MP Board Solutions for Class 9 English Moments Chapter 6 – Weathering the Storm in Ersama

Who is the main character in the story?
Answer: The main character is Prashant, a young boy who becomes a leader and helper after a devastating cyclone hits his village in Odisha.

What disaster hit Ersama and when?
Answer: A super cyclone struck Ersama on 27 October 1999, causing immense damage, floods, and loss of life and property.

Where was Prashant when the cyclone hit?
Answer: Prashant was at his friend’s house in Kalika, a small village, when the cyclone began and he got stranded there for two days.

What damage did the cyclone cause?
Answer: The cyclone destroyed houses, uprooted trees, flooded villages, and caused thousands of deaths. It also left people homeless and hungry.

How did Prashant reach his village?
Answer: After the storm passed, he set out on foot, wading through water, dead bodies, and fallen trees, finally reaching his village after 18 km.

What did Prashant find when he reached his village?
Answer: He found massive destruction, with many houses gone. He learned that his family had survived, though they had taken shelter on a roof.

How did Prashant react to the devastation?
Answer: Though shocked and heartbroken, Prashant quickly took charge, helping people and organizing relief efforts, showing strong leadership and courage.

How did Prashant help at the Red Cross shelter?
Answer: He organized groups to look after orphans and widows, arranged food distribution, and encouraged community cooperation to survive the crisis.

How did people survive the cyclone’s aftermath?
Answer: They took shelter on rooftops or in relief shelters, lived on minimal food, and later depended on relief from NGOs and government help.

Why is the story titled ‘Weathering the Storm in Ersama’?
Answer: It shows how Prashant and the villagers not only faced but overcame the physical and emotional storm through resilience and unity.

What role did women play in the shelter?
Answer: Women worked together to cook food and care for others, playing a vital role in rebuilding community life and offering support.

How did children help during the crisis?
Answer: Children helped by looking after younger kids and doing simple tasks, contributing to the relief work and keeping spirits alive.

What values did Prashant show?
Answer: He showed leadership, empathy, bravery, and the ability to stay calm in crisis, guiding others selflessly in a time of need.

What was the condition of the orphaned children?
Answer: Many children lost parents and were emotionally shattered. Prashant helped bring them together and organized games to heal their trauma.

How did Prashant help widows?
Answer: He encouraged them to start working again, helped them join food-for-work programs, and gave them hope to live with dignity.

Why did people listen to Prashant?
Answer: His determination, wisdom, and sense of responsibility won the villagers’ trust. Even though young, his actions spoke louder than words.

What message does the story convey?
Answer: The story teaches that courage, leadership, and a strong community spirit can overcome any disaster, no matter how large.

What are NGOs and how did they help?
Answer: Non-Governmental Organizations (NGOs) brought relief materials, medical help, and food. They played a crucial role in rehabilitation after the cyclone.

How did the storm change Prashant’s life?
Answer: It transformed him from a carefree boy into a mature, responsible person who became a pillar of support for his community.

What does the story teach about natural disasters?
Answer: Natural disasters test human resilience, but unity, preparedness, and selfless efforts can help overcome even the most devastating tragedies.

How long did it take for help to reach?
Answer: It took a few days for proper relief efforts to begin. People had to survive on bananas, coconuts, and rainwater initially.

Why did Prashant become a leader?
Answer: His ability to act fast, mobilize others, and give hope made him a natural leader in a time of crisis.

How did the community come together?
Answer: People united despite grief, worked as teams, and supported each other to cook, clean, and care for the vulnerable.

Why is the story inspirational?
Answer: It shows how even a young person can lead with compassion and strength, proving that age doesn’t limit one’s ability to help.

Summarize the moral of the story.
Answer: True leadership, compassion, and community support can bring hope in the darkest times. The story teaches us to serve selflessly and act with courage.