Lesson No. 5 - The Piece of String (HSSC-1)

Lesson No. 5 - The Piece of String - Summary and Questions and Answers

James, the caretaker of public hall of the town, loses his purse book carrying 500 shillings and some papers. Hubert, an honest and sensitive man, who was attending an end-of-market-day party in the public hall, was called by the mayor, who accuses Hubert of stealing James’ purse book. Manana accuses Hubert of having picked a pocket from the road. Hubert tells the mayor that he only picked a piece of string from the road, which is found out from his pocket. He is searched but nothing is found on him. However, nobody in the town believes his story. They all make fun of him. Meanwhile a man called George returns the pocketbook. He finds it on road but still the people tease Hubert and call him a liar and a thief. He takes this unjustified criticism to his heart and falls ill. In the end he dies. The injustice of the people invites God's anger. A flood comes and destroys the whole village. Hubert's grave remains Intact. Thus God proves Hubert's innocence and punishes the oppressors. 

Short Questions/Answers 

Q1. Why did Manana accuse Hubert of picking the lost pocket-book? 

Ans. Manana accused Hubert because he saw Mr. Hubert picking something on the way to the market place and kept on insisting that Hubert should be held responsible for the loss of the pocket-book. 

Q2. What did the people think of Hubert when they heard of the return of the pocket-book by some other person? 

Ans. They held the same view as that of Manana. Although Hubert was innocent, yet the villagers still held the view that he was to be blamed for picking the pocket book and they believed that it was Hubert who later sent it to the Mayor just to save himself. 

Q3. Why did George give the pocket-book to his employer? 

Ans. George handed over the pocket-book to his employer solely because he desired it to be restored to its owner, whose address he could not read as he was uneducated. 

Q4. What did make Hubert shameful? Ans. The guilt of being called a liar and a thief made him embarrassed. He considered it better to die instead of facing the obnoxious and false accusations of the people. 

Q5. Why did the people make fun of his innocence? 

Ans. The people made fun of his innocence because they were habitual in fabricating such baseless stories. They also made fun of Hubert because he was a poor, simple countryman who could not defend himself against the allegations surfaced against him. 

Q6. Why did he keep claiming his innocence before his death? 

Ans. He kept on claiming his innocence and tried his best to prove it. His conscience was clear. He was honest and a man of good character. He hated to be called a liar and a thief. He did not want to live a life of dishonour. 

Long Questions & Answers 

Q1. Write down a note on the character of Hubert. 

A. Hubert is a simple innocent character of the story. He is old, honest and true. He is accused of picking up a wallet containing money and some business papers. In fact, Hubert had picked up a piece of string that morning. Manana reports it to the mayor, who calls Hubert and directly accuses him of stealing James’ purse. Hubert tries his best to prove his innocence and truth but nobody seems to believe him. He is much grieved about his dishonour and bad reputation. He protests against the accusation but he is not believed. His friends and neighbours do not believe him. Next day, Mr. George returns the wallet and its contents to Mr. James, the owner. The news spreads like wild fire in the village. Hubert feels absolved of all blame. Yet still, people tell the story of Hubert to amuse themselves. In fact, they didn’t believe that Hubert was innocent. Hubert takes the whole incident to heart and falls ill. On death bed he murmurs, “A piece of string! A piece of string!” Soon after Hubert dies. He is given due regard and recognition as a true and honest man many years after his death.

Q2. Write ten lines on the mentality of the people who did not believe Hubert. 

A. When Hubert left the Mayor’s office, people questioned him with serious curiosity. Nobody believed his story of the string. People laughed at him. Even his friends did not believe him. They called him an old rascal. He went to the village, telling every man his story. But everybody was doubtful. Whatever reasons he gave, people were not willing to believe him. “They are lying excuses,” they said behind his back. They started to tell the story of the string to amuse themselves. It is the way of the world that people don’t spare the accused nor do they believe his side of the story. When once an honest man’s reputation is spoiled, it can’t be reinstated. 

Q3. Why did the Mayor not believe the innocence of Hubert? 

A. The Mayor did not believe the innocence of Hubert because Mr. Hubert was a poor and helpless villager. He thought that poor people are needy and that is the reason for them to steal things. The Mayor was informed about the incident by Mr. Manana who was a man of worthy credence in his eyes. In his court, Manana repeatedly maintained that Hubert had picked up the pocket book. 

Q4. Was it necessary for Hubert pleading his innocence? 

A. It was necessary for Hubert to continue pleading his innocence. He was an honest man of honour and reputation. His integrity was doubted. He was accused of picking up the wallet. However, Hubert must not have begged or pleaded beneath his level of honour. He should have remained strong and faced the situation with integrity. It is said that, ‘he who excuses himself, accuses himself’ so the moment Hubert fell beneath the level of his honour and integrity and started swearing, abusing and pleading, he accused himself more decisively. 

Q5. What suggestions can you give to Hubert to save him from such humiliating situation? 

A. Following suggestions may be given to Hubert in view of the story: i. Hubert should demand a fair and public trial for the accusations made against him. ii. He should have demanded an apology from the mayor and the people who accused him of stealing after the stolen item was recovered. iii. He could file a law suit against Mr. Manana for damaging his repute. iv. Hubert may ask George to tell the people of the town as from where and when did he find the pocket book. These suggestions may help Hubert to save him from the humiliating situation.

Q6. What is the moral lesson of the story "The Piece of String"?

Ans: The moral of the story "The Piece of String" is that if we blame others of theft or any crime falsely, we do great injustice. Everyone has his/her self-respect and doesn't want to get it destroyed. We get our punishment from God in one way or the other if we don't give proper justice. All people are equal in the eyes of God. We should never blame anyone of wrongdoing with careful thought and complete inquiry.