The Great Stone Face – II Class 8 NCERT English: The story continues from the 1st part. Ernest’s humble character and noble deeds made him a great man in the eyes of others, and his likeness to the Great Stone Face inspired others to follow his example.
Summary
Ernest Becomes old and Famous: Introduction: Ernest, a humble man from a native valley, dedicated his life to working for the betterment of the world. Despite being considered ordinary, he had rich thoughts and wisdom. As he grew old, Ernest became famous worldwide, and people came from far-off places to seek his guidance.
A New Poet: During Ernest’s old age, a new poet emerged from his valley who had traveled to distant cities. Ernest read his poems and felt that the poet had a likeness to the Great Stone Face. However, when he looked up at the mountain, the face did not respond.
Meeting the Poet: The poet had heard of Ernest’s character and came to meet him. Ernest welcomed him and gave him shelter for the night. The Great Stone Face looked kindly upon the poet, and Ernest found him wise, gentle, and kind. As they spoke, Ernest examined the poet’s features, hoping that he was the person he had been waiting for. However, the poet declared himself unworthy of the likeness of the Great Stone Face.
Ernest’s Noble Character: Ernest used to speak to his neighbours every evening, and the poet accompanied him. The poet listened to Ernest’s talk and realized that his life and character were a far nobler kind of poetry than his own poems. Just then, the poet saw the Great Stone Face and declared Ernest as the likeness of the face. Everyone agreed with him, but Ernest still hoped that someone wiser and better than himself would appear, bearing a likeness to the Great Stone Face.
Word Meanings
| Word | Meanings |
|---|---|
| ordinary | common and normal with no extraordinary talent and features |
| humble | modest, gentle, well mannered |
| furrows | deep lines of the cheek |
| numerous | many and large in number |
| wise | sagacious, with good thinking and analytical power |
| ceased | stopped |
| obscure | unknown, not clearly visible |
| unsought | not wanted or unexpected(here it means he was a public figure now) |
| famous | well known |
| beyond | out of |
| converse | talk |
| gently | humble |
| sincerity | good faith |
| uppermost | chiefly |
| unawares | unknown to him |
| granted | accepted and given |
| distant | far off |
| seemed | appeared |
| wished | desired |
| arrived | approached |
| shelter | refuge |
| hospitality | in a friendly and gentle manner |
| beside | near |
| together | with each other |
| images | metaphors |
| flung | offered |
| gazed | stared |
| gifted | talented |
| examined | looked closely into |
| towards | in the direction of |
| sighed | expressed with grief |
| awaited | waited of |
| fulfilment | accomplishment |
| faintly | dimly |
| pointed | hinted |
| heavenly | divine |
| corresponded | made accordingly |
| faith | belief |
| seeker | one who searches |
| custom | routine |
| familiar | old and known |
| audience | listeners |
| thoughts | views |
| harmonised with | were in agreement with |
| preachers | the one who preaches |
| uttered | spoke |
| deeds | actions |
| melted into | flowed in |
| ever | at any time |
| around | on all sides |
| brow | head |
| moment | period of time |
| expression | facial look |
| behold | look and see |
| Homeward | towards home |
| by and by | in future, with the passage of time |
Textbook Intext Questions
Write ‘True’ or ‘False’ for each the following statements:
(i) Ernest’s words reminded people of the wise old saying.
(ii) Total strangers from far away who visited Ernest in the valley, found his face familiar.
(iii) The Great Stone Face confirmed Ernest’s view that the poet could be worthy of its likeness.
(iv) When Ernest and the poet met, they respected and admired each other quality.
(v) The poet along with Ernest addressed the inhabitants of the valley.
(vi) The poet realised that Ernest’s thoughts were nobler than his own verses.
Ans. 1. False, 2. True, 3. False, 4. True, 5. False, 6. True
Textbook Exercise
Working with the text (page – 133)
Answer the following questions.
- How was Ernest different from others in the valley?
