📘 THE BEGGAR
By Anton Chekhov
✅ 1–40: Short Question Answers (2–3 lines each with colorful bullets)
- 🔵 Who is the beggar in the story?
The beggar is a man named Lushkoff, who pretends to be a schoolteacher to gain sympathy. - 🟢 Whom does the beggar meet for help?
He meets Sergei, a kind and practical advocate who offers him work instead of charity. - 🟡 What lie does the beggar tell Sergei?
He lies that he was once a schoolteacher and lost his job. - 🔴 What work does Sergei offer Lushkoff?
Sergei offers him the job of chopping wood. - 🔵 Was Lushkoff good at chopping wood?
No, he was weak and lazy, and couldn’t do it properly. - 🟣 Who actually chopped the wood for the beggar?
Sergei’s cook, Olga, chopped the wood for him. - 🟢 How did Olga help the beggar?
She worked on his behalf and also scolded and advised him to be honest. - 🟡 Why did Olga help Lushkoff?
Out of compassion and hope that he would change his ways. - 🔴 Did Lushkoff change eventually?
Yes, he gave up drinking and started working honestly. - 🔵 What job did Lushkoff get later?
He became a notary and earned a good salary. - 🟣 How did Sergei react to Lushkoff’s success?
He was happy and proud of Lushkoff’s transformation. - 🟢 What quality of Sergei helped Lushkoff change?
His firmness, practicality, and kindness encouraged Lushkoff to reform. - 🟡 What was Olga’s role in Lushkoff’s transformation?
Her silent labour and emotional support moved Lushkoff to change. - 🔴 Why did Lushkoff stop drinking?
He was ashamed that Olga was doing his work and was touched by her kindness. - 🔵 Why did Lushkoff not tell Sergei the truth at first?
He thought Sergei would not help him if he revealed he was a drunkard. - 🟣 How many times did Lushkoff visit Sergei’s house?
Several times, whenever he needed work. - 🟢 What lesson did Sergei teach Lushkoff?
That one can earn honestly through hard work. - 🟡 How does the story show the power of compassion?
Olga’s selfless help inspires a complete change in Lushkoff. - 🔴 Was Sergei a kind person?
Yes, though strict, he helped Lushkoff become a better man. - 🔵 What does the beggar finally reveal to Sergei?
That Olga had chopped all the wood for him. - 🟣 Why was Olga’s behaviour special?
Because she helped someone in need without expecting anything in return. - 🟢 What moral value does Olga show?
Compassion, kindness, and silent service. - 🟡 Why did Lushkoff feel ashamed?
He realized someone else was working for him while he lied. - 🔴 What turning point helped Lushkoff change?
Olga’s sacrifice and Sergei’s support made him leave begging. - 🔵 What emotions did Lushkoff express at the end?
Gratitude and guilt for having misused others’ kindness. - 🟣 What kind of story is “The Beggar”?
A realistic story showing the importance of reformation and human values. - 🟢 What does Sergei teach us?
To offer people opportunities to reform, not just sympathy. - 🟡 Why didn’t Olga expose Lushkoff?
She wanted him to feel the guilt and change himself. - 🔴 How does Chekhov portray poverty?
As a condition that can be overcome with support and honesty. - 🔵 What is the setting of the story?
It mostly takes place in Sergei’s house and reflects Russian society. - 🟣 What theme does the story explore?
Redemption, compassion, and the effect of kindness. - 🟢 Why is the story relevant today?
It shows how guidance and compassion can change lives. - 🟡 What does the story say about honesty?
That honesty, though hard, leads to dignity and success. - 🔴 Was Lushkoff thankful to Olga?
Yes, he expressed deep gratitude for her silent help. - 🔵 What message does the author give through Olga?
That unspoken good deeds often bring the biggest change. - 🟣 How did Sergei’s approach differ from charity?
He gave work, not money, encouraging self-respect. - 🟢 What role does guilt play in the story?
