Lesson No. 6
                                                         The Reward
                                                                                                         
                                                                                                    (Lord Dunsany)

Our talk at the Club one day was of opportunity and determination. Some said opportunity was required for success, and millions never had it ; others that only determination was needed.
And then Jorkens joined in , all for determination. "If a man was determined to get anything, and stuck to it long enough, he got it, " said Jorkens.
'Anything'? asked Terbut.
'Anything,' Jorkens replied,'so long as he sticks to it, and sticks to it hard enough and long enough. Anything whatever." Terbut disagreed.
 'Life is like a race.' Jorkens went on, 'in which they tire after a while and sit down, or get interested in something else instead. The man who keeps on wins the race.'
 "And suppose a man wanted to be skating champion of the Sahara, 'said Terbut,'and couldn't afford the money to get there.'
'He'd make the money,'said Jorkens.
'And he'd build a skating-rink in the Sahara and organize a competition there. He'd be skating champion all right, if he really gives all his time to it.'
'Could you tell us a case like that?' asked one of us.
'As a matter of fact, I can, 'said Jorkens,'a very similar case.'
'Let's hear it,'said Terbut.
'There was a young fellow,'said Jorkens,'to whom his parents probably used to say the very things that we have been saying now; and very likely he, as many young fellows do, may have wanted to prove them wrong. I don't know:  it was a long time ago. But, whatever his motive was, he hit on a most extraordinary ambition, and stuck to it. It was nothing less than to be appointed Court acrobat.'
'What ?' said Terbut.
'Acrobat,' Jorkens went on,'to the Court of the country in which he lived.'
'What kind of country was that,'said Terbut.
Never mind what country it was,' said Jorkens, 'And as a matter of fact its customs weren't so silly as you suppose. They had no post of Court acrobat, and never had had. But that didn't stop young Gorgios. That was his name, He was a good athlete when he came by his wild idea at about the age of sixteen, and had won the high jump and the hurdles and the hundred yards at his school.'
'Well, there was opportunity,' agreed Terbut,' if he was born a good athlete.'
'But wait a moment,'said Jorkens, 'You don't remain an athlete all your life,and he still had to get the post created.'
'How did he do that?' asked Terbut.
'Simply by sticking to it,' said Jorkens,' He went into politics. They all do in that country. But he went into them harder than anyone else, and never gave up his ambition. Of course he made speeches, and fine ones, on many other subjects; but all the while he stuck to his one idea. The years went by, and the day came when he had power enough to preach his ambition openly, and he told them how the glory of their country and of its ancient throne would be increased if the post of Court acrobat were created. He gave examples of other Courts and greater ones. Of course many opposed him: that is politics. Of course it took a long time: that is politics too. But as the years went by he wore down opposing arguments, till he had taught people what a lesson it would be to all the nations to have a young athlete at Court exhibition perfect physical fitness, and how such an example would strengthen their soldiers and enable them  finally to win the just rights of the nation in victorious battle against their accursed neighbors. And so the idea caught on; and to make a very long story short, the post of Court acrobat was duly created.'
'Both parents of Gorgios were by then long dead. By then, little remained to be done: he had only to stick for a few more days to that wild idea of his, and then, when the question arose of choosing an athlete to fill the newly-made post, whom could they choose but the man who had worked for it all those years?'               'So Gorgios was appointed acrobat to the Court, and learned so late in life, what always takes time, that his parents were right after all. It only remained then to inaugurate him. And that is where I came on the  scene, wandering about Europe as I used to do in those days when food used to be cheap and I was young and could easily walk long distances. I came to that  country and they were wonderfully friendly, and they let me see the great ceremony, which took place as soon after the creation of the post as Gorgios's uniform could be got ready. And very magnificent clothing it was, a tight-fitting suit of red velvet, all gay with gold buttons and shining with lines of gold lace that wound and twisted about it.The great throne-room had been turned into a kind of gymnasium, with the members of the Royal House seated along a raised platform at one end, and the principal officers standing beside and behind them.
Great curtains of red and gold were hung along the walls, and the high swings of acrobats hung down with gilded ropes from the ceiling, and a row of neat hurdles was arranged on the polished floor: like the ones over which Gorgios had won his race when at school. Lights glittered, a band in pale green and gold played softly, and it was indeed a splendid scene. I will not describe it to you, because everything there, the uniforms and the ladies' brilliant dresses, was utterly put in the shade by the moment when the doors opened with a flood of golden light, and the old man in his brilliant uniform appeared between them for the crowning of his life's work. His white hair and the red uniform of the Court acrobat showed each other off to perfection, and his thin figure worn with age was made all the more melancholy by the tight-fitting uniform. As though tired by his long patience and the work of a lifetime, he walked slowly in his pointed shoes and leaned on a gilded stick. He came to the hurdles that he remembered, over which once he had won so easy a victory. As he came to the first he looked up for a moment with a slightly sad expression towards the royal platform, as though he asked some question with his eyes. Whatever the question was it was at once understood: royal smiles were directed towards him, and gentle applause broke out from every hand, which he understood at once, and the old bent from moved on away from the hurdles. Once he raised a hand to touch the lowest of the swings that were hung from the ceiling. But again the applause broke out, assuring him that no actual activity was expected of him. And so; having made his bows, he was led to a seat, his life's ambition achieved, It must have taken him more than sixty years to do it, since first he came by that strange ambition of his. But he did it. Not many sticks to a thing for so long.'
And Jorkens uttered a quite sigh, so clearly mourning over some lost ambition that he himself had given up, that not even Terbut asked him what it was.




