THE LOUSE AND THE MOSQUITO

English Literature Chapter – 9

I Word meaning:-

Ancestral house - house which we get from our parents who got it from their
parents
Brood - a large family
Discreetly - carefully
Nipped - bit (the king)

II Make Sentences:-

1. Whack – Please do not whack Mohan for a small mistake.

2. Tempted – I was tempted to take up the task to get some chocolates against it.
3. Absorbed – I was so absorbed in reading the book that I missed mu favourite cartoon.
4. Muttered – I muttered a joke to my friend in between the dance session.
5. Puzzled –I was puzzled to see such difficult questions in the exam.
6. Dozing – Harry was dozing off in the classroom.
7. Virtues – He is a boy of virtues.
8. Wearily – I completed my homework wearily.
9. Opportunity – I got the opportunity to head the cricket team of my school.

III Explain the following expressions in your own words:-

1. All gladness left him - happiness vanished

2. With the eye of an artist - to give a keen and observant look like that of an artist
3. In a new light - to understand someone or something in a different way
4. Laying plots – to build-up stories
5. Rolling in wealth – to be extremely rich

IV Write the antonyms of the following words:-

1. Sadness X gladness
2. Fresh X tired
3. Refused X allowed
 4. Began X stopped
5. Rest X work
6. Full X empty
7. Weep X laugh

V Question and Answers:-

1. What kind of life was being led by the louse and her family?
Ans. The louse and her family led life of undisturbed delight, growing plump with white and
smooth skin.

2. When did they drink King’s blood?

Ans. The Louse and her family drank King’s blood after King fell asleep and on signal from
Creep.

3. Why did the louse family live undetected in the King’s bed for so many years?
Ans. The louse family lived undetected in King’s bed for so many years as they were trained
to drink blood yet cause no pain and stain, making sure the royal sleep was not
disturbed by their quick bite.

4. What kind of life did it lead?

Ans. It

5. Why did the louse turn down the mosquito’s request? What were her fears?
Ans. The Louse turned down the Mosquito’s request as she considered herself the Guardian
of the house. She feared the mosquito biting will disturb the Royal sleep causing pain to
the King. This will put the Louse family at risk.

6. Why did the mosquito wish to enter the King’s bed?

Ans. The mosquito told the Louse that he was not well, his health had broken down, and that
he wanted to suck the Royal blood filled with ginger, honey, sugar, spice and
cardamom, which are remedies for aches and pain.

7. What tells you he was not honest?

Ans. The mosquito was not honest because before being caught by the Louse, he was
jumping and testing the bed spring. He also was not listening to the Louse’s advice
seriously.
8. Which was the right time according to the louse to bite the king?
Ans. As per the louse the right time to bite the king was when he was in deep sleep caused by
wine and fatigue or dream enriched unbroken sleep.

9. What happened when the mosquito ignored the louse’s advice?

Ans. The king woke up in pain when the mosquito bit him and ordered the creature to be
killed which had caused him pain. The bed was thoroughly searched and Louse and her
family were killed.

10. Was the mosquito sorry for causing the death of Louse and her family?
Ans. The mosquito was not concerned about the louse and her family, he saved himself and
flew away humming happily.

11. What lesson do you learn from the Poem?

Ans. The lesson that we learn is that it is indeed good to be generous and hospitable but we
should not be excessively generous as it may prove dangerous in certain circumstances.
Also we learn that we should not trust a stranger.

II REFERENCE TO CONTEXT:

1. “ Just one bite-I ask no more”

(i) Who is the speaker? Where is he at the moment?
Ans. Mosquito is the speaker. He is in the Kings bed at the moment.

(ii) With whom does he speak?

Ans. He is speaking with the louse.

(iii) Why was his earlier request turned down?

Ans. His earlier request was turned down as the louse thought he will cause pain to the
king and risk the louse clan’s safety.

(iv) On what plea did he make the request?

Ans. He made the request with a plea of broken health.

(v) What do you think of him?

Ans. I think the mosquito was selfish and dishonest.
2. “All were killed without ado’
(i) Who were killed?
Ans. The louse family was killed.

(ii) How did the mosquito survive?

Ans. The mosquito hid in the canopy.

(iii) Who had ordered the killing?

Ans. The king had ordered the killing.

(iv) Explain the phrase “without ado”

Ans. The phrase “without ado” means without delay.

(v) Was the mosquito sorry for his action?

Ans. No, the mosquito was not sorry , rather went away happily for another prey.