Answer: The story highlights the importance of wisdom over brute strength or supernatural power. Although the ghost had extraordinary abilities, he was defeated by the clever plan of the neat-herd king, who used wit to trap the ghost rather than physical force. This teaches that even those with simple backgrounds can possess insight and intelligence that can outsmart seemingly powerful beings. The neat-herd king’s decision to trap the ghost in a phial, using the ghost’s own powers against it, demonstrates that wisdom often involves finding simple yet effective solutions to the toughest problems. In the end, the story teaches that true strength comes from quick thinking and intelligence, not just outward strength or magical powers. 114 words
What problem did the poor Brahman consider to be ‘the hardest thing in the world’? Why did he think so? How did he overcome the problem?
Answer: In ‘The Ghost-Brahman’, the poor Brahman found it ‘the hardest thing in the world’ to get married.
> The poor Brahman found it difficult to marry because he had neither the social prestige of a ‘kulin’ (i.e. the status of belonging to the highest social hierarchy) nor enough money.
To overcome the problem, he went to the rich people and begged them to give him money to get married. At that time, aside from the wedding expense, a large sum of money was needed to give dowry to the parents of the bride and to meet the expenses of the wedding. He begged from door to door, flattered rich people and thereby managed to get enough money to get married. 120 words
Why did the poor Brahman leave home for a long time? What did the ghost-Brahman do while he left home for a long time? How did the Brahman’s wife and mother react to the arrival of the ghost-Brahman?
Answer: The poor Brahman left home to earn money as he had no means to support his mother and wife. He told his mother he might be away for years and gave her whatever little he had before leaving.
That very evening, a ghost came into the house, looking exactly like him. When the wife asked why he returned so soon, the ghost said the day was unlucky for travel and that he had already got some money. His mother also believed him.
Since the ghost looked and acted just like the real Brahman, his wife and mother did not suspect anything. They fully accepted him, and even the neighbours thought he was the real Brahman. So, the ghost lived in the house, pretending to be the Brahman. 127 words
Why did the Brahman leave his home for a long time? What happened during his absence? [3+2] OR,
What problem did the Brahman face after his marriage? How did he decide to solve it? Who took advantage of the situation and how? [1+2+2]
Answer: In Lal Behari Dey's folk-tale "The Ghost-Brahman", immediately after his marriage, the poor Brahman found it extremely difficult to maintain his family as he had no means to support his mother and wife.
To solve his problem, he decided to travel far away countries to earn money by any means and return only after when he had saved enough. He handed over whatever money he had to his mother to maintain the family and he left home.
A ghost took advantage of the Brahman's absence and entered his home assuming the exact appearance of the Brahman. Since nobody doubted him, he lived in the house as its owner, as the son of the old woman and as the husband of the young woman. 123 words
What problem did the Brahman face on returning from his travels? What was his initial reaction? What did he decide to do for justice?
Answer: When the Brahman returned home after many years, he was shocked to find someone exactly like him living in his house. The ghost, pretending to be the real Brahman, asked him who he was and why he had come to his house. The Brahman was surprised and said that it was his home, his mother, and his wife.
The ghost claimed that he had been living there for years and that the Brahman must have lost his mind. Then, the ghost forcefully drove him out of the house.
The Brahman was speechless and did not know what to do. After thinking for a while, he decided to go to the king and explain everything, hoping to get justice and reclaim his home and family. 124 words
Why did the Brahman go the court of the king? What did the king do? Who ultimately solved the problem?
OR,
Describe the circumstances that led the Brahman to seek help from the neat-herd king, and how did the latter's unique approach to justice ultimately resolve the dispute?
Answer: The Brahman went to the king’s court because a ghost had taken his place at home. The ghost looked exactly like him and had taken his house, wife, and mother. No one could tell them apart, so the Brahman had no way to prove himself. He wanted the king to do justice and give him back his home and family.
> The king was confused because the Brahman and the ghost looked the same. Every day, the Brahman begged for justice, but the king kept delaying, telling him to come back the next day. This left the Brahman feeling hopeless and betrayed by the justice system, feeling miserable about his life.
> The neat-herd king ultimately solved the problem. 118 words
Discuss in brief the significance of the title “The Ghost Brahman”.
