Welcome to the cookie lady Workbook Answers: ISC Prism (Evergreen), your essential companion for Ken Liu’s hauntingly beautiful short story included in the ISC Class 11 & 12 English Literature syllabus. Here you’ll find detailed workbook solutions specifically aligned with the Evergreen Publications (Prism) workbook, helping you explore the story’s magical realism and emotional depth. Whether you’re analyzing the complex mother-son relationship, examining themes of cultural identity and belonging, or preparing for exams, our comprehensive answers, literary analysis, and expert explanations will guide you through each layer of this award-winning story. Let’s unfold the delicate origami of meaning in The Paper Menagerie together, one workbook exercise at a time!
Table of Contents
About The Story :
Bubber mocked by a friend
Bernard Bubber Surle would often go to the home of Mrs Drew to have his favourite cookies. On the way he was mocked by his friend Ernie Mill, who used to be fixing papers for his route. Ernie Mil asked Bubber if he was going again to se his who used to be favourite lady. Without heeding much to the mocking, Bubber went on his way to Mrs Drew’s house.
Mrs Drew’s house
Mrs Drew’s house was situated at the end of the street. The house looked like a little gray box, shabby and unpainted. The steps of the porch were sagging. An old rocking chair was lying there. Climbing the rickety steps, he pressed the bel. Bubber could feel the wonderful smell of something being cooked. Mrs Drew opened the door for Bubber. For some time there was complete silence.
Bubber in the kitchen
Mrs Drew asked Bubber to step into the kitchen as his favourite food items were ready for him. On seeing the fresh warm cookies with nuts and raisins in them, Bubber’s mouth began to water. She had got cold milk ready as she knew that Bubber relished cookies with it. Taking all these things, Mrs Drew invited Bubber to go into the living room. She drew great pleasure and excitement in presenting Bubber his favourite food.
Bubber enjoying the cookies
Mrs Drew was happily watching Bubber eating the cookies greedily. He ate to his fill, his bulging sides getting even more prominent. He still had eyes on the cookies being baked in the kitchen. Mrs Drew, drawing his attention to her, asked him if he could stay and talk to her longer. On being tempted with more cookies after reading to her, Bubber opened his Geography book and began to read ti aloud.
Mrs Drew getting transformed and rejuvenated
Mrs Drew was watching eagerly Bubber read the book. She looked at the boy intently, at every motion of his arms and hands. She felt relaxed, letting herself sink back in her chair. The boy’s proximity was exhilarating to Mrs Drew who began to experience some transformation of youthfulness in her inner being, though temporarily. As she sat in the chair, she was growing younger with her gray hair thickening and darkening, and wrinkles are disappearing. She felt that now she was a young woman of thirty, with red lips and full cheeks. Meanwhile the boy stopped reading the book as it was time to go. He took some more cookies, filled his pockets and departed for home. Mrs Drew requested him to come back again.
Bubber’s parents unhappy with him
Bubber’s parents feel upset and disturbed with their son for frequently visiting Mrs Drew. His mother was angry and asked him why he was feeling sick. The boy’s reply that he was tired annoyed his father who found him worn out. They told him clearly that he could go to her only once more as they felt that there was something strange about that lady.
Bubber’s last visit to Mrs Drew’s house
It was Wednesday, warm and sunny. Bubber felt tempted by the soda shop as he passed by it. On reaching Mrs Drew’s house he rang the bell. It was almost four o’clock and he couldn’t stay much longer. He was warmly welcomed by the old lady who got ready to prepare the cookies. She felt sore when Bubber told her that this was his last visit. His parents could not permit him visiting her any more.
Bubber reading out a book to her
Bubber did not carry any book with him that day. So Mrs Drew gave one book, perhaps by Tralop and asked him to read though her attention was not on listening. The lady went very close to the boy. She felt something miraculous happening as she touched the boy’s arm. At once the old lady felt the ‘youngness’, a pulsating vibrating youngness so close to her. A youthful transformation of new vigour and of rejuvenation, entered into her work self. She was blooming again, filling with life, swelling into richness, as she had been once, long ago. Her voice was throaty and sensual. As Bubber left with the cookies, she went into the bedroom and gazed into the mirror. She was young again, her steady bosom swelling. She began to get throbs
on touching her body parts.
