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RHAPSODY & PRISM
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5 Stories
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DEMO FILE
TABLE OF
CONTENTS
Sl.No. Chapter Names Page
01 Atithi / Guest
02 The Cookie Lady
03 There Will Come Soft Rains
04 Indigo
05 The Medicine Bag
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2
The Cookie Lady
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SUMMARY
Story in Detail
Bernard Surle nee Bubber, a perpetually hungry teenager, after his
school was on his way to see an old lady. He was mocked by a
classmate, Ernie Mill, who was fixing papers for his route. Ernie
laughingly asked him why he visits that old lady. Remaining
indifferent to Ernie’s query, Bernard continued walking and after a
few moments came to the house of the old woman, Mrs Drew.
Mrs Drew was an old lady, who lived in an old dilapidated house.
She would Sit on the porch, looking for somebody to talk to. Only
two men, a postman and a garbage collector used to come to her
house. Her house had an overgrowth of Weeds at the front and
looked like a gray box that was shabby and unpainted with sagging
porch steps. An old weather-beaten rocking chair was placed on
the Porch. As Bernard reached the porch, he could get the
wonderful warm smell of the cookies and his mouth began to
water. As he rang the bell, there was silence for a time but then
Mrs Drew opened the door. She smiled and welcomed him in,
saying he was just in time as the cookies were ready.
Bernard went to the kitchen door and looked in. He could see the
cookies on a blue plate on top of the stove. Mrs Drew served the
cookies with cold milk. Bernard greedily ate the cookies. Mrs
Drew patiently watched him eat the cookies. After Bernard had
finished eating the cookies, he looked towards the kitchen again
at the rest of the cookies. Mrs Drew told him to wait and read
something from his school books. Bernard opened his geography
book and started reading a lesson on Peru from it.
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SUMMARY
As Bernard was reading, Mrs Drew keenly watched him and
reflected on the fact that he had been coming to her for over a
month and how while sitting on her porch, she had lured him by
pointing to the cookies by her rocker. As she was reflecting on
Bernard's visits, she closed her eyes, dozing and listening; she felt
something happening to her. She was beginning to change, her
gray wrinkles and lines were diminishing. As she sat in the chair,
she found herself growing younger and regaining her vigour. She
felt the warm fullness, a breath of warmth inside her cold body for
the first time in years. However, this transformation ended when
Bernard stopped reading and declared that he had to go. Mrs
Drew urged him to visit her again.
When Bernard reached home, he looked totally exhausted, as if
somebody had stolen his energy. His mother May Surle and father
Ralf Surle, realised that he had been always washed out after he
had visited that crazy old lady'. His father forbade him from
visiting the old lady's house. But when Bernard said that he had
promised her that he would come back, his mother allowed him to
visit her one last time.
Next day, Bernard again visited her. Mrs Drew opened the door
and said it was good to see him again. She went into the kitchen to
prepare the cookies as she had not expected him. Bernard sat
down in the living room, waiting for his favourite cookies. Mrs
Drew came back and asked him to read something to her. Before
he started reading, Bernard told her that this would be his last
visit as his father had forbidden him to visit her anymore. Mrs
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SUMMARY
Drew was petrified on hearing this. There was silence. She then
took a book at random and asked him to read from it. She sat
quite close to Bernard and touched his arm. She suddenly felt
Bernard's youthful life energy flow between her fingers, through
her arm. She was being transformed into a young lady, filled with
life, and her body filled out the wrinkles and stoop to regain the
glory of youth. When Bernard stopped reading, she sent him to
the kitchen to enjoy the cookies. She herself went into her
bedroom and gazed into the mirror. She was, for sure, young and
lovely. This time it had not gone away as it happened during
Bernard's previous visit. She then laughed gaily, opened the door
for him and bid him good-bye for the last time.
At home, Bernard's parents were anxiously waiting for him as it
was getting dark and windy outside. As Bernard trudged home, he
felt tired, his head aching and he stopped every few minutes
before moving ahead. He felt the wind hammering at him as he
stopped holding on to a lamp-post. He kept on moving as best he
could but to no avail. When his parents sat down at the dinner
table, they head a faint sound at the door. His father went to the
door and opened it, Something gray and dry was blowing up
against the porch, carried by the wind. He stared at it, but could
not make out that it was their son turned into a bundle of trash.
