Complete Solutions and Summary of The Midnight Visitor - NCERT Class 10, Footprints without Feet, Chapter 3 - Summary, Questions, Answers, Extra Questions.

Detailed summary and explanation of Chapter 3 'The Midnight Visitor' with all question answers, extra questions, and solutions from NCERT Class X, Footprints without Feet.

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Introduction

'The Midnight Visitor' is a suspenseful story by Robert Arthur featuring Ausable, a secret agent who doesn't fit the traditional image of a spy. The story revolves around how Ausable outwits his enemy, Max, through quick thinking and clever deception. The narrative highlights the importance of presence of mind and intelligence over physical appearance in dangerous situations.

Summary in English (200 words):

'The Midnight Visitor' is a story about Ausable, a secret agent, who defies the stereotypical image of a spy. He is described as fat and clumsy, much unlike the glamorous spies portrayed in fiction. Fowler, a young writer, meets him expecting to witness thrilling espionage but is disappointed by Ausable's unimpressive appearance. However, Ausable surprises Fowler by outwitting Max, a rival agent. Max sneaks into Ausable's room to steal a confidential report, but Ausable tricks him into believing that there is a balcony outside the window. When the police knock on the door, Max tries to escape through the non-existent balcony and falls to his death. The story showcases how Ausable uses his wit and quick thinking to deal with the threat without any violence.

Summary in Hindi (200 words):

'मिडनाइट विज़िटर' रॉबर्ट आर्थर द्वारा लिखी गई एक रोमांचक कहानी है, जिसमें औसेबल नामक गुप्त एजेंट मुख्य किरदार है। औसेबल अपने दुश्मन मैक्स को अपनी चतुराई से मात देता है। कहानी में औसेबल को एक मोटे और अनाकर्षक व्यक्ति के रूप में दर्शाया गया है, जो गुप्त एजेंटों की पारंपरिक छवि से बिल्कुल अलग है। लेखक फाउलर औसेबल से मिलने आता है, लेकिन वह उसके व्यक्तित्व से निराश होता है। कहानी तब रोमांचक हो जाती है जब मैक्स औसेबल के कमरे में घुसकर एक महत्वपूर्ण दस्तावेज़ चुराने की कोशिश करता है। औसेबल उसे यह यकीन दिला देता है कि उसके कमरे की खिड़की से बाहर एक बालकनी है, और जब पुलिस दस्तक देती है, तो मैक्स बालकनी के रास्ते भागने की कोशिश में गिरकर मर जाता है। यह कहानी यह संदेश देती है कि संकट की स्थिति में उपस्थिति और समझदारी से काम लेना सबसे महत्वपूर्ण है।

Think about it - Page 18

1. “Ausable did not fit any description of a secret agent Fowler had ever read.” What do secret agents in books and films look like, in your opinion? Discuss in groups or in class some stories or movies featuring spies, detectives and secret agents, and compare their appearance with that of Ausable in this story. (You may mention characters from fiction in languages other than English. In English fiction you may have come across Sherlock Holmes, Hercule Poirot, or Miss Marple. Have you watched any movies featuring James Bond?)

Secret agents in books and films are often portrayed as tall, athletic, and charismatic individuals, dressed in sharp suits and equipped with gadgets, like James Bond. They are usually depicted as suave, fearless, and extremely skilled in combat and espionage. Sherlock Holmes and Hercule Poirot, though detectives, share similar traits of sharp intellect and physical alertness. However, Ausable in this story is the complete opposite—he is fat, speaks with an American accent, and lacks the physical traits associated with spies. Yet, his cleverness and ability to outwit his enemy make him a successful secret agent, proving that intelligence and presence of mind are more important than appearance.

2. How does Ausable manage to make Max believe that there is a balcony attached to his room? Look back at his detailed description of it. What makes it a convincing story?

Ausable cleverly fabricates a story about a balcony outside his room to trick Max. He gives a detailed and convincing description, mentioning that the balcony belonged to the room next door and that someone had entered his room through it before. He also expresses annoyance with the management for not blocking the balcony, which adds to the authenticity of the story. Max, already nervous, believes the story because it seems plausible and because Ausable’s irritation makes it appear genuine. This shows how well Ausable understands human psychology.

3. Looking back at the story, when do you think Ausable thought up his plan for getting rid of Max? Do you think he had worked out his plan in detail right from the beginning? Or did he make up a plan taking advantage of events as they happened?

Ausable seems to have come up with his plan on the spot. When he noticed Max in his room with a gun, he quickly concocted the story about the balcony. His calm demeanor and ability to improvise show that he used the situation to his advantage, taking control of events as they unfolded. He didn’t have a pre-planned strategy but acted spontaneously, showcasing his presence of mind and quick thinking.

Talk about it - Page 18

1. In this story, Ausable shows great ‘presence of mind,’ or the ability to think quickly, and act calmly and wisely, in a situation of danger and surprise. Give examples from your own experience, or narrate a story, which shows someone’s presence of mind.

Presence of mind often saves the day in unexpected situations. For example, once during a trip, my car broke down in an unfamiliar area. Instead of panicking, I calmly assessed the situation, checked the map, and walked to the nearest town for help. In another instance, a family member started choking during a meal. Thankfully, someone in the room stayed calm and performed the Heimlich maneuver, saving the person. Quick thinking and calm action are crucial in such moments.

2. Discuss what you would do in the situations described below. Remember that presence of mind comes out of a state of mental preparedness. If you have thought about possible problems or dangers, and about how to act in such situations, you have a better chance of dealing with such situations if they do arise.

A small fire starts in your kitchen.
A child starts to choke on a piece of food.
An electrical appliance starts to hiss and gives out sparks.
A bicycle knocks down a pedestrian.
It rains continuously for more than twenty-four hours.
A member of your family does not return home at the usual or expected time.

- If a small fire starts in the kitchen, I would quickly turn off the stove, cover the flames with a lid, and use a fire extinguisher if available. I would avoid using water, especially if it’s an oil fire, and call emergency services if necessary.
- If a child starts choking, I would immediately perform the Heimlich maneuver or encourage them to cough it out if it’s mild.
- If an electrical appliance hisses and sparks, I would turn off the main power switch and unplug the appliance, avoiding touching it directly. Then, I’d contact an electrician.
- If a bicycle knocks down a pedestrian, I would first check for any injuries and help the person to a safe place. I’d call for medical assistance if necessary and ensure the cyclist is also unharmed.
- If it rains continuously for over twenty-four hours, I would monitor weather updates, ensure all windows and doors are secured, and prepare for potential flooding or power outages.
- If a family member doesn’t return home on time, I’d first try calling them and checking their usual route. If they don’t respond for an extended time, I’d contact friends, neighbors, or the authorities for assistance.

About the Author

Robert Arthur was an American author known for his mystery and suspense stories. He was a contributor to popular radio shows and magazines, and he is best known for his 'Three Investigators' series. His work often involved clever plots and unexpected twists, which kept readers engaged until the end. 'The Midnight Visitor' is a fine example of his ability to build tension and use wit to resolve conflicts without violence.

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