The Beggar Class 9 English, Moments – Summary, Explanation, Word Meanings

This highlights how kindness and Compassion can bring about a change in anyone. In the story, Lushkoff a beggar is given work by Sergei, an advocate. Lushkoff agrees to do the work but the work given to him is done by an old woman Olga (Sergei’s cook). Her kindness and compassion help bring a change in Lushkoff’s way of life. Because of Olga’s selfless help, Lushkoff starts living a respectable life and becomes a responsible man.

Summary

One day Sergei, an advocate was stopped by a beggar. The beggar requested Sergei to have pity on him. The Beggar also said that he had ate nothing since last three days. The Beggar told Sergei that he had been a school teacher for eight years but had lost his job about a year ago.

 

Sergei looked at the beggar. He was wearing a ragged, Fawn (light yellowish) coloured overcoat. He had dull drunken eyes and a red spot on either cheek. The Beggar told Sergei that he had found a job in the province of kaluga and needed money to go there.

While talking to the beggar, Sergei recognised him by his shoes. One of the beggar’s shoes was high and other was low. Sergei told the beggar that he had met him earlier on Sadovya street and at that time he told him that he was a student. Sergei threatened the beggar that he would call the police.

After Sergei’s threat, the beggar told that he had lied to him for money. He told Sergei that he was in a Russian singing group, but he was thrown out because of his drinking habits. Now, he couldn’t find work anywhere and did not have any other option rather than to beg. So, he lied to get money.

After listening to the beggar’s truth, Sergei offered him work of chopping wood. The beggar does not wanted to work, but he agreed because of shame. So, Sergei took the beggar to his home. He called his cook, Olga and informed her to take the beggar into wood-shed. Olga gave the beggar an axe to chop the wood. The Beggar tried to chop the wood but he could not do so, Sergei realised that he kept a drunken man who was too weak to work in cold.

The wood was chopped after an hour. The Beggar was given money (half a rouble) and informed that he could come to Sergei’s house in the starting of the month to get work. The beggar was given various kinds of work. He would remove the snow, cut wood, clean the rugs and mattresses, etc. When Sergei was shitting into a new house, the beggar was called to help in packing and carrying the furniture. The beggar looked weak and unhealthy. He hardly help Sergei in carrying the furniture and in shifting. Sergei thought that he should not give him hard work and decided to sent him to his friend for an easy work. After shifting, Sergei called the beggar and got to know that his name was Lushkoff. Sergei gave Lushkoft a letter and told him to go to his friend who would give him a new job.

After two years on one evening, Sergei met Lushkoff at the theatre. He found Lushkoff near the ticket window. He was wearing a coat collar of curly fur and a sealskin cap. Lushkoff informed Sergei that he had become a notary and was now earning 35 roubles a month. Lushkoff thanked Sergei for his help and guidance. He also thanked Sergei’s cook Olga who (according to him) actually changed him.

Lushkoff confessed to Sergei that Olga’s kindness had changed him. It was Olga who would scold him and cry for him. Lushkoff told Sergei that he did not cut any wood for him. It was Olga who cut the wood. Olga’s caring actions changed his heart and helped him become a responsible person.

 

Extra Questions

(1) Describe the appearance of the beggar?

(2) Who was Sergei? Why does he help the beggar?

(3) What request did the beggar make before Sergei?

(4) How did Sergei recognise the beggar?

(5) The beggar was a liar ?What two lies did he tell to get money?

(6) Give a character sketch of Sergei?

(7) Why did Sergei threaten to call the police?

(8) Describe the initial behaviour of Olga towards the beggar?

(9) Why did the other carters make fun of Lushkoff?

(10) Why did Sergei call Lushkoff his god son?

(11)  What different kinds of work dii Lushkoff do at Sergei’s house?

(12) Why did Sergei send Lushkoff to his friend? What advice did he give to him?

(13)Who saved the beggar and how?

(14) Give a character sketch of Olga?

(15) How did the beggar invite the attention of Sergei?

(16) What did Sergei see from the drawing room’s window immediately after he brought the beggar home?

(17) What does Sergei suggest to Lushkoff after he had finished chopping the wood?

(18) Why did Sergei call Lushkoff his godson?

(19) What reason does Lushkoff give toSergei for his telling lies?

(20) What kind of help is extended by Sergei to make the beggar self-dependent?

(21) How did Olga inspire Lushkoff to change his ways?

(22) Describe how Olga helped Lushkoff to be a real man?

(23) Where did Sergei see Lushkoff after two years? What work was he doing then?

(24) ‘The Beggar’ has a beautiful message . It is that one can make one’s life a happy journey through work only? Describe how the author demonstrates  this simple principles?

 

Word Meanings
lodging	temporary accommodation
copeck	a monetary unit of Russia equal to one-hundredth of a rouble
intrigues	secret plans made to harm
calumny	defamation of character
ragged	old and torn clothes
suppliant	a person making a humble plea to someone in power or authority.
province	region, district
mendicant	a beggar
obliged	bound to do something
overshoes	shoes typically made of rubber to protect the normal shoe
mumble	murmur
disgust	a feeling of dislike for something or someone.
swindling	cheating
choir	an organised group of singers
hasten	to move or act quickly
shrugged	raise shoulders slightly to express doubt
perplexity	confusion
irresolute	hesitant
gait	a person’s manner of walking
inclination	a tendency
toil	hard work
glared	stare in an angry way
shoved	push roughly
banged	strike or put down forcefully
pseudo	not genuine
billet	a thick piece of wood.
feebly	lacking in force
waver	move back and forth
menial	work not requiring much skill and lacking prestige.
waif	a homeless, neglected or abandoned person
shovel	a tool with a long handle used for lifting and throwing dirt, sand, snow, etc.
rug	mat
hauling	pulling or dragging
sober	serious, sensible and dignified
gloomy	sad or depressed
pretence	acting
carter	a person who transports goods by a vehicle
jeer	make rude and mocking remarks, typically in a loud voice
tattered	in poor condition
parting	leaving
timidly	unconfidently
notary	a person authorised to pertorm certain legal formalities
roasting	severe criticism
pit	a large hole
indebted	owing something to someone
sot	a habitual drunkard
miserable	being in a pitiable state of distress or unhappiness
strain	an outburst filled with emotional speech
owing	due
bow	to bend the head or body in respect to someone or something