Parents often use SCERT Kerala Syllabus 8th Standard English Notes Pdf Unit 5 Chapter 1 A Tale of Two Gifts Questions and Answers Activities Notes to assist their kids with homework.
Class 8 English A Tale of Two Gifts Question Answer Activities
A Tale of Two Gifts Questions and Answers Class 8
Class 8 English Unit 5 Question Answer
Shall we read a Zen story*?
നമുക്കൊരു സെൻ കഥ വായിച്ചാലോ?
Perhaps (ഒരുപക്ഷേ)
Once upon a time, ……………….. farmer again said, “Perhaps.”(Text book page no 136)
ഒരിക്കൽ, വിവേകിയായ (wise) ഒരു വയസ്സൻ കർഷ കൻ ജീവിച്ചിരുന്നു. വിശ്വസ്തതയോടെ (faithfully) സേവിച്ചിരുന്ന പ്രായമായ (ageing) ഒരു കുതിര അയാൾക്കുണ്ടായിരുന്നു. ഒരു ദിവസം, കുതിര അല ഞ്ഞുതിരിഞ്ഞു (wandered away) പോയി തിരിച്ചു വന്നില്ല. അവന്റെ അയൽക്കാർ (neighbours)വന്ന് പറഞ്ഞു, നിന്റെ കുതിര ഓടിപ്പോയെന്നറിഞ്ഞതിൽ ഞങ്ങൾക്ക് ഖേദമുണ്ട്. ഇത് വളരെ ദൗർഭാഗ്യകരമാ ണ് (unfortunate). കർഷകൻ പറഞ്ഞു, ഒരുപക്ഷേ (Perhaps), അങ്ങനെയാവാം.
അടുത്ത ദിവസം, ആ കുതിര ഏഴ് കാട്ടുകുതിര കളുമായി തിരിച്ചുവന്നു. വൈകുന്നേരം, ഗ്രാമവാസി കൾ (villagers) വന്ന് കർഷകനോട് പറഞ്ഞു, ‘ഓ, നീ എത്ര ഭാഗ്യവാനാണ് (lucky)! നിനക്കിപ്പോൾ എട്ട് കുതിരകളുണ്ട്!’ കർഷകൻ വീണ്ടും പറഞ്ഞു, ‘ഒരുപക്ഷേ.’
Some days later the ………………… The farmer only said, “Perhaps, so.”(Text book page no.136)
കുറച്ച് ദിവസങ്ങൾക്ക് ശേഷം, കർഷകന്റെ മകൻ കുതിരപ്പുറത്ത് സവാരി (riding) ചെയ്യുമ്പോൾ, താഴെ വീണ് അവന്റെ കാൽ ഒടിഞ്ഞു. അപ്പോൾ അയൽ ക്കാർ പറഞ്ഞു, അയ്യോ കഷ്ടം (Oh dear)! അത് വളരെ മോശമായിപ്പോയി.കർഷകൻ പ്രതികരിച്ചു, ഒരുപക്ഷേ.
അടുത്ത ദിവസം, കുറച്ച് സൈനിക ഉദ്യോഗസ്ഥർ (military officers) ആളുകളെ സൈന്യത്തിലേക്ക് എടുക്കാൻ (recruit) വന്നു, അവർ കർഷകന്റെ മക ന്റെ കാൽ ഒടിഞ്ഞതിനാൽ അവനെ നിരസിച്ചു (rejected). എല്ലാ അയൽക്കാരും വന്ന് പറഞ്ഞു, ‘അത് ശരിക്കും ഗംഭീരമായി (great)!’ കർഷകൻ മാത്രം പറഞ്ഞു, ‘ഒരുപക്ഷേ, അങ്ങനെയാവാം.’
Zen stories are brief anecdotes or parables by Buddhist Zen masters.
(സെൻ കഥകൾ ബുദ്ധമതത്തിലെ സെൻ ഗുരു ക്കന്മാർ പറയുന്ന ചെറിയ സംഭവകഥകളോ ഉപമകളോ ആണ്.)
Question 1.
How does the farmer react when he loses his only horse? How does his reaction differ from that of the other villagers?
തന്റെ ഏക കുതിരയെ നഷ്ടപ്പെടുമ്പോൾ കർഷ കൻ എങ്ങനെ പ്രതികരിക്കുന്നു? മറ്റ് ഗ്രാമീണ രുടെ പ്രതികരണത്തിൽ നിന്ന് അവന്റെ പ്രതി കരണം എങ്ങനെ വ്യത്യാസപ്പെട്ടിരിക്കുന്നു?