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                                                                   EXERCISES


1. Choose the correct answer.

1. Jorkens said that a man who wanted to succeed had to be

(a) an athlete
(b) a determined person
(c) a lucky
(d) a hardworking person


2.The man who keeps on wins

(a) the reward
(b) the race
(c) the shield
(d) the trophy


3. He'd be skating champion if he really have

(a) some money
(b) his passion
(c) all his time to it
(d) his energies


4. He hit on a most extraordinary ambition, to be appointed

(a) an inspector
(b) a magistrate
(c) a clerk
(d) a Court acrobat


5. At the age of sixteen he won the

(a) high jump
(b) the hurdles
(c) the hundred yards race
(d) high jump, and hurdles and the hundred yards


6. Gorgios probably wanted to 


(a) make his country powerful
(b) prove his parents wrong
(c) wear a splendid uniform
(d) create a post of Court acrobat


7. When Gorgios was inaugurated, the people applauded because he


(a) had achieved his ambition
(b) looked splendid in his uniform
(c) performed on the hurdles and swings
(d) defeated his enemies



8. The great throne-room had been turned into a kind of


(a) swimming pool
(b) gymnasium
(c) stadium
(d) race track


9. Terbut


(a) asked Jorkens what his own ambition was
(b) believed Jorkens' story
(c) disagreed with Jorkens
(d) improved Jorkens' story


10. Gorgios achieved his ambition by


(a) building a skating-rink
(b) going into politics
(c) getting an opportunity
(d) winning the hundred yards
                                         


Q 2. Mark the sentences true or false.


1. They talked of money and determination.                                                                       False

2. Gorgios wanted to prove his parents wrong.                                                                    True

3. He went into politics to persuade them.                                                                           False

4. The creation of a post of Court acrobat would increase the glory of the country.              True

5. It would inspire them to win the just rights.                                                                      True

6. Many athletes competed for the post of a Court acrobat.                                                False

7. The magnificent uniform of Gorgios impressed them all.                                                   True

8. Everyone was sad on the inauguration.                                                                           False

9. The band played softly.                                                                                                 True

10. Gorgios looked up with a slightly sad expression towards the royal platform.                True.



Q 3. Answer the following questions.


1. What was the subject discussed at the Club?

Ans. The subject was the need of opportunity and determination for gaining success.


2. What did Terbut think of Jorkens argument?

Ans. Terbut disagreed and thought that anything could not be got by mere determination.


