The Dispenser of Holy Water

by Guy de Maupassant

They lived formerly in a little house beside the high road outside the village. He had set up in business as a wheelwright, after marrying the daughter of a farmer of the neighborhood, and as they were both industrious, they managed to save up a nice little fortune. But they had no children, and this caused them great sorrow. Finally a son was born, whom they named Jean. They both loved and petted him, enfolding him with their affection, and were unwilling to let him be out of their sight.

When he was five years old some mountebanks passed through the country and set up their tent in the town hall square.

Jean, who had seen them pass by, made his escape from the house, and after his father had made a long search for him, he found him among the learned goats and trick dogs, uttering shouts of laughter and sitting on the knees of an old clown.

Three days later, just as they were sitting down to dinner, the wheelwright and his wife noticed that their son was not in the house. They looked for him in the garden, and as they did not find him, his father went out into the road and shouted at the top of his voice, "Jean!"

Night came on. A brown vapor arose making distant objects look still farther away and giving them a dismal, weird appearance. Three tall pines, close at hand, seemed to be weeping. Still there was no reply, but the air appeared to be full of indistinct sighing. The father listened for some time, thinking he heard a sound first in one direction, then in another, and, almost beside himself, he ran, out into the night, calling incessantly "Jean! Jean!"

He ran along thus until daybreak, filling the, darkness with his shouts, terrifying stray animals, torn by a terrible anguish and fearing that he was losing his mind. His wife, seated on the stone step of their home, sobbed until morning.

They did not find their son. They both aged rapidly in their inconsolable sorrow. Finally they sold their house and set out to search together.

They inquired of the shepherds on the hillsides, of the tradesmen passing by, of the peasants in the villages and of the authorities in the towns. But their boy had been lost a long time and no one knew anything about him. He had probably forgotten his own name by this time and also the name of his village, and his parents wept in silence, having lost hope.

Before long their money came to an end, and they worked out by the day in the farms and inns, doing the most menial work, eating what was left from the tables, sleeping on the ground and suffering from cold. Then as they became enfeebled by hard work no one would employ them any longer, and they were forced to beg along the high roads. They accosted passers-by in an entreating voice and with sad, discouraged faces; they begged a morsel of bread from the harvesters who were dining around a tree in the fields at noon, and they ate in silence seated on the edge of a ditch. An innkeeper to whom they told their story said to them one day:

"I know some one who had lost their daughter, and they found her in Paris."

They at once set out for Paris.

When they entered the great city they were bewildered by its size and by the crowds that they saw. But they knew that Jean must be in the midst of all these people, though they did not know how to set about looking for him. Then they feared that they might not recognize him, for he was only five years old when they last saw him.

They visited every place, went through all the streets, stopping whenever they saw a group of people, hoping for some providential meeting, some extraordinary luck, some compassionate fate.

They frequently walked at haphazard straight ahead, leaning one against the other, looking so sad and poverty-stricken that people would give them alms without their asking.

They spent every Sunday at the doors of the churches, watching the crowds entering and leaving, trying to distinguish among the faces one that might be familiar. Several times they thought they recognized him, but always found they had made a mistake.

In the vestibule of one of the churches which they visited the most frequently there was an old dispenser of holy Water who had become their friend. He also had a very sad history, and their sympathy for him had established a bond of close friendship between them. It ended by them all three living together in a poor lodging on the top floor of a large house situated at some distance, quite on the outskirts of the city, and the wheelwright would sometimes take his new friend's place at the church when the latter was ill.

Winter came, a very severe winter. The poor holy water sprinkler died and the parish priest appointed the wheelwright, whose misfortunes had come to his knowledge, to replace him. He went every morning and sat in the same place, on the same chair, wearing away the old stone pillar by continually leaning against it. He would gaze steadily at every man who entered the church and looked forward to Sunday with as much impatience as a schoolboy, for on that day the church was filled with people from morning till night.

He became very old, growing weaker each day from the dampness of the church, and his hope oozed away gradually.

He now knew by sight all the people who came to the services; he knew their hours, their manners, could distinguish their step on the stone pavement.

His interests had become so contracted that the entrance of a stranger in the church was for him a great event. One day two ladies came in; one was old, the other young--a mother and daughter probably. Behind them came a man who was following them. He bowed to them as they came out, and after offering them some holy water, he took the arm of the elder lady.