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The Cookie Lady - MCQs
1. Why did Bernard visit the old lady regularly after school?
(a) To look after her
(b) To provide company to her
(c) To satiate his desire for cookies
(d) To get motherly affection from her.
Answer :- (c) To satiate his desire for cookies
2. On reaching the old lady's house, Bernard's heart began
thudding with anticipation for
(a) meeting the old lady
(b) earning money by doing chores
(c) being able to see the old lady
(d) getting his favourite cookies.
Answer :- (d) getting his favourite cookies.
3. The old lady used to prolong Bernard’s stay in her house by
(a) taking extra time for making the cookies.
(b) asking him to read something to her
(c) telling him stories from the books she had
(d) All of the above.
Answer :- (b) asking him to read something to her
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The Cookie Lady - MCQs
4. Why did the old lady sit on her porch?
(a) To look out for someone to give her company
(b) To siphon away someone's life force to become young again
(c) Both (a) and (b)
(d) To sit in the sun and get warmth.
Answer :- (b) To siphon away someone's life force to become young
again
5. How did the old lady feel a change occurring in her body?
(a) By siphoning away Bernard's life force
(b) By enjoying Bernard's company
(c) By getting inspiration from the books Bernard used to read to
her.
(d) All of the above.
Answer :- (a) By siphoning away Bernard's life force
6. What is suggested by Bernard's act of filling his pockets with
cookies?
(a) His desire to take them home for his parents
(b) His craving for freshly-baked cookies
(c) His desire to please the old lady
(d) His desire to take them for his friend Ernie.
Answer :- (b) His craving for freshly-baked cookies
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The Cookie Lady - MCQs
7. Why did tears blur Mrs Drew's eyes?
(a) To realise the consequences of her sinister plan
(b) Because her youth and vigour had vanished.
(c) To realise that she had annoyed Bernard
(d) To see Bernard had taken away all the cookies.
Answer :- (b) Because her youth and vigour had vanished.
8. How did the old lady react when Bernard told him that it was
his last visit to her house?
(a) She felt dizzy and sat down
(b) She took him into the kitchen
(c) She took a harsh, frightened breath
(d) She began reading something by Trollope.
Answer :- (c) She took a harsh, frightened breath
9. Which figure of speech is used in the line given below?
‘Against the window a fly buzzed.”
(a) Simile
(b) Metaphor
(c) Personification
(d) Onomatopoeia.
Answer :- (d) Onomatopoeia.
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The Cookie Lady - MCQs
10. Why did not Bernard notice the change in Mrs Drew's
appearance?
(a) He was only interested in his cookies
(b) Only Mrs Drew could see it.
(c) She did not allow him to see her by locking herself in her
bedroom
(d)She went outside her house.
Answer :- (a) He was only interested in his cookies
11. Which figure of speech is used in the line given below? ...his
face fat and dull, a dead white.
(a) Simile
(b) Personification
(c) Metaphor
(d) Metonymy.
Answer :- (c) Metaphor
12. What kind of atmosphere has the author created while Bernard
was returning home after visiting the old lady for the last time?
(a) Eerie and grievous
(b) Exciting, full of fun
(c) Hopeful of a new beginning
(d) Joyful and interesting.
Answer :- (b) Exciting, full of fun
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The Cookie Lady - Complete The Sentences
1. Ernie Mill laughed and laughed on seeing Bubber going
towards the old lady's because it had become a routine for
Bubber to go to the old lady's house everyday after school for
satiating his craving for cookies.
2. Bubber's mouth began to water on reaching Mrs Drew's
house because he could smell, the wonderful warm smell of
cookies being prepared by the lady for him.
3. When Bubber had finished eating the cookies, he glanced
towards the kitchen again because he wanted to have the
cookies that were left on the stove in the kitchen.
4. The old lady asked Bubber to stay and talk to her for a
while because she wanted him to sit near her so that she
could experience the wonderful feeling of regaining her
youth which she used to have almost every time he visited
her.
5. When Bernard left Mrs Drew's house after having filled his
pockets with cookies, he felt tired and very dry because he
was the very source of her getting her vigour and youth.
