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Question
What is Behrman’s masterpiece? What makes Sue say so?
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Solution
Behrman’s masterpiece was the painting of a leaf. It was the last leaf left on the creeper. Sue told Johnsy that Behrman had died of pneumonia. He was ill for only two days. The first day the janitor had found him on his bed. His clothes and shoes were wet and he was shivering. He had been out in that stormy night. They found a ladder and a lantern still lighted lying near his bed. There were also some brushes and green and yellow paints on the floor near the ladder. Sue asked Johnsy to look out of the window at the ivy leaf, which was the last remaining leaf on the creeper. She asked her if she did not wonder why it did not flutter when the wind blew. It was so because that last leaf was Behrman’s masterpiece. He painted it the night the last leaf fell. His masterpiece had given the strength to Johnsy to come out of her illness. Behrman’s masterpiece saved her life but took his own.
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His boss replied, "Alright. You may leave early today."
The scientist was happy for having received the permission and continued with his work. He stayed on to work after lunch, and, as always, got so engrossed in his work, that he peered at his watch only when he thought he was done. Unfortunately, it was past 08: 15 pm.
With a jolt. he remembered his promise to his children. He looked for his boss who was not in his omee. Having told him just that morning. he wrapped up hia work and hurried home.
A.P.J. he drove home, he felt very guilty for having let hla children down. When he reached, the chlldren were not at home. His wife was busy reading. He felt that initiating any conversation with her would only add fuel to fire, so he stayed quiet.
Looking up at him, bis wife asked, "Do you want eomething hot to drink or would you like to have dinner right away?"
The man could only aak, "Where are the children?"
His wife said, "Don't you know? Your boss came here around quarter past five and took the children to the exhibition you had promised to take them to."
He was surprised, but, it did not take him very long to guess what had happened.
The boss who had granted him permission had observed him working very seriously well past 5.00 pm. He realized that the scientist would not leave the work half' done, but if he had promised his children visit to the exhibition, then they deserved it. So, he took the lead in taking them to the exhibition himself.
The boss did not have to do it every time. But once it was done, loyalty was established.
No wonder, all scientists at Thumba continued to work under this boss in spite of the great pressure.
This boss was none other than Dr APJ Abdul Kalam.
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(a) The scientist rushed home anticipating the disappointment of his children.
(b) Scientists were working for 12-18 hours at Thumba.
(c) The boss consented.
(d) Scientists had heavy work pressure but they were loyal.
(e) A scientist approached the boss for permission to leave at 5.30 pm to take his children to the exhibition.
(f) To his surprise, he learnt that his boss had kept his appointment for him.
(g) Suddenly, he remembered his promise to his children.
(h) The scientist became so engrossed in his work that he continued working till 8.15 pm.
Old Kaspar took it from the boy,
Who stood expectant by;
And then the old man shook his head,
And,with a natural sigh,
"Tis some poor fellow's skull," said he,
"Who fell in the great victory.
"I find them in the garden,
For there's many here about;
And often when I go to plough,
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For many thousand men,"said he,
"Were slain in that great victory."
Read the lines given above and answer the question that follow.
What words show that there were many such skulls to be found there?
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Across
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Down
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What does the expression leave their greens’ mean?
Fill in the blank to name a different kind of intelligence. One has been done for you.
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