- Why did Ernest think the poet was like the Stone Face?
- What did the poet himself say about his thoughts and poems?
- What made the poet proclaim Ernest was the Stone Face?
- Write ‘Ernest’ or ‘Poet’, against each statement below.
(i) There was a gap between his life and his words.
(ii) His words had the power of truth as they agreed with his thoughts.
(iii) His words were as soothing as a heavenly song but only as useful as a vague dream.
(iv) His thoughts were worthy.
(v) Whatever he said was truth itself.
(vi) His poems were noble.
(vii) His life was nobler than all the poems.
(viii) He lacked faith in his own thoughts.
(ix) His thoughts had power as they agreed with the life he lived.
(x) Greatness lies in truth. Truth is best expressed in one’s actions. He was truthful, therefore he was great. - (i) Who, by common consent, turned out to be like the Great Stone Face?
(ii) Did Ernest believe that the old prophecy had come true? What did he say about it?
Answers:
- Ernest’s reputation spread far beyond the valley as a result of his simple-hearted nature and his ability to express noble and powerful thoughts that resonated with people. He gained a widespread reputation as a good man, which led to his fame.
- Ernest came across the poet’s songs and found them worthy, so he would read them after finishing his day’s work. As he continued to do so, he began to draw a comparison between the poet and the Stone Face.
- The poet admitted that his songs were heavenly, and his dreams had been grand. But his life did not agree with his great thought. He lacked sincere faith in his own thoughts. His dreams were mere hollow dreams.
- Upon hearing Ernest’s address to the people, the poet was struck with the realization that Ernest’s life and character were a more elevated form of poetry than anything he had ever written. As he looked at the Stone Face, he saw white clouds surrounding it and noticed the white hair on Ernest’s head. The poet could not resist declaring that Ernest was the Stone Face personified.
- (i) Poet, (ii) Ernest, (iii) Poet, (iv) Poet, (v) Ernest, (vi) Ernest, (vii) Poet, (viii) Poet, (ix) Ernest, (x) Ernest.
- (i) Ernest.
(ii) No, he did not. As he walked home, he maintained his disbelief in his mother’s prophecy coming true and held onto hope that a man wiser and better than himself, resembling the Great Stone Face, would eventually emerge.
Working with language (Page 133-35)
1. Mark the meaning that best fits the word or a phrase in the story.
Answer: (i) (c) setting, (ii) (b) lending it a special glow, (iii) (b) big and wide, (iv) (b) prediction, (v) (a) wonderful, (vi) (b)
declare, (vii) (b) stop, (viii) (a) stay, (ix) (b) stared at, (x) (c) assumed.
2. (ii) Which form of the verb is more natural in these sentences? Encircle your choice.
(a) I’m not free this evening. I will work/am working on a project.
(b) Have you decided where you will go for your higher secondary?
Yes, I have. I will go/am going to the Kendriya Vidyalaya.
(c) Don’t worry about the dog. It won’t hurt/isn’t hurting you.
(d) The weatherman has predicted that it will snow/is snowing in Ranikhet tonight.
(e) Swapna can’t go out this evening. Her father will come/is coming to see her.
Answer:
a) I’m not free this evening. I am working on a project.
(b) Have you decided where you will go for your higher secondary? Yes, I have. I will go to the Kendriya Vidyalaya.
(c) Don’t worry about the dog. It won’t hurt you.
(d) The weatherman has predicted that it will snow in Ranikhet tonight.
(e) Swapna can’t go out this evening. Her father is coming to see her
- (i) Complete these pieces of conversation using will or going to with the verbs given.
(a) Rani : Why are you turning on the radio?
Ravi : I ______ (listen) to the news.
(b) Rani : Oh, I can’t buy this book. I have no money.
Ravi : Don’t worry. I ______ (lend) you some.
(c) Rani : Look at those dark clouds.
Ravi : I think it ______ (rain).
(d) Rani : What shall we have for dinner?
Ravi : I can’t decide.
