Lesson No. 6 - The Reward (HSSC- 1)

Summary and Questions and Answers of the lesson "The Rewad"

Lesson No. 6

HSSC-I, FBISE, FG Board Islamabad

In the beginning of this story Terbut and Jorkens are busy in an active discussion about opportunity and determination. Jorkens is of the view that a man can achieve anything if he remains determined and steadfast to his ambition and does not lose hope. Terbut disagrees with him. To justify his point, Jorkens tells a tale of an acrobat named Gorgios, who has that unique ambition to become a Court Acrobat. To fulfil his dream, Gorgios works hard and for a long time tries his best to achieve his objective. He joins politics, makes speeches and when his words are appreciated and given weight by the public, he advocates the proposition of his ambition. He argues that there must be a post of Court Acrobat to impress other nations and encourage their students to remain physically fit. The post is created and he is made the first court acrobat. A great ceremony is held as soon as the post is created. Everything is embellished, colourful and glittered. Dressed in his tight, red, velvety dress; Gorgios appears and is relatively sad. Though he has achieved what he aimed for yet still he is old now and is unable to perform gymnastics or acrobatics. The crowd also expects no physical performance from him keeping in view his elderly age. Nonetheless, with sheer determination and great, continuous effort, Gorgios was able to fulfil his dream. 

Short Questions and Answers 

Q1. What was the subject discussed at the Club? 

Ans. The subject discussed at the Club was about opportunity and determination. Some were of the view that opportunity was required for success while others thought that only determination was necessary for success. Jorkens emphasized if man stuck to get something, he got his objective.

Q2. What did Terbut think of Jorkens’ argument? 

Ans. Terbut disagreed with Jorkens when he claimed that anything could be achieved with determination. He asked Jorkens if it was possible to get ‘Anything’. Jorkens stuck to his claim and said 'Anything'. Terbut inquired if someone could be the skating champion of Sahara. Jorkens again replied in affirmation. 

Q3. How did Jorkens convince that a man can become a skating champion of the Sahara? 

Ans. In order to convince that a man can become a skating champion of the Sahara, Jorkens said that he should make the money, and he should build a skating-rink in the Sahara and organize a competition there. He further said that he would become skating champion all right, if he really gave all his time to it. 

Q4. How did Gorgios persuade his people to make his country strong? 

Ans. Gorgios delivered speeches to persuade his people to make his country strong. He told them that the glory of their country and of its ancient throne would be increased if the post of Court acrobat were created. He gave examples of other Courts and greater ones. 

Q5. What was the viewpoint of the parents of Gorgios? 

Ans. The viewpoint of the parents of Gorgios was like that of many other people. His parents also thought that only determination was not sufficient for success. They were of the view that opportunity was also needed along with the determination for success. 

Q6. What were the arrangements made for the function of inauguration? 

Ans. The great throne-room had been turned into a kind of gymnasium. Great curtains of red and gold were hung along the walls. High swings of acrobats hung down with gilded ropes from ceiling. A row of neat hurdles was arranged on the polished floor.  

Q7 Describe the scene of inauguration. Write five sentences. 

Ans. The throne-room was decorated for the inauguration. Gorgios had worn a brilliant dress. He walked slowly in his pointed shoes and leaned on a gilded stick. He came to the hurdles. Royal smiles were directed towards him and gentle applause broke out. Then, he was led to a seat. His life’s ambition was achieved. 

Q8. What were the feelings of Gorgios on the occasion? 

Ans. Gorgios had mixed feelings on this occasion. He was happy that he had at last achieved his life’s ambition. At the same time, he was sad as his ambition had taken the golden period of his life to be achieved. One more thing which worried him was that he had become too old to perform any trick. 

Q9. Did Gorgios use any short cut to achieve his ambition? 

Ans. No, Gorgios did not use any short cut to achieve his ambition. He stuck to his ambition with determination. He worked hard for it. He spent a long time for the purpose. He sacrificed the golden period of his life to achieve his ambition. Even, he had to join politics to become a Court acrobat. 

Q10. How long had Gorgios to stick to get his ambition achieved? 

Ans. Gorgios had stuck for more than sixty years to get his ambition achieved. It seems to be unbelievable that a person can be so determined to achieve his ambition but it was true in Gorgios’ case. He was very young and strong in the beginning but became very old and feeble in the end. 

Long Questions and Answers 

Q1. Discuss the political view of Jorkens. 

Ans. Continuous struggle combined with full determination to achieve ambition is key to one’s success in life. He believes in organization and competition to achieve one’s aim. One should stick hard to one’s purpose. One should go into politics harder and never give up his ambition. In politics, many people oppose the ambitious person but he should persevere and remain steadfast. That is also politics. Physically fit and powerful soldiers should win the just rights of the nation through victorious battle against the enemy. The politicians should preach the idea to win support of the people for its success as Georgis did. At the fulfilment of the ambition the man who has pursued it with constant struggle is awarded due recognition by the country men. 

Q2. How did Georgis achieve his ambition? 

Ans. Georgis hit upon the idea of a court acrobat at the age of 16 when he had won the high jump, and the hurdles and the hundred yards at school. He went into politics. He made speeches on many subjects. With the passage of time he had enough power to preach his ambition openly. He told the people that the glory of their country and its ancient throne would be enhanced if the post of court acrobat were created. Many other politicians opposed him tooth and nail. But he persevered and remained steadfast. He stuck to his idea firmly. He did not give in. He continued to pursue his idea and convince the people for its success. As time went by, he dashed down the arguments of the opponents. He taught the people that it would serve as a lesson to all nations to have a young athlete at court. His perfect physical fitness would be an example for their soldiers who would fight for their just rights against their enemies. The idea caught on and the coveted post was created at the court. He was given due recognition. A grand ceremony was arranged for his inauguration. The whole country was in jubilation at the occasion. A full athletic atmosphere was created and he was led to his much desired and hard won seat of the court acrobat. It took him more than 60 years to achieve his ambition through constant struggle and long perseverance. He stuck to it hard enough and long enough. That was the key to his success. 

Q3. Do you agree or disagree with the view point of the writer? Give five reasons. 

Ans. No, I can agree more to the point of view of the writer. For success in life, continuous struggle and lot of perseverance is required. One should aim at something and must have the will to pursue it till success is achieved. The following reasons are given in support of the view point: 

i. Determination to achieve something is the key to success. In the race of life, only those succeed who don’t give up and keep going on. 

ii. An individual must stick to the aim hard enough and long enough to translate the idea into reality. 

iii. If for achieving one’s goal money is required, an individual must first make money. 

iv. If the ambition is related to the general public, one must try to win the favour and support of the general public. 

v. Achieving a goal needs devotion to cause. A person must remain devoted and dedicated to his aim even if it takes his whole life and must not stop the struggle to purse his ambition.

Q4. Why were the brilliant dresses put in the shade of the inauguration?

Q5. What is the lesson that the story teaches?