📘 THE SNAKE AND THE MIRROR
CBSE Class 9 – Beehive – Chapter Summary in QA
✅ 1–40: Short Questions with Rich Answers (2–3 lines each)
✨ Each begins with a colorful bullet for visual appeal.
- Who is the narrator of the story?
🔵 The narrator is a doctor who recounts a frightening incident from his youth. - Where was the narrator living at the time of the incident?
🟢 He was living alone in a small rented room with sparse furniture. - What kind of house was it?
🟡 The house was a tiled one with many rats in it and was poorly ventilated. - At what time did the incident occur?
🔴 The incident took place around ten o’clock at night. - What was the narrator doing when the snake entered?
🔵 He was sitting in front of a mirror, admiring himself and planning his future. - What did the narrator plan about his looks?
🟣 He wanted to improve his appearance and grow a thin moustache to look more handsome. - What profession did the narrator belong to?
🟢 He was a homeopathic doctor. - Why did the narrator feel proud while looking in the mirror?
🟡 He admired his own smile and thought he looked handsome and intelligent. - What foolish thoughts did he have while looking at the mirror?
🔴 He dreamt of marrying a rich and fat doctor with good practice. - What sudden noise startled the narrator?
🔵 A dull thud made by a snake falling from the roof behind him. - Where did the snake land?
🟣 It landed on the back of his chair and later coiled around his arm. - How did the narrator react when the snake landed?
🟢 He froze in fear and sat like a stone statue, not even trembling. - Where did the snake eventually settle on the doctor’s body?
🟡 It coiled around his left arm and placed its hood near his face. - What did the narrator think about during that moment?
🔴 He regretted his vanity and foolish pride, and thought about God and life after death. - How long did the snake stay coiled on his arm?
🔵 It stayed for a long time, almost motionless, causing immense fear. - What turned the snake’s attention away from the doctor?
🟣 The snake saw its reflection in the mirror and slowly uncoiled itself. - What did the snake do after seeing the mirror?
🟢 It looked at its reflection, moved toward the mirror, and left the doctor unharmed. - What did the doctor do once the snake moved away?
🟡 He jumped up, ran out of the house barefoot, and didn’t stop until he reached safety. - Where did the doctor go after escaping?
🔴 He spent the night at a friend’s house and returned only the next day. - What had happened to his belongings when he returned?
🔵 The room had been robbed; everything was gone except his dirty vest. - What does the snake symbolize in the story?
🟣 It symbolizes danger, fear, and nature’s unpredictability. - What does the mirror symbolize in the story?
🟢 The mirror reflects not just the outer appearance, but also the inner vanity of the doctor—and eventually the snake itself. - Why did the narrator call the vest “the dirty one”?
🟡 Because it was the only thing the thief left behind—maybe he thought it worthless. - What theme does the story revolve around?
🔴 The story explores vanity, fear, and transformation through a humorous yet suspenseful event. - How does the narrator’s attitude change in the story?
🔵 He shifts from being self-absorbed and proud to humble and fearful. - What literary device is used when the doctor calls himself a fool?
🟣 It is self-irony—the doctor mocks his earlier pride and false confidence. - What does the doctor conclude about the snake’s behaviour?
🟢 He believes the snake was admiring its own beauty in the mirror—just as he had earlier. - Why did the narrator mention marriage in the story?
🟡 To show his humorous and exaggerated daydreams about his future. - What does the snake’s attraction to the mirror show?
🔴 That even animals can be drawn to their reflection—adding a humorous twist. - Was the story a real incident or a fictional one?
🔵 It is told as a real incident by the narrator, but contains elements of exaggeration and humour. - What is the tone of the story?
🟣 The story is light-hearted, humorous, yet filled with suspense. - How is humour created in the story?
🟢 Through the narrator’s vanity, exaggerated plans, and his absurd comparison between his vest and himself. - Why didn’t the doctor get bitten by the snake?
🟡 Possibly because the snake was more interested in its reflection than attacking. - What moral does the story convey?
🔴 It teaches us not to be vain, and shows how unpredictable life and nature can be. - What did the narrator learn from the incident?
🔵 He learned humility and stopped being so self-absorbed. - How did the narrator describe the room’s condition?
