(SHORT QUESTION.)
Q. 1: Briefly explain why the story of Hans and the Miller was applicable to the water rat?
Ans. The story of Hans and the Miller was applicable to the water rat because the water rat was
selfish like the Miller.
Q. 2: When do we first suspect that the Miller was not really a very good friend to Hans?
Ans. We suspect that Miller was not a good friend to Hans at the time when he does not visit Hans
in winter when he is in trouble.
Q. 3: How did the Miller justify his not asking Hans to share some of his good thing during the
winter?
Ans. The Miller justified his not asking Hans to share some of his good things during the winter for
he did not want to make him envious. He did not want to spoil him.
Q. 4: How did the Miller’s wife reveal that she too was ready to exploit the generosity of Hans?
Ans. As soon as the winter was over. The Miller expressed his desire to go to his friend Hans. The
Miller’s wife appreciated the idea and asked her husband to take a big basket. This is enough
to show that Miller’s wife, too was ready to exploit the generosity of Hans.
Q. 5: How did the Miller persuade Hans to carry the large sake of flour to market?
Ans. The Miller was a clever person. He promised to give his wheelbarrow to Hans. One day the
Miller brought a large sack of flour and asked Hans to go to the market. Hans was very busy
and wanted to excuse him. But the Miller persuaded not to refuse, by telling that he was going
to give him his wheelbarrow.
Q.6: How did the Miller justify his rebuke to Hans for staying in bed a little later then usual after
his tiring expedition to the market?
Ans. The Miller justified his rebuke by saying that he expected Hans to work harder. He further
said that idleness is a great sin and he did not want any of his friends to be idle.
Q.7: Why was Hans unable to look after his garden? What promise was the Miller constantly
holding out before him?
Ans. Hans was unable to look after his garden because the Miller always kept him busy. Some time
he asked him to carry his sake of flour to the market and some times he asked him to repair
the roof of his house. The Miller was always promising him to give him his wheelbarrow.
Q.8: What was the supreme manifestation of Miller’s selfishness which caused Hans to lose his life?
Ans. The Miller’s son fell ill. He came to Hans and asked him to fetch a doctor from the city. It was
stormy night, but Miller did not give Hans his lantern. Now this was the supreme
manifestation of Miller’s selfishness which caused the death of Hans.
Q.9: Comment briefly on the Miller’s claim to have been Hans best friend?
Ans. The Miller pretended to be the best friend of Hans but he was selfish. He did not gave any
thing to Hans, but went on making him do his work in return for the wheelbarrow, he had
promised to give.
Q.10: What is the effect of the Miller’s disclosure that the wheelbarrow was totally worthless?
Ans. This disclosure proves that the Miller was selfish, false mean person.
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MANSOOR ALI SHAH.