Answer these questions in one or two sentences each. (The paragraph numbers within brackets provide clues to the answers)

Why was the ‘holy man’ who gave Santosh’s mother his blessings surprised? (Para 1)

The ‘holy man’ was surprised as the unborn child’s grandmother acquainted him of their desire of not wanting a son. Since he was under the impression that Santosh’s mother wanted a son, the request of a blessing for a girl came to him as a surprise.


9