1. Paderewski was a rich man gifted with an ear for music. With his aptitude and with the help of tutors, in time, he became a great musician.

Question

TRUE GREATNESS

Read the following passage carefully and answer the questions that follow.

1. Paderewski was a rich man gifted with an ear for music. With his aptitude and with the help of tutors, in time, he became a great musician. He was a wizard with the violin. People thronged to hear his recitals, critics acknowledged him as a master violinist. He accepted the laurels heaped on him because he knew and realized the power of his music. Alas, success had made him proud. He felt that he was the only musician who could translate any emotion or render any tune on his violin. One day, while out on a morning walk in the woods he sat on a stone to admire nature. He felt that nature was all set to teach him a new tune of divine joy. The wind caused a gentle rustle of leaves and it seemed like the opening bars of a symphony. A few twigs fell, striking a strong note. There was a pause – a hush. Then a tiny sparrow started trilling a sweet song of gratitude to its maker, lifting its heart to heaven. The music of the swaying flowers and the enchanting song of the unassuming singer lulled and soothed the musician. It stirred the innermost recesses of his heart. He knew that he must render the same piece of music on his violin. The song ended and the bird flew away.

2. The musician jumped up, elated. He rushed home excited. What a great tune nature had presented to him. He would render it on his violin for his performance that very evening. Evening came and the music hall was packed. Paderewski went on stage and bowed to the audience. The accompanist played the opening bars. People waited with bated breath to catch the first notes of the great master. The artist smiled loftily and drew his bow lightly across the strings. But something unexpected had happened. He had forgotten the song of the bird completely. The tune he had heard only that morning had gone out of his mind. Irritated, he tried again but only succeeded in making a few screeching noises. The audience grew restless. Some even laughed. Paderewski felt humiliated and angered. He flung the violin; it smashed against the wall and broke. Paderewski looked up dejected. The hall was empty. He had paid a heavy price for his vanity. Tears flowing he realized that even the humble sparrow was greater than he. The greatness of a person is not measured by the talents he or she has. It is not measured by the position one holds. It is never measured by the popularity or clout one has. It is measured by one‘* humility and good deeds.

a) What was reason of Paderewski‘* success as a musician?

b) How did the laurels affect him?

c) What was the nature set to teach Paderewski?

d)Why could Paderewski not play those soothing and refreshing notes on his violin?

e) What lulled and soothed the musician?

f) How did he react to his ***?

g)How did Paderewski pay a heavy price for his vanity?

h)What did Paderewski learn from that incident?

Answer 1

(a) People thronged to hear his recitals and critics acknowledged him as a master violinist.

(b) He became proud and felt that he was the only musician who could translate any emotion or render any tune on his violin.

(c) The nature was set to teach him a new tune of divine joy.

(d) Because he forgot the song of the bird as he was conscious of the power of his music.

(e) The music of the swaying flowers and the enchanting song of the unassuming singer lulled and soothed the musician.

(f) He felt humiliated and *****. He threw the violin away.

(g) He paid a price for being vain due to failing in his effort to play the bird‘* notes and facing disgrace.

(h) From that incident Paderewski learnt that the greatness of a person is not measured by the talents he or she has. It is not measured by the position one holds. It is never measured by the popularity or clout one has. It is measured by one‘* humility and good deeds.