Chapter 10 The Beggar

NCERT Solutions for The Beggar, Chapter 10 Class 9 English Moments

Question 1 Has Lushkoff become a beggar by circumstance or by choice?

Answer Lushkoff became a beggar by choice as he did not want to work. He was a drunkard and was thrown out of the singing group in which he sang, due to his drinking habit.

Question 2 What reasons does he give to Sergei for his telling lies?

Answer Lushkoff gives out the reasons that he can’t get along without lying. Lushkoff told Sergei that nobody would take pity on him. He also told that nobody would give him anything if he told the truth. So, he had to lie to earn money.

Question 3 Is Lushkoff a willing worker? Why, then, does he agree to chop wood for Sergei?

Answer No, Lushkoff was not a willing worker. He agreed to chop wood for Sergei because of shame and guilt. He was trapped in his own words. He had told Sergei that he had to beg because he could not find any work.

Question 4 Sergei says, “I am happy that my words have taken effect.” Why does he say so? Is he right in saying this?

Answer Sergei says that on seeing Lushkoff coming to his house regularly for work. By this Sergei means as he had encouraged Lushkoff to leave begging and start working. No, he is not right in saying so as Lushkoff did not do any work at his place and all his work was done by Olga, Sergei’s cook.

Question 5 Lushkoff is earning thirty five roubles a month. How is he obliged to Sergei for this?

Answer Lushkoff is obliged to Sergei for his respectable life. Before meeting Sergei, Lushkoff was a beggar who lied to get money. Sergei offered him work. It was at Sergei’s house, where Lushkoff met Olga, a kind old lady who led him to change his life. When Sergei was confident that Luskhoff was ready for a proper job, he sent Lushkoff to his friends house for a new job. Due to this, he became a notary who earned 35 roubles a month.

Question 6 During their conversation Lushkoff reveals that Sergei’s cook, Olga is responsible for the positive change in him. How has Olga saved Lushkoff?

Answer During his conversation with Sergei, Lushkoff revealed that it was Sergei’ s cook, a kind and compassionate old lady named Olga, who was responsible for a positive change in him. When Lushkoff met Olga, she called him by various names and even shout on him. She would then weep for his miserable condition and life. Olga would also cut the wood that Lushkoff had to cut. Her selfless acts gradually made Lushkoff quit drinking. He, thus, started working diligently and was now a respectable man.