The Blind Dog (Question- Answers and Passages for Explanation)

 Passages

 

1.       He had spotty eyes and undistinguished carriage and needless pugnacity. Before he was two years old he had earned the scars of a hundred fights on his body. When he needed rest on hot afternoons he lay curled up under the culvert at the eastern gate of the market.

Reference to the context:  These lines are taken from the story, The Blind Dog written by R.K. Narayan. In this story, the writer describes in detail the relationship between a blind beggar and a street dog, who roams free here and there. The story is a perfect example of human greed and brutality towards animals.

Explanation:  In these lines, the writer says that the dog had dotted eyes and ordinary posture and quite often displayed useless aggression. Before he was two years old he had numerous scars of a hundred fights on his body. In the summer season during the hot afternoons, when he needed rest he lay curled up under the conduit at the eastern gate of the market.

 

2.       The dog was sleeping nearby. He was stirred by the smell of food. He got up, came out of his shelter, and stood before the blind man, wagging his tail and gazing expectantly at the bowl, as he was eating his sparse meal.

Reference to the context:  These lines are taken from the story, The Blind Dog written by R.K. Narayan. In this story, the writer describes in detail the relationship between a blind beggar and a street dog, who roams free here and there. The story is a perfect example of human greed and brutality towards animals.

Explanation:  In these lines, the writer says that the dog was sleeping nearby. The smell of food brought the dog to the beggar and he stood before the blind man, wagging his tail and staring hopefully at the bowl in which the blind man was eating his bare meal.

 

3.       "Death alone can help that dog," cried the ribbon-seller, looking after it with a sigh." What can we do with a creature who returns to his doom with such a free heart?”

Reference to the context:  These lines are taken from the story, The Blind Dog written by R.K. Narayan. In this story, the writer describes in detail the relationship between a blind beggar and a street dog, who roams free here and there. The story is a perfect example of human greed and brutality towards animals.

Explanation: In these lines, the writer says that the ribbon- seller was appalled at the condition of the dog and sobbed that only death could help this poor dog, who, wilfully, returned back to his doom by forgiving his freedom.

Questions 

1.    What happened to the dog once it became the blind man’s companion?

Ans: The life of the dog changed completely once it became the blind man’s companion. They met every day and the dog sat beside the blind man and watched him receive alms morning to evening. In course of time observing him, the dog understood that the passers-by must give a coin, and whoever went away without dropping a coin was chased by the dog, he tugged the edge of their clothes by his teeth and pulled them back to the old man at the gate and let go only after they dropped something in his bowl.

 

2.     How did the friendship between the dog and the blind man begin?

Ans: An old woman led the old man every day at the market gate early in the morning and seated him. She came up again at midday with some food. The dog was sleeping nearby. He was stirred by the smell of food. He got up, came out of his shelter, and stood before the blind man, wagging his tail and gazing expectantly at the bowl, as he was eating his meal. The blind man threw a handful of food which the dog ate gratefully. The dog went up and licked his hand. The blind man stroked its coat gently. This was the beginning of the friendship between the Old man and the dog.

 

3.     How did the dog guard the blind man from the village urchin?

Ans: A village urchin used to visit the market and liked to tease the blind man by calling him names and by trying to pick up the coins from his bowl. The blind man helplessly shouted and cried and whirled his staff. One day as the Village urchin appeared near the gate and began to take money out of the bowl. The dog sprang on him and snapped his jaws on his wrist. The boy extricated his hand and ran for his life. The dog bounded up behind him and chased him out of the market.

 

4.     Write a character sketch of the blind man?

Ans: The blind man was a poor beggar. An old woman used to bring him and seated him at the market gate. He used to beg the whole day seated at the market gate. The blind man cleverly befriended a stray dog. After the death of the old woman, the blind man forcibly tied and virtually imprisoned the poor dog. The blind man was cruel, selfish and greedy. His greed for money made him a devil. He forced the poor dog to roam all through the day. He denied freedom to the dog and ill-treated him. He used to hit and kick the dog every now and then.

 

5.    How did the dog’s life change after the death of the old woman?

Ans: Life for the dog changed completely after the death of the old woman. The dog lost its freedom completely. In a few days, the dog learned to discipline his instinct and ceased to take notice of other dogs, even if they came up and growled at his side.

 

6.    Describe the life the dog led after being set free from the blind man?

Ans: Life for the dog changed completely after the death of the old woman. The old man tied a white cord around its neck and he remained with the old man all day and night. When Tiger saw other dogs, friends, or foes, instinctively he sprang up, tugging the string, and this invariably earned him a kick from his master. It lost its original appearance. As months rolled on, bones stuck up at his haunches and ribs could be seen through his fading coat.

 

7.    What is your opinion about the dog’s behavior?

Ans: The dog is undoubted, man’s best and true friend. The dog, named Tiger, remained loyal and faithful to the poor, yet cruel beggar. The dog did not run away even after being freed by the perfumer He came back to the blind master.