Available Answers

1. 1.

   Are the following statements about the story true or false?

   1. The festival of Vesak is celebrated in honour of lanterns.
   2. Patiya's only family is his grandmother.
   3. The framework of the lantern is made of strips of paper.
   4. The lanterns are lit on the morning of Vesak Day.
   5. All the villagers admired the beauty of the lantern.
2. 2.

   In the story, it is said that Patiya "added the spice to their work". What does this mean, and how does Patiya add spice to their work?

3. 3.

   What are the materials required to build a lantern, and how are Patiya and his Granny able to afford them?

4. 4.

   Why do Patiya and Granny initially find it difficult to cover the lantern in paper? How do they eventually overcome this difficulty?

5. 5.

   Towards the end of the story, Granny says she is happy and quotes these words from Buddha: "If by renouncing some little pleasure a wise man can derive greater pleasure, let him renounce his little pleasure for the greater one." What does this quotation mean, and why does Granny feel so happy?

6. 6.

   Here are a few simple metaphors. For each one, write down

   a. what are the two objects/people being compared, and
   b. what the meaning of this metaphor is.

   1. This building is a maze.
   2. My stomach is on fire.
   3. That pet cat is Sushila's baby.
   4. She is an angel.
   5. Life is a box of Cadbury Celebrations.