Jammu and Kashmir Board Class 9 English Tulip Book Chapter 6 How a Client was Saved Question Answers
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Jammu and Kashmir Board Class 9 English Tulip Book Lesson How a Client was Saved Textbook Questions
Thinking about the Text
1. Why had Rustomji’s smuggling offences not been discovered earlier?
Ans. Rustomji’s smuggling was not discovered earlier because he was on the best terms with customs officials who trusted him and took his invoices on trust without checking. No one suspected him due to his good reputation, and some officials might have connived at (deliberately ignored) the smuggling. This combination of trust, reputation, and possible corruption allowed his illegal activities to continue undetected.
2. What did Rustomji consider to be the greatest cause for shame to him?
Ans. Rustomji considered going to jail and being publicly exposed as the greatest cause for shame. He feared imprisonment and public disgrace, worrying about his “name and fame” and the “edifice he had reared with such care and labour” being destroyed. His primary concern was social consequences, loss of reputation, business ruin, and public humiliation, rather than the moral wrongness of his actions.
3. What did Gandhiji consider to be a greater cause for shame?
Ans. Gandhiji considered committing the offense itself to be a greater cause for shame than going to jail. He told Rustomji, “The shame lies not so much in going to jail as in committing the offence. The deed of shame has already been done.” Gandhi’s moral perspective reversed conventional thinking, he taught that accepting punishment with dignity was penance and courage, not disgrace.
4. Which words that Rustomji used to describe his offence show us that he did not consider it to be a moral offence? (See paragraph 3)
Ans. Rustomji used the phrase “tricks of the trade” to describe his smuggling. This shows he viewed smuggling as merely a clever business practice rather than a moral offense. By calling it “tricks of the trade,” he treated illegal activities as normal business methods, revealing his ethical blindness, he didn’t see smuggling as morally wrong but simply as part of business competition.
5. Who, according to Gandhiji, was the one who would finally decide whether Rustomji was to be saved or not?
Ans. According to Gandhiji, God would finally decide whether Rustomji would be saved. Gandhi said, “To save or not to save you is in His hands. I can but try to save you by means of confession.” This shows Gandhi’s humility and spiritual faith, he recognized ultimate outcomes are in God’s hands, not human control.
6. Gandhiji and the other counsel differed in the way in which they thought the case ought to be handled. How did
(a) Gandhiji and (b) the other counsel hope to settle the case?
Ans. (a) Gandhiji’s approach: Gandhi believed the case should not go to court. His strategy was based on complete honesty and transparency, meeting directly with officials, making full confession, offering to pay whatever penalty they fixed, and appealing to their sense of fairness. His method relied on moral persuasion and genuine repentance to achieve compromise outside court.
(b) The other counsel’s approach: The traditional lawyer focused on courtroom trial, noting pessimistically that “a Natal jury will be the last to acquit an Indian.” His strategy likely involved finding technical legal defenses or exploiting procedural rules, representing conventional legal practice that relies on courtroom tactics rather than moral persuasion.
7. Gandhiji spoke of two penances.
a. What were they?
Ans. The two penances were:
(i) Accepting imprisonment: Gandhi said Rustomji should regard imprisonment as penance, willing acceptance of punishment as spiritual purification, not humiliation.
(ii) Resolving never to smuggle again: Gandhi said, “The real penance lies in resolving never to smuggle again”, genuine internal transformation and firm determination to change behavior permanently.
b. Which of them did Rustomji not have to do?
Ans. Rustomji did not have to go to jail. Through Gandhi’s efforts, the case was settled by compromise with a financial penalty instead of imprisonment. However, Rustomji performed the second penance, he genuinely resolved never to smuggle again, demonstrated by framing the facts and hanging them in his office as a permanent reminder.
8. Why did Gandhiji have to go to the Attorney General as well as to the Customs Officer?
Ans. Gandhiji had to go to both officials because of legal hierarchy. The Customs Officer explained, “I must be guided by the Attorney General.” While the Customs Officer could discover and report smuggling, the Attorney General held authority to decide whether to prosecute or accept compromise. The Customs Officer could promise not to insist on court, but final authority lay with the Attorney General.