"That must be the fiance of the younger one," thought the wheelwright. And until evening he kept trying to recall where he had formerly seen a young man who resembled this one. But the one he was thinking of must be an old man by this time, for it seemed as if he had known him down home in his youth.

The same man frequently came again to walk home with the ladies, and this vague, distant, familiar resemblance which he could not place worried the old man so much that he made his wife come with him to see if she could help his impaired memory.

One evening as it was growing dusk the three strangers entered together. When they had passed the old man said:

"Well, do you know him?"

His wife anxiously tried to ransack her memory. Suddenly she said in a low tone:

"Yes--yes--but he is darker, taller, stouter and is dressed like a gentleman, but, father, all the same, it is your face when you were young!"

The old man started violently.

It was true. He looked like himself and also like his brother who was dead, and like his father, whom he remembered while he was yet young. The old couple were so affected that they could not speak. The three persons came out and were about to leave the church.

The man touched his finger to the holy water sprinkler. Then the old man, whose hand was trembling so that he was fairly sprinkling the ground with holy water, exclaimed:

"Jean!"

The young man stopped and looked at him.

He repeated in a lower tone:

"Jean!"

The two women looked at them without understanding.

He then said for the third time, sobbing as he did so:

"Jean!"

The man stooped down, with his face close to the old man's, and as a memory of his childhood dawned on him he replied:

"Papa Pierre, Mamma Jeanne!"

He had forgotten everything, his father's surname and the name of his native place, but he always remembered those two words that he had so often repeated: "Papa Pierre, Mamma Jeanne."

He sank to the floor, his face on the old man's knees, and he wept, kissing now his father and then his mother, while they were almost breathless from intense joy.

The two ladies also wept, understanding as they did that some great happiness had come to pass.

Then they all went to the young man's house and he told them his history. The circus people had carried him off. For three years he traveled with them in various countries. Then the troupe disbanded, and one day an old lady in a chateau had paid to have him stay with her because she liked his appearance. As he was intelligent, he was sent to school, then to college, and the old lady having no children, had left him all her money. He, for his part, had tried to find his parents, but as he could remember only the two names, "Papa Pierre, Mamma Jeanne," he had been unable to do so. Now he was about to be married, and he introduced his fiancee, who was very good and very pretty.

When the two old people had told their story in their turn he kissed them once more. They sat up very late that night, not daring to retire lest the happiness they had so long sought should escape them again while they were asleep.

But misfortune had lost its hold on them and they were happy for the rest of their lives.

Summary:

A wheelwright and his wife, once joyful in their small home, faced deep sorrow when their son Jean went missing after a circus visit. Despite their heartbreak, they remained hopeful and devoted to finding him. Their search took them to Paris, where they encountered the kindness of strangers and formed a friendship with an elderly holy water dispenser.

Through perseverance and love, they continued to believe in the possibility of a reunion. One day, in a church filled with light and hope, they spotted a young man who bore a striking resemblance to Jean. When the wheelwright called out his name, the young man responded, recalling his parents' names with joy.

Their reunion was filled with tears of happiness as Jean shared his remarkable journey. Despite the hardships he faced, he had been educated and raised by a caring woman, always holding onto the memory of his parents.

This heartwarming reunion reminded them of the power of love and resilience. They celebrated their newfound happiness, embracing their family ties with gratitude. Together, they looked forward to a bright future, leaving behind years of sorrow and embracing the joy of being together once more. Their story ended on a note of positivity, showing that hope can lead to beautiful transformations in life.

Thinking about positivity skills:

1. What is hope?

Ans: Hope is the belief that positive outcomes are possible, even in difficult situations. It encourages us to stay motivated and look forward to better times ahead. Hope helps us maintain a positive mindset and inspires resilience.

2. What is optimism?

Ans: Optimism is the tendency to see the good in situations and expect positive outcomes. It involves focusing on possibilities and believing that challenges can be overcome. Optimism encourages a proactive attitude and helps build resilience in the face of adversity.

3. What is positivity?

Ans: Positivity is the practice of focusing on the good things in life. It involves seeing challenges as opportunities and maintaining a hopeful outlook. Being positive can improve mental health and strengthen relationships.

