TS 10th Class English Guide Unit 1B Every Success Story is Also a Story of Great Failures
I. Answer the following questions
Question 1.
To Lincoln, defeat was a detour and not a dead end. Justify this statement from the life of Lincoln?
Answer:
Though Lincoln failed in many attempts, he didnt lose hope. He couldnt quit his trials. He failed in business at the age of 21, was defeated in a legislative race at age 22, failed again in business at age 24, overcame the death of his dear wife at the age of 26 had a nervous breakdown at age 27, lost a congressional race at age 34, lost a senatorial race at age 45, failed in an effort to become vice-president at age 47, lost a senatorial race at age 49 and was elected president of the United States at age 52
Thus he had faced so many difficulties before he got the success. When he faced difficulties, he didnt lose his way. He tried hard and got the success. Thus, Lincoln proved that defeat was a detour and not a dead end
Question 2.
What did Socrates suggest as the secret to success? Do you agree or disagree with him? Give reasons for your answer?
Answer:
Socrates suggested that the burning desire is the only secret to success. Every one should agree with this idea Unless we have a strong passion for something, we cannot achieve it. According to Socrates, the burning desire would be the starting point of all accomplishments. It gives the perfect and adequate motivation to achieve something
Question 3.
Complete the following table about the failures and successes of the great personalities mentioned In the lesson you have just read. The first one is done for you?
Answer:
| Person |
Failures/rejections he faced |
Final success |
| 1. Abraham Lincoln |
Failed in business, defeated in legislative elections, had nervous breakdown, lost congressional race and senatorial race |
Elected President of United States of America |
| 2. Lee De Forest |
was charged by the district attorney for using fradu lent means to mislead the public into buying stocks of his company |
Invented the triodes tube |
| 3. Wright Brothers |
Their wisdom was questioned by a New York Times editorial |
They took their famous flight at Kitty Hawk |
| 4. Colonel Sanders |
Knocked many doors before he got the first order |
Became a famous business-man and founded the Kentuc ky Fried Chicken Chain restaurants |
| 5. Walt Disney |
Faced many rejections from newspaper editors, who said he had no talent |
He created world famous Mickey Mouse. He became animator, film producer, director, screen writer, voice actor, enterpreneur, entertainer, international icon and philanthropist |
| 6. Thomas Edison |
He was considered as a stupid by his teachers. He was partially deaf. He lost his factory when he was 67 |
Grew up to be a great scientist |
| 7. Henry Ford |
Forgot to put the reverse gear in his first car. He was broke at the age of 40 |
Established cars Company |
| 8. Lee lacocca |
Fired by Henry Ford II |
Engineered the Ford Mastang and Ford Pinto cars. Famous for leadership, creativity and self control |
| 9. Ludwig van Beethoven |
was told that he had no talent for music |
Gave some of the best music to the world |
Question 4.
How did Walt Disney create Mickey Mouse ?
Answer:
As a young cartoonist, Walt Disney faced many rejections from newspaper editors, who said he had no talent. One day a minister at a church hired him to draw some cartoons. Disney was working out of a small mouse infested shed near the church. After seeing a small mouse, he was inspired and that was the start of Mickey Mouse
Question 5.
What is failing forward ?
Answer:
All success stories are stories of great failures. The only difference is that everytime they failed, they bounced back. This is called failing forward, rather than backward
Question 6.
How can we get rid of setbacks ?
Answer:
Setbacks are inevitable in everybodys life. A setback can act as a driving force and also teach us humility. In grief we will find courage and faith to overcome the setback we need to learn to become victors, not victims. We should not feel fear and doubt
Study skills
An elderly carpenter was ready to retire. He told his employer-contractor of his plans to leave the house-building business to live a more leisurely life with his wife and enjoy his extended family. He would miss the paycheck each week, but he wanted to retire. They could get by
The contractor was sorry to see his good worker go and asked if he could build just one more house as a personal favour. The carpenter agreed. But over time it was easy to see that his heart was not in his work. He resorted to shoddy workmanship and used inferior materials. It was an unfortunate way to end a dedicated career
When the carpenter finished his work, his employer came to inspect the house. Then he handed the front-door key to the carpenter and said, "This is your house.my gift to you."
The carpenter was shocked!
What a shame! If he had only known that he was building his own house, he would have done it all so differently
So it is with us. We build our lives, a day at a time, often putting less than our best into the building. Then, with a shock, we realize we have to live in the house we have built. If we could do it over, we would do it much differently
But, you cannot go back. You are the carpenter, and every day you hammer a nail, place a board, or erect a wall. Someone once said, "Life is a do-it-yourself project." Your attitude, and the choices you make today, help build the "house" you will live in tomorrow. Therefore, build wisely
QuestionI.