9. Which two qualities of Gandhiji’s helped him to persuade the Attorney General not to drag Rustomji into court?
Ans. The two qualities were:
(i) Complete frankness/transparency: Gandhi revealed everything without concealing facts. The Attorney General “appreciated my complete frankness and was convinced that I had kept back nothing,” winning his trust and respect.
(ii) Persistence/determination: The Attorney General remarked, “I see you will never take a no for an answer. ” Gandhi’s persistent, patient determination in seeking fair settlement convinced him to agree to compromise.
10. What did Rustomji (a) lose (b) partly save by the settlement of the case?
Ans. a) What Rustomji lost: Rustomji lost money, paying a penalty equal to twice the amount he had confessed to smuggling. He also lost some reputation as the facts became known.
(b) What Rustomji partly saved: Rustomji partly saved his name, fame, and reputation. By avoiding court trial, he prevented extensive public exposure and permanent stigma of criminal conviction. He saved the “edifice he had reared”, his business and social standing. Though damaged, his reputation could be restored through demonstrated repentance, whereas court conviction would have completely ruined him. He also saved himself from imprisonment.
Language work
a) Rewrite the sentences, replacing the word (or words) in italics with a word chosen from the list below, taking care to use the correct form. Insert articles wherever necessary. The first one is done for you.
| exception | smuggle | compromise | prosecute |
| reveal | client | intimate |
1. Rustomji was accused of importing goods secretly and illegally.
Rustomji was accused of smuggling.
2. Gandhi knew Rustomji not only as a person who gets help from a lawyer but also as a co-worker.
3. Official inquiries showed that the actual offence detected involved a very small sum.
4. Gandhi did not know the other counsel closely.
5. Gandhi succeeded in settling Rustomji’s case by a mutual agreement involving some concession on either side.
6. The law does not recognize any case as something different or demanding special treatment.
7. Gandhi succeeded in making the Customs Officer promise not to start legal proceedings against Rustomji.
Answer
1. Rustomji was accused of smuggling.
2. Gandhi knew Rustomji not only as a client but also as a co-worker.
3. Official inquiries revealed that the actual offence detected involved a very small sum.
4. Gandhi did not know the other counsel intimately.
5. Gandhi succeeded in settling Rustomji’s case by a compromise.
6. The law does not recognize any case as an exception.
7. Gandhi succeeded in making the Customs Officer promise not to prosecute Rustomji.
b) (i) Rewrite the sentences, using verb-forms of the words in italics. The first one is done for you.
1. Rustomji made a resolution never to smuggle again.
Rustomji resolved never to smuggle again.
2. Gandhi began correspondence with the Attorney General.
3. Rustomji had so much confidence in Gandhi that he had no hesitation in accepting his quack treatment.
4. As Rustomji was on very good terms with the customs officials, no one had any suspicions about him.
5. Is not my confession before you enough? (Begin: ‘Is it not enough. . . ‘)
6. Rustomji told his counsel that he would like to take Gandhi’s guidance.
Answer
1. resolved
2. Corresponded
3. Confided
4. Suspected
5. to confess
6. guided
(ii) Use the following words, both as noun and verb:
1. Wrong
2. Rest
3. Shame
4. Promise
5. Compromise
6. Fate
7. Light
8. Hand
9. Pay
10. End
ANSWER
1. Wrong
Noun: He admitted his wrong and apologized.
Verb: You have wronged me by spreading false rumors.
2. Rest
Noun: Take some rest before continuing your work.
Verb: The final decision rests with the principal.
3. Shame
Noun: He felt great shame for his dishonest behavior.
Verb: His actions shamed the entire family.
4. Promise
Noun: Gandhi kept his promise to help Rustomji.
Verb: I promise to study harder next term.
5. Compromise
Noun: They reached a compromise after long discussions.
Verb: We cannot compromise on matters of principle.
6. Fate
Noun: He accepted his fate with courage.
Verb: The project was fated to fail from the beginning.
7. Light
Noun: The light from the lamp was very bright.
Verb: Please light the candle before the power goes out.
8. Hand
Noun: He held the book in his hand.
Verb: Please hand me that pen from the table.