6. Tears blurred the old lady's eyes when Bernard left her
house because she had got transformed into her old self with
faded eyes and withered face.
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The Cookie Lady - Complete The Sentences
7. Bernard always felt washed out, tired and exhausted after
visiting the old lady because she used to suck out his life
force to regain her youth.
8. The sight of a woman drinking a big chocolate soda made
Bernard to increase his pace a little towards his destination
because it made his mouth water and enhanced his craving
for the cookies.
9. The old lady had ad removed the table and the lamp from
the living room because she did not want to have any
obstacle between her and the boy while she would try to suck
out his youthfulness to regain her lost youth.
10. The old lady when she touched her forehead and found
her skin dry and brittle trembled with like old paper because
she would not be able to accomplish her sinister plan of
regaining her youth as Bernard, the very source of her plan,
would not visit her again.
11. When Bernard visited the old lady's house for the last
time, she hurriedly went to her bedroom because she wanted
to check in the mirror if she had really regained her youth.
12. Mrs Drew laughed gaily when she bid good-bye to
Bernard on his last visit to her house because she had
accomplished her sinister plan of sucking out Bernard's life
force to regain her youth.
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The Cookie Lady
Short Question Answers
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Short Question Answers
1. Who was Mrs. Drew? Why did Bernard visit her house
every day after school?
Answer :- Mrs. Drew was an elderly woman who lived alone in
her house, characterized by her warm and seemingly kind
demeanor. She became known in the neighborhood for her
delicious homemade cookies. Bernard, a young boy, visited her
house every day after school because she invited him in and
offered him these cookies. For Bernard, Mrs. Drew's house was
a place of comfort and treats. The allure of the cookies and the
kind hospitality from Mrs. Drew made her home an attractive
place for Bernard to spend his time after school. Initially, it
seemed like an innocent and generous gesture from an elderly
lady, but it eventually became clear that Mrs. Drew had a more
sinister motive behind her kindness.
2. How did Mrs. Drew lure Bernard into her trap? Why did
she do so?
Answer :- Mrs. Drew lured Bernard into her trap by appealing
to his love for cookies and by offering him a warm and inviting
place to visit every day after school. She used her baking skills
and the comforting atmosphere of her home to gain his trust
and make him feel welcome. As a lonely and unsuspecting
child, Bernard was easily enticed by the promise of cookies
and the seemingly friendly attention from Mrs. Drew. Her
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motive was far from benign; she was using the cookies as bait
to exploit Bernard. Mrs. Drew’s sinister intent was to absorb
his youthful vitality and life force. By enticing Bernard to come
to her house regularly, she created opportunities to drain his
energy, ultimately rejuvenating herself at his expense.
3. What changes did Mrs. Drew notice in herself for the first
time when Bernard sat near her and read from his
Geography book?
Answer :- When Bernard sat near Mrs. Drew and read from his
Geography book, she noticed a significant change in herself for
the first time. She began to feel rejuvenated and energized, a
stark contrast to her usual state of fatigue and aging. This
newfound vitality manifested in subtle yet noticeable ways,
such as a sense of liveliness and a reduction in the physical
manifestations of her old age. The proximity to Bernard and
his youthful energy had a direct, invigorating effect on her.
This change reinforced her determination to continue luring
Bernard to her home, as she realized that his presence and
vitality could effectively reverse the aging process for her,
albeit at a terrible cost to the boy.
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4. How did Bernard's parents react when he came back home
totally exhausted?
Answer :- When Bernard returned home totally exhausted, his
parents were deeply concerned and puzzled. They noticed the
stark contrast in his behavior and energy levels compared to
how he used to be before he started visiting Mrs. Drew
regularly. Initially, they might have attributed his exhaustion to
typical childhood activities or perhaps overexertion from
school and play. However, as Bernard's fatigue became more
pronounced and persistent, their concern grew. They likely
questioned him about his daily activities and sought
explanations for his unusual tiredness. Their worry reflected
their growing suspicion that something was seriously wrong,
but they were unaware of the true, sinister cause behind
Bernard's condition.
5. Explain briefly how the Cookie Lady accomplished her
sinister motive?