Complete the table given below?
Answer:
| Point to be observed |
Observation / Point of view |
| The setting / Location in which the Story took place |
(A building) Retirtement of a carpenter |
| The main characters |
A contractor and a carpenter |
| The main events |
The carpenter decided to retire.
He told his employer (contractor) about his decision.
The contractor requested the carpenter to build one more house as a personal favour.
The carpenter agreed and finished his work, but not whole heartedly.
The contracter gave the very house to the carpenter as a gift |
| The turning point in the story |
The contractor inspected the house, handed the front-door key to the carpenter and told him to take the house as a gift |
| The irony in the story |
The carpenter thought that the hosue was for the contractor. As he had already decided to retire, he didnt do the work with good workmanship. But he was shocked to know that the house was for him |
| The message in the story |
"Build your life with good attitude" |
| Possible title |
Possible title |
QuestionII.
Rewrite the above story by giving another ending of your own?
Answer:
An elderly carpenter was ready to retire. He told his employer - contractor of his plans to leave the house - building business to live a more leisurely life with his wife and enjoy his extended family. He would miss the paycheck each week, but he wanted to retire. They could get by
The contractor was sorry to see his good worker go and asked if he could build just one more house as a personal favour. The carpenter agreed. He was very faithful and always trustworthy. Hence, he showed good workmanship and used superior materials and finished building the beautiful house
When the carpenter finished his work, his employer came to inspect the house. He was so attracted that he wanted to live in it. The employer / contractor praised the carpenter and gave him a hundred gold coins as a reward so that he could live happily his remaining life. The " carpenter went home with the huge gift he received and lived in the house with his family happily
Listening
Question.
Listen to the story about a farmer
Attitude is Everything?
There was a farmer in Africa who was happy and contented. He was happy because he was contented. He was contented because he was happy. One day a wise man came to him and told him about the glory of diamonds and the power that goes along with them
The wise man said, "If you had a diamond of the size of your thumb, you could have your own city. If you had a diamond, the size of your fist, you could probably own your own country." And then he went away. That night the farmer couldnt sleep
He was unhappy and he was discontented. He was unhappy because he was discontented and discontented because he was unhappy. The next morning he made arrangements to sell off his farm, took care of his family and went in search of diamonds
He looked all over Africa and couldnt find any. He looked all through Europe and couldnt find any. When he got to Spain, he was emotionally, physically and financially broke. He got so disheartened that he threw himself into the Barcelona River and committed suicide
Back home, the person who had bought his farm was watering the camels at a stream that ran through the farm. Across the stream, the rays of the morning sun hit stone and made it sparkle like a rainbow. He thought it would look good on the mantel piece. He picked up the stone and put it in the living room. That afternoon the wise man came and saw the stone sparkling
He asked, "Is Hafiz back?" The new owner said, "No, why do you ask?" The wise man x said, "Because that is a diamond. I recognize one when I see one." The man said, no, thats just a stone I picked up from the stream. Come, Ill show you. There are many more." They went and picked some samples and sent them for analysis. Sure enough, the stones were diamonds. They found that the farm was indeed covered with acres and acres of diamonds
Just now you have listened to a story about a farmer. Here are some sentences that describe the events in the story. However, they are not in the order in which they occur in the story. Listen to the story and arrange them in the order in which they occur. Put 1 after the event that occurs first, 2 against the next and so on
He threw himself into the Barcelona River and committed suicide.
The wise man said, "Because that is a diamond."
He picked up the stone and put it in the living room.
He looked all through Europe and couldnt find any.
They found that the farm was indeed covered with acres and acres of diamonds.
That night the farmer couldnt sleep.
The person who had bought his farm was watering the camels at a stream.
He made arrangements to sell off his farm and went in search of diamonds.
He was unhappy and he was discontent.
A wise man told him about the glory of diamonds
Answer:
Correct Order
- A wise man told him about the glory of diamonds.
- That night the farmer couldnt sleep.
- He was unhappy and he was discontented.
- He made arrangements to sell off his farm and went in search of diamonds.
- He looked all through Europe and couldnt find any
- He threw himself into the Barcelona River and committed suicide
- The person who had bought his farm was watering the camels at a stream
- He picked up the stone and put it in the living room
- The wise man said, "Because that is a diamond."