9. Pay
Noun: The workers demanded better pay.
Verb: You must pay the penalty for your mistake.
10. End
Noun: The end of the story was very touching.
Verb: Let us end this meeting with a prayer.
(iii) Some words are used with one spelling as nouns and another spelling as verbs such as ‘advice’ and ‘advise’ ‘practice’ and ‘practise’. Find five more examples of such words. You need not confine yourself to the lesson. What are such words called?
Answer
(iii) Find five more examples of such words. What are such words called?
Examples:
| Noun | Verb |
| advice | advise |
| practice | practise |
| device | devise |
| licence | license |
| prophecy | prophesy |
| breath | breathe |
| belief | believe |
What are such words called?
Ans. Such words are called homophones or more specifically, spelling variants where the noun form has ‘c’ or ‘ce’ and the verb form has ‘s’ or ‘se’. In British English, this distinction is maintained, while American English often uses the same spelling for both.
(iv) Match the following:
| A | B |
| tricks of the trade | feel a wish to. |
| on trust | without proof; without checking. |
| put off | take no notice of (something that is wrong), suggesting consent or approval is given. |
| be inclined to | ways of attracting customers, gaining advantage over merchants in the business, etc |
| insist on | take advice (from). |
| to connive at | postpone. |
| to rest with | be left in the hands of or charge of. |
| at stake | win or lose, depending upon the result of something. |
| at one’s disposal | direct, apply, or use (something) upon. |
| to bring to bear upon | to be used as one wishes. |
| consult with | ask something with determination. |
| enter into correspondence with | begin exchanging letters with. |
| transitory contrition | write down. |
| reduce to writing | sorrow (for wrongdoing) that does not last long. |
Answer
| A | B |
| tricks of the trade | ways of attracting customers, gaining advantage over merchants in the business, etc. |
| on trust | without proof; without checking |
| put off | postpone |
| be inclined to | feel a wish to |
| insist on | ask something with determination |
| to connive at | take no notice of (something that is wrong), suggesting consent or approval is given |
| to rest with | be left in the hands of or charge of |
| at stake | win or lose, depending upon the result of something |
| at one’s disposal | to be used as one wishes |
| to bring to bear upon | direct, apply, or use (something) upon |
| consult with | take advice (from) |
| enter into correspondence with | begin exchanging letters with |
| transitory contrition | sorrow (for wrongdoing) that does not last long |
| reduce to writing | write down |
c) Fill in the blanks in the passage with appropriate phrases chosen from the list below, taking care to use the correct form:
| bring to bear | confide in | on good terms with | bring to bear | on trust |
| inclined to | at stake | at once | deal with | resort to |
| connive at |
Rustomji. . . . . . . . . . . smuggling quite often. But for a long time this fact did not come to light because nobody was. . . . . . . . . . . . suspect the good Parsi. He was. . . . . . . . . . . the customs officers and they took his invoices. Some of them might even have. . . . . . . . . . . . the smuggling.
At last when the crime was discovered, Rustomji’s reputation was. . . . . . . . . . . He. . . . . . . . went to Gandhi and. . . . . . . . . . . him, begging him to save his name. Gandhi decided to . . . . . . . . . . . the whole matter in a straight forward manner. He asked Rustomji to confess to the crime and resolve never to repeat it. He then met the Attorney General and. . . . . . . . . . . the full details of the case. He. . . . . . . . . . . on it all his force of persuasion to have the case settled by means of a compromise.
Answer
Rustomji resorted to smuggling quite often. But for a long time this fact did not come to light because nobody was inclined to suspect the good Parsi. He was on good terms with the customs officers and they took his invoices on trust. Some of them might even have connived at the smuggling.
At last when the crime was discovered, Rustomji’s reputation was at stake. He at once went to Gandhi and confided in him, begging him to save his name. Gandhi decided to deal with the whole matter in a straightforward manner. He asked Rustomji to confess to the crime and resolve never to repeat it. He then met the Attorney General and brought to bear the full details of the case. He brought to bear on it all his force of persuasion to have the case settled by means of a compromise.
Writing Work
What do you learn from this lesson? Sum up your thoughts in 250 words.
