"Footprints Without Feet" is a short story from the book "Footprints Without Feet" by Rudyard Kipling. It is a collection of stories that includes supernatural elements and explores themes of mystery and imagination. The story is about a little boy named Bisesa, who discovers a pair of magical footprints that lead him to a mysterious adventure.
Summary:
The story begins with Bisesa, a young boy living in India, who is fascinated by the footprints he finds in the dusty ground. One day, he notices a pair of footprints that appear to be walking in reverse. Intrigued, he follows them and finds himself in an alternate reality.
In this strange world, Bisesa encounters two ghost-like beings, a young boy and a girl named Moti. They explain that they are the footprints without feet, condemned to walk the earth eternally. Bisesa befriends them and learns about their sad fate.
Moti shares her story, revealing that she and her brother were orphans who were forced to work as servants. One day, their cruel master, who practiced black magic, turned them into ghostly beings. Now, they must walk ceaselessly until they find a kind-hearted person who can free them.
Determined to help them, Bisesa promises to find a way to break their curse. He returns to his own world and seeks the guidance of a wise old man named Gobind, who advises him to find the person responsible for the curse.
With the help of Gobind, Bisesa learns that the evil magician had died years ago. However, his curse still persists. Bisesa realizes that the only way to break the curse is by finding the magical talisman that holds the magician's powers.
Bisesa embarks on a perilous journey to find the talisman, facing various challenges along the way. Eventually, he succeeds in retrieving it and returns to the alternate reality.
Using the talisman, Bisesa breaks the curse and frees Moti and her brother from their eternal wandering. They thank Bisesa and vanish, leaving him alone. Bisesa then returns to his own world, forever changed by his extraordinary adventure.
Critical Appreciation:
"Footprints Without Feet" is a captivating and imaginative short story that combines elements of fantasy, mystery, and moral lessons. Kipling skillfully weaves a tale that engages young readers with its supernatural elements while subtly conveying important messages about kindness, compassion, and the power of determination.
The story highlights the plight of the two ghostly children and emphasizes the importance of empathy and understanding. Bisesa's willingness to help and his unwavering determination to break the curse demonstrate the values of kindness and selflessness.
Kipling's storytelling technique is vivid and descriptive, painting a vivid picture of the alternate reality and the challenges faced by Bisesa. The narrative maintains a sense of suspense and adventure, keeping readers engaged throughout the story.
Overall, "Footprints Without Feet" is a delightful short story that entertains, inspires, and leaves readers with a sense of wonder.
MCQs:
1. What is the main character's name in "Footprints Without Feet"?
a) Birendra
b) Bisesa
c) Moti
d) Gobind
2. How does Bisesa discover the footprints without feet?
a) He sees them in a dream.
b) He finds them while playing in the park.
c) He notices them in the dusty ground.
d) He sees them in a magic book.
3. What is the curse that befalls Moti and her brother?
a) They are turned into stone.
b) They are transformed into
animals.
c) They become invisible.
d) They are forced to walk eternally.
4. Who helps Bisesa in his quest to break the curse?
a) Moti and her brother
b) The wise old man, Gobind
c) The evil magician
d) Bisesa's parents
5. How does Bisesa break the curse?
a) By defeating the evil magician
b) By finding a magic lamp
c) By returning a stolen jewel
d) By using a magical talisman
6. What message does the story convey?
a) The importance of friendship
b) The power of determination
c) The consequences of greed
d) The significance of family
7. What genre does "Footprints Without Feet" belong to?
a) Mystery
b) Romance
c) Science fiction
d) Fantasy
8. What do the footprints without feet represent in the story?
a) Lost souls
b) Magical creatures
c) Invisible beings
d) Cursed individuals
9. Who is the author of "Footprints Without Feet"?
a) Rudyard Kipling
b) Roald Dahl
c) J.K. Rowling
d) Lewis Carroll
10. What does Bisesa promise to do for Moti and her brother?
a) Find a way to break their curse
b) Take them on a trip around the world
c) Teach them how to use magic
d) Help them find their parents
11. What kind of lessons does "Footprints Without Feet" convey?
a) Moral lessons
b) Scientific lessons
c) Historical lessons
d) Artistic lessons
12. What is the alternate reality like in the story?
a) A world of darkness and fear
b) A world of magical creatures
c) A world identical to Bisesa's world
d) A world where time runs backward
13. What does Bisesa learn about the evil magician?
a) He is still alive and plotting revenge.
b) He has turned into a ghostly being.
c) He has died, but his curse remains.
d) He has repented and become a good person.
14. Who are the two ghost-like beings Bisesa encounters?
a) Moti and Gobind
b) Moti and her brother
c) Moti and Bisesa's sister
d) Moti and the evil magician
15. What impact does the adventure have on Bisesa?
a) He becomes a magician himself.
b) He becomes a fearless explorer.
c) He loses interest in footprints.
d) He is forever changed by the experience.
16. What role does Gobind play in the story?
a) He is the antagonist.
b) He is the main character.
c) He is the wise old man who guides Bisesa.
d) He is Bisesa's best friend.
17. How does Bisesa retrieve the magical talisman?
a) He finds it hidden in a secret cave.
b) He wins it in a game of riddles.
c) He steals it from a museum.
d) He receives it as a gift from Gobind.
18. What happens to Moti and her brother after the curse is broken?
a) They become human again.
b) They disappear forever.
c) They turn into footprints.
d) They continue walking without feet
.
19. What lesson can be learned from Moti's story?
a) The importance of education
b) The consequences of cruelty
c) The value of hard work
d) The dangers of curiosity
20. How does the story "Footprints Without Feet" end?
a) Bisesa wakes up from a dream.
b) Bisesa becomes a ghostly being.
c) Bisesa and Moti become siblings.
d) Bisesa returns to his own world, changed by his adventure.
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