The Piece of String

By Guy De Maupassant

Guy De Maupassant was a French writer known for his masterful short stories and novels, often exploring human nature, social issues, and the complexities of life. His works are characterized by their realistic style, vivid descriptions, and usually ironic twists. Maupassant is considered one of the greatest short story writers in literary history.

The story explores the themes of distrust, reputation, and the power of public opinion. The story revolves around a peasant, Maitre Hauchecorne, who picks up a piece of string from the ground but is later falsely accused of stealing a lost wallet. Despite his efforts to prove his innocence, the villagers refuse to believe him, leading to tragic consequences.

Mcqs from the Text.

1. Why did the people gather at the great big hall?

(a) for a trial (b) for a great meal (c) to attend a concert (d) None of these

2. There were chickens, ___________, and legs of mutton in the roast.

(a) pigeons (b) quail (c) lamb (d) None of these

3. How much money the pocketbook contained?

(a) 500 Shillings (b) 500 pounds (c) 5000 shillings (d) 500 dollars

4. What was the name of the caretaker of the public hall?

(a) Mr. Manana (b) Mr. Hubert (c) Mr. Moupassant (d) Mr. James

5. What was the reward offered for the return of the pocketbook?

(a) 50 shillings (b) 20 shillings (c) 50 dollars (d) 50 pounds

6. The mayor was a ________, serious man.

(a) healthy (b) stout (c) strong (d) thin and lean

7. Who did see Mr. Hubert pick up the pocketbook?

(a) Mr. James (b) Mr. Manana (c) the mayor (d) the police chief

8. Who was Mr. Manana?

(a) the caretaker of the public hall (b) the mayor (c) a businessman (d) the harness man

9. What did Mr. Hubert pick up from the ground?

(a) the pocketbook (b) a piece of paper (c) money lost by Mr. James (d) a piece of string

10. Who did suggest to search Mr. Hubert?

(a) Mr. James (b) the mayor (c) the public prosecutor (d) Mr. Hubert himself

11. What did the mayor finally do to Mr. Hubert?

(a) discharged him (b) charged him of theft (c) imprisoned him (d) None of these

12. What was the people’s reaction to his story of the string?

(a) sympathized with him (b) laughed at him (c) scolded him (d) believed him

13. What did his friends call him?

(a) old rascal (b) liar (c) corrupt (d) honest

14. Who returned the pocketbook and its contents?

(a) Mr. Hubert (b) Mr. Moupassant (c) Mr. Manana (d) Mr. George

15. Where did George find the pocketbook?

(a) on the road to the village market (b) in the public hall (c) the mayor’s office (d) None of these

16. Why did George give the pocketbook to his employer?

(a) he didn’t know how to read (b) he was busy (c) he thought it belonged to his employer (d) None of these

17. What was the most shameful thing for Mr. Hubert?

(a) being accused of theft (b) being called a liar (c) people’s response (d) None of these

18. How did people tell the story of the string?

(a) in a sad manner (b) as a moral story (c) to amuse themselves (d) None of these

19. What carried away the people and all their belongings?

(a) robbers (b) thunderstorm (c) flood (d) an earthquake

20. What was the only thing that withstood the havoc of flood?

(a)  Mr. Hubert’s home (b) Public Hall (c) Market (d) Mr. Hubert’s Grave

Key

1. For a great meal 2. Pigeons 3. 500 Shillings 4. Mr. James 5. 20 Shillings 6. Stout 7. Mr. Manana 8. The harness man 9. A piece of string 10. Mr. Hubert himself 11. Discharged him 12. Laughed at him 13. Old Rascal 14. Mr. George 15. On the road to village market 16. He did not know how to read 17. Being called a liar 18. To amuse themselves 19. Flood 20. Mr. Hubert’s Grave.

Questions and Answers

Q: Why did Mr. Manana accuse Mr. Hubert of picking up the lost pocketbook?

A;ns. Mr. Manana saw Mr. Hubert pick up something from the ground in the morning. He picked the thing up and stood there for some time. Mr. Manana did not know what it was. When he heard about the lost pocketbook, he imagined it must have been the one that Mr. Hubert picked. Therefore, in the hope of getting the reward for the return of the lost pocketbook, he accused Mr. Hubert of picking up the pocketbook.

Q: What did the people think of Mr. Hubert when they heard the return of the pocketbook
by some other person?

Ans. The people thought that Mr. Hubert was lying. Whatever the reasons Mr. Hubert gave, the people were not willing to believe. When they heard the return of the pocketbook by some other person, they might have thought that this person might have been sent by Mr. Hubert himself to clear his name. They accused Mr. Hubert of giving false excuses.  They even made fun of him and told the story of the string to one another in an amusing manner.

Q: Why did George give the pocketbook to his employer?

Ans. Mr. George was an uneducated person. He did not know how to read. Therefore, when he found the pocketbook on the road to the village market, he gave it to his employer so that he might read the contents of the pocketbook and get information about the whereabouts of its owner.

Q: What made Hubert shameful?

Ans. Mr. Hubert was a simple and honest countryman. When he was accused of picking up the pocketbook, he tried to defend himself vigorously but the people did not believe him and said that he was making false excuses. This made Hubert shameful. It was heartbreaking for him that people were calling him a liar. He was not hurt as much by the accusation of theft as he was by being accused of lying.

Q: Why did the people make fun of his innocence?

Ans. The people made fun of his innocence because they did not believe his story. The more he tried to convince them of his innocence, the more they suspected him. They might have thought why would a man pick a piece of string from the ground and keep it in his pocket? He might have given the pocketbook to George to return so that his name was cleared.

Q: Why did he keep claiming his innocence before his death?

Ans. Mr. Hubert was an honorable person. The thought of being called a thief and a liar consumed him. The only thing on his mind was to clear his name off these charges. This was the reason that he kept claiming his innocence before his death.