LESSON 8 ENGLISH 11

LESSON 08

WOLVES OF CERNOGRATZ

Q.01: What did Conrad ask his sister?

Conrad asked his sister if any old legends were associated with the castle they had come to occupy. Although he was a successful Hamburg merchant, but his imagination was stronger than the rest of his family. He was inquisitive about the legend of Cernogratz.

Q 2. What did the Baroness think the legend was?

Answer:
The Baroness thought that the legend was untrue. It was a story which was fabricated in order to lend dignity to the place without costing anything. She said that nothing of that sort had happened since they had bought that place. Moreover, she told them that the sound of the howling of wolves was not heard when her mother-in-law passed away the year before.

 

Q 3. What was the real story?

Answer:
The real story was that whenever a member of the Cernogratz family was about to die, the wolves would come from far and wide and to howl at the edge of the forest. Although only a few wolves lived at that part of the forest, but scores of them would arrive and howl in the chorus just before the hour of death. Dogs of the castle, village, and all the surrounding farms would also bark and howl in fear.

 

Q 4. At what precise moment would a tree fall in the park?

Answer:
A tree would fall in the park, as soon as the soul of a dead person left the body. However, if the dying person would not be a part of the Cernogratz family, none of the trees in the park would fall.

 

Q 5. How did the governess know the real story?

Answer:
The governess knew the story because she was a member of the Cernogratz family. Therefore, she had seen members of the Cernogratz family die, and wolves howl just before the hour of their death.

Q 6. Why were the Baron and the Baroness angry with Amalie?

Answer:
The Baron and the Baroness were angry with Amalie because they thought that she was vain, and she claimed that she descended from the Cernogratz family, who were the original owners of the castle. She degraded them and made them feel that they were unimportant.

 

Q 7. When did the governess fall ill?

Answer:
The governess fell ill in the cold weather after the Christmas. She would stay in her room all the time, while the guests would sit around the fire in the evenings. It was the first time that the Baroness had seen her too ill to go about and do her work.

 

Q 8. What was the first sign of the presence of wolves?

Answer:
The first sign of the presence of wolves was that the small woolly dog that jumped out of its cushion all of a sudden. It crept shivering under the sofa.

 

Q 9. Why did the governess insist on having her window open?

Answer:
The governess insisted on having the window of her room open because she wanted to hear the music of the wolves before her death. She knew that they had come from far and wide to sing the death music of her family. Moreover, she felt privileged to be the last Cernogratz to die in that old castle.

 

Q 10. What was the rational explanation for these strange events?

Answer:
The rational explanation for these strange events was that the castle was situated in the forest which was the home to herds of wolves. They would gather around the castle hearing each others’ howl. It was sheer coincidence that they howled when the governess was about to die.

COMPOSITION

Describe in one paragraph each:

1.   The legend of Cernogratz Castle.

2.   The events surrounding the death of Amalie von Cernogratz.

3.   Any legend or strange story that you have heard yourself.

1. The Legend of Cernogratz Castle

The legend of Cernogratz revolves around the Cernogratz family that lived in the ancient castle. According to the Baroness, the legend associated with the castle is that whenever someone dies there, all the wild beasts and wolves appear from nowhere and continue howling all night long. However, the old governess employed in the house, Amalie von Cernogratz, tells a different story. According to her, it is not that when anyone dies in the castle that the howling of wolves is heard, but when a member of the Cernogratz family dies in his family castle that thousands of wolves appear from far and wide, and start howling, perhaps singing the death-song of the family. Moreover, when a person dies, a branch of any of the tree in the forest breaks and falls on the ground as the soul of the person dying leaves his body. The words of the governess are proved to be the true account of the legend as the wolves howl and any of the trees in the forest breaks and fall on the ground when the governess herself passes away. 

2. The Events Surrounding the Death of Amalie von Cernogratz

On a cold December evening, Baroness Gruebel, the new owner of the Cernogratz castle tells her guests that the legend associated with the castle is that whenever someone dies there, all the wild beasts and wolves appear from nowhere and continue howling all night long. However, the old governess employed in the house, Amalie von Cernogratz, tells a different story. However, she According to her, it is not that when anyone dies in the castle that the howling of wolves is heard, but when a member of the Cernogratz family dies in his family castle that thousands of wolves appear from far and wide, and start howling, perhaps singing the death-song of the family. She also tells them that when a person dies, a branch of any of the tree in the forest breaks, and falls on the ground. However, the baroness assures her guests that there is no truth to the governess’ words. She claims to be one of the members of the Cernogratz family to gain importance and appeal to their sympathies and has somehow learnt the Cernogratz legend from the peasants living in the vicinity. Later on, some mysterious happenings prove every word of the old governess. The old governess fell ill and confines herself to her room.

The Baroness and her guests hear the howling of wolves. Moved by some impulse, the Baroness goes to the Governess’s room. To her horror, she finds, all the windows open, despite the biting cold, while the old lady is lying on the couch terribly sick. She rushes forward to shut the windows, but the Governess asks her to leave and let the windows be open so that she can rejoice the death music of her family. The Baroness announces that the old governess is dying. While they are talking, they hear a loud noise of a tree splitting and then crashing down, with a loud thump. At that moment, the governess breathes her last. On the following day, the news of Amalie-von-Cernogratz’s death and her affiliation with the Cernogratz family is confirmed in the newspaper.  Therefore, the words of the governess are proved to be the true account of the legend as the wolves howl and the tree breaks and fall on the ground when the governess herself passes away.

