A Baker from Goa

A Baker from Goa

Glimpses of India Extra Questions and Answers Short Answer Type

Question 1.

Who are Poders and how did they herald their arrival?

Answer:

The bakers of Goa are known as ‘Poders’. The thud and jingle of the traditional baker’s bamboo are the signals of their arrival in the morning. When the writer was a child, the jingling thud of the baker’s bamboo used to wake him up.

Question 2.

What role did the baker play in the childhood of the narrator?

Answer:

The baker played a very important role in the childhood of the narrator. He used to be a companion, friend and guide for the narrator. Every day the narrator was woken up by him. He used to get sweet bread and delicious loaves from the baker.

Question 3.

How was the arrival of the baker special?

Answer:

The arrival of the baker was very special. He made his musical entry with the ‘Jhang jhang’ sound of his specially made bamboo stick. One hand supported the basket on his head and the other banged the bamboo on the ground. He wore a peculiar dress called ‘Kabai’. They also wore a shirt and trousers which were shorter than full length and longer than half pants.

Question 4.

What justification does the narrator give for not brushing his teeth?

Answer:

The narrator is a child who did not brush his teeth or wash his face or mouth properly. He did not think it necessary. He justified his action by saying that a tiger never brushed his teeth. Hot tea could wash and clean up everything nicely. So, there was no need for washing the mouth or brushing teeth.

Question 5.

How did the baker attract the children?

Answer:

The jingling thud of bakers’ bamboo used to attract the children. They were fond of sweet bread bangles which were specially made for them. The typical fragrance of the sweet bread and cakes attracted the children and they never missed them.

Question 6.

What is the role of bread on the occasion of marriage?

Answer:

On the occasion of marriage, gifts are exchanged. Marriage gifts are meaningless without the sweet bread known as the ‘bol’. Every mother in the family prepares bread, cake and loaves on the occasion of her daughter’s engagement.

Question 7.

What is the role of a baker in a Goan village?

Answer:

A baker played a very important role in the lives of the people of Goa. They are essential for a village. No function, no festival, no party was possible in the absence of a baker. The baker supplied loaves and cakes on these occasions. Some special bread and cakes are also prepared by them for some special occasion.

Question 8.

Describe ‘kabai’. What is its importance for a baker?

Answer:

‘Kabai’ is a unique peculiar dress of a baker. It is a single-piece long frock reaching down to the knees. It is the ‘kabai’ that distinguishes a baker from others.

Question 9.

How did the bakers maintain their accounts?

Answer:

The bakers used to collect their bills at the end of the month. Monthly accounts were recorded on some wall in pencil.

Question 10.

Why is a jackfruit-like physical appearance compared to a baker?

Answer:

Baking was a profitable business. Most of the bakers were prosperous. Their servants and family members were healthy and happy. Their plump physique was an open testimony to their prosperity. They looked like a jack-fruit.

Question 11.

What do the elders in Goa still love to remember?

Answer:

The elders in Goa still love to remember the good old Portuguese days, the Portuguese and their famous loaves of bread. The Portuguese might have left but their art of baking is still carried as a tradition.

P O S I + I V E - SOME SOCIAL RULES THAT MAY HELP YOU:

P O S I + I V E . · SOME SOCIAL RULES THAT MAY HELP YOU: 

 1. Don’t call someone more than twice continuously. If they don’t pick up your call, presume they have something important to attend to; 

 2. Return money that you have borrowed even before the person that borrowed you remember or ask for it. It shows your integrity and character. The same goes for umbrellas, pens and lunch boxes. 

 3. Never order the expensive dish on the menu when someone is giving you a lunch/dinner. 

 4. Don’t ask awkward questions like ‘Oh so you aren’t married yet?’ Or ‘Don’t you have kids’ or ‘Why didn’t you buy a house?’ Or why don't you buy a car? For God’s sake it isn’t your problem; 

 5. Always open the door for the person coming behind you. It doesn’t matter if it is a guy or a girl, senior or junior. You don’t grow small by treating someone well in public; 

 6. If you take a taxi with a friend and he/she pays now, try paying next time; 

 7. Respect different shades of opinions. Remember what's 6 to you will appear 9 to someone facing you. Besides, a second opinion is good for an alternative; 

 8. Neverinterrupt people talking. Allow them to pour it out. As they say, hear them all and filter them all; 

 9. If you tease someone, and they don’t seem to enjoy it, stop it and never do it again. It encourages one to do more and it shows how appreciative you're; 

 10. Say “thank you” when someone is helping you. 

 11. Praise publicly. Criticize privately; 

 12. There’s almost never a reason to comment on someone’s weight. Just say, “You look fantastic.” If they want to talk about losing weight, they will; 

 13. When someone shows you a photo on their phone, don’t swipe left or right. You never know what’s next; 

 14. If a colleague tells you they have a doctors' appointment, don’t ask what it’s for, just say "I hope you’re okay". Don’t put them in the uncomfortable position of having to tell you their personal illness. If they want you to know, they'll do so without your inquisitiveness; 

 15. Treat the cleaner with the same respect as the CEO. Nobody is impressed at how rude you can treat someone below you but people will notice if you treat them with respect; 

 16. If a person is speaking directly to you, staring at your phone is rude; 

 17. Never give advice until you’re asked; 

 18. When meeting someone after a long time, unless they want to talk about it, don’t ask them their age and salary; 

 19. Mind your business unless anything involves you directly - just stay out of it; 

 20. Remove your sunglasses if you are talking to anyone in the street. It is a sign of respect. Moreso, eye contact is as important as your speech; and 

 21. Never talk about your riches in the midst of the poor. Similarly, don't talk about your children in the midst of the barren. 

 22.After reading a good message try to say "Thanks for the message". APPRECIATION remains the easiest way of getting what you don't have...