🟣 It was poorly maintained, filled with rats, and sparsely furnished. - How does the story use contrast?
🟢 It contrasts the doctor’s pride and foolishness with the seriousness of the life-threatening situation. - Why is the ending of the story ironic?
🟡 Because the narrator escapes death only to find everything he owned stolen—except a worthless vest. - What shows the doctor’s humanity during the snake episode?
🔴 He reflects on his mistakes, thinks about God, and accepts his vulnerability. - Why is the title “The Snake and the Mirror” apt?
🔵 Because both the snake and the mirror play a key role in the transformation of the narrator’s attitude.
✅ 41–45: Long Answer Questions (100–120 words)
41. What is the theme of the story “The Snake and the Mirror”?
🟦 The story is based on themes of vanity, fear, and transformation. It shows how the narrator, a proud and self-admiring doctor, is suddenly brought face-to-face with death when a snake coils around his arm. His earlier thoughts about beauty and marriage fade in the presence of danger. The snake’s attention is drawn away by its reflection in the mirror, giving the doctor a chance to escape. The story highlights how human vanity can seem silly when faced with the raw forces of nature. It also suggests that self-realisation often comes from unexpected, even terrifying, experiences.
42. How does the story show the transformation of the narrator’s character?
🟩 In the beginning, the narrator is full of pride, obsessed with his appearance, and planning to marry a wealthy woman. He thinks highly of himself. But the moment the snake coils around him, he is filled with fear and becomes humble. His thoughts turn from vanity to survival, and he begins to reflect on his life and choices. The incident changes him, making him more grounded and aware of life’s unpredictability. This transformation—from foolish pride to humility—is both humorous and insightful. It shows how real-life situations teach us more than imagination ever can.
43. What role does humour play in “The Snake and the Mirror”?
🟥 Humour is a key element in this story. The narrator’s thoughts—about improving his looks, growing a moustache, and marrying a rich, fat doctor—are comically exaggerated. The irony of the situation, where a man so absorbed in his looks is suddenly frozen by fear, adds to the laughter. Even the thief leaving behind only the “dirty vest” is humorous. The contrast between the narrator’s proud thoughts and his terrified reality is presented in a light and funny way, making the story enjoyable and memorable, while still conveying important lessons.
44. Describe the significance of the mirror in the story.
🟨 The mirror serves as a powerful symbol in the story. It reflects not just physical appearance but also inner thoughts. At first, the doctor admires himself in the mirror, lost in dreams of glory. But later, the same mirror distracts the snake, possibly saving the doctor’s life. This contrast shows how the mirror becomes a turning point—from feeding vanity to saving life. It highlights how perception can change when situations change. The mirror, therefore, plays a dual role in shaping both the action and the deeper message of the story.
45. What does the story teach us about human nature?
🟧 The story reveals the two sides of human nature—vanity and vulnerability. The narrator is confident and proud, but a sudden encounter with a snake strips him of all pride. He realises that, despite our intelligence and dreams, we are powerless in front of nature. It teaches that true wisdom comes from humility and awareness of our limitations. The story also hints at how people learn important lessons from difficult or frightening experiences. It encourages us to be self-aware and grounded rather than being carried away by shallow desires.
✅ 46–50: Value-Based Questions and Answers
46. What lesson does the story give about pride and humility?
🟩 The story shows that pride based on looks or intelligence is meaningless when faced with real challenges. True strength lies in humility and self-awareness.
47. Why is self-reflection important, as shown in the story?
🟦 The mirror symbolises reflection—both physical and emotional. The doctor realises his faults and fears, learning from the experience. It teaches us to think beyond surface-level beauty.
48. How does fear bring out true human emotions?
🟥 Fear strips away pride and pretence. The narrator forgets his fantasies and becomes aware of his smallness in the face of danger. It reveals his honest, vulnerable side.
49. What moral lesson does the story give to young readers?
🟨 It teaches not to be overconfident or vain. We must respect life and accept that not everything is in our control. Simplicity and gratitude matter more than appearance.
50. How can humour be used to share life lessons effectively?
🟧 Humour, like in this story, keeps the reader engaged while also delivering deeper messages. It makes learning enjoyable and helps us remember the lessons more clearly.