The Miracle
by Roald Dahl
Spot the not. Which of the following statements are not true?
Cocoa is made from the seeds of the Theobroma cacao tree. [true]
Theobroma means food of the gods in Greek. [true]
The majority of the world's cocoa beans come from Africa. [true]
Cocoa powder is used to make white chocolate. [true]
The Swiss eat the most chocolate. [true]
Making Connections
Quick Answers
1. A plot is the map of a story. A plot has a beginning, middle and an end. The most exciting or intense part of a story is called the climax. Which of the following sentences is part of the most exciting part of a story?
a. The shopkeeper put Charlie's change on the counter. 'Take it easy', he said. [ ]
b. 'It's a Golden Ticket!' screamed the shopkeeper, leaping about a foot in the air. [✓]
c. 'You know something', the fat shopkeeper said, pause a moment and smiling at Charlie, 'I have a feeling you needed some luck...' [ ]
Reference to context
2. "Charlie went on wolfing down the chocolate. He couldn't stop."
a. What do you think 'wolfing down the chocolate' means?
= I think 'wolfing down the chocolate' means to swallow the chocolates without chewing.
b. Why do you think 'he couldn't stop'?
= I think 'he couldn't stop' because the chocolates were very much tasty and he also had the excitement of if he gets the Golden Ticket. In general, children always stay greedy and thrilled about buying and eating chocolates.
c. How did he feel after eating the bar of chocolate?
= He was quite out of breath while eating the chocolate, but he he felt marvellous and extraordinarily happy too.
3. "Charlie hadn't moved. He hadn't even unwrapped the Golden Ticket from around the chocolate bar."
a. What was happening around Charlie?
= There was a crowd about twenty people clustering around Charlie and many more were pushing their way in from the street. Everybody wanted to get a look at the Golden Ticket and the lucky finder. Somebody was shouting, some were passing their comments.
b. What feeling came over Charlie as he stood there?
= Charlie felt quite dizzy. There was a peculiar floating sensation coming over him, as though he were floating up in the air like a balloon. his feet didn't seem to be touching the ground at all. He could hear his heart thumping away loudly somewhere in his throat.
c. What would Charlie get on finding the Golden Ticket?
= On finding the Golden Ticket, Charlie would get to visit the chocolate factory and get a lifelong supply of chocolate.
Read, reflect and write
4. Why did Charlie go to the shop?
= Charlie went to the shop to buy one Wonka's Whipple-Scrumptious Fudgemallow Delight chocolate and try his luck if he gets the fifth golden Ticket.
5. What was the reaction of the people when they learnt that Charlie had won the Golden Ticket?
= People were excited about the fact that Charlie was the last winner of the five Golden Tickets. They crowded around him and shouting at him to hold the Golden Ticket in his hand, so that they could see it and its golden shine.
A boy was angry with Charlie as he did not get it instead of eating twenty bars a day for weeks and weeks. Another boy was envious of the prizes Charlie would have. A girl mocked him saying that he needed those free chocolates as he was skinny like a little shrimp.
6. Do you think the shopkeeper was a kind man? Give a reason for your answer.
= The shopkeeper was all kind to Charlie. He was watching Charlie eating the chocolates. He was talking to him pleasantly. While Charlie was eating the chocolates in his mouth bulging with chocolate, the shopkeeper warned him that he should eat it easily unless it will give him a tummy ache if he shallows it like that without chewing it.
And finally we see that the shopkeeper became equally excited and happy while Charlie got the Golden Ticket. Then the crowd encircled Charlie and he was in a state of fit. Then the shopkeeper pushed the crowd away and asked them to leave Charlie alone. He also suggested Charlie not to let anybody have the Golden Ticket in exchange of anything. He also said him to run and quickly reach home without lingering anywhere.
7. Why do you think this story is called 'The Miracle'? Suggest another suitable title for it.
= The story is rightly called 'The Miracle'. Charlie did not got any Golden Ticket at the first buy. He had nine five-penny pieces left with him still. Then he decided to have one more Wonka's Whipple-Scrumptious Fudgemallow Delight chocolate. The fat shopkeeper laid the chocolate on the counter and Charlie picked it up and tore off the wrapper.
And suddenly underneath the wrapper he found a brilliant flash of gold which was actually the fifth Golden Ticket. That happened almost like a miracle. I think Charlie himself did not expect this. So the story is very aptly called 'The Miracle'.
Another suitable title for this story would be 'The Golden Ticket'.
8. Was it right of people to offer money to Charlie in exchange for the Golden Ticket? Why do you think so?
= It was not totally wrong to offer money to Charlie in exchange for the Golden Ticket. One Golden Ticket would help anyone to get a visit to the chocolate factory and a lifelong supply of chocolate. This is very tempting to everyone not only for Charlie.
Everybody was eager to get a Golden Ticket and to have those opportunities. They were not forcing or frightening Charlie as he was a kid. They were offering him money in exchange of the Golden Ticket. It was Charlie's decision whether he would give it to them in exchange of money or not.
About the Author:
Roald Dahl (1916-1990) is one of the most well-known authors of fiction for children. He created several lovable characters such as Willy Wonka and BFG (Big Friendly Giant). Apparently, the idea for Charlie and the Chocolate Factory came to him when he was in school. A chocolate company used to send chocolates for the students to eat and test. Dahl used to dream of inventing a new variety of chocolate.