3. How did Jorkens convince that a man can become a skating champion of the Sahara?

Ans. Jorkens suggested that by making money, building a skating rink in the Sahara and organizing a competition there, a man can become the champion if he really gives all his time to it.


4.How did Gorgios persuade the people to make his country strong?

Ans. Gorgios persuaded his people by preaching them that they should have a young athlete at court exhibiting perfect physical fitness. This example would strengthen their soldiers and enable them finally to win the just rights and battles for their own country.


5.What was the viewpoint of the parents of Gorgios?

Ans. His parents told Gorgios that opportunity was required for success and only determination could not serve the purpose. Gorgios learned so late in life that his parents were right after all.


6. What were the arrangements made for the function of inauguration?

Ans. A magnificent dress was prepared for Gorgios. The great throne-room had been turned into a kind of gymnasium where great curtains of red and gold were hung along the walls. High swings of acrobats hung down with gilded ropes from the ceiling and a row of neat hurdles was arranged on the polished floor.


7. Describe the scene of inauguration. Write five sentences.

Ans. It was a splendid scene; lights glittered, music played softly when the doors opened `with a flood of golden light and the old man in his brilliant uniform appeared between them. He walked slowly and leaned on a gilded stick. When he came to the first hurdle, he looked up towards the royal platform. Royal smiles were directed towards him, and gentle applause broke out from every hand which assured him that no actual activity was required of him so he made his bows to the crowd. He was led to a seat and his life's ambition achieved.


8. What were the feelings of Gorgios on the occasion?

Ans. He looked melancholic in his tight fitting uniform and seemed tired by his long patience and the work of a lifetime. He remembered his past when he had climbed the hurdles so easily but this victory was more satisfactory because it was the accomplishment of his dream.


9. Did Gorgios use any short cut to achieve his ambition?

Ans. Gorgios worked for more than sixty years without using any short cut or becoming frustrated. He remained determined and kept on his struggle and finally achieved his ambition.


10. For how long had Gorgios to stick to get his ambition achieved?

Ans. Gorgios had to stick to his ambition for more than sixty years. After a life long struggle, he achieved his ambition.




Q 4. Answer the following questions in 50-100 words.


1. Discuss the political views of Jorkens.

Ans. Jorkens says if a man is determined to get anything and sticks to it long enough, he gets it. To him life is like a race in which only those become successful who neither lose interest nor heart. If a person has a certain ambition in politics, must possess this quality. He must be a very good orator but he should never lose sight of his original goal. In politics one must be tolerant to face the opposing arguments. Th time comes when he has the power to pave the way for himself. Then he can achieve whatever he has desired.



2. How did Gorgios achieve his ambition?

Ans. Gorgios decided to become a Court acrobat in a country where no such post existed. He was a young athlete. He went into politics to achieve his ambition. He made very fine speeches on other subjects also but concentrated fully on his target. He told them how the glory of their country could be increased if the post of Court acrobat were created. He taught people that it would be a great lesson for other nations to have a young athlete at Court who could boost the morale of the soldiers. Finally his idea  struck and Gorgios achieved his ambition.



3. Do you agree or disagree with the viewpoint of the writer?

Ans. I think it is not always true that we can achieve everything through determination only. It is also the phenomenon of nature that everybody is not gifted with the same abilities of heart, soul, mind and body. Sometimes man becomes victim of circumstances and cannot stand hardships.
He has to surrender before the situation. The writer also says that Gorgios learned so late in life that his parents were right after all. Sometimes a person is determined but never gets an opportunity to prove his worth. So no hard and fast rule can be formed for success. Determination and opportunities both matter in life.


4. Why were the brilliant dresses put in the shade at the inauguration?

Ans. The great ceremony was held to honour the Court acrobat. Gorgios had done a heroic deed. Everybody came to recognize his struggle. The stage was set for only one person. Every decoration was made for him. He was the central character of the occasion. Even the Royal House came to applause him. Nobody had come there to see brilliant dresses or decorations. Therefore everything was put in the shade when the doors opened with a flood of golden light, and the old man in his brilliant uniform appeared between them for the crowning of his life's work..


