1. Who was Vanka Zhukov ? What was he doing?

Vanka Zhukov, the main character in Anton Chekov's story ‘Dear Grandpa’, was a nine year old boy. He was working as a servant in the house of Alyahin, a shoemaker in Moscow.

2. Who was Vanka’s grand father? What was his occupation?

Vanka’s grand father’s name was Konstantin Makaritch. He was sixty five years old and was working as night watch man in a house. He was a lively man, walking around his land lady’s house and cracking jokes to fellow servants.

3. Who were Kashtanka and Eel?

Kashtanka and Eel were two dogs in the landlady’s house.

4. Why did Vanka write to his grand father?

Vanka wanted to inform his sufferings to his grand father, so that he could be taken back to his native village.

5. Describe the difficulties which Vanka had to face in Alyahin’s house?

Alyahin used to thrash Vanka for no fault of his. Vanka had to work hard but he could not get enough sleep, rest or food. He was totally unhappy and according to him his life was worse than any dog’s. So he wanted to escape from there.

6. How was Vanka’s life when his mother was alive ?

When Vanka’s mother was alive, Olga, the young lady of the house used to give him tasty food. She taught him how to read and write.

7. Do you think that Vanka’s letter would reach his grand father?

Vanka wrote only ‘To my grandfather in my village', and ‘Konstantin Makaritch ‘ on the envelope containing the letter. The letter would not have reached his grandfather as the address was incomplete.

8. What message do you receive from this story?

Children should not be forced to work in other's houses, factories etc. They should be provided with education and opportunity to play and live happily in the young age. Then only they can grow and develop into responsible citizens of the world.