Answer:
The farmer reacts calmly and neutrally, simply saying “Perhaps, so.” His reaction differs greatly from the villagers, who immediately label the event as “most unfortunate” and express sympathy. The farmer avoids making quick judgments about whether the event is good or bad.
Question 2.
What does the farmer’s response, “Perhaps”, tell us about his attitude to loss and gain? What do you infer from the story about the Zen attitude to life?
കർഷകന്റെ ‘ഒരുപക്ഷേ’ എന്ന മറുപടി, നഷ്ടത്തെയും നേട്ടത്തെയും കുറിച്ചുള്ള അവന്റെ മനോഭാവത്തെക്കുറിച്ച് നമ്മോട് എന്താണ് പറ യുന്നത്? ജീവിതത്തോടുള്ള സെൻ മനോഭാവ ത്തെക്കുറിച്ച് കഥയിൽ നിന്ന് നിങ്ങൾ എന്ത് അനുമാനിക്കുന്നു?
Answer:
The farmer’s response “Perhaps” shows that he has a balanced and non-judgmental attitude towards loss and gain. He understands that what seems like a misfortune might lead to good fortune, and vice versa. We can infer that the Zen attitude to life involves accepting events as they happen without immediately labeling them as good or bad. It emphasizes calmness, patience, and understanding that life is unpredictable and interconnected.
8th Standard English A Tale of Two Gifts Question Answer
Question 1.
How much money did Della save to buy Jim a gift? Do you usually save money for a specific purpose? Share your experience in class?
ജിമ്മിനൊരു സമ്മാനം വാങ്ങാൻ ഡെല്ല എത്ര പണം സ്വരൂപിച്ചു? നിങ്ങൾ സാധാരണയായി ഒരു പ്രത്യേക ആവശ്യത്തിനായി പണം സ്വരൂ പിക്കാറുണ്ടോ? നിങ്ങളുടെ അനുഭവം ക്ലാസ്സി ൽ പങ്കുവെക്കുക.
Answer:
Della saved one dollar and eighty-seven cents (1.87) to buy Jim a gift.
Question 2.
Which of their possessions were Della and Jim especially proud of?
ഡെല്ലയ്ക്കും ജിമ്മിനും അവരുടെ കൈവശുള്ള ഏത് വസ്തുക്കളെക്കുറിച്ചായിരുന്നു പ്രത്യേകി ച്ച് അഭിമാനമുണ്ടായിരുന്നത്?
Answer:
Della was especially proud of her beautiful long hair, and Jim was es- pecially proud of his gold watch that had belonged to his father and grand father.
Question 3.
Jim’s watch was a valuable heirloom which he cherished very much. Do you have any such objects of sentimental value? Share your thoughts about them.
ജിമ്മിന്റെ വാച്ച് അവൻ വളരെയധികം വില മതിക്കുന്ന ഒരു പാരമ്പര്യ സ്വത്തായിരുന്നു (heirloom). നിങ്ങൾക്ക് വൈകാരികമായ വില യുള്ള (sentimental value) അത്തരം വസ്തു ക്കൾ എന്തെങ്കിലും ഉണ്ടോ? അവയെക്കുറി ച്ചുള്ള നിങ്ങളുടെ ചിന്തകൾ പങ്കുവെക്കുക.
Answer:
I possess a thin gold bangle that belonged to my grandmother. It is not heavy or intricately designed, but it carries a heavy history. She sold all her other jewelry during a famine to feed her children, keeping only this one bangle as a symbol of her dignity. Like Jim’s watch, which represented his family’s history, this bangle represents my grandmother’s sacrifice and survival. It reminds me that the value of an object lies not in its price tag, but in the story it tells.
Question 4.
Why did Della think that the gold watch chain was a suitable gift for Jim.
സ്വർണ്ണ വാച്ച് ചെയിൻ ജിമ്മിന് അനുയോജ്യ മായ സമ്മാനമാണെന്ന് ഡെല്ല കരുതാൻ കാരണ മെന്തായിരുന്നു?
Answer:
Della thought the gold watch chain was suitable because it was simple, valuable (“rich and pure material”), and possessed “quietness and value,” characteristics she felt matched both Jim and his prized watch. She believed it was good enough for ‘The Watch’ and would allow Jim to proudly check the time anywhere.
Question 5.
What was Jim’s initial reaction when he saw Della without her flowing hair?
ഡെല്ലയുടെ നീണ്ട മുടിയില്ലാതെ അവളെ കണ്ട പ്പോൾ ജിമ്മിന്റെ ആദ്യ പ്രതികരണം എന്താ യിരുന്നു.
