Kerala Syllabus Class 10 English: Unit 01 Trials and Triumphs: Lesson 01 - A Very Old Man With Enormous Wings - Questions and Answers | Teachers Handbook
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SSLC English Unit I Trials and Triumphs - Lesson 01 A Very Old Man With Enormous Wings - Textual Questions and Answers & Activities
Trials and Triumphs
♦ Let’s log in:
1. What do you think ‘sun’ and ‘shadow’ mean in the context?
The 'sun' stands for joy, clarity, or truth, while 'shadow' represents sadness, confusion, or suffering. They coexist, making us appreciate one by understanding the other.
2. What does the ‘night’ represent?
The ‘night’ represents difficult times, uncertainty, or pain — something we must go through to understand light or hope.
3. How are good times and bad times related to each other?
Good and bad times are interdependent. Bad times make us value the good, and good times help us endure the bad.
♦ A Very Old Man With Enormous Wings
♦ While we read
a. Why does the sight of the old man frighten Pelayo?
The old man looks strange and pitiful, lying in the mud with enormous wings that frighten Pelayo.
b. Why was the old man unable to get up?
The old man couldn't get up because his enormous wings were entangled in the mud, and he was extremely weak, making movement difficult.
c. The couple consider the old man a ‘lonely castaway’. Why?
Because of his appearance, dialect, and helplessness, they assume he is a shipwrecked sailor from a foreign land.
d. Why was the neighbour woman sure that the old man was an angel?
She believed he was an angel because of his wings, and claimed that he must have come for the sick child, but was too old and weak to complete his task and got knocked down by the rain.
e. Why did Pelayo arm himself with a club?
He was afraid the old man might be dangerous and wanted to protect himself and his family.
f. What made the couple suddenly decide to treat the man with some ‘kindness’?
They became kind after their sick child recovered, which they thought might be because of the angel’s presence. This made them feel magnanimous and consider setting him free.
g. Why does Pelayo lock the old man in the chicken coop?
To isolate and confine the strange creature, treating him like an animal rather than a person.
h. Why do the people treat the old man like a ‘circus animal’?
People treat him like a spectacle rather than a divine being. They poke, prod, and throw things at him, hoping to see something miraculous, and are more interested in his strangeness than in showing him compassion.
i. Do you think Elisenda is shrewd and clever? Why?
Yes, because she quickly turns the old man's presence into an opportunity for profit.
j. “His only supernatural virtue seemed to be patience.” Why does the author say so?
The author says this because, despite the cruel treatment the old man faces — being locked up, poked, mocked, and ignored — he never complains or fights back. His calm endurance in the face of suffering is the only extraordinary quality he consistently shows, highlighting his silent strength and dignity.
k. Why do more people flock to see the woman rather than the old man?
The woman-spider can talk and tell her story, offering a more engaging and relatable attraction.
l. Why is the doctor surprised by the ‘logic’ of the wings?
The wings seem biologically natural on the old man, defying the typical understanding of humans and surprising the doctor.
m. Why does Elisenda let out a sigh of relief?
Elisenda lets out a sigh of relief because the winged old man finally flies away, freeing her and Pelayo from his burdensome presence and the associated disruptions to their lives.
♦ Let's Rewind:
♦ Revisit the story and respond to the following questions
1. What is the old man’s role in the story? How does his presence affect Pelayo’s family?
The old man functions as a symbol of the unknown, suffering, and divinity. His presence brings miraculous healing to the sick child and transforms the family’s life by attracting crowds that make them rich. However, he is also treated with cruelty and neglect, showing how people exploit what they don’t understand.
2. Mention any two traits of the old man that impress you.
Patience: Despite being mistreated, he endures silently.
Resilience: He survives illness, cold, and suffering, and finally regains the strength to fly away.
3. What elements of the story do you consider magical? Why?
The old man’s wings, his survival through all conditions, and his eventual flight. These blend fantasy with reality, creating magical realism.
4. Describe the old man’s first clumsy attempts at flight.
He tries to fly but stumbles and nearly knocks down the shed. His movements are awkward, like those of a senile vulture, yet he finally manages to lift off and fly slowly away over the houses.
5. What happens to the old man’s popularity in the course of time?
Initially a sensation, he is soon forgotten when a more novel attraction — the spider woman— arrives.
6. Pick out instances of the following from the story:
| Imagery | Simile | Magical elements |
|---|---|---|
| • enormous wings | • like a ragpicker | • wings |
| • lying face down in the mud | • like a stray dying man | • The woman turned into a spider |
| • huge buzzard wings, dirty and half-plucked | • like the feathers of a scarecrow | • The child’s sudden recovery |
| • crammed their rooms with money | • like a senile vulture | • Spider-woman |
| • Whistling heart | • like a drenched grandfather | • The old man’s final flight |
7. The old man finally manages to fly away. Elisenda watches him till he disappears. You may discuss in groups and attempt alternative endings to the story.
The old man might have stayed and become a symbol of hope and change in the village.
The angel blesses the family before flying away, leaving them changed and more compassionate.