It becomes a motivating force for Lushkoff to improve. - 🟡 How does Chekhov make the story emotional?
By showing silent sacrifices and inner transformations. - 🔴 Why did Lushkoff succeed in the end?
Because he embraced change and gave up bad habits. - 🔵 What is the main message of “The Beggar”?
True change comes from within, inspired by kindness and responsibility.
✅ 41–45: Long Answer Questions (100–120 words)
41. How did Sergei and Olga together help Lushkoff change his life?
🟦 Sergei gave Lushkoff a chance to work instead of giving him money. Though Lushkoff was weak and dishonest, Sergei continued offering him work, which the cook Olga secretly did on his behalf. Olga chopped the wood and scolded him for his dishonesty. Over time, Lushkoff was moved by her silent labour and emotional strength. This guilt and kindness encouraged him to change. He stopped drinking, found honest work, and became a notary. The combined effect of Sergei’s firmness and Olga’s compassion led to Lushkoff’s complete transformation.
42. Describe the transformation in Lushkoff’s character. What caused it?
🟩 Lushkoff started as a dishonest beggar who lied to gain sympathy. He had no intention of working and was addicted to alcohol. However, when he was given a chance by Sergei to earn his living, he was helped silently by Olga. Her selfless efforts, combined with her emotional appeals, made him realize his mistakes. He felt ashamed and moved by her compassion. Gradually, he reformed, stopped drinking, and started working honestly. He became a respectable notary. The real reason behind this change was not fear or pressure but genuine emotional transformation caused by silent, sincere help.
43. What does the story tell us about the impact of kindness and compassion?
🟥 “The Beggar” shows how simple acts of kindness and compassion can bring life-changing transformation. Olga, the cook, never preached or punished Lushkoff. Instead, her selfless actions spoke louder than words. She did his work and emotionally appealed to his conscience. Sergei also showed practical kindness by not giving alms but offering work. Together, they restored Lushkoff’s dignity and self-worth. The story proves that real change does not come from force but from heartfelt gestures. It teaches that when we help someone sincerely, we may silently change their life forever.
44. How does Chekhov portray the theme of redemption in the story?
🟨 Chekhov presents redemption through Lushkoff’s journey from being a liar and drunkard to becoming an honest, self-reliant man. Initially, he misused people’s sympathy. However, when offered a chance to work and supported silently by Olga, he gradually realized his faults. He did not reform instantly but was deeply moved by Olga’s labour. Her selfless help awakened his guilt and sense of honour. He gave up alcohol, started working, and became successful. This transformation shows that redemption is possible when someone is guided with kindness, not scorn. The story beautifully illustrates that every person deserves a second chance.
45. Why is Olga considered the real hero of the story?
🟧 Olga is considered the real hero because she was the silent force behind Lushkoff’s transformation. While Sergei offered work, Olga actually did all the tasks given to the beggar. She never complained but continued to help him out of pure compassion. Her emotional scolding and caring attitude deeply affected Lushkoff. She never sought recognition, yet her actions inspired a complete change in a man’s life. By being kind and selfless, she taught him values that sermons couldn’t. Olga’s role emphasizes that quiet support and true kindness can be more powerful than harsh discipline or lectures.
✅ 46–50: Value-Based Questions
46. What moral values can we learn from “The Beggar”?
🟦 Honesty, kindness, compassion, hard work, and the power of transformation.
47. How can silent service impact someone’s life?
🟩 Silent service, like Olga’s, can create guilt and inspiration that motivates real change.
48. What lesson can young readers learn from Lushkoff’s journey?
🟥 That it’s never too late to change and earn dignity through hard work.
49. What does the story say about offering work instead of charity?
🟨 Offering work builds self-respect and leads to long-term improvement.
50. Why should we believe in giving others a second chance?
🟧 Because people can change when shown care, trust, and a chance to prove themselves.