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snake-charmer living nearby. He became the hero of the day. They watched him in great

admiration and decided to reward him adequately.

It had been just five minutes since Dasa was gone when the youngest son cried, "See there!”
Out of a hole in the compound wall, a cobra emerged. It glided along towards the gate, paused
for a moment to look at the people gathered in the verandah with its hood half-opened. It

crawled under the gate and disappeared along a drain. When they recovered from the shock
they asked, “Does it mean that there were two snakes here?" The son murmured: “I wish I
had taken the risk and knocked the water pot from Dasa’s hand. We might have known what
it contained."

Word Power

inmates: people living in a place (house) frantically: in a hurried or excited manner
agitation: excitement or emotional disturbance accusingly: in a blaming manner
seized: took hold of suddenly and forcibly hack: cut
streaming: continuously coming in triumphantly: in a way that shows victory or success
strategy: a detailed plan idler: one who avoids words; spends time in a lazy way
emerged: came out into view murmured: spoke in a low voice
siesta: short nap in the afternoon assembled: gathered
resumed: continued dimiss: remove (from a job)
glided: moved smoothly tucked: to push in the loose end so as to hold tightly
gazed: stared verandah: open space with roof attached to a house
sealed: close securely slab: a large, flat piece of stone or concrete.
pouncing: jumping quickly in order to catch something

Comprehension Skills

A. Choose the right answer.

1. The inmates of the bungalow were at their siesta on a _____________.
a. bright morning b. cool evening c. sunny afternoon

2. The old servant, Dasa was sleeping _____________.

a. in the shed b. in the verandah c. under a tree

3. The old man at the gate was a _____________.

a. hawker b. snake-charmer c. neighbour
4. Dasa appeared before them carrying a _____________.

a. water pot b. long stick c. bag

5. The cobra emerged _____________.

a. out of the drain b. out of a hole c. out of the bushes

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