4. How are hope, optimism and positivity different?

Ans: Hope, optimism, and positivity are related but different concepts.

Hope is the belief that things can get better, even in tough times.

Optimism is a general outlook that good things are likely to happen in the future.

Positivity is about actively focusing on the good in situations and maintaining a cheerful attitude. While hope and optimism are more about beliefs about the future, positivity is about the mindset we carry in our daily lives.

5. Are any of these attitudes important in living a good life? What would they be and why?

Ans: Yes, these attitudes are important for a good life.

Hope helps us stay strong during tough times and motivates us to keep going.

Optimism encourages a positive view, making us open to new chances and experiences, which improves our mental health.

Positivity helps us enjoy life, build better relationships, and handle stress. Together, they support happiness and fulfillment.

Workplace Skills:

1. Do employed people help other unemployed people find jobs? Why do you think they do so?

Ans: Yes, some employed people help others find jobs. They do this because they care or want to support friends and family. They may also know about job openings.

2. Does an unemployed person help an employee with his job? How so?

Ans: Sometimes, an unemployed person can help with small tasks. They may give advice or share ideas. They also help by filling in if needed.

3. How do you think being unemployed affects both the individual and the organisation? Are there different kinds of unemployment? What could some of them be?

Ans: Unemployment makes a person feel sad or stressed. It also means the organisation may lack skilled workers. Yes, there are types like seasonal, structural, and frictional unemployment.

4. How does an employer treat unemployment in candidates who apply for jobs, especially in less structured sectors such as agriculture, construction, etc.?

Ans: In less structured jobs, employers may not mind short unemployment. They look more at skills and experience. But long gaps may raise questions.

Case Study / Real Life Experience:

(In a paragraph of 150 words write about someone you know who had to face a lot of hardships in their professional life but managed to make the best of a bad situation with a positive attitude.)

I know a man named Rajesh who worked as a clerk in a small office. He lost his job during the COVID-19 pandemic, and it was a very hard time for him. With no income, he had to sell his bike and borrow money to take care of his family. Many people would have given up, but Rajesh stayed strong. He decided to start a small business from home by selling homemade snacks. At first, he didn’t earn much, but he didn’t lose hope. Slowly, his snacks became popular in the neighborhood. He used social media to reach more customers. Within a year, he started earning more than he did at his old job. Rajesh now employs two helpers and plans to open a small shop. His story teaches us that with a positive attitude and hard work, we can turn tough times into success. He truly inspired me.

