Question 1. 1. What does the author notice one Sunday afternoon? What is his mother’s reaction? What does she do?
Ans: While doing his homework, the author noticed smoke seeping through the seams of the ceiling, and within moments, the room was filled with thick smoke. Realizing the danger, he and his mother hurriedly ran outside to save themselves. His mother managed to grab a small metal box containing important documents before leaving. However, in her panic and distress, she dropped the box outside and, without thinking, rushed back into the burning house.
2. Why does he break down in tears after the fire?
Ans :- The author’s house was completely burned down. Five hours later when the fire was finally put out, he realised at once that his cat was nowhere. He had to face the loss of old school, his house and cat. In such a state, he cried and broke down in tears.
3. Why is the author deeply embarrassed the next day in school? Which words show his fear and insecurity?
Ans: The author felt deep remorse and insecurity, left with nothing—no proper clothing, study materials, or backpack. Everything seemed strange and overwhelming. His frustration and fear were clear in his words: “Was I destined to be an outcast and a geek all my life? I didn’t want to grow up, change, or handle life if it was going to be this way. I just wanted to curl up and die.”
4. The cat and the author are very fond of each other. How has this been shown in the story? Where was the cat after the fire? Who brings it back and how?
Ans : The author loved his cat very much. He never considered her far from him. She kept sitting beside him when he did his homework and other household work. When the author found his cat back, his happiness was beyond the limits. He grabbed her quickly and felt relieved. This proved that they were very fond of each other.
The cat ran over a mile away when the house was on fire. A stranger lady brought it back as there was a phone number written on the collar of the cat.
5. What actions of the schoolmates change the author’s understanding of life and people, and comfort him emotionally? How does his loneliness vanish and how does he start participating in life?
Ans: The author’s schoolmates came together to help him by providing school supplies, notebooks, and a variety of clothes. This unexpected generosity surprised him and was difficult for him to believe. He felt an emotional satisfaction that deeply moved him. People who had never spoken to him before began introducing themselves one by one, making everything feel fresh and new. This warmth and support rekindled his interest in life. With all the essentials restored, he gradually began to enjoy life as he used to before the tragedy.
6. What is the meaning of “My cat was back and so was I”? Had the author gone anywhere? Why does he say that he is also back?
Ans: Here the author wants to point out that life without affection is useless. He was depressed after a great loss in all fields. His old school and teachers were always in his mind. The fire had reduced his house to ashes. His cat was also not with him. In such circumstances he considered himself dead and had no interest in life.
In the end as soon as the conditions took the turn he felt relieved. Now he had all the things with him. The author had not gone anywhere. It was his state of mind. He recovered from this gloomy state and started enjoying life when he got his cat back.