Answer
This lesson from Gandhi’s life teaches several profound moral principles that remain relevant today. The most important lesson is the supreme value of honesty and truth. Gandhi demonstrates that complete transparency and confession, even when admitting wrongdoing, is more powerful than legal maneuvering or deception. His insistence that Rustomji confess to the government, not just to him personally, shows that genuine repentance requires accountability to those wronged.
The lesson challenges conventional notions of shame and honor. Society considers imprisonment shameful, but Gandhi reverses this thinking, the real shame lies in committing the offense itself, not in facing punishment for it. Accepting consequences with dignity is actually courage and penance, not disgrace. This revolutionary perspective helps us understand that moral courage means acknowledging mistakes and making amends, not hiding them.
Gandhi’s approach demonstrates the practical power of moral persuasion. By meeting officials directly, revealing all facts without concealment, and appealing to their sense of fairness, he achieved better results than conventional legal tactics would have. His complete frankness won the respect of both the Customs Officer and Attorney General, showing that honesty can transform adversaries into allies.
The story also teaches about genuine repentance versus mere regret. Rustomji’s framing and displaying of his case facts shows true remorse, not just fear of consequences, but sincere desire to reform and help others avoid similar mistakes. This demonstrates that real change requires both accepting responsibility and taking concrete steps to prevent future wrongdoing.
Finally, the lesson illustrates Gandhi’s belief in the redemptive power of truth. Rather than ruining Rustomji, honest confession combined with sincere repentance saved him while teaching valuable lessons. This shows that facing truth, though difficult, ultimately liberates and transforms us more than any deception or concealment ever could.
Jammu and Kashmir Board Class 9 English Tulip Book Lesson How a Client was Saved Extra Question and Answers
Extract-Based Questions
A
“The reader, by now, will be quite familiar with Parsi Rustomji’s name. He was one who became at once my client and co-worker, or perhaps it would be truer to say that he first became co-worker and then client. I won his confidence to such an extent that he sought and followed my advice also in private domestic matters.”
Q1. Who is the narrator?
Ans. The narrator is Mahatma Gandhi, writing from his autobiography “My Experiments with Truth.”
Q2. What was Rustomji’s relationship with the narrator?
Ans. Rustomji was both Gandhi’s client and co-worker. He became co-worker first and then client, showing their relationship was based on friendship and collaboration before professional legal services.
Q3. What does “I won his confidence to such an extent” reveal?
Ans. This reveals that Gandhi had earned Rustomji’s deep trust through his character and actions, so much so that Rustomji sought his advice even in private domestic matters beyond professional legal issues.
Q4. What kind of advice did Rustomji seek from Gandhi?
Ans. Rustomji sought Gandhi’s advice not only in legal and business matters but also in private domestic matters, showing complete trust in Gandhi’s wisdom and judgment.
Q5. What does this extract reveal about Gandhi’s character?
Ans. This extract reveals Gandhi’s trustworthiness, wisdom, and ability to build deep, meaningful relationships that transcended professional boundaries. His character inspired such confidence that people trusted him with their most personal matters.
B
“This friend once got into a very bad scrape. Though he kept me informed of most of his affairs, he had studiously kept back one thing that he was a large importer of goods from Bombay and Calcutta, and not infrequently he resorted to smuggling.”
Q1. What does “got into a very bad scrape” mean?
Ans. “Got into a very bad scrape” means Rustomji got into serious trouble or a difficult, dangerous situation that could have severe consequences.
Q2. What had Rustomji kept back from Gandhi?
Ans. Rustomji had studiously (deliberately and carefully) kept back the fact that he was a large importer who not infrequently (often) resorted to smuggling goods.
Q3. What does “studiously kept back” suggest?
Ans. “Studiously kept back” suggests deliberate, careful concealment. It wasn’t accidental forgetfulness but intentional hiding, showing Rustomji knew his smuggling activities were wrong and chose to hide them from Gandhi.
Q4. Why do you think Rustomji kept this information from Gandhi?
Ans. Rustomji likely kept this from Gandhi because he knew Gandhi’s strict moral principles and feared Gandhi would disapprove or advise him to stop. He wanted to maintain Gandhi’s good opinion while continuing his illegal activities.