- They found that the farm was indeed covered with acres and acres of diamonds
Oral Activity
Question.
After listening to the story, work in pairs and discuss the advantages and disadvantages of travelling abroad. You may use the hints given in the box for your understanding?
| Advantages |
Disadvantages |
| Earn more money |
Cut off from your roots |
| Social Status |
Living away from parents |
| More opportunities |
Brain drain / Intellectual loss |
Answer:
Travelling Abroad - Advantages and Disadvantages:
Now-a-days, it is easier and easier for people to travel abroad. Because of the globalization, travelling abroad has become necessary in todays world. The number of foreign tourists is increasing day by day in each and every country. Along with advantages, travelling abroad brings disadvantages too
Advantages:-
Some people travel abroad to discover the new lands, meet the people there, learn about their culture, gain knowledge, enjoy the architecture and beautiful scenery, pleasant weather etc. Some others travel abroad to work and earn more money. They want to maintain social status by making more money
The students go abroad to study the specialized courses. They want to get jobs there with the educational qualifications acquired by them there. Thus, they get more opportunities to earn a living. They will get an exciting job and have an active life. The travellers will get a chance to observe how the people in other parts of the world live. Thus they will get a broader worldview
Disadvantages:-
Today most of the people think that it is a status symbol living in abroad and earning money there. Thus they cut off themselves from their roots. They forget about their culture, customs, rituals etc. They give importance only to money. They abandon their parents and go abroad to earn more and more money. They dont even think of their parents
The old ones, when they really need the help from their offspring, cant get any. Their condition is really miserable. This is all because of mans thrust for money. In the process of earning money, they are leading mechanical lives. They are using their intellectual power for sake of other countries
The skilled and clever people emigrate from their countries and use their skill for money. In-that way the countries lose persons with skill and workmanship. These countries are suffering from Intellectual loss
Travelling abroad is necessary in this fast-growing world. It helps to promote the development of the tourism industry and the relations among the countries are strengthened. Still, one shouldnt forget ones own parents, country, culture etc. for the cause of going abroad
Every Success Story is Also a Story of Great Failures Summary in English
Failures are the stepping stones to success. According to Tom Watson Sr. we have to double our failure rate if we want to get the success. Most of the successful persons had to face failures before reaching their positions. Abraham Lincoln was a good example for this. Before he became President of the United States, Lincoln failed in business at age 21, was defeated in a legislative race at age 22, failed again in business at age 24, overcame the death of his sweetheart at age 26, had a nervous breakdown at age 27, lost a congressional race at age 34, lost a senatorial race at age 45, failed in an effort to become vice-president at age 47, lost a senatorial race at age 49 and finally achieved the success
Though Lee De Forest was publicly humiliated for transmitting the voices across the Atlantic, he invented the triodes tube and had over 180 patents to his credit. Though their wisdom was questioned, the Wright Brothers didnt lose their confidence and took their famous flight. Colonel Sanders, the founder of Kentucky Fried Chicken Chain Restaurants had knocked on more than a thousand doors before he got his first order
Walt Disney, the famous cartoonist had faced many rejections before he got the success. He created Mickey Mouse when he was inspired by a small mouse. Thomas Edison was considered a stupid in his childhood but he grew up to be a great scientist
He was partially deaf and had only three months of formal schooling. He had made over 1000 experiments before he invented the electric bulb. He was the man with great attitude. Though Edison lost his factory to fire at age 67, he didnt lose heart. Three weeks later, he invented the phonograph
Henry Ford, the founder of the Ford Motor Company, forgot to put the reverse gear in the first car he made. He was broke at the age of 40. Lee lacocca was an American Businessman known for engineering the Ford Mustang and Ford Pinto cars. He was fired (dismissed from service) by Henry Ford II at the age of 54. Ludvig van Beethoven was a German composer and pianist. Though he was told that he had no talent for music, he gave some of the best music to the world
Everytime the successful men failed, they bounced back which is called failing forward. Setbacks are inevitable in life. They teach us humility. We should get rid of fear and doubt and find courage and faith to overcome the setback. According to Napolean Hill whenever we think about something and believe it, we can achieve it. A burning desire is needed to achieve a purpose
When a young man asked Socrates the secret to success, he took him to the river and ducked him into the water. He kept the young man there until he started turning blue and then pulled his head onto the water. The boy took a deep breath of air. Then Socrates made the boy realise that the secret to success is that he should want success as badly as he wanted the air
IF YOU THINK
If you think you are beaten, you are.
