Comprehension Check
- The Great Stone Face stood near where Ernest and his mother lived.
True - One would clearly distinguish the features of the Stone Face only from a distance.
True - Ernest loved his mother and helped her in her work.
True - Though not very rich, Gathergold was a skilful merchant.
True - Gathergold died in poverty and neglect.
False - The Great Stone Face seemed to suggest that Ernest should not fear the general.
True
Working with the Text
- (i) What was the Great Stone Face?
The Great Stone Face was a natural formation that resembled the features of a human face, located near the valley where Ernest and his mother lived.
(ii) What did young Ernest wish when he gazed at it?
Young Ernest wished to meet a man who resembled the Great Stone Face, believing that he would be a great and wise person. - What was the story attributed to the Stone Face?
The story attributed to the Stone Face was that a great man would come to the valley one day, someone who would look just like the Stone Face and would bring peace and prosperity to the people. - What gave the people of the valley the idea that the prophecy was about to come true for the first time?
The arrival of General Blood-and-Thunder, a famous general known for his bravery and leadership, gave the people the idea that the prophecy might be coming true. - (i) Did Ernest see in Gathergold the likeness of the Stone Face?
No, Ernest did not see the likeness of the Stone Face in Gathergold. He found Gathergold to be greedy and self-centered.
(ii) Who did he confide in and how was he proved right?
Ernest confided in his mother about his feelings regarding Gathergold. He was proved right when Gathergold did not fulfill the prophecy, as he was not the great man they had been waiting for. - (i) What made people believe General Blood-and-Thunder was their man?
People believed General Blood-and-Thunder was their man because he was a celebrated figure who had returned to the valley with fame and a promise of protection.
(ii) Ernest compared the man’s face with the Stone Face. What did he conclude?
Ernest concluded that General Blood-and-Thunder did not resemble the Great Stone Face and that he was not the great man foretold by the prophecy.
Working with Language
- Noun forms:
(i) lofty – loftiness
(ii) able – ability
(iii) happy – happiness
(iv) near – nearness
(v) noble – nobility
(vi) enormous – enormity
(vii) pleasant – pleasantness
(viii) dense – density
(ix) great – greatness
(x) stable – stability - Fill in the blanks:
(i) Why didn’t you turn up at the meeting? We all were eagerly waiting for you.
(ii) Please write your name and address in capital letters.
(iii) I was pleasantly surprised to see him at the railway station. I thought he was not coming.
(iv) It is perfectly believable that I am not responsible for this mess.
(v) He fell over the step and badly broke his arm. - Complete the sentences:
(i) I will phone you when I get home from school.
(ii) Hurry up! Madam will be annoyed if we are late.
(iii) If it rains today, we will not go to the play.
(iv) When you see Mandal again, you will not recognize him. He is growing a beard.
(v) We are off today. We will write to you after we are back.
Speaking and Writing
- Imagine you are Ernest:
My mother and I were sitting at the door of our cottage. We were looking at the Great Stone Face. I asked her if she had ever seen anyone who looked like the Stone Face. Then she told me this story: Once, long ago, a wise man was prophesied to come to our valley, one who would resemble the Great Stone Face. The villagers believed he would bring prosperity and peace. They often looked for signs, hoping to see the man who would fulfill the prophecy. - Imagine you are Gathergold:
My name is Gathergold. I left the valley of the Great Stone Face fifty years ago. I am now going back home. Will the people of the valley welcome me? Do they know that I am very rich? I have traveled far and gained wealth beyond measure. But I wonder if they will remember me as the ambitious merchant I once was or as someone who abandoned them for riches. As I approach, I hope to find familiar faces and the warmth of home once again.
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