The Purple Jar (Part-1)

Read the story and answer the following questions.

Rosamond, a little girl about seven years old. was walking with her mother in the streets of London. As she passed along she looked in at the windows of several shops, and saw a great variety of things. She wanted to stop to look at them and buy them all, without knowing their uses or even without knowing their names.

At first they stopped at a milliner’s shop. The windows of the shop were decorated with ribbons, lace and festoons of artificial flowers.

“Oh, Mamma, what beautiful roses! Won’t you buy some of them?”

“No, my dear.”

“Why?”

“Because I don’t want them. They are not real flowers.”

They went a little further and came to a jeweller’s shop. In it were a great many pretty, bright ornaments of little value, set beautifully behind the glass.

“Mamma, will you buy some of these?”

“Which of them, Rosamond?”

“Which? I don’t know which. Look at those earrings, that necklace, those pendants! Any of them will do, they are so pretty!”

“Yes, they are all pretty, but of what use would they be to me?”

“I am sure, Mamma, you could find some use if you only bought them first.”

“But I would rather find out the use first.”

Though a little disheartened, Rosamond kept on looking at the shops and tried to persuade her mother to buy this or that.

“Mamma, buckles are very useful things. Please buy some.”

“I have a pair of buckles. I don’t need any now.” So saying her mother walked on.

The Purple Jar (Part-1) — Bangla অনুবাদ

রোজামন্ড, সাত বছর বয়সী এক ছোট মেয়ে, তার মায়ের সাথে লন্ডনের রাস্তায় হাঁটছিল। হাঁটার সময় সে বিভিন্ন দোকানের জানালায় তাকিয়ে নানা ধরনের জিনিস দেখছিল। সে সেগুলো থামতে চেয়েছিল এবং সবকিছু কিনে নিতে চেয়েছিল, যদিও সেগুলোর ব্যবহার বা নাম সে জানত না।

প্রথমে তারা একটা মিলিনারের দোকানের সামনে দাঁড়ালো। দোকানের জানালা রিবন, লেইস এবং কৃত্রিম ফুলের মালা দিয়ে সজ্জিত ছিল।“ওহ, মম্মা, কী সুন্দর গোলাপ! তুমি কি এগুলো থেকে কিছু কিনবে?”

“না, প্রিয়।”

“কেন?”

“কারণ আমি এগুলো চাই না। এগুলো আসল ফুল নয়।”

তারা একটু এগিয়ে একটা জুয়েলার্স দোকানের কাছে এল। সেখানে অনেক সুন্দর, ঝকঝকে ছোটো গয়না গ্লাসের পেছনে সুন্দরভাবে সাজানো ছিল।

“মম্মা, তুমি কি এগুলো থেকে কিছু কিনবে?”

“কোনটা, রোজামন্ড?”

“কোনটা? আমি জানি না কোনটা। ওই কানের দুল, ওই নেকলেস, ওই পেনড্যান্ট! যেকোনোটাই হবে, এগুলো খুব সুন্দর!”

“হ্যাঁ, এগুলো সব সুন্দর, কিন্তু এগুলোর আমার জন্য কী কাজে লাগবে?”

“আমি নিশ্চিত, মম্মা, তুমি কোন না কোন কাজ খুঁজে পাবে যদি আগে এগুলো কিনে নাও।”

“কিন্তু আমি আগে জানব কাজটা কী, তারপরই কিনব।”

একটু হতাশ হলেও, রোজামন্ড দোকানগুলো দেখতে দেখতে চলতে থাকল এবং তার মা কে বিভিন্ন জিনিস কেনার জন্য বোঝানোর চেষ্টা করল।

“মম্মা, বকলস খুব দরকারী জিনিস। দয়া করে কিছু কিনো।”

“আমার কাছে একটা জোড়া বকলস আছে। এখন আমার আর দরকার নেই।” বলেই তার মা এগিয়ে গেলেন।