Rani : Make up your mind.
Ravi : All right, then. We ______ (have) fried rice and dry beans.
(e) Rani : Why are you filling the kettle with water?
Ravi : I ______ (make) coffee.
(f) Rani : We need some bread and butter for breakfast.
Ravi : All right. I _______ (go) to the bakery and get some.
(Before he goes out, Ravi talks to their father.)
Ravi : I _______ (get) some bread and butter. Do you want any thing from the bakery?
Father : Yes, I want some salt biscuits.
Ravi : Fine, I _______ (get) you a packet.
Answer:
a) Rani : Why are you turning on the radio ?
Ravi : I will listen to the news.
(b) Rani : Oh, I can’t buy this book. I have no money.
Ravi : Don’t worry. I will lend you some.
(c) Rani : Look at these dark clouds.
Ravi : I think it is going to rain.
(d) Rani : What shall we have for dinner ?
Ravi : I can’t decide.
Rani : Make up your mind.
Ravi : All right, then. We will have fried rice and dry beans.
(e) Rani : Why are you filling the kettle with water ?
Ravi : I will make coffee.
(f) Rani : We need some bread and butter for breakfast.
Ravi : All right. I will go to the bakery and get some.
(Before he goes out, Ravi talks to their father.)
Ravi : I am getting some bread and butter. Do you want anything from the bakery ?
Father : Yes, I want some salt biscuits.
Ravi : Fine, I will get you a packet.
Speaking and Writing (Page 135-136)
3. Imagine that you are the poet. You have come to your native valley to meet a famous preacher called Ernest. Narrate the incident of your first meeting with him.
Answer: More than half a century ago, I was born in a valley. At the age of fourteen, I left the place and spent many years in distant cities. During this time, I developed an interest in writing poetry that conveyed wisdom, lofty ideals, grand dreams, and flights of imagination. My poems gained popularity, and I became renowned.
As I approached my sixtieth year, I learned of Ernest, a man with an impressive character and a humanitarian zeal. One summer day, I returned to my native valley and met this good old man. Ernest sat reading a book and gazing lovingly at the mountain from time to time.
I asked Ernest if he would allow me to stay at his cottage for a night. With a smile, he gladly agreed. We talked late into the night, and I felt that I had never encountered someone as wise, gentle, and kind as Ernest. He inquired about my identity, and I revealed that I was the author of the book of poems he was reading.
Ernest speculated that I might be the man resembling Stone Face in the book and praised my thoughts. However, I confessed my shortcomings, admitting that I had failed to live up to my own ideals and that my dreams remained unfulfilled. I regarded Ernest as a pure seeker of the good and the true.
4. (i) Put each of the following in the correct order to construct sentences.
- a resident of Noida near Delhi,/is visually impaired/George Abraham,
- confidence and competitive spirit/and infuses discipline among the participants/It provides
- he has helped/The brain behind the World Cup Cricket,/the disabled to dream
- to the blind school in Delhi/It was a chance visit/that changed his life
- sport is a powerful tool/the disabled/He believes that/for rehabilitation of
(ii) Now rearrange the sentences above to construct a paragraph.
George Abraham, ___________________________________
Answer:
(i) (a) George Abraham, a resident of Noida near Delhi, is visually impaired.
(b) It provides confidence and competitive spirit and infuses discipline among the participants.
(c) The brain behind the World Cup Cricket, he has helped the disabled to dream.
(d) It was a chance visit to the blind school in Delhi that changed his life.
(e) He believes that sport is a powerful tool for the rehabilitation of the disabled.
(ii) (a) (c) (d) (e) (b)
George Abraham, a resident of Noida near Delhi, is visually impaired. The brain behind the World Cup Cricket, he has helped the disabled to dream. It was a chance visit to the blind school in Delhi that changed his life. He believes that sport is a powerful tool for the rehabilitation of the disabled. It provides confidence and competitive spirit and infuses discipline among the participants.