If you think you dare not, you dont!
If you like to win, but think you cant,
Its almost a cinch ou wont.
If you think youll lose, youre lost;
For out in the world we find
Success begins with a fellows will;
Its all in the state of mind.
If you think you are outclassed, you are,
Youve got to think high to rise,
Youve got to be sure of yourself before
You can ever win a prize.
Lifes battles dont always go
To the stronger and faster man,
But sooner or later the man who wins
Is the man who thinks he can
Our positive thinking makes us successful. If we think we are beaten, it certainly happens. If we think we darent we dont dare to do any. If we dont think about a win, surely we cant get it. If we think that we will lose, we are lost. With will we will be successful. If we think we are overcome, we are surely overcame. We need to think high to achieve success. We need to have confidence and faith. The man who thinks properly wins finally. If we are stronger and faster, we can get rid of our difficulties
Glossary
overcome (v) = to defeat or succeed in controlling or dealing with something
detour (n) = a road or route that is used when the usual one is closed ;
triodes tube (n) = a triode is an electronic amplification tube having three active electrodes. Invented in 1906, the triode vacuum tube was the first electronic amplification device. This invention founded the electronic age, making possible amplified radio technology and long-distance telephony.
Lee de Forest = an American inventor with over 180 patents to his credit. He invented the Audion, a vacuum tube that takes relatively weak electrical signals and amplifies them. He is one of the fathers of the "electronic age," as the Audion helped in the widespread use of electronics. He is also credited with one of the principal inventions that brought sound to motion pictures
fraudulent (adj) = intended to cheat someone, usually in order to make money illegally
Colonel Sanders = Colonel Harland David Sanders was an American businessman and restaurateur who founded the Kentucky Fried Chicken (KFC) Chain Restaurants
Beat-up (adj) = old and damaged
Walt Disney = an American animator, film producer, director, screenwriter, voice actor, entrepreneur, entertainer, international icon and philanthropist, well known for his influence in the field of entertainment during the 20th century. He created some of the worlds most well-known fictional characters including Mickey Mouse.
infest (y) = to exist in large numbers in a particular place, often causing damage or disease (especially of insects or animals such as rats)
Henry Ford = An American industrialist, the founder of the Ford Motor Company, and sponsor of the development of the assembly line technique of mass production. He did not invent the automobile but he developed and manufactured the first automobile that many middle class Americans could afford to buy
Lee lacocca = an American Business man known for engineering the Ford Mustang and Ford Pinto cars. He was the former chairman of the Chrysler Corporation. He was one of the most famous business people in the world. He is the author (or co-author) of several books, including lacocca
Ludwig van Beethoven= a German composer and pianist. He was a crucial figure in the transition between the Classical and Romantic eras in Western art music. He remains one of the most famous and influential of all composers. His best known compositions include 9 symphonies, 5 concertos, 2 piano sonatas and 16 string quartets. He also composed other chamber music, choral works (including the celebrated Missa Solemnis and songs).
Napoleon Hill = an American author in the area of the new thought movement who was one of the earliest producers of the modern genre of personal-success literature. He is widely considered to be one of the great writers on success.
conceive = to form an idea, a plan, etc. in your mind; to imagine something
Socrates(469 - 399 BC)= A classical Greek Athenian philosopher credited as one of the founders of Western Philosophy. He is an enigmatic figure known chiefly throuqh the accounts of later classical writers, especially the writings of his students Plato and Xenophon and the plays of his contemporary Aristopanes. Many would claim that Platos dialogues are the most comprehensive accounts of Socrates to survive from antiquity. Socrates has become renowned for his contribution to the field of ethics.
ducked (v) = pushed somebody under water and held them there for a short time
cinch (n) = a thing that is certain to happen
outclassed (v) = overcame
attorney (n) = a lawyer
humiliate (v) = to make someone feel ashamed
quit (v) = to leave; to stop doing something
recipe (n) = set of instructions for cooking a particular type of food
rejection (n) = the act of not accepting
disaster (n) = event that causes great harm or damage
setback (n) = thing that hinders the progress of something
inevitable (adj) = that is sure to happen
humility (n) = humble attitude of mind, modesty
victor (n) = winner of a battle, contest, game etc.
stumbling block (n) = thing that causes difficulty or hesitation, obstacle
gasp (v) = take one or more quick deep breaths with open mouth
accomplishment (n) = successful completion, thing achieved
will (n) = mental power by which a person can direct hs thoughts and actions or influence those of others