Answer:
Jim’s initial reaction was shock and disbelief. He simply stared at her with a peculiar expression that she couldn’t understand, which filled her with fear It wans’t anger or surprise, but something strange that made him seem unable to grasp what had happened.
Question 6.
What is $1.87 worth in Indian rupees today?
ഇന്ന് 1.87-ന് ഇന്ത്യൻ രൂപയിൽ എന്ത് മൂല്യ മുണ്ട്?
Answer:
(This requires a current conversion rate.) As of today, October 27, 2025, the exchange rate is approximately ?83 per US dollar. Therefore, $1.87 is worth approximately ?155 (1.87* 83).
Question 7.
Why did Della cry when she opened Jim’s gift?
ജിമ്മിന്റെ സമ്മാനം തുറന്നപ്പോൾ ഡെല്ല കര ഞ്ഞത് എന്തുകൊണ്ട്?
Answer:
Della cried first out of joy because the gift was the beautiful set of combs she had admired for a long time. But her joy quickly turned to tears of sorrow because she realized she could no longer use the combs, having cut off and sold the hair they were meant for.
Question 8.
“You’ll have to look at your watch a hundred times a day now.” Why does Della say so?
“നിനക്കിനി ദിവസം നൂറു തവണ നിന്റെ വാച്ചിൽ നോക്കേണ്ടി വരും.” എന്തുകൊണ്ടാണ് ഡെല്ല അങ്ങനെ പറയുന്നത്?
Answer:
Della says this excitedly because she has just given Jim the beautiful gold watch chain. She believes that the chain makes the watch so impressive that he will be very proud to look at it frequently.
Question 9.
Why did Jim and Della decide to put their gifts aside for some time?
എന്തുകൊണ്ടാണ് ജിമ്മും ഡെല്ലയും തങ്ങളുടെ സമ്മാനങ്ങൾ കുറച്ചുകാലത്തേക്ക് മാറ്റിവെക്കാ ൻ തീരുമാനിച്ചത്?
Answer:
They decided to put the gifts aside because they were ironically unusable at that moment. Della had no hair for the combs Jim bought her, and Jim had sold his watch to buy the combs, so he had no watch for the chain Della bought him. Jim said they were “too nice to use now”.
A Tale of Two Gifts Questions and Answers – Let’s rewind
Question 1.
In what way does the story challenge traditional notions of poverty and wealth?
ദാരിദ്ര്യത്തെയും സമ്പത്തിനെയും കുറിച്ചുള്ള പരമ്പരാഗത ചിന്തകളെ ഈ കഥ എങ്ങനെയാണ് ചോദ്യം ചെയ്യുന്നത്?
Answer:
The story challenges traditional notions by showing that true wealth lies not in money or material possessions, but in love and selflessness. Della and Jim are financially poor($1.87 saved, $20/week income) but rich in their love for each other, willing to sacrifice their most treasured possessions to bring joy to the other. Their love makes them truly wealthy inspirit, contrasting with the mere monetary value of things.
Question 2.
Irony is the contrast between what is expected and what actually occurs. How does the author bring a touch of irony to the story?
പ്രതീക്ഷിക്കുന്നതും യഥാർത്ഥത്തിൽ സംഭവി ക്കുന്നതും തമ്മിലുള്ള വ്യത്യാസമാണ് വിരോ ധാഭാസം (Irony). ഗ്രന്ഥകർത്താവ് ഈ കഥ യിൽ എങ്ങനെയാണ് വിരോധാഭാസം കൊണ്ടു വരുന്നത്?
Answer:
The main irony is situational. Both Della and Jim sacrifice their most prized possession (her hair, his watch) to buy a gift that complements the other’s prized possession (combs for her hair, a chain for his watch). The irony lies in the fact that their sacrifices make the gifts they receive useless-Della has no hair for the combs, and Jim has no watch for the chain.
Question 3.
How does the unexpected twist in the tail-end of the story emphasize the value of love over material possessions?
കഥയുടെ അവസാനത്തിലെ അപ്രതീക്ഷിത ട്വിസ്റ്റ് ഭൗതികവസ്തുക്കളെക്കാൾ സ്നേഹത്തി ന്റെ മൂല്യത്തിന് എങ്ങനെയാണ് ഊന്നൽ നൽ കുന്നത്?
Answer:
The twist reveals that their material gifts are now useless because of the sacrifices they made for each other. This emphasizes that the act of sacrifice and the love behind the gifts are far more valuable than the gifts themselves. The material objects become unimportant compared to the depth of their love and willingness to give up everything for each other.