Bubber just a bundle of trash
At home Bubber was being anxiously awaited. His parents were angry at his getting late. The wind was blowing hard. It chilled him. He felt tired, exhausted, completely spent up. The wind was pushing him from side to side. He could hardly walk to his home. This inclement weather stood on the nerves of his parents. As they were waiting for the boy’s arrival what they saw was just shocking. Instead of the boy, they discovered a bundle of debris blown by the wind, striking the house.
Workbook MCQs :
(I) Ernie Mill’s tone was :
(a) sad
(b) happy
(c) mocking
(d) friendly
Answer :- (a) sad
(II) The house in which Mrs Drew lives was :
(a) a haunted house
(b) shabby
(c) very big
(d) newly renovated
Answer :- (b) shabby
(III) Mrs Drew was :
(a) a young woman
(b) a very old woman
(c) charming and friendly
(d) cynical
Answer :- (a) a young woman
(IV) Mrs Drew served Bubber cookies with :
(a) tea
(b) coffee
(c) hot milk
(d) cold milk
Answer :- (c) hot milk
(V) Bubber was carrying with him a book on :
(a) poetry
(b) chemistry
(c) geography
(d) general knowledge
Answer :- (b) chemistry
(VI) The rocking chair was placed :
(a) in the living room
(b) on the porch
(c) near the staircase
(d) in the backyard
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(VII) Mrs Drew turned into a woman of…………….. when she came close to Bubber after his reading a book.
(a) 20
(b) 30
(c) 35
(d) 25
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(VIII) What did Bubbar’s parents discuss when they saw him coming from Mrs Drew’s house ?
(a) Bubbar was indifferent
(b) Bubbar was tired out
(c) Bubbar was behaving abnormally
(d) Bubbar was annoyed
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(IX) What kind of boy was Bubber ?
(a) thin
(b) obese
(c) cheerful
(d) very clever
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(X)When Bubber told Mrs Drew that this was his last visit to hers how did she react ?
(a) angrily
(b) foolishly
(c) behaved awkwardly
(d) felt unhappy
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Logic Based Questions :
(I) Mrs Drew kept the door open for Bubber because she wanted him to get in and eat cookies.
(II) On eating cookies Bubber’s ample sides bulged because he had eaten a full plate of cookies.
(III) Mrs Drew asked Bubber to stay and talk to her for while because she liked him while he sat there and talked to her.
(IV) Bubber had been coming to Mrs Drew because she used to serve cookies to him.
(V) Ernic used to ask Bubber about his visit to old lady because he did not know the exact reason of his visits to the lady.
(VI) Mrs Drew underwent transformation when Bubber visited her because [ For Full Workbook Answers , Get The Full E-Book Access – View ]
Short Answer Questions :
1. Why is Bernard teased by his friends ? Where does he go ?
Answer :- Bernard is teased by his friends as he visited an old lady Mrs. Drew. He visited her house to meet her and eat cookies there. Her house was at Elm street.
2. Where was the old lady living ? What kind of house was it ?
Answer :- The old lady was living in a shabby house in Elm street. It was an old house at the end of the street. The front of the house was overgrown with weeds. The house looked like a dark box and was unpainted. It looked gloomy and mysterious.
3. What tempts Bubber to the cookie lady ?
Answer :- Bubber likes to eat cookies very much. The very smell of these eatables has an enchanting impact on him. His mouth begins to water. Mrs. Drew serves him with fresh, delicious cookies. These cookies tempt him to the cookie lady, Mrs. Drew.
4. What do you know about Bubber’s parents ?
Answer :- Ralf and Mrs. May Surle are Bubber’s parