The Clearing in the Sky
Q.1 Why didn't the old man follow the advice of the doctor?
The old man did not follow the advice of the doctor because he was a strong and determined man. He had to raise a family of five children so he could not take rest.
Q.2 What did the old man want to show his son?
The old man took his son to the top of a mountain. He wanted to show him a piece of land on the mountain which he had cleared and cultivated tomatoes, yams and potatoes there.
Q.3 What had the doctors told the old man?
The doctors had told the old man not to walk even the length of a city block. They advised him to take complete rest and not to work.
Q.4 What were the names of the vegetables the old man grew on his farm?
The names of the vegetables the old man grew on his farm were tomatoes, yams and potatoes.
Q.5 Why did the old man take the steep path?
The old man took the steep path because he wanted to show that he was still healthy and strong. Moreover, he wanted to prove the doctors wrong.
Q.6 Why had the old man planted his secret garden?
The old man had planted his secret garden because the land on the top of the mountain was fertile. He wanted to work hard as he had done in his youth. He wanted to refresh the memory of his youth.
Q.7 What did the people say when the old man bought the country poor farm?
The people said that he would end up with his family at the country poor farm. If he tired to make a living there. He would never be able to improve that land.
Q.8 Why did the son at the age of six cry?
The son at the age of six cried because he had lost his wooden plough in a furrow. That plough was given him by his father and he loved it very much.
Q.9 What were the feelings of the old man at the age of seventy?
The old man was happy and satisfied at the age of seventy. He felt energetic and healthy. He was proud his hard work.
Q10. What is the moral of the story?
The story teaches the moral lesson.
"God helps those who help themselves"
It means that if a person has a strong will-power and determination, he can do anything.