expressing only the
physical aspect of love. Love is celestial involving the feeling of sharing, caring,
companionship understanding and not only beauty is youth. Inspite of this poem being
classed as pornography it cannot be denied that it is a model of fine metaphysical poetry.
Assimilation: - After reading the poem find the misconception of love in the fate front. A
misleading idea of love with his hand care hitting out on physical love. Another factor which
strikes my mind is the concept of time. The poet seems to emphasize on the adage that time is
hide waits for no man.