A Baker from Goa

A Baker from Goa

Glimpses of India Extra Questions and Answers Short Answer Type

Question 1.

Who are Poders and how did they herald their arrival?

Answer:

The bakers of Goa are known as ‘Poders’. The thud and jingle of the traditional baker’s bamboo are the signals of their arrival in the morning. When the writer was a child, the jingling thud of the baker’s bamboo used to wake him up.

Question 2.

What role did the baker play in the childhood of the narrator?

Answer:

The baker played a very important role in the childhood of the narrator. He used to be a companion, friend and guide for the narrator. Every day the narrator was woken up by him. He used to get sweet bread and delicious loaves from the baker.

Question 3.

How was the arrival of the baker special?

Answer:

The arrival of the baker was very special. He made his musical entry with the ‘Jhang jhang’ sound of his specially made bamboo stick. One hand supported the basket on his head and the other banged the bamboo on the ground. He wore a peculiar dress called ‘Kabai’. They also wore a shirt and trousers which were shorter than full length and longer than half pants.

Question 4.

What justification does the narrator give for not brushing his teeth?

Answer:

The narrator is a child who did not brush his teeth or wash his face or mouth properly. He did not think it necessary. He justified his action by saying that a tiger never brushed his teeth. Hot tea could wash and clean up everything nicely. So, there was no need for washing the mouth or brushing teeth.

Question 5.

How did the baker attract the children?

Answer:

The jingling thud of bakers’ bamboo used to attract the children. They were fond of sweet bread bangles which were specially made for them. The typical fragrance of the sweet bread and cakes attracted the children and they never missed them.

Question 6.

What is the role of bread on the occasion of marriage?

Answer:

On the occasion of marriage, gifts are exchanged. Marriage gifts are meaningless without the sweet bread known as the ‘bol’. Every mother in the family prepares bread, cake and loaves on the occasion of her daughter’s engagement.

Question 7.

What is the role of a baker in a Goan village?

Answer:

A baker played a very important role in the lives of the people of Goa. They are essential for a village. No function, no festival, no party was possible in the absence of a baker. The baker supplied loaves and cakes on these occasions. Some special bread and cakes are also prepared by them for some special occasion.

Question 8.

Describe ‘kabai’. What is its importance for a baker?

Answer:

‘Kabai’ is a unique peculiar dress of a baker. It is a single-piece long frock reaching down to the knees. It is the ‘kabai’ that distinguishes a baker from others.

Question 9.

How did the bakers maintain their accounts?

Answer:

The bakers used to collect their bills at the end of the month. Monthly accounts were recorded on some wall in pencil.

Question 10.

Why is a jackfruit-like physical appearance compared to a baker?

Answer:

Baking was a profitable business. Most of the bakers were prosperous. Their servants and family members were healthy and happy. Their plump physique was an open testimony to their prosperity. They looked like a jack-fruit.

Question 11.

What do the elders in Goa still love to remember?

Answer:

The elders in Goa still love to remember the good old Portuguese days, the Portuguese and their famous loaves of bread. The Portuguese might have left but their art of baking is still carried as a tradition.