Chapter 4.6 – Papa Panov’s Special Christmas

Maharashtra Board Textbook Solutions – Standard Seven

📖 In Between the Lesson

Q1. In the little village, what shows that it is Christmas time?

Ans: The children were excited, and there were sounds of chatter and laughter in the houses. The happiness all around, the bright lights, and the smell of Christmas cooking showed that it was Christmas time in the little village.

🤔 Think and Answer

Q2. Did Papa Panov have a shop away from his home?

Ans: No, Papa Panov’s shop and home were the same.

Q3. Did he live alone? Why?

Ans: Yes, he lived alone because his wife and children were dead.

Q4. What do the ‘laughter wrinkles’ tell us?

Ans: The ‘laughter wrinkles’ tell us that Papa Panov was a happy and cheerful person who smiled and laughed often.

Q5. What tells us that Papa Panov is a kind person?

Ans: Papa Panov thought that if Mary, Joseph, and baby Jesus had come to his house, he would have given them his bed and covered the baby with his quilt. He also invited the miserable sweeper into his house and gave him hot coffee. These actions show that he was kind-hearted.

Q6. Why is the small box dusty?

Ans: The small box contained a perfect pair of tiny leather shoes. It had been kept high up on a shelf for a long time, so it had gathered dust.

Q7. What thoughts did Papa Panov have before he fell asleep?

Ans: He felt sad that he had no gift for baby Jesus. Then he thought of giving the tiny leather shoes, which were the best shoes he had ever made.

Q8. Were they related to his dream?

Ans: Yes, his thoughts were related to his dream.

Q9. Did Papa Panov believe in his dream?

Ans: Yes, Papa Panov believed in his dream.

Q10. In what forms did Papa Panov imagine Jesus to visit him?

Ans: He imagined that Jesus might come as a little baby, a grown man who was a carpenter, or even as a great king.

Q11. Have you ever noticed how some people have to work even on festivals? Who are they?

Ans: People such as sweepers, doctors, policemen, bus drivers, conductors, taxi drivers, and shopkeepers selling essential goods have to work even on festivals.

Q12. Why did Papa Panov give hot coffee to the sweeper?

Ans: The sweeper was cold and miserable as he had to work on Christmas morning. Papa Panov felt sorry for him and gave him hot coffee to keep him warm.

Q13. Why did he tell the sweeper about his dream?

Ans: The sweeper noticed Papa Panov looking out of the window and asked if he was expecting someone. So Papa Panov told him about his dream.

Q14. Why did the sweeper smile?

Ans: The sweeper smiled because he was grateful for the kindness and warmth he received from Papa Panov.

Q15. What does the way the girl walked suggest?

Ans: It suggests that she was very tired and sad.

Q16. Guess the meaning of the following:

(i) “You both need a warm by the fire and a rest.”
Ans: You both need to sit near the fire, get warm, and take some rest.

(ii) The young mother let him shepherd her indoors.
Ans: The young mother allowed him to guide her into the house.

Q17. Why did Papa Panov give the shoes to the baby though he had been keeping them for Jesus?

Ans: He saw that the baby’s feet were cold and bare. Since the mother could not afford shoes, he gave them to the baby out of kindness.

Q18. How does the author show that Papa Panov was disappointed?

Ans: After waiting all day, he shut the window shutters and sat down wearily in his armchair. These actions show that he felt disappointed.

Q19. How does the author describe Papa Panov’s happiness?

Ans: The author says that peace and happiness filled the room and his heart. He felt like singing, laughing, and dancing with joy.

📌 POINTERS

1️⃣ Homophones (Words that Sound the Same)

No – Know
Dear – Deer
Here – Hear
Went – Vent
Pair – Pear
Knew – New
Through – Threw
Soul – Sole
Whole – Hole

2️⃣ Correct the Sentences

(1) The best shoes that Papa Panov had made were a pair of lady’s shoes.

Ans: The best shoes that Papa Panov had made were a pair of baby’s shoes.

(2) Papa Panov gave hot soup to the sweeper, milk to the young mother and coffee to the beggars.

Ans: Papa Panov gave hot coffee to the sweeper, milk to the baby, and hot soup to the beggars.

(3) By afternoon, Papa Panov had stopped looking out for Jesus.

Ans: Papa Panov stopped looking for Jesus after dusk fell.

(4) Papa Panov saw the sweeper, the young mother and the beggars he had helped only once in the morning.

Ans: Papa Panov saw the sweeper, the young mother and her baby, and the beggars once again at night.

(5) Jesus had actually visited Papa Panov only once on Christmas Eve.

Ans: Jesus had visited Papa Panov many times on Christmas Day.

3️⃣ Character Sketch of Papa Panov

Papa Panov was an old shoemaker who lived alone after losing his wife and children. He was cheerful, kind-hearted, and generous. He felt sympathy for those in trouble and always helped them. He believed in his dream and understood its true meaning. In the end, he felt happy and content because he realised that serving others is the same as serving God.

4️⃣ Interpretation of the Story

The story teaches us that we should help people who are in need. When we show kindness and compassion to others, we are truly serving God.

5️⃣ Similar Stories

Students should write about a similar story from their own language in brief.

6️⃣ Cold Winters in Russia

Winters in Russia are extremely severe. Temperatures often fall below –10°C and may even drop to –50°C in places like Siberia. There is heavy snowfall and strong frost. Despite the harsh weather, many festivals are celebrated during winter.

7️⃣ Hardest Season in My Locality

In my locality, summer is the hardest season. The poor and homeless people need shelter, clean drinking water, light clothing, and protection from the heat. They may also need food and medicines to stay healthy.