Answer :- The Cookie Lady, Mrs. Drew, accomplished her
sinister motive by using her homemade cookies as bait to lure
Bernard to her house regularly. Each visit, she subtly drained
his life force and vitality by having him spend time close to her,
particularly when he sat near her and read from his Geography
book. This close proximity allowed her to absorb his youthful
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energy, gradually rejuvenating herself while leaving Bernard
increasingly exhausted. Over time, the cumulative effect of
these visits took a significant toll on Bernard's health and
energy levels, as Mrs. Drew siphoned off his life force to
reverse the effects of her own aging. This parasitic relationship
allowed her to regain a semblance of youth and vitality at the
expense of the unsuspecting boy.
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The Cookie Lady
Long Question Answers
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Long Question Answers
1. Describe the character of Mrs. Drew as portrayed in the
story, The Cookie Lady.
Answer :- Mrs. Drew is portrayed as a complex and sinister
character in Philip K. Dick's short story, "The Cookie Lady." On
the surface, she appears to be a kind and generous elderly
woman who bakes cookies and invites young Bernard to her
home. Her initial portrayal is that of a lonely old lady seeking
companionship, which makes her seem benign and harmless.
However, as the story unfolds, the true nature of Mrs. Drew is
revealed. She is a manipulative and predatory figure who uses
her innocent appearance to lure Bernard into a trap. Her
primary motivation is to rejuvenate herself by draining the life
force of the young boy. This dark, vampiric aspect of her
character starkly contrasts with her outwardly warm
demeanor. Mrs. Drew's actions are calculated and methodical;
she creates an environment of trust and comfort for Bernard,
all the while with the sinister intent of exploiting his vitality for
her own gain. Her character embodies a chilling duality,
juxtaposing the facade of a benevolent old woman with the
reality of a life-draining predator. This dual nature not only
adds depth to her character but also heightens the horror and
suspense of the story, making her a truly memorable and
disturbing antagonist.
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Long Question Answers
2. “Bernard became a victim of his temptations.” Explain the
above statement in a paragraph of about 200-250 words with
reference to the story, ‘The Cookie Lady.”
Answer :- The statement "Bernard became a victim of his
temptations" is a poignant reflection of Bernard’s tragic fate in
"The Cookie Lady." Bernard is a young boy drawn to Mrs.
Drew’s house by the allure of delicious cookies. His innocent
desire for these treats represents a simple, childlike
temptation. However, this seemingly harmless temptation
becomes the catalyst for his downfall. Bernard's daily visits to
Mrs. Drew's house, driven by his love for cookies and the
attention from the elderly woman, blind him to the underlying
danger. Mrs. Drew uses his temptation against him, exploiting
his naivety and trust. Bernard's inability to resist the cookies
and the comfort of Mrs. Drew’s home leads him into a trap
where he becomes increasingly drained of his energy and
vitality. His physical and emotional exhaustion are direct
consequences of his repeated indulgence in the temptation of
the cookies. This situation underscores the theme of how
seemingly innocuous desires can lead to devastating
consequences. Bernard’s story is a cautionary tale about the
dangers of succumbing to temptations without considering
the potential risks and the importance of recognizing and
avoiding manipulative influences. In the end, his innocent
cravings turn him into a victim, illustrating the peril that can
lurk behind the fulfillment of simple desires.
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Long Question Answers
3. What do you think would have happened to the Cookie
Lady after Bernard's last visit to her house? Write your
answer in about 250-300 words.
Answer :- After Bernard’s last visit to Mrs. Drew’s house, the
trajectory of events likely continues to unfold in a grim and
unsettling manner. Given the story’s horror genre and the
established pattern of Mrs. Drew’s behavior, it can be inferred
that her rejuvenation through Bernard’s life force is temporary
and requires a continuous supply of youthful energy to
maintain. With Bernard’s increasing exhaustion and eventual
disappearance, the vitality she has drawn from him may begin
to wane. As her sinister method of sustaining herself relies on
new victims, Mrs. Drew would likely start seeking another
unsuspecting child to lure into her trap. The ephemeral nature
of the rejuvenation she experiences suggests that she is
trapped in a perpetual cycle of predation, constantly needing
new sources of life force to stave off her natural aging. This
dependence on harming others for her own survival highlights
the horror of her existence, as she remains bound to a
predatory lifestyle without the possibility of genuine renewal.