He speaks one last sentence in a heavenly language, revealing his purpose.
He takes the child with him, suggesting a spiritual journey.
He returns to the sea, disappearing like a mythical being.
8. Who suffers the most in the story? What does the story tell us about the need for compassion?
The old man suffers the most. The story shows how society often mistreats the weak and different, highlighting the urgent need for empathy and kindness.
♦ Let’s recall and recreate:
1. Go through the story again and list the physical and other traits of the old man, and of Pelayo and Elisenda.
Now, with the information you’ve gathered, write brief character sketches of the old man, Pelayo and Elisenda.
♦ Character Sketch: The Old Man
The old man with enormous wings is a mysterious figure whose appearance blends the divine and the human. He is frail, with muddy, tattered wings, a bald head, and few teeth, resembling a weathered and vulnerable elderly man. Despite his shabby condition, he is incredibly patient, enduring the villagers' cruelty and neglect without resistance. The old man's quiet resilience, eventual recovery, and flight symbolise his strength and transcendence, even in the face of exploitation and misunderstanding.
♦ Character Sketch: Pelayo
Pelayo is an ordinary man trying to care for his family in difficult conditions. At the beginning of the story, he is frightened by the strange creature in his courtyard, but quickly grows used to it. Initially, he shows concern for his sick child and takes steps to protect his home, even arming himself with a club out of fear. However, once the couple realizes the money-making potential of the old man’s presence, Pelayo becomes more focused on profit than morality. He goes along with locking the old man in the coop and becomes a passive participant in the exploitation. As the crowds grow and the money pours in, Pelayo's life improves. He gives up his low-paying job and enjoys a life of comfort thanks to the old man. He does not seem to reflect on the ethical cost of this gain. In many ways, Pelayo is a symbol of the average person—practical, reactive, and easily swayed by opportunity. He is not overtly cruel but lacks the empathy to see the old man as more than an inconvenience or a way to make money. His journey shows how easily moral concerns can be pushed aside in the pursuit of comfort.
♦ Character Sketch: Elisenda
Elisenda is a pragmatic and materialistic woman who supports her husband's decision to profit from the old man. She values the wealth they gain from charging admission to see the angel and enjoys buying luxurious items, like expensive dresses and high-heeled satin pumps. Elisenda is portrayed as a self-centred character who sees the angel as an annoyance. Her actions and attitude showcase her practical, yet indifferent, personality. She feels relieved when the angel finally flies away, as it frees her from the burden of his presence.
♦ News Report
Angel Found in Village!
staff reporter
A strange event surprised the people of a small village. Pelayo, a villager, found an old man lying in the mud after a storm. The man looked weak and tired, but he had enormous wings!
At first, Pelayo and his wife Elisenda thought he was a sailor from a shipwreck. But a neighbour said, “He is an angel. He came for the sick child.” Soon after, the child got better.
News spread quickly. Crowds came to see the angel. Pelayo and Elisenda kept him in a chicken coop and charged people money to look at him. The angel stayed quiet and patient, even when people teased him.
The family became rich and built a big house. But the angel grew weaker and weaker. Later, new feathers grew on his wings. One morning, he slowly flew away over the rooftops and out to the sea.
The villagers were amazed. The angel was gone, but the memory of him stayed behind.
♦ With the arrival of the very old man with enormous wings, Pelayo’s life changes. He notes his concerns in his diary. Write the likely diary entry.
Diary Entry –[Date]
Today was unlike any other day.
In the morning, I found an old man lying in the mud. He looked weak and tired, but he had enormous wings! I was afraid, so I locked him in the chicken coop.
Soon, people from the village came to see him. They threw food at him and laughed. Elisenda and I decided to charge money, and by evening, our house was full of coins.
But I still feel worried. The angel looks so sick and helpless. He eats very little and just stays quiet. I wonder if he is really an angel or just a poor old man.
What if he flies away tomorrow? My life has changed in just one day, and I don’t know what will happen next.
♦ Now, read the following phrases.
• Believe in the impossible.
• The future is now.
• Passport to adventure
• Colours of imagination
• Mindful moments
• Good vibes only
Do you find these phrases interesting? Why?
Yes, those phrases are quite interesting because they are short, catchy, and imaginative. Each one sparks curiosity and gives a positive feeling. Let’s look at why they stand out:
• Believe in the impossible – Inspires hope and makes children think that even magical things can happen.
• The future is now – Reminds us that we should act today, not wait for tomorrow.
• Passport to adventure – Suggests travel, fun, and discovery, like opening a door to new experiences.
• Colours of imagination – Encourages creativity, painting the mind with bright ideas.
• Mindful moments – Teaches calmness and paying attention to the present.
• Good vibes only – Spreads positivity and happiness, making people feel cheerful.
Why they are interesting:
• They are easy to remember because they use simple words.
• They create pictures in the mind (like wings, colours, passports).
• They motivate and encourage children and adults alike.
• They are universal messages that can fit in stories, posters, or classroom activities.
| A caption is a title or brief explanation of a picture, an illustration, a cartoon, or a poster. |
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