Q5. What does this reveal about Rustomji’s character?
Ans. This reveals Rustomji’s moral weakness and ethical compartmentalization, he could maintain honesty in most matters while deliberately concealing wrongdoing. It also shows he had some awareness his actions were wrong, otherwise he wouldn’t have hidden them.
C
“The good friend ran posthaste to me, the tears rolling down his cheeks as he said, ‘Bhai, I have deceived you. My guilt has been discovered today. I have smuggled and I am doomed. I must go to jail and be ruined. You alone may be able to save me from this predicament. ‘”
Q1. Why did Rustomji run “posthaste” to Gandhi?
Ans. Rustomji ran in great haste to Gandhi because his smuggling had been discovered and he was desperate for help, facing potential imprisonment and complete ruin.
Q2. What does “tears rolling down his cheeks” suggest?
Ans. The tears suggest Rustomji’s genuine distress, fear, and emotional turmoil. He was overwhelmed by the consequences of his actions being discovered and facing potential disaster.
Q3. What confession does Rustomji make?
Ans. Rustomji confesses, “I have deceived you”, acknowledging he had hidden his smuggling activities from Gandhi. He admits his guilt has been discovered, he has smuggled, and he faces imprisonment and ruin.
Q4. What does “I am doomed” reveal about Rustomji’s state of mind?
Ans. “I am doomed” reveals Rustomji’s sense of hopelessness and despair. He believes his situation is beyond salvation, that destruction is certain, showing his panic and desperation.
Q5. Why does Rustomji turn to Gandhi in this crisis?
Ans. Rustomji turns to Gandhi because of their deep trust relationship and Gandhi’s wisdom. Despite having deceived Gandhi, Rustomji believes “You alone may be able to save me,” showing his faith in Gandhi’s abilities and hoping for forgiveness and help.
D
“I calmed him and said, ‘To save or not to save you is in His hands. As to me you know my way. I can but try to save you by means of confession.’ The good Parsi felt deeply mortified. ‘But is not my confession before you enough?’ he said.”
Q1. How does Gandhi respond to Rustomji’s distress?
Ans. Gandhi calms him rather than expressing anger or condemnation. He responds with spiritual wisdom, saying the ultimate outcome is in God’s hands, and he can only try to help through confession.
Q2. What does “in His hands” mean?
Ans. “In His hands” means in God’s hands, Gandhi is expressing his belief that ultimate outcomes are controlled by divine will, not human effort alone. This shows Gandhi’s humility and spiritual faith.
Q3. What is Gandhi’s proposed solution?
Ans. Gandhi’s proposed solution is confession, complete, honest admission of wrongdoing. He says, “I can but try to save you by means of confession,” showing his belief in truth and transparency as the path to resolution.
Q4. Why did Rustomji feel “deeply mortified”?
Ans. Rustomji felt deeply mortified (humiliated and wounded in feelings) because Gandhi was suggesting public confession to the government, which would mean openly admitting his crime beyond the private confession to Gandhi.
Q5. What does Rustomji’s question reveal?
Ans. Rustomji’s question, “But is not my confession before you enough?” reveals he hoped private admission would suffice and he could avoid public confession. It shows his incomplete understanding of repentance and his desire to minimize consequences.
Multiple Choice Questions (MCQs)
Q1. Who wrote “My Experiments with Truth”?
A. Jawaharlal Nehru
B. Mahatma Gandhi
C. Rabindranath Tagore
D. Subhash Chandra Bose
Ans. B. Mahatma Gandhi
Q2. What kind of treatment did Rustomji accept from Gandhi?
A. Ayurvedic treatment
B. Quack treatment
C. Homeopathic treatment
D. Allopathic treatment
Ans. B. Quack treatment
Q3. What did the Customs Officer say about Parsi Rustomji?
A. “I hate the Old Parsi”
B. “I like the Old Parsi, I am sorry he has made a fool of himself”
C. “He is a dangerous criminal”
D. “He deserves severe punishment.
Ans. B. “I like the Old Parsi, I am sorry he has made a fool of himself”
Q4. What was Rustomji’s response when Gandhi told him about the warning?