Answer: The title of Lan Behari Dey's "The Ghost-Brahman" is significant because it highlights the main conflict of the story. It revolves around a ghost who takes the place of a real Brahman, leading to confusion and struggle. The title captures the theme of identity and deception, as the real Brahman fights to regain his home and family. It also reflects the supernatural element, making the story more engaging. Additionally, the title emphasizes the moral lesson of truth and justice, showing how the rightful owner must prove himself. By combining "Ghost" and "Brahman," it contrasts illusion with reality. Overall, the title is appropriate as it clearly represents the key themes of the story and its central conflict. 116 words
Discuss the Character of Brahman.
Answer: In Lal Behari Dey’s folktale *The Ghost-Brahman*, the real Brahman is shown as a kind and honest man who faces many hardships. He is poor but responsible, as he leaves home to earn money for his mother and wife. His honesty is clear in his sincere efforts to support his family, even if it means struggling for years. When a ghost takes his place, he does not give up and keeps trying to prove his identity. he does not look down on the herd-boy king but gladly accepts his help. In the end, it is the boy, not the real king, who helps him. His honesty, perseverance, and humility make him a relatable and admirable hero in the story’s fight for justice. 122 words
Discuss in brief the summary of the folktale “The Ghost Brahman”
Answer: The folktale "The Ghost-Brahman" by Lal Behari Dey tells the story of a poor Brahman who struggles to get married and finally does so by begging for money. However, he soon realizes he cannot support his wife and mother, so he leaves to earn a living, promising to return only after gaining enough wealth. That very evening, a ghost takes his place, fooling his wife and mother into believing he has come back. When the real Brahman returns years later, he finds the ghost living as him. The confused king keeps delaying judgment, but a clever herd-boy king tricks the ghost into a phial, helping the Brahman reclaim his home. This folktale highlights how intelligence and justice defeat lies and deception. 121 words
What role did the cowboy king and his companions play in the story?
Answer: The cowboy king and his companions played a crucial role in resolving the Brahman’s problem. They noticed the Brahman’s daily sorrow and became curious about the cause. After listening to his story with empathy, the cowboy king decided to help him. The cowboy king got permission from the king to act as a judge. He tricked the ghost by asking both the ghost and the Brahman to enter a small phial to prove their claims. When the ghost turned into a tiny creature and entered the phial, the cowboy king quickly sealed it. With his wise decision and leadership, the Brahman was able to reclaim his rightful place and possessions. Their intervention brought justice and peace, highlighting their compassion, fairness, and role as leaders in the community, making them key figures in resolving the conflict. 135 words
Why was it difficult for the Brahman to get married initially?
Answer: At the beginning of “The Ghost Brahman,” the Brahman faced difficulty in getting married due to his non-Kulin status and financial constraints. Being a non-Kulin Brahman, he belonged to a lower social stratum within the Brahmin community, making it challenging to find a suitable bride from higher-caste families. Additionally, the tradition of dowry required substantial financial resources, which the Brahman lacked. Despite his efforts to beg for funds, his impoverished status hindered his ability to accumulate the necessary wealth to secure a marriage alliance. Thus, the combination of his low social status and financial limitations made it difficult for the Brahman to find a willing bride and arrange a marriage at the outset of the story. 116 words
What emotions did the Brahman experience upon returning home and finding the ghost living his life?
Answer: In Lal Behari Dey’s tale "The Ghost-Brahman", the real Brahman finally gathers enough money to get married after much struggle. However, he soon realizes he cannot support his wife and mother, so he leaves to earn a living. When he returns years later, he is shocked to find a ghost living as him. At first, he feels disbelief and confusion since the ghost looks exactly like him. As he understands the truth, he feels betrayed and angry that his identity, home, and family have been taken away. His frustration grows as no one believes him. Along with anger, he feels helpless and desperate to prove himself, highlighting his struggle to reclaim his rightful place and seek justice. 116 words
How did the ghost manage to convince the Brahman’s wife and mother?
Answer: In Lal Behari Dey’s tale, the real Brahman left home to earn money to support his mother and wife, saying he would not return until he gathered enough. The ghost took his place by tricking the Brahman’s wife and mother with his identical appearance. He imitated the Brahman’s speech and mannerisms, making them believe he was real. The ghost also took advantage of their longing for the Brahman’s return, using their emotions to strengthen his deception. He claimed he had come back early after receiving unexpected wealth, further convincing them. Through his physical resemblance, clever lies, and emotional manipulation, and exploitation of emotions, the ghost succeeded in convincing the Brahman’s wife and mother of his false identity as the real Brahman. 121 words
How does the story depict the concept of justice through the actions of the king and the cowboy king?