MCQs – The Dispenser of Holy Water

What was the man’s profession at the beginning of the story?
A) Farmer
B) Priest
C) Wheelwright
D) Shopkeeper
Why were the couple unhappy at first?
A) They were poor
B) They had no children
C) They lost their house
D) They were sick
What was their son’s name?
A) Pierre
B) Jean
C) Joseph
D) Paul
At what age did Jean go missing?
A) Three
B) Five
C) Seven
D) Ten
Who took Jean away?
A) Thieves
B) School teachers
C) Circus people
D) Relatives
What was Jean doing when his father first found him with the mountebanks?
A) Crying
B) Laughing
C) Sleeping
D) Eating
What was Jean sitting on when his father first found him with the mountebanks?
A) A bench
B) The clown's knees
C) A chair
D) The floor
What did the parents do after losing Jean for the second time?
A) Reported to police
B) Went back home
C) Sold their house
D) Moved to the city
Why did the parents sell their house?
A) To pay debts
B) To go on a vacation
C) To search for Jean
D) To move closer to family
Where did they finally decide to search for Jean?
A) In Paris
B) In a nearby village
C) In the circus
D) In the mountains
How did the couple survive when their money ran out?
A) Sold clothes
B) Took loans
C) Worked in farms and inns
D) Stayed with relatives
What job did the old man get in the church?
A) Bell ringer
B) Priest
C) Dispenser of holy water
D) Cleaner
Who first held the job in the church before the old man?
A) Jean
B) A priest
C) An old man with a sad history
D) The old woman
What season caused the first holy water dispenser’s death?
A) Summer
B) Spring
C) Monsoon
D) Winter
What did the priest do after the holy water dispenser died?
A) Closed the church
B) Appointed the old man
C) Asked Jean to return
D) Hired a new priest
Why did the old man look at everyone entering the church?
A) He was suspicious
B) He wanted money
C) He hoped to find his son
D) He liked meeting people
What made the old man interested in a young stranger?
A) His clothing
B) His hairstyle
C) His face looked familiar
D) He donated money
Who helped the old man identify the stranger?
A) Priest
B) Wife
C) Neighbors
D) Children
What did the woman say about the young stranger's face?
A) It looked tired
B) It was like his father’s when young
C) It was ugly
D) It looked like a farmer
What name did the old man shout when he recognized the stranger?
A) Paul
B) Pierre
C) Jean
D) Joseph
How did the young man react when he heard the name “Jean”?
A) He ignored it
B) He ran away
C) He cried and recognized them
D) He argued
What two words had the young man never forgotten?
A) Paris, Church
B) Papa Pierre, Mamma Jeanne
C) Holy Water
D) His school name
Who had taken care of Jean after the circus disbanded?
A) A rich businessman
B) A police officer
C) An old lady in a château
D) A teacher
What did the old lady give Jean?
A) Land
B) A house
C) Money
D) Food
What did Jean try to do once he grew up?
A) Travel abroad
B) Become a priest
C) Find his parents
D) Join the army
Why couldn’t Jean find his parents earlier?
A) He had forgotten their names
B) He was too busy
C) He had no money
D) He didn’t want to
Whom did Jean introduce to his parents?
A) His friend
B) His uncle
C) His fiancée
D) His teacher
What was the fiancée like?
A) Rude
B) Arrogant
C) Pretty and kind
D) Quiet and shy
How did the parents react when they reunited with Jean?
A) They fainted
B) They cried with joy
C) They ran away
D) They blamed him
How did the ladies with Jean react to the reunion?
A) Confused
B) Uninterested
C) Surprised and touched
D) Angry
What made the couple stop sleeping the night of the reunion?
A) Cold
B) Happiness
C) Illness
D) Fear of theft
How had the old man changed by the end of the story?
A) Sad and weak
B) Healthy and angry
C) Joyful and peaceful
D) Rich and proud
What was the tone of the ending?
A) Tragic
B) Hopeless
C) Joyful
D) Mysterious
Which literary theme is strong in the story?
A) War
B) Betrayal
C) Hope and reunion
D) Magic
What type of narrator tells this story?
A) First-person
B) Second-person
C) Third-person
D) Jean himself
Why did the couple stay near churches in Paris?
A) For food
B) To ask for help
C) To look for Jean
D) To meet priests
What did they often do when they saw crowds?
A) Ran away
B) Watched faces
C) Asked for food
D) Sat quietly
What age was Jean when he got lost?
A) Four
B) Five
C) Six
D) Seven
What emotion is described most in the story?
A) Anger
B) Jealousy
C) Love and sorrow
D) Greed
Why did Jean’s parents start begging?
A) They liked it
B) They were tricked
C) They had no other option
D) They were punished
What memory helped Jean recognize his parents?
A) Church visits
B) Family photo
C) Names he used as a child
D) A necklace
Who noticed the resemblance to Jean first?
A) Priest
B) Wife
C) Stranger
D) Old lady
How does Maupassant create suspense in the story?
A) Using magic
B) Hiding the truth
C) Revealing Jean slowly
D) Telling jokes
What was the holy water used for?
A) Cleaning
B) Blessing people
C) Drinking
D) Cooking
What did the old couple do every Sunday?
A) Go to temple
B) Visit family
C) Wait outside churches
D) Sleep
Why was the old man excited about Sundays?
A) He got paid
B) More people came to church
C) He had free food
D) He could rest
What kind of job is a “dispenser of holy water”?
A) Rich man’s job
B) Beggar’s job
C) Simple and humble job
D) Dangerous job
What shows Jean was kind-hearted?
A) He lived alone
B) He forgot his past
C) He cried and hugged his parents
D) He ignored the couple
What role does Paris play in the story?
A) Place of loss
B) Place of reunion
C) Dangerous place
D) Unknown place
What message does the story give us?
A) Life is short
B) Money is power
C) Hope and love bring people together
D) Work hard to be rich

English Language and Literature: A Study Guide for Students

Friday, September 20, 2024