C2

Chapter 2: Father Timothy

1. Father Timothy gave the orphan three names. How would these names help the boy?

Ram's names helped him during all he is surrounded by people during his entire life, and these people call him on the way they like, according to their religion. A clear example is Colonel Taylor, one of the few characters that speak english, who calls him Thomas (his christian name). 

2. Find out about the wars between India and Pakistan and answer: In your opinion, why did Father Timoty give him these three names?

Father Timothy probably gave him these three names to avoid racism and to give him more opportunities to get jobs or meet people.

3. How did Ram spend his childhood?

Ram spend his childhood in the church, living with Father Timothy. He says that lots of boys from the street went to the church gardens to play cricket and football. He was taught to speak english by Father Timothy and he learnt about Jesus's life. All of that changed when Father Timothy died and he was left with nothing.

4. How different was Ram Mohhamad Thomas's childhood from yours?

First of all, I did not live in a church. I have real parents, a real house and I was not poor. I played with dolls, I didn't play football in the street (in fact, nowadays nobody can play in the street). Like Ram, I had someone who taught me to speak english and told me everything about religion, but only one, not three!  

5. In your opinion, what is going to happen to Ram after Father Timothy's death?

He will probably be left in the street with nothing (maybe with very little money) and nobody will take care of him, so he will have to make his own life and take care of himself. He will be alone.