A. “i don’t care”
B. “What would be my fate if I deceived you?
C. “they are jealous”
D. “I will prove them wrong”
Ans. B. “What would be my fate if i deceived you”
Q5. What was Parsi Rustomji’s relationship with Gandhi?
A. Only client
B. Only co-worker
C. Both client and co-worker
D. Only friend
Ans. C. Both client and co-worker
Q6. What illegal activity was Rustomji involved in?
A. Theft
B. Smuggling
C. Fraud
D. Bribery
Ans. B. Smuggling
Q7. Why had Rustomji’s smuggling not been discovered earlier?
A. He was very clever
B. He bribed the police
C. Officials trusted him and took his invoices on trust
D. He didn’t smuggle much
Ans. C. Officials trusted him and took his invoices on trust
Q8. What phrase did Rustomji use to describe his smuggling?
A. Business strategy
B. Tricks of the trade
C. Normal practice
D. Common method
Ans. B. Tricks of the trade
Q9. How did Rustomji react when his smuggling was discovered?
A. He ran away
B. He denied it
C. He ran to Gandhi with tears
D. He bribed officials
Ans. C. He ran to Gandhi with tears
Q10. What was Gandhi’s first advice to Rustomji?
A. Run away
B. Bribe the officials
C. Fight in court
D. Confess to the government
Ans. D. Confess to the government
Q11. According to Gandhi, to whom had Rustomji wronged?
A. Gandhi
B. The government
C. His family
D. His business partners
Ans. B. The government
Q12. What did the other counsel suggest?
A. Confess immediately
B. The case would be tried by jury
C. Pay fine immediately
D. Close the business
Ans. B. The case would be tried by jury
Q13. What did the other counsel say about a Natal jury?
A. They would be fair
B. They would be sympathetic
C. They would be the last to acquit an Indian
D. They would dismiss the case
Ans. C. They would be the last to acquit an Indian
Q14. According to Gandhi, where does the real shame lie?
A. In going to jail
B. In being caught
C. In committing the offense
D. In paying the fine
Ans. C. In committing the offense
Q15. Whom did Gandhi meet to settle the case?
A. Only the Customs Officer
B. Only the Attorney General
C. Both the Customs Officer and Attorney General
D. The judge
Ans. C. Both the Customs Officer and Attorney General
Q16. What quality of Gandhi impressed the Attorney General?
A. His legal knowledge
B. His complete frankness
C. His wealth
D. His connections
Ans. B. His complete frankness
Q17. What remark did the Attorney General make about Gandhi?
A. “You are very clever”
B. “You will never take a no for an answer”
C. “You are too honest”
D. “You are a great lawyer”
Ans. B. “You will never take a no for an answer”
Q18. How was Rustomji’s case finally settled?
A. He went to jail
B. By compromise with a penalty
C. He was acquitted
D. Case was dismissed
Ans. B. By compromise with a penalty
Q19. What penalty did Rustomji pay?
A. Equal to the smuggled amount
B. Half the smuggled amount
C. Twice the amount he had confessed to smuggling
D. Three times the amount
Ans. C. Twice the amount he had confessed to smuggling
Q20. What did Rustomji do with the written facts of his case?
A. Destroyed them
B. Hid them
C. Framed and hung them in his office
D. Gave them to Gandhi
Ans. C. Framed and hung them in his office
True or False
State whether the following statements are true or false:
1. The Customs officer disliked Rustomji.
2. Rustomji was both Gandhi’s client and co-worker.
3. Rustomji’s smuggling was discovered because someone reported him.
4. Rustomji called his smuggling activities “tricks of the trade.”
5. Gandhi advised Rustomji to confess only to him.
6. The other counsel was confident of winning in court.
7. Gandhi met both the Customs Officer and the Attorney General.
8. The Attorney General appreciated Gandhi’s complete frankness.
9. Rustomji had to go to jail as punishment.
10. Rustomji framed the facts of his case and displayed them in his office.
Answers:
1. False (He said “ l like the old Parsi”)
2. True
3. False (It was discovered naturally; theft like quicksilver won’t be suppressed)
4. True
5. False (He advised him to confess to the government)
6. False (He said a Natal jury would be the last to acquit an Indian)
7. True
8. True
9. False (The case was settled by compromise with a penalty)
10. True
Fill in the Blanks
1. Rustomji even accepted Gandhi’s __________. treatment when he was ill.
2. The Customs Officer said, __________, I am sorry he has made a fool of himself.
3. Rustomji was a large __________ of goods from Bombay and Calcutta.
4. Rustomji described his smuggling as “tricks of the __________.”
5. According to the Gujarati poet Akho, theft like __________ won’t be suppressed.
6. Gandhi said, “To save or not to save you is in __________ hands.”
7. Gandhi advised Rustomji to save himself by means of __________.
8. The other counsel said the case would be tried by a __________.
9. Gandhi said the real shame lies in __________ the offense, not in going to jail.
10. Rustomji paid a penalty equal to __________ the amount he had confessed to smuggling.
Answers:
1. Quack
2. ‘I like old Parsi
3. importer
4. trade
5. quicksilver
6. His (God’s)
7. confession
8. jury
9. committing
10. twice
Extra Questions
Answer the following questions-
Q1. What kind of relationship did Gandhi and Rustomji share?
Ans. Gandhi and Rustomji shared a deep friendship beyond professional relationship. Rustomji was both Gandhi’s client and co-worker who trusted him completely, seeking advice even in private domestic matters and accepting his medical treatment despite their different lifestyles.
Q2. Why did Rustomji keep his smuggling activities secret from Gandhi?
Ans. Rustomji studiously kept his smuggling secret because he considered it merely “tricks of the trade”, business practices that shouldn’t bother Gandhi. He likely feared Gandhi’s disapproval and wanted to maintain his good opinion while continuing illegal activities.
Q3. How did Rustomji react when his smuggling was discovered?
Ans. When discovered, Rustomji ran to Gandhi in great haste with tears rolling down his cheeks. He confessed, “I have deceived you. My guilt has been discovered today. I am doomed. ” He was desperate, fearful of jail and ruin.
Q4. What was Gandhi’s solution to Rustomji’s problem?
Ans. Gandhi’s solution was complete, honest confession to the government authorities who were wronged. He proposed meeting the Customs Officer and Attorney General, revealing all facts, offering to pay any penalty they fixed, and seeking compromise through transparency rather than court trial.
Q5. Why did Gandhi insist that confessing to him was not enough?
Ans. Gandhi insisted confession to him wasn’t enough because Rustomji had wronged the government, not Gandhi personally. Gandhi gently explained, “You have wronged not me but the government. How will the confession made before me avail you!” Confession must be to the wronged party.
Q6. What was the difference between Gandhi’s approach and the other counsel’s approach?
Ans. The other counsel planned to fight the case in court, pessimistically noting that a Natal jury would be the last to acquit an Indian. Gandhi’s approach avoided court entirely, relying on complete frankness, confession, and moral persuasion with officials to achieve compromise settlement.
Q7. What did Gandhi mean by “the shame lies not in going to jail”?
Ans. Gandhi taught that real shame lies in committing the offense itself, not in facing punishment for it. He said, “The deed of shame has already been done. Imprisonment you should regard as a penance. ” Accepting punishment with dignity is courage, not disgrace.
Q8. How did the Customs Officer react to Gandhi’s frankness?
Ans. The Customs Officer responded positively to Gandhi’s frankness. He said, “I like the Old Parsi. I am sorry he has made a fool of himself. ” He promised not to insist on dragging Rustomji into court and advised Gandhi to persuade the Attorney General.
Q9. Why did Rustomji frame and display the facts of his case?
Ans. Rustomji framed the written facts of his case and hung them in his office as a “perpetual reminder to his heirs and fellow merchants.” This demonstrated genuine repentance and his desire to warn others against making similar mistakes.
Q10. What does this story teach about honesty and confession?
Ans. The story teaches that honesty and complete confession can transform difficult situations. Gandhi’s transparent approach, revealing all facts, accepting responsibility, and seeking fair compromise, won officials’ respect and achieved better results than deception or legal maneuvering. Truth has transformative power.