5. What is the lesson the story teaches?

Ans.  The story is not only a fantastic adventure of a young man but also teaches us moral lessons.  Young people normally give a deaf ear to the advice of their elders.They want to prove them wrong. The writer suggests that they should avoid it. The other moral we get from the story is to have a strong faith in ourselves. If we are courageous, bold and determined, we can face every challenge of life. We can minimize the bitterness of life though we cannot put an end to misery.




Q 5. Connect part of Column 1 with the relevant part of Column 2. 



Answers.

1. Some said opportunity was required for success.

2. He was a good athlete when he came by his wild idea.

3.He went into them harder than anyone else.

4. He had power to preach his ambition openly.

5. He had only to stick for a few more days to that wild idea.

6. I used to do in those days when food used to be cheap.

7. His white hair and the red uniform showed each other off to perfection.

8. It must have taken him more than sixty years to do it.



Q 6. Punctuate the following lines. 

life is like a race Jorkens went on in which they tire after a while and sit down or get interested in something else instead the man who keeps on wins the race


Answer:

'Life is like a race.' Jorkens went on, 'in which they tire after a while and sit down, or get interested in something else instead. The man who keeps on wins the race.'



Q 7. Complete these sentences with the correct form of the verbs in brackets.


1. Jorkens said that if a man (be) determined to get anything, and (stick) to it long enough, he (get)  it.
    Jorkens said that if a man was determined to get anything, and stuck to it long enough, he got it.


2. If a man (want) to be a skating champion of the Sahara, and (can) not afford the money to get there, he'd       (make) the money.
    If a man wanted to be a skating champion of the Sahara, and could not afford the money to get there, he'd     make the money.


3.He (be) skating champion if he really (give) all his time to it.
   He would be skating champion if he really gave all his time to it.


4.It was thought that the glory of the country (be) increased if the post of Court acrobat (be) created.
   It was thought that the glory of the country would be increased if the post of Court acrobat were created.


5.It was decided that if a good athlete (can) be found, they (make) him Court acrobat.
   It was decided that if a good athlete could be found, they would make him Court acrobat.



Q 8. Use the following phrasal verbs in your sentences.  

a) get in                    b) get out                  c) get on                d) get off


Phrasal Verbs                                                  Sentences

a) Get in                                                           In theses elections I have a good chance of getting in.

b) Get out                                                        If this gets out it can cause trouble.

c) Get on                                                         He is getting on very well at school.

d) Get off                                                        We got off straight after lunch.



Q 9. Read the following passage and answer the questions given in the end.

'Simply by sticking to it,' said Jorkens,' He went into politics. They all do in that country. But he went into them harder than anyone else, and never gave up his ambition. Of course he made speeches, and fine ones, on many other subjects; but all the while he stuck to his one idea. The years went by, and the day came when he had power enough to preach his ambition openly, and he told them how the glory of their country and of its ancient throne would be increased if the post of Court acrobat were created. He gave examples of other Courts and greater ones. Of course many opposed him: that is politics. Of course it took a long time: that is politics too. But as the years went by he wore down opposing arguments, till he had taught people what a lesson it would be to all the nations to have a young athlete at Court exhibition perfect physical fitness, and how such an example would strengthen their soldiers and enable them  finally to win the just rights of the nation in victorious battle against their accursed neighbors. And so the idea caught on; and to make a very long story short, the post of Court acrobat was duly created.'



a) Who joined the politics?

Ans. The hero of the paragraph went into politics.


b) How can the glory of the country be increased?

Ans. The glory of the country can be increased if  a post of Court acrobat were created.


c) How was the post of a Court acrobat created?

Ans. The post of a Court acrobat was duly created after the life long struggle of the protagonist. He made              his countrymen believe that it would be a wonderful lesson for all the nations to have a young athlete at         Court. This example would strengthen the soldiers and they would be able to win their rights.


d) Write down the main idea of the para.

Ans. The main idea is that a person who remains determined and struggles hard wins his ambition.