1. Why was the woman boiling water in a pot without any rice?

Ans: The woman was very poor and had nothing to feed her hungry children. She was boiling water to make her children believe that she was cooking food for them. She hoped that they would eventually fall asleep and forget their hunger while waiting.

2. Describe the character of Haji Muhammad Mohsin based on the text.

Ans: Haji Muhammad Mohsin was an extremely kind and compassionate man. He was born into a rich family but used his wealth to help the poor, sick, and needy. He was also a great promoter of education and was known for his forgiving nature, as seen when he helped a thief instead of punishing him.

3. What did Mohsin do after hearing the children crying in the hut?

Ans: After hearing the children cry, Mohsin became curious and looked inside the hut. When he learned that the children were hungry and there was no food, his eyes filled with tears. He immediately went home, brought food for them, and promised to look after them for the rest of his life.

4. How did Mohsin react when he caught a stranger stealing in his room?

Ans: Instead of getting angry or calling the police, Mohsin asked the stranger why he needed to steal and if he could lead an honest life. When the stranger explained his poverty and his children's hunger, Mohsin felt sad, visited the man's house to verify the truth, and then gave him money to start a business.

5. Why did the stranger resort to stealing, and what was his reaction when caught?

Ans: The stranger resorted to stealing because he had no work and no food in his house. His children were crying for food, and he felt desperate. When Mohsin caught him, he broke down in tears, asked for forgiveness, and told Mohsin the honest truth about his situation.

6. What role did Maulavi Aga Siraji play in Mohsin's life?

Ans: Maulavi Aga Siraji was Mohsin's teacher during his childhood. He had a great influence on Mohsin. Under his guidance, Mohsin gained knowledge and developed the values of kindness and charity that he practiced throughout his life.

7. How did Mohsin contribute to the field of education?

Ans: Mohsin dedicated his life to spreading education, especially among the Muslims. He used the income from his large property to fund educational causes and charity. Hooghly Mohsin College stands today as a tribute to his contribution to education.

8. Why is Haji Muhammad Mohsin still remembered with reverence in Bengal?

Ans: Mohsin is remembered as a "great son of Bengal" because of his selfless service to humanity. He spent his entire fortune on the poor and the needy. His life was a profile in kindness, and his legacy of charity and education continues to inspire people today.

9. Explain the incident that took place in Hooghly 200 years ago.

Ans: Over 200 years ago, Mohsin was walking alone at night when he heard children crying in a hut. He discovered a mother boiling water to trick her hungry children into sleeping. Moved by their plight, Mohsin provided them with food and lifelong support, marking a significant act of kindness.

10. What does the phrase "The poor looked upon him as their saviour" mean?

Ans: This phrase means that the poor people saw Mohsin as a person sent by God to save them from their miseries. Since he used his riches to provide food, medicine, and education to those who had nothing, he was their ultimate protector and helper.

11. How did Mohsin ensure that the stranger would not have to steal again?

Ans: Mohsin did not just give the stranger a temporary meal. He gave him money to start a business so that the man could earn an honest living. He also promised to give him more money later if needed, ensuring a long-term solution to his poverty.

12. Describe Mohsin's family background.

Ans: Mohsin was born in 1732 into a respectable and wealthy family. His father, Haji Faizulla, was a rich merchant. Despite being born into such wealth, Mohsin remained humble and dedicated his life to the service of the poor.

13. What was the significance of the "faint light" coming from the hut?

Ans: The faint light was the only sign of life in the dark night that drew Mohsin's attention. It led him to the hut where he discovered the suffering of the hungry children, eventually leading to his promise to help them forever.

14. Why did Mohsin visit the stranger's house after catching him stealing?

Ans: Mohsin was a wise man. He wanted to make sure that the stranger was telling the truth about his hungry children and his poverty. After visiting the house and seeing the truth for himself, he felt even more compassion for the man.

15. How did Mohsin handle his large property?

Ans: Mohsin had a large property, but he did not use it for his own luxury. He used his riches to look after the sick and the needy. He dedicated the income from his property to charity and spreading education.

16. What lesson do we learn from the story of the thief?

Ans: The story teaches us that kindness and forgiveness can change a person's life. Instead of punishing the thief, Mohsin understood his desperation and helped him become an honest man by providing him with the means to start a business.

17. What was the mother's hope for her children in the hut?

Ans: The mother hoped that by pretending to cook, her children would stop crying and eventually fall asleep. She hoped that in their sleep, they would forget the pain of their hunger because she had no food to give them.

18. How does the text describe the night Mohsin heard the children?

Ans: The text describes the night as calm and quiet. Mohsin was walking alone in the dark. This peaceful setting was suddenly interrupted by the sound of children crying, which highlighted the sadness of the situation inside the hut.

19. What was the stranger's answer when Mohsin asked if he could lead an honest life?

Ans: The stranger replied that he had no work and no food for his crying children. He explained that he only stole to find food for them. He was not a criminal by choice but by circumstances, and he begged for forgiveness.

20. Summarize the main theme of "A Profile in Kindness".

Ans: The main theme is selfless service and empathy. It shows how Haji Muhammad Mohsin lived his life for others, helping the hungry, the poor, and even those who did wrong out of desperation. It emphasizes that true greatness lies in kindness and charity.