OR,
How do the two kings approach justice differently, and what does this reveal about the importance of critical thinking and creative problem-solving?
Answer: The story highlights two contrasting approaches to justice. The king, despite being in a position of authority, hesitates and continuously delays making a decision, leaving the Brahman helpless. His indecisiveness reflects a lack of true leadership in delivering justice. In contrast, the cowboy king takes an active role in uncovering the truth. Seeing the Brahman’s struggle, he and his companions investigate the matter fairly and devise a clever test to expose the ghost. By tricking the impostor into revealing his true nature and trapping him, the cowboy king ensures that justice is served. His actions restore the Brahman’s rightful place, home, and family. Through these two figures, the story emphasizes that true justice requires wisdom, action, and courage. 118 words
How does the story end, and what moral is conveyed?
Answer: The story ends with the "neat-herd king" tricking the ghost into entering a small phial, trapping him forever. This allows the real Brahman to reclaim his home, wife, and mother. He then lives happily, free from the ghost’s deception.
The story conveys the moral that truth and justice always prevail over lies. It emphasizes the importance of intelligence and critical thinking in exposing deception. The *neat-herd king* represents fairness and wisdom, showing that cleverness can overcome trickery. Additionally, the tale highlights the value of integrity and staying true to one’s identity. In the end, righteousness triumphs, reinforcing that those who are honest and patient will ultimately find justice and happiness. 110 words
How far does the story maintain the basic principles of storytelling?
or
Discuss ‘The Ghost-Brahman‘ is a perfect folktale.
Answer: The folktale *The Ghost-Brahman* follows a simple yet effective storytelling structure. It begins with the classic phrase, “Once on a time there lived…,” setting a fantasy tone. The story introduces the Brahman, his struggles, and his departure. The plot takes a twist with the ghost’s arrival, leading to complications when the real Brahman returns. The climax occurs in the trial scene, where the "neat-herd king" cleverly traps the ghost in a phial. The tale highlights the conflict between good and evil, ultimately delivering a moral lesson through the triumph of good. The ending follows the traditional style of Bengali folktales,
Here my story endeth,
The Natiya-thorn withereth, etc.
So, we can say ‘The Ghost-Brahman’ is an excellent example of a folktale. 121 words
Sketch the Character of Ghost Brahman.
Answer: “The Ghost Brahman” represents deceit and manipulation, initially appearing as a sinister force. The ghost takes advantage of its resemblance to the real Brahman, seizing his identity and possessions. It cunningly deceives the Brahman’s wife and mother, asserting false ownership over them and the household. The ghost’s actions display a complete lack of empathy or morality, as it selfishly exploits the situation for personal gain. Despite mimicking the real Brahman’s appearance and behaviour, it lacks true authenticity and integrity, choosing deception over honesty.
However, its eventual downfall emphasizes the consequences of dishonesty and the triumph of justice. The ghost’s fate serves as a cautionary lesson, warning against falsehood and highlighting the importance of distinguishing truth from deception. 116 words
How is the deception factor (misleading someone) explored in the story “The Ghost Brahman”?
Answer: In "The Ghost-Brahman", deception is a key theme as the ghost tricks the Brahman’s family and community by taking his identity. His identical appearance and clever lies make it difficult to distinguish truth from falsehood. The ghost manipulates circumstances and preys on the family’s trust, showing how easily deception can spread.
The story highlights how trust can be exploited in the absence of scepticism. The ghost’s deception disrupts relationships and social order, demonstrating the harm dishonesty can cause. However, justice prevails when the "neat-herd king" exposes the truth, reinforcing the importance of wisdom in uncovering lies. In the end, the story teaches that integrity and authenticity triumph over deception, emphasizing the moral consequences of dishonesty. 115 words
The Ghost Brahman - Question Answer 2 marks
What strategies did the Brahman use to gather the money needed for his wedding?
Ans: To gather money for his wedding, the Brahman used different methods. He begged door to door, asking wealthy people for help. He also flattered them with kind words to win their generosity.