Additionally, Bernard’s disappearance might raise suspicions
among his family and the community. If investigated, there is a
chance that Mrs. Drew’s dark secret could be uncovered,
leading to potential consequences for her actions. However,
considering the supernatural elements of the story, it is also
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Long Question Answers
plausible that Mrs. Drew has ways of covering her tracks and
evading suspicion, allowing her to continue her predatory
existence undetected. Ultimately, Mrs. Drew’s fate is one of
relentless pursuit of life at the cost of others, reinforcing the
story’s chilling exploration of the lengths to which some will go
to cheat death and the inevitable moral and ethical decay that
accompanies such actions.
4. How can you conclude that "The Cookie Lady" is a horror
story?
Answer :- "The Cookie Lady" can be concluded as a horror
story through several key elements that Philip K. Dick
masterfully weaves into the narrative. Firstly, the gradual
revelation of Mrs. Drew’s true nature creates a sense of dread
and unease. Initially presented as a kind, elderly woman, Mrs.
Drew’s transformation into a sinister predator who drains the
life force of children introduces a horrifying and supernatural
aspect to the story. The concept of an innocent, everyday
scenario—a boy visiting an old lady for cookies—turning into
something malevolent plays into the genre’s hallmark of
subverting the familiar to evoke fear. Secondly, the story’s
atmosphere contributes significantly to its classification as
horror. The seemingly ordinary setting of Mrs. Drew’s home
becomes a place of hidden dangers and dark secrets,
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Long Question Answers
enhancing the story's suspense. Bernard’s growing exhaustion
and the ominous hints about Mrs. Drew’s intentions create a
mounting tension that keeps readers on edge. Thirdly, the
theme of innocence corrupted by evil is central to many
horror stories. Bernard, an innocent child, falls victim to Mrs.
Drew’s dark powers, highlighting the vulnerability of the
innocent in the face of malevolent forces. The emotional and
physical toll on Bernard, culminating in his ultimate fate,
underscores the story’s grim and unsettling nature. Lastly, the
story’s ending, with Bernard’s fate and the implication of Mrs.
Drew seeking new victims, leaves a lasting impression of fear
and foreboding. The unresolved nature of the threat she poses
ensures that the horror extends beyond the immediate story,
lingering in the minds of the readers. These elements
collectively establish "The Cookie Lady" as a compelling and
disturbing example of the horror genre.
5. Imagine you are Bernard. Describe your last visit to Mrs.
Drew's house.
Answer :- As Bernard, my last visit to Mrs. Drew’s house
started like any other day, with the promise of delicious
cookies and a warm welcome. Yet, this visit felt different, with
an undercurrent of something I couldn't quite place. Mrs.
Drew greeted me with her usual smile, but her eyes seemed
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Long Question Answers
more intense, more expectant. I sat down with my Geography
book, and she handed me a plate of my favorite cookies. As I
began to read aloud, I felt a strange fatigue wash over me,
stronger than before. My vision blurred, and my head felt
heavy. Mrs. Drew sat closer than usual, her presence almost
oppressive. I could sense an unnatural energy emanating from
her, as if she were drawing something vital from me. Despite
my exhaustion, I continued to read, feeling an unspoken
pressure to stay. My limbs grew weak, and I struggled to keep
my eyes open. Mrs. Drew’s face seemed to glow with a
renewed vitality, a stark contrast to my own deteriorating
state. I wanted to leave, but I felt trapped by an invisible force,
my body too drained to move. As the minutes ticked by, my
consciousness began to fade, the room spinning around me. I
vaguely remember Mrs. Drew’s hand reaching out, cold and
clammy, yet somehow imbued with a sinister energy. The last
thing I saw was her face, no longer the kind, elderly woman I
had known, but a mask of predatory satisfaction. Darkness
engulfed me, and I knew, deep down, that I would not return
home the same, if at all. My last visit to Mrs. Drew’s house was
the culmination of a sinister trap, where innocence was
consumed by an insatiable hunger, leaving nothing but a
hollow shell of what once was.
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