Question 4.
Why does the author consider Della and Jim the wisest among those who exchange gifts?
സമ്മാനങ്ങൾ കൈമാറുന്നവരിൽ ഏറ്റവും വിവേ കികളായി(wisest) ഗ്രന്ഥകർത്താവ് ഡെല്ലയെ യും ജിമ്മിനെയും കണക്കാക്കുന്നത് എന്തു കൊണ്ട്?
Answer:
The author considers them the wisest because they understood the true spirit of gift-giving, which is selfless love and sacrifice. Although their gifts were practically unwise (unusable), their actions demonstrated the highest form of wisdom-the wisdom of the heart that prioritizes love above all material possessions. They gave the greatest gift: proof of their immeasurable love.
A Tale of Two Gifts Activities
Class 8 English A Tale of Two Gifts Activities Pdf – Let’s recall and recreate:
Activity 1
A. Read the story ‘A Tale of Two Gifts’ and fill in the character map of Della.
Answer:
B. Now, prepare a character sketch of Della.
ഡെല്ലയുടെ ഒരു സ്വഭാവചിത്രീകരണം തയ്യാറാക്കുക.
Answer:
Della is the young, loving protagonist of O. Henry’s “A Tale of Two Gifts.” Though living in relative poverty with her husband Jim, her life is rich with affection. Her defining characteristic is her deep and selfless love for Jim. She spends months meticulously saving every penny she can, only to find she has just $1.87 for his Christmas present. This reveals her determination, but also her emotional nature, as she cries out of frustration. Della takes immense pride in her beautiful, long hair, which reaches below her knee and is considered one of their two great treasures. Her greatest desire is to buy a worthy gift for Jim. This desire motivates her greatest action: the impulsive, brave decision to cut and sell her prized hair to buy him a platinum watch chain. Although initially worried about Jim’s reaction to her short hair, her love and sacrifice ultimately define her character. Despite her practical ‘un- wise’ action, the story portrays her as spiritually rich and one of the ‘wisest’ givers because her gift comes purely from the heart.
Class 8 English A Tale of Two Gifts Question Answer – Activity 2
Della sells her beautiful hair to Mrs Sofronie to buy a gift for Jim. A transcript of the conversation between Della and Mrs Sofronie is given. Complete the dialogue.
Della: Excuse me, ma’am. Will you buy my hair?
Mrs Sofronie: Of course, I buy hair. Let me see yours. Take off your hat, child.
Della: …………………………………………………….
Mrs Sofronie: …………………………………………………….
Della: …………………………………………………….
Mrs Sofronie: …………………………………………………….
Answer:
Della: Excuse me, ma’am. Will you buy my hair?
Mrs Sofronie: Of course, I buy hair. Let me see yours. Take off your hat, child.
Della: (Takes off her hat, letting her hair fall down)
Mrs Sofronie
Della: Give it to me quick.
Mrs Sofronie: (Pays Della the money) Here you go.
Activity 3
A. You are familiar with the idea of the Hot Seat, aren’t you? The person in the ‘hot seat’ answers questions from a group, taking on the role of a historical figure, a celebrity, or a literary character. The activity requires quick thinking and well-structured responses, some of which may also be quite witty. Shall we now attempt a similar programme, ‘Meet the Character’? Let’s discuss, and list the key steps of the activity.
• Select a person to play the role of the character.
• Prepare a set of questions to be posed to the character.
• ……………………………………………………………………………
• ……………………………………………………………………………
Answer:
• Select a person to play the role of the character.
• Prepare a set of questions to be posed to the character.
• The person playing the character should research and understand the character’s personality, motivations, and story deeply.
• The audience (or interviewers) should ask questions respectfully and thought fully.
• The character should answer the questions from their perspective, staying in character.
• A moderator can facilitate the session, manage time, and guide the questions
B. Now, prepare a set of questions to be posed to the character you choose
Answer:
| Questions to Della | Questions to Jim |
| • Della, why did you decide to sell your hair? | • Jim, tell us more about your gift for Della. |
| • Weren’t you scared about what Jim might think when he saw your short hair | • How did you feel when you saw Della’s short hair? Was it anger, surprise, or something else |
| • What did those combs mean to you when you first saw them? | • Was it difficult for you to sell the watch that belonged to your father and grandfather? |
| • Do you regret selling your hair, knowing you couldn’t use the combs? | • What is more important to you – the watch or Della’s happiness? |