Questions-Answers on Dawa in Tang (Chapter-9)

I do not know if this is kind of cheating or not, but I simply can’t help reproducing some of the answers from the pages of Damcho Tshering, a student’s notebook. We did all this before taking up one of my most favourite poems called “The Highwayman” by Alfred Noyes.

1.       What do you think would have happened if Dawa did not have the ability to understand human language?

Ans:  If Dawa did not have the ability to understand human language then he might not be alive right now as he learnt about the cave from the elderly couple talking about Gelong Ma Pemo and how she got cured of leprosy. Another thing is that he would not be educated, in terms of pure Dzongkha and the honorific terms that he had learnt about from Dampa. And his life would not be satisfactory like it is now and he could not have broadened his horizon visiting places, meeting dogs and so on.

2.       When Dawa had gone near the chorten, he saw dogs gathered along with the people. He saw people coming from all directions towards the meeting place (Kizom Bridge). Some of them were carrying babies on their backs, some walking along with their toddlers while all of them were carrying bags and baskets filled with the necessary edibles that they were asked to bring including ara. When all the people gathered together, children started playing and laughing, while the adults were having fun at each other’s expense. But after some time, the laughter became less frequent due to the hot summer day and all kept staring at the road hoping for Dasho’s vehicle to come. After a long wait, they saw a motorbike heading towards them and they thought that it might be the official. So they all stood up to greet him, but it was the Deputy who came. He directly went on to inform the gathering, without any apologies, that the meeting had been postponed due to the failure of a machine. Then there was an uneasy noise among the people and a young woman with a baby voiced a question which annoyed the official and he replied back quite rudely. They rushed back to their homes to have the meals and then off to the fields to protect their crops from the wild animals.

3.       What do you know about the meeting in Tang? Were they useful?

Ans:  The meetings in Tang were mostly about development in the field of electricity and other basic amenities. People from all the households in the villages attended the meeting with various edible items for the government officials and for themselves as well.

I think the meetings were quite useful as they were for the benefit of the villagers as everybody wants to live an advanced life, where there is no smoke and ample light. If the officials are serious about their promises, Tang was bound to develop very rapidly.

That took nearly one period. In the next class, we discussed seven more questions. The questions having been written on the board, they were to answer them in pairs. The questions were:

1.       Give two reasons why Dawa kept a safe distance from the two women?

Because of his previous experience of being rapped on the head with a stick by another elderly lady who thought she did not have enough strength left in her and apologized profusely to Dawa when he found it very painful.

2.       Why could not the second woman be sure if the message of the first woman was heard by the villagers or not?

She could not be sure as the water of the lake crashing against the Rimochen Cliff produced a loud sound making it impossible for her therefore, to hear the response of the villagers.

3.       How did Dawa obtain information about the cave?

Dawa met a big dog on the way, which was trotting behind a sheepherder driving his sheep back home. He cleverly introduced himself as a pilgrim and asked about the way to the cave. It was from this big dog that Dawa finally obtained information about the cave in Thowadrak, not very far from there.

4.       What announcements were made by the messenger woman?

Standing dangerously on the mound and cupping her mouth with her hands the woman announced about the Question- Answer-Meeting which was to be held the next day near the Kizom Bridge. The woman then proceeded to distinctly state the edible things that they were supposed to bring for the meetings. They included eggs, butter, cheese and chilli. The meeting was to be conducted by some Dashes, high-ranked government officials.

5.       Write about the people of Tang as depicted in the chapter.

Despite various natural and man-made hazards, the people of Tang are very resourceful and hardy. They believe in leading an uncomplicated life as evident from the way they behaved uncomplainingly and put up a cheerful appearance when the meeting was called off. They are also very loving and caring people.

6.       Do you think Dawa is a clever dog? Give two examples from the chapter in support of your answer.

Dawa, in my opinion, is definitely a very clever dog. There are numerous examples throughout the text to support my opinion. This is clear from the way he followed the two women without them being aware of his presence till he let out the bark regarding the confirmation of the announcement. The way he obtained information about the cave in Thowadrak also speaks volumes about his cleverness.