“Birthday, fiftieth birthday,” said Muni quietly. “Birthday! How old are you? “ Muni repeated weakly, not being sure of himself. “Fifty.”
Where is the conversation taking place? Why is Muni there? [2]
Why does the topic of the birthday arise? [1]
How did he calculate his age? [1]
Who is the other speaker? What age does he say Muni is of? How does Muni react to it? [3]
Answers
Answer:
1.The conversation is taking place near a shop, where Muni has gone to buy household items. His wife had told him to get items for the house since their pantry was empty and they needed more rations. Muni also wanted to have drumstick sauce, so he had also gone to buy materials for the same.
2. The topic of the birthday arises because the shop where Muni had gone to buy groceries, the shopkeeper wanted his money. But, Muni had not been paying him under some pretext or the other. The shopkeeper realises that Muni does not have any money. Muni then says that his daughter is going to send him money for his fiftieth birthday, giving an excuse not to pay.
3. Muni said that he calculated his age from the day of the drought. But many droughts had occured since then so he was yet again unsure of his age. He had been told that he was 10 when he married his wife, and now he wasn't sure exactly how old he was.
4. The other speaker is the shopkeeper. He says that Muni is seventy years old. Muni is doubtful whether he is saying the truth or lying. He is actually not aware of his age. He keeps worrying what will happen to his wife if he dies, since he is close to seventy.