Unseen Passage
Among the manifold misfortunes that may befall humanity, the loss of health is one of the severest. All the joys, which life can give, can't outweigh the suffering of the sick. Give the sick man everything and leave him with his suffering, he will feel half the world is lost to him. Lay him on a soft silken couch, he will nevertheless groan sleepless under the presence of his suffering, while the miserable beggar, blessed with health, sleeps sweetly on the hard ground. Spread his table with dainty meals and choicest drinks and he will thrust back the hand that proffers them, and envy the poor man who throughly enjoys his dry crust. Surround with him the pomp of kings; let his chair be a throne and his crutch a world - swaying sceptre, he will look with contemptuous eyes on marble, on gold, on purple, and would deem himself happy, could he enjoy, even were it under a thatched roof, the health of the meanest of his servants.
Word-meanings :
- manifold - बहुत से
- severest - सबसे ज़्यादा कष्टकारी
- couch - आरामदायक सोफ़ा
- nevertheless - फिर भी
- proffer - प्रस्तुत करना
- pomp - शानो - शौकत
- meanest - (पद में) सबसे छोटा
Questions :
- Which of the misfortunes is regarded as one of the severest ?
- What is the strongest wish of a sick man ?
- How will a sick man feel if he is given everything along with his suffering ?
- Why does a sickly rich man envy a poor healthy man ?
- Which word in the passage means 'in spite of this' ?
Answers :
- It is the loss of health.
- It is to get rid of his suffering or illness.
- He will feel that half the world is lost to him.
- Because riches can't relieve a man of his sickness.
- nevertheless = in spite of this.