On the Face of It Important Short and Long Question Class 12 Chapter-5 Book-Vistas

1. What consolation did people give when they saw his acid-burnt face?

Ans:

People tried to console Derry by saying things like:

• "You have another side of the face that is fine."

• "You are not the only one with scars; others have worse problems."

• "You should be grateful that you are alive."

However, Derry felt that these words were empty and meaningless because people only pitied him and did not truly understand his pain.

2. Mr. Lamb told Derry the story of a man who hid himself in his room. Why did the man do so and with what result?

Ans:

Mr. Lamb told Derry about a man who was afraid of getting hurt. He thought that everything outside was dangerous—dogs might bite, cars might crash, or he might slip and fall. So, he locked himself in his room to stay safe. But one day, a picture fell off the wall, hit him on the head, and killed him.

This story teaches Derry that hiding from the world does not protect a person from harm. Instead, one should face life with courage.

3. How does Mr. Lamb keep himself busy when it is a bit cool?

Ans:

When it is cool, Mr. Lamb keeps himself busy by:

• Gathering crab apples and making jelly.

• Reading books inside his house.

• Talking to people who pass by.

• Enjoying nature and life, despite being alone.

• He believes in staying active and happy no matter what.

4. What peculiar things does Derry notice about the old man, Lamb?

Ans:

Derry finds several peculiar things about Mr. Lamb:

• He is not bothered by his disability (having a tin leg).

• He welcomes strangers into his garden without fear.

• He talks about weeds and flowers as equals, showing a different way of thinking.

• He believes in accepting life as it is and finding happiness in small things.

• Unlike others, Mr. Lamb is cheerful, positive, and open-hearted.

5. Who was Derry? What did he suffer from?

Ans:

Derry was a young boy who suffered from severe burns on one side of his face due to acid. This made him insecure, lonely, and bitter because people stared at him, pitied him, or avoided him.

6. If you were to give a different ending to the story, ‘On The Face of It,’ how would you end it?

Ans:

A different ending could be:

• Mr. Lamb does not die. Instead, Derry reaches him in time and helps him.

• Derry stays with Mr. Lamb, learning from him and becoming more confident.

• Derry begins interacting with people again, realizing that his face does not define him.

• He follows Mr. Lamb’s philosophy, living a happy and fearless life.

• This ending would give a hopeful and inspiring message.

7. Why did Derry insist that he would go back to Mr. Lamb?

Ans:

Derry realized that Mr. Lamb was the only person who understood him without pitying him. Mr. Lamb encouraged him to face life instead of running away. Derry wanted to prove to himself that he could change, and so he ran back to Mr. Lamb's garden to learn from him.

8. Why does Derry stay away from people?

Ans:

Derry avoids people because:

• They stare at his burnt face and make him uncomfortable.

• They feel sorry for him, which he hates.

• Some make hurtful comments, like calling him “ugly.”

• He feels that no one understands him and that he is better off alone.

• He isolates himself because he fears rejection and judgment.

9. What does Mr. Lamb try to tell Derry through the example of a weed and a flower?

Ans:

Mr. Lamb says that some people call plants ‘flowers’ and others call them ‘weeds,’ but both are beautiful in their own way.

Through this, he tells Derry that:

• Labels do not define a person—he is not just a "burnt" boy, but much more.

• Everything has value—Derry is important, no matter how others see him.

• Perspective matters—he can either feel sorry for himself or find happiness in life.

10. How does Mr. Lamb react when Derry enters his garden?

Ans:

Mr. Lamb does not get angry or scold Derry for entering his garden. Instead, he welcomes him warmly, saying:

• "Come in, boy. You’re welcome."

• "It’s just a gate, you could have come around the front."

Unlike others, Mr. Lamb treats Derry normally and makes him feel comfortable.