3. Any Legend or Strange Story that You Have Heard Yourself

During the last summer holidays, I accompanied my family members and cousins to the Northern Areas of Pakistan. We also went to the Aansu Lake, which is situated in the Manoor Valley, Kaghan. I was particularly mesmerized by the beauty of this enchanting lake. As the name suggests, the shape of this picturesque lake is like that of a teardrop. Our travel guide shared the legend associated with this wonder of nature. The legend is related to the legendary tale of Lake Saif ul Malook. It is widely believed that the lake came into being from the tears of jealousy shed by the fairy’s demon lover, Deuo Sufaid, the white giant. It is believed that he trapped the fairy, Badar Jamal, but he was aware that she loved the Prince Saif ul Mulook, and wanted to marry him. Thus, Ansoo lake is considered to have been created as a result of the giant’s tears of sorrow. It is considered as one of the most beautiful lakes in the world. We were also told that it was not known until the pilots of Pakistan Air force discovered in 1993, therefore, the legend is still widely believed to be true by many locals. I find it to be the most intriguing legend of all those that I have ever heard.

 

EXERCISE

Rewrite the sentences below so that you use one of these pairs of conjunctions: either/or; neither/nor; both/and, as well as; not only/but also.

1. I shall go sailing and swimming on my holiday.
2. Venice and Naples are in Italy.
3. Illiterate people can’t read or write.
4. The mountains and valleys are hidden in cloud.
5.  You’ll need to pack this book in cardboard and paper.
6. Teachers and pupils must be punctual.
7. You can live in a house in the country or in a flat in the town.
8. The Post Office employs men to sort out the letters and to deliver them.
9. In some tropical countries, it is dangerous to eat unwashed fruit and vegetables and to drink water that hasn’t been boiled.
10. She likes sweets and chocolates and adores ice-cream.
11. The government is planning to impose a new tax on refrigerators and wireless sets.
12. My son wants a fountain-pen and a propelling pencil for his birthday.
13. She was wearing a scarf and an overcoat and carrying an umbrella and a mackintosh.
14. He says he’s a musician, but he can’t play the piano or any other instrument and he can’t sing.
15. The street was crowded with cars, buses, cyclists, and pedestrians.

Answer:
1. I shall either go sailing and or swimming on my holiday.
2. Both Venice and Naples are in Italy.
3. Illiterate people can neither read nor write.
4. Both the mountains and valleys are hidden in clouds. (Note: Mistake in the book. Correct sentence: The mountains and valleys are hidden in clouds.)
5.  You’ll need to pack this book in cardboard and paper both.
6.  Teachers and pupils both must be punctual.
7. You can either live in a house in the country or in a flat in the town.
8. The Post Office employs men not only to sort out the letters but also to deliver them.
9. In some tropical countries it is not only dangerous to eat unwashed fruit and vegetables, but also to drink water that hasn’t been boiled.
10. She not only likes sweets and chocolates but also adores ice-cream.
11. The government is planning to impose a new tax both on refrigerators and wireless sets.
12. My son wants a fountain-pen as well as a propelling pencil for his birthday.
13. She was not only wearing a scarf but also an overcoat and carrying both an umbrella and a mackintosh.
14. He says he’s a musician, but he can neither play the piano nor any other instrument and he can’t sing.
15. The street was crowded with cars, buses, cyclists, as well as pedestrians.

 

EXERCISE

Put the verbs in brackets into the correct tense:

1. I won’t leave before she (arrive).
2. Will you answer the door when the postman (knock)?
3. The ship (sail) as soon as the cargo is on board.
4. I shall be ready before you (be).
5. Will he still want to live here when he (be) older?
6. Before we (go) on board, we shall have to pass through the Customs.
7. After I leave hospital I (pay) you a visit.
8. I (send) you a telegram as soon as she returns.
9. It (be) wonderful on the beach tomorrow, at least until the sun gets too hot.
10. When the tide (rise) this part of the beach will be under water.
11. I’m sure he (not stop) smoking until he (die).
12. He is so changed since his illness that you (not recognize) him when you (see) him.
13. After the plane (take off) you (be able) to go to sleep.
14. The preparations (be finished) before the foreman (return).
15. We (come) to see you as soon as the holidays (start).
16. The doctor (not allow) him to have any visitors while he (be) so ill.
17. While you (be) in Dacca where you (stay)?
18. He (not buy) a house of that size until he (earn) £ 2000 a year.
19. When dawn (break) in an hour’s time you (hear) the birds singing.
20. Switch on the light as soon as the film (end).
21. When it (rain) you must bring the chairs indoors.
22. We must go home before it (get) dark.
23. Don’t give the baby any chocolates until it (stop) crying.
24. When the President (disembark) you must salute smartly.
25. We can’t do anything until the light (come) on again.

Answer:
1. I won’t leave before she arrives.
2. Will you answer the door when the postman knocks?
3. The ship will sail as soon as the cargo is on board.
4. I shall be ready before you are.
5. Will he still want to live here when he is older?
6. Before we go on board, we shall have to pass through the Customs.
7. After I leave hospital I shall pay you a visit.
8. I will send you a telegram as soon as she returns.
9. It will be wonderful on the beach tomorrow, at least until the sun gets too hot.
10. When the tide rises this part of the beach will be under water.
11. I’m sure he will not stop smoking until he dies.
12. He is so changed since his illness that you will not recognize him when you would see him.
13. After the plane takes off you will be able to go to sleep.
14. The preparations will be finished before the foreman returns.
15. We will come to see you as soon as the holidays start.
16. The doctor will not allow him to have any visitors while he is so ill.
17. While you are in Dacca where will you stay?
18. He will not buy a house of that size until he earns £ 2000 a year.
19. When dawn breaks in an hour’s time you will hear the birds singing.
20. Switch on the light as soon as the film ends.
21. When it rains you must bring the chairs indoors.
22. We must go home before it gets dark.
23. Don’t give the baby any chocolates until it stops crying.
24. When the President disembarks, you must salute smartly.
25. We can’t do anything until the light comes on again.