Exam-oriented note for Chapter 5: The Snake and the Mirror from English Beehive – Class IX, with a point-wise summary and detailed Q&A:

Chapter 5: The Snake and the Mirror

Author: Vaikom Muhammad Basheer

Point-wise Summary

• The story is narrated by a doctor who recalls a frightening yet humorous incident from his past.
• One night, he was alone in his rented room, reading and admiring himself in the mirror.
• He was fascinated by his looks and dreamt of becoming a rich, handsome doctor married to a beautiful woman.
• Suddenly, a snake fell from the roof and coiled itself around his arm.
• The snake seemed to look into the mirror too and became distracted by its reflection.
• Slowly, the snake moved away and landed on the writer’s lap, then on the floor.
• Taking advantage of the moment, the doctor ran out of the house and spent the night elsewhere.
• The next morning, he returned to find all his belongings stolen, except for his dirty vest.

Theme

• Human vanity and the illusion of control
• Unexpected dangers of life
• Humour mixed with suspense
• Irony of human pride brought low by a simple snake

Word Meanings

• Meagre – Small or insufficient
• Resigned – Gave up voluntarily
• Tempted – Attracted to do something
• Flee – Run away quickly
• Tremor – Slight shaking or fear

Important Questions and Answers

1. What was the doctor doing before the snake appeared?
He was sitting in his chair, admiring himself in the mirror, and dreaming about a rich and beautiful life partner.

2. How did the doctor react when the snake landed on him?
He froze with fear and sat still, not moving a muscle. He was terrified and could only pray silently.

3. What did the snake do that surprised the doctor?
Instead of biting him, the snake looked into the mirror as if admiring its own reflection, and eventually moved off gently.

4. What did the doctor do after the snake moved away?
He took the chance to run out of the room immediately and spent the night at a friend’s house.

5. What happened when the doctor returned the next morning?
He found that his room had been robbed. All his belongings were gone except for his dirty vest.

6. What is the irony in the story?
The doctor thought highly of himself and his looks, but a mere snake made him realize his helplessness and stripped him of all pride—literally and symbolically.

7. What lesson does the story teach us?
It teaches us not to be vain and overconfident. Life is unpredictable, and humility is more valuable than pride.

8. How does the author create humour in the story?
He narrates the story with a light tone, uses self-deprecating humour, and presents serious events in a way that feels both thrilling and funny.

9. Why is the title “The Snake and the Mirror” appropriate?
It highlights the two main symbols of the story—the snake as a symbol of danger and fear, and the mirror representing vanity and self-obsession.

Would you like to continue with Poem 5: A Legend of the Northland next?