Chapter 8: A Game of Chance

Textbook Questions and Answers for "A Game of Chance"

I. Answer the following questions in a few words or one-two sentences.

1. When and where was the big fair held?

   The big fair was held during the Id festival in Rasheed's village.

2. What was the name of the special shop at the fair?

   The special shop at the fair was called the "Lucky Shop."

3. How many discs did a player have to pick in the "Lucky Shop"?

   A player had to pick six discs from the box.

4. Who tried their luck first in the "Lucky Shop" that Rasheed observed?

   An old man tried his luck first in the "Lucky Shop" that Rasheed observed.

5. What did Rasheed lose in the "Lucky Shop"?

   Rasheed lost all his money, about twenty-five rupees, in the "Lucky Shop."

6. Who explained the trick of the "Lucky Shop" to Rasheed?

   Rasheed's uncle explained the trick of the "Lucky Shop" to him.

II. Answer each question in a short paragraph (approx. 30 words).

1. Why did Rasheed's uncle leave him with the servant at the fair?

   Rasheed's uncle left him with the servant because he had to meet some friends, but he warned Rasheed not to buy anything expensive or go to dubious places.

2. What was the trick used by the shopkeeper to lure customers?

   The shopkeeper used his friends (an old man and a boy) to pretend to win big prizes, making it look easy and tempting, thus luring innocent customers like Rasheed to play and lose their money.

3. How did the onlookers contribute to Rasheed losing his money?

   The onlookers, who were actually the shopkeeper's accomplices, kept encouraging Rasheed, telling him his luck was about to turn, which made him continue playing and losing money.

4. What valuable lesson did Rasheed learn from his experience at the fair?

   Rasheed learned a valuable lesson: never to trust strangers and never to be lured by the false promise of getting something for nothing, especially in games of chance where tricks are common.

III. Answer each question in two or three paragraphs (100–150 words).

1. Describe the game played in the "Lucky Shop" and how the shopkeeper manipulated it to trick people.

   The "Lucky Shop" presented a game of chance where customers paid 50 paise to pick six numbered discs from a box. These numbers were then added up, and the sum corresponded to an article displayed in the shop. The apparent simplicity and the promise of a "big lot" attracted many visitors. However, the game was meticulously manipulated by the shopkeeper. He employed accomplices, such as an old man and a young boy, who pretended to be ordinary customers. These accomplices would initially win small, undesirable items and then "generously" return them to the shopkeeper, who would then pretend to offer them a chance for a bigger prize.

   This deception created an illusion of fairness and the possibility of winning substantial rewards, especially when the accomplices would finally "win" valuable items, making others believe that their luck was just around the corner. The shopkeeper would also use encouraging words, telling players like Rasheed that their luck was about to change. This psychological manipulation, combined with the gradual loss of money and the hope of recovering it, made innocent people like Rasheed continue playing until they had lost all their money. The entire setup was a well-orchestrated trick designed to exploit the greed and naivety of the customers.

2. What role did Rasheed's uncle play in the story, and what did he teach Rasheed?

   Rasheed's uncle played the role of a responsible guardian and a wise mentor in the story. Initially, he showed trust in Rasheed by allowing him to visit the fair with the servant while he attended to his own matters. He also gave Rasheed a clear warning not to buy anything expensive or venture into questionable areas, demonstrating his foresight and concern for the boy's safety and well-being. This initial guidance, though simple, set the stage for the lesson Rasheed was about to learn independently.

   Upon returning, when he saw Rasheed's sad face and heard about his losses at the "Lucky Shop," the uncle did not scold or rebuke him. Instead, he calmly and patiently explained the intricate trick behind the game. He revealed that the old man and the boy were not real winners but confederates of the shopkeeper, strategically playing roles to entice others. By exposing this deception, the uncle taught Rasheed a crucial life lesson: the importance of not trusting strangers blindly, especially when easy gains are promised, and to be wary of schemes that seem too good to be true. This experience, guided by his uncle's wisdom, became a significant learning moment for Rasheed, protecting him from future deceptions.