Kanna Panna
by Zai Whitaker (Cambridge Connection English)
Comprehension
A. Answer the questions briefly.
1. Who was Kanna Panna?
= Kanna Panna was a little blind boy and the narrator of this story.
2. What was he always ordered to do by his parents?
= His parents always ordered him to raise his head, tuck his shirt, straighten his collar, re-do the buttons, not to play with dirt, and many other things.
3. Name his cousins.
= The name of his cousins are - Selvi and Mohan.
B. Answer the questions.
1. What could Kanna do in his mind?
= Kanna could play with words and rhyme words in his mind.
2. Where did Kanna go for some days?
= Kanna went to his Chithi's(aunt; mother's younger sister) house for some days.
3. Did he enjoy himself there? Why so?
= Yes, he enjoyed himself there.
There were no rules and restrictions. They could do whatever they liked without bothering the aunt and uncle. Kanna did whatever he liked with his cousins. They filled their pockets and mouths with sweets, untied the neighbour's cow, played with the goats, got dirty, and enjoyed themselves.
C. Read the lines and answer the questions.
1. "Is that all you say to the child? Do this, do that? Don't you ever talk to him normally?"
a. Who said this and to whom?
= Kanna's Chithi, his mother's younger sister, said this to his mother.
b. Why did she say this?
= She said this because Kanna's mother always used to order his to do something or the other. Chithi did not like the way she treated Kanna.
c. Was she correct in saying this?
= Yes, she was correct in saying this. Kanna was a blind boy. Kanna's parents always over treated him saying something or the other. They did not talk to him normally. They did not let him be like himself.
2. "Chithappa decided we would go to the cave temples nearby. And that was the day my life changed."
a. Who said this?
= Kanna said this.
b. What did the speaker do that changed his life?
= The speaker brought the members of his aunt's family out of the dark temple by directing and guiding them.
c. What change did it bring in his life?
= Kanna was a least speaking boy. But that incident made him a talkative boy. He started to talk more.
3. "Lights on or off, as if it made any difference to me."
a. Who thought this and when?
= Kanna thought this when they were inside the dark cave temple during the power cut.
b. Why did the speaker think this?
= The speaker thought this because he could made his way in the dark by touching the things around as he was a blind boy. His body knew how to get out of that place.
c. How did the speaker help others?
= The speaker told them to hold his hands and follow him to get out of the dark cave temple during the power cut.
D. Think and answer.
1. When did you first realise that Kanna couldn't see? Quote lines from the text to support your answer.
= During the morning break in school, Kanna tripped over something in the playground and landed on Murugan, making him fall as well. Murugan became angry. He asked whether Kanna could not see. Then Kanna answered that he could not see. At that time I first realised that Kanna couldn't see.
The supportive lines from the text are -
"Can't you see?" he shouted angrily.
"No, I can't," I answered.
I wickedly enjoyed his shocked silence.
"AyyAA- so... so sorry..."
2. Did the fact surprise you that Kanna couldn't see? Give reasons for your answer.
= Yes, the fact surprised me that Kanna couldn't see. There was no proper indication about that fact from the beginning of the story. In the middle of the story, there was a slightest indication when Kanna said that he is indifferent to lights on or off. His body knew how to get out. This was not enough to understand the fact that he is blind.
3. Do you think we should behave differently with people like Kanna? Why so?
= Yes, I think we should of course behave differently with people like Kanna.
Because they have much much more difficulties to lead a normal daily life. We should not add more difficulties to their lives. Rather we should be compassionate towards them and spread helping hand and be their friend.
4. How did the incident at the cave help Kanna? Why do you think it helped him?
= Kanna was a less talkative boy since his childhood. He did not speak much. Worlds played inside his head. He used to obey the endless orders of his parents. He led his life in the injunction of his parents. He went to his aunt's house. His uncle took them to the nearby cave temple. Co-incidentally, there was a power cut while being in the temple. It was pitch dark. All the other were fearing of being trapped inside the temple. Kanna told them to hold his hand and follow him out of the temple. While doing so, Kanna talked a lot all the way out. He got the confidence or habit of talking.
Yes, I think it helped him a lot. Being a blind boy, he could merely express his feelings and know the world. It helped him to be more expressive and get to know the world and make friends.
About the Author :
Zai Whitaker writes about wildlife and conservation. She has been very active in protecting reptiles, working in the Snake Park and Crocodile Bank in Chennai. Zai enjoys writing fiction, non-fiction and poetry. If you have enjoyed this story, perhaps you can also read Cobra in My Kitchen, Wings to Fly, The Life of Malathi Holla, and other delightful books.