50 WH Questions with Two-Sentence Answers

1. Who is Rosamond?
   Rosamond is a little girl about seven years old. She is curious and interested in the things she sees while walking with her mother.
2. Where were Rosamond and her mother walking?
   They were walking in the streets of London. The story focuses on their walk past various shops.
3. What did Rosamond want to do when she saw the shop windows?
   She wanted to stop and look at the items in the shops. She even wished to buy all of them without knowing what they were for.
4. Why did Rosamond want to buy the things in the shops?
   Because they looked pretty and attractive to her. She did not understand their use or names.
5. What was the first shop they stopped at?
   The first shop was a milliner’s shop. It was decorated with ribbons, lace, and artificial flowers.
6. Why did Rosamond ask her mother to buy roses from the milliner’s shop?
   Because she thought the roses were beautiful. She did not realize they were artificial.
7. Why did her mother refuse to buy the roses?
   Because they were not real flowers. She did not want to buy something artificial.
8. What kind of shop did they visit next?
   They visited a jeweller’s shop next. It had many pretty and bright ornaments displayed.
9. What kind of ornaments did Rosamond see in the jeweller’s shop?
   She saw earrings, necklaces, and pendants. She thought all of them were pretty.
10. Did Rosamond know which ornament she wanted to buy?
    No, she was unsure and said any of them would do. She was attracted by their appearance, not their use.
11. What was her mother’s response about buying ornaments?
    Her mother asked what use they would have. She wanted to understand the purpose before buying.
12. How did Rosamond respond to her mother’s question about usefulness?
    She believed her mother would find a use if she bought them first. She did not understand the importance of knowing the use beforehand.
13. Why did Rosamond’s mother prefer to know the use first?
    Because she wanted to make practical decisions. She avoided buying things just because they looked pretty.
14. How did Rosamond feel after her mother refused to buy the ornaments?
    She felt a little disheartened. But she continued looking at other shops.
15. What item did Rosamond next ask her mother to buy?
    She asked for buckles, saying they were useful things. She wanted to convince her mother to buy something practical.
16. What was the mother’s response about buying buckles?
    She said she already had a pair and didn’t need more. She showed practical thinking by not buying unnecessary things.
17. Why is Rosamond described as not knowing the uses or names of things she wanted to buy?
    Because she was young and innocent. She was attracted by appearances rather than practicality.
18. What lesson about buying things does the story suggest through Rosamond’s mother?
    One should understand the use of things before buying them. Practicality is more important than appearance.
19. How does the story portray the relationship between Rosamond and her mother?
    The mother is caring and wise. Rosamond is curious but learning to be more sensible.
20. Why does the author mention the decorations in the milliner’s shop?
    To show the attractive but useless nature of some things. It sets the scene for Rosamond’s desire.
21. What is the significance of the jeweller’s shop in the story?
    It represents tempting but impractical objects. The mother’s refusal highlights wisdom over impulse.
22. How does Rosamond’s mother demonstrate wisdom?
    She refuses to buy things that are pretty but useless. She values function over form.
23. What does Rosamond’s insistence on buying things indicate about children?
    Children often desire things based on looks. They may not understand value or utility.
24. How does the story reflect on the difference between a child’s and an adult’s view of objects?
    Children focus on appearance and want everything. Adults consider usefulness and necessity.
25. Why does Rosamond keep asking despite her mother’s refusals?
    Because she does not understand practical reasoning. She is persistent and hopeful.
26. What kind of character is Rosamond’s mother?
    She is practical, sensible, and thoughtful. She guides Rosamond toward good decisions.
27. What role does curiosity play in Rosamond’s behavior?
    Curiosity leads her to want to explore and buy new things. It drives the story’s events.
28. How does the author use dialogue to show the difference in understanding?
    Through the conversations between mother and daughter. The mother explains reasons, Rosamond asks questions.
29. What does the story teach about the importance of knowing before buying?
    Knowing the purpose prevents wasteful purchases. It promotes careful decision-making.
30. How does Rosamond’s reaction to the refusals reflect her age?
    She feels disappointment but does not fully understand. Her innocence shows in her responses.
31. What does the refusal to buy artificial flowers suggest about value?
    Real things are valued over fake ones. Authenticity matters more than appearance.
32. Why does the mother emphasize not buying something without knowing its use?
    To teach Rosamond prudence. She wants her to learn to be a wise buyer.
33. How does the setting of London shops contribute to the story?
    It provides a busy, tempting environment. It highlights consumer culture.
34. What is the mother’s attitude toward possessions?
    She is practical and does not indulge unnecessary wants. She prefers meaningful purchases.
35. How does Rosamond’s behavior illustrate typical childlike impulses?
    She wants everything that looks nice. She lacks the experience to judge usefulness.
36. What lesson about money can be inferred from the story?
    Money should be spent wisely. Buying without thinking can lead to regret.
37. Why might the author have chosen a seven-year-old as the main character?
    To show innocence and learning. Children represent new understanding.
38. How does the story encourage readers to think before buying?
    By showing consequences of impulse buying. It uses a child’s perspective for relatability.
39. What is the tone of the story?
    Gentle and instructive. It aims to teach without harshness.
40. Why is Rosamond’s mother patient with her questions?
    Because she understands the child’s curiosity. She uses it as a teaching moment.
41. What is the significance of Rosamond not knowing the names of the things?
    It shows her innocence and unfamiliarity. It highlights the need for guidance.
42. How does the story balance temptation and reason?
    Through Rosamond’s desires and her mother’s refusals. It contrasts impulse with wisdom.
43. What can readers learn about the value of patience from the story?
    Patience helps avoid unnecessary mistakes. Waiting to understand is better than rushing.
44. Why might Rosamond think the earrings and necklace are useful?
    Because they look attractive to her. She associates beauty with usefulness.
45. How does the mother’s refusal reflect adult responsibility?
    Adults must make thoughtful decisions. They guide children by example.
46. What is the effect of Rosamond’s repeated questions?
    It shows natural curiosity and learning. It also tests the mother’s resolve.
47. How does the author use simple language to convey the story’s message?
    The clear, straightforward language makes it easy for children to understand. It delivers moral lessons gently.
48. What is the significance of the mother’s walking away at the end?
    It shows her final decision and ends the negotiation. It reinforces her sensible approach.
49. How might Rosamond’s experience change her in the future?
    She may learn to think before wanting things. The story is a step in her growing maturity.
50. What overall message does the story convey about buying and desire?

Desire should be balanced with understanding and necessity. Wise choices lead to satisfaction.