English Learning in Slow Pace 1 – The Man-Eating Leopard

In our English Learning in Slow Pace Series, we aim to break down higher level English lessons into small – easy to understand chunks for the beginners. There will be questions from important sections of the stories which, combined together, give a good overall idea about the lesson to the reader. The Jim Corbett authored lesson will the first one we cover.

The Man-eating Leopard of Rudra Prayag by Jim Corbett

Answer these questions …

1. Why do Hindus go to Kedarnth and Badrinath?
2. Why do people take a dip in Har-ki-pauri?
3. Describe the palms of the lepers who waited outside the shrines.
4. How did they trouble the pilgrims?
5. Were the lepers really poor? Where did they hid their wealth?
6. Who are the Kala Kamli Wallahas? How did they get their names?
7. What is the good thing about these people?

Answers:

1. Why do Hindus go to Kedarnth and Badrinath?
   Ans: Kedarnath and Badrinath are two prominent places of pilgrimage of Hindus. Pilgrims go there in thousands to perform religious rituals, so that they escape the curses of the gods for the sins committed in life.
2. Why do people take a dip in Har-ki-pauri?
   Ans: Hari-Ki pauri is a ghat on the banks f the Ganges. It is considered very sacred by Hindus. Taking a dip and throwing a coin in its water is believed to free the person of the curses.
3. Describe the palms of the lepers who wait outside the shrines.
   Ans: The palms of the lepers have fingers eaten away by wounds caused by leprosy. These festering wounds constantly ooze blood, and pus. They look very nasty.
4. How do they trouble the pilgrims?
   Ans: If any pilgrim ignores the lepers sitting by the road side and does not give him any coin, the angry leper heaps very unpleasant curses on the visitor.
5. Are the lepers really poor? Where do they hide their wealth?
   Ans: The lepers are very rich. They hide their wealth obtained through begging in the caves where they use their dirty clothes to cover them.
6. Who are the Kala Kamli Wallahas? How did they get their names?
   Ans: Kala Kamli Wallahas cover themselves with black blankets all the time. They get their name from this practice. They also beg from the pilgrims, but not in a vulgar way as the lepers.
7. What is the good thing about these people?
   Ans: The Kala Kamli Wallahs are known for their benevolent deeds. They run dispensaries, schools, shelters etc. with the money they get by begging.

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