1.
Here is a story of how the creative thinking of a
little boy helps him overcome with ingenuity
and wit a threat to his life.

2.
- adapted from a short story by Oscar
wilde

3.
Oscar
wilde

4.
As he painfully staggered inside, he was shock
to hear the voices of the thieves who had
waylaid him.

5.
He noticed that the family – an old couple and
their visiting sons and daughters who had
gathered for a family function, had just come
back into the house.

6.
He beckoned the old man to
toss him his snuff-box.
Commanding the others to
follow him in silence, lest his
magic spell be broken, he tip-
toed to the cupboard and
climbing on the stool, he
emptied the snuff-box into the
narrow opening along the
upper edge of the door.

7.
More boxes of snuff were tossed on to him and one by
one all the stuff was sprayed into the cupboard. Very
soon there was a perfect storm of sneezes.

8.
This was not a game of magic anymore. With the
help of the servants, they opened the cupboard
door, well prepared to tackle the thieves.
This was not a game of magic anymore. With the
help of the servants, they opened the cupboard
door, well prepared to tackle the thieves.

9.
Much to their surprise and thanks to Hubert’s skillful strategy,
they found that the exhausted thieves had almost fainted,
very badly in need of air and ventilation. Hubert retrieved his
horse from the thieves and set of on his way with the
goodwill and gratitude of the old man and his family. He had
proved that wisdom did not seek only the Aged to express
itself.

10.
EVALUATION

11.
1.“How very strange”
2.“More snuff”

12.
Mind
map

13.
State whether the following statements are True or False
1. Hubert was weary with illness.
2. The thieves had diverted the attention of the family
members of the household.
3. The old gentleman did not believe Hubert
4. Hubert emptied the snuff-box into the dustbin.
5. The thieves were caught by the thoughtful act of
Hubert.

14.
• Hubert , aged 14, was waylaid by three thieves on his way.
• He overheard the same thieves planning to plunder the mansion
where he sought for help.
• The thieves tactfully hid in the cupboard awaiting the night.
• The Inmates of the mansion initially mistook him for a thief.
• The old man believed his story and offered him food.
• Hubert pretended that he was going to perform some magic tricks.
• He sprayed boxes of snuff powder into the cupboard.
• There was a storm of sneezing.
• The family realized the danger and with the help of servants they
tackled the thieves.
• He proved his wisdom and earned the goodwill of the family.
• Hubert retrieved his horse and set off on his way.
SUMMARY

15.
E.Jayaraj,
English Language Teacher,
Govt Boys Higher Sec. School,
Devapandalam,
Villupuram District-606402
jayaraj6040@gmail.com
L.Ulagaratchaga Doss,
English Language Teacher,
Govt High School,
Kanjanur,
Villupuram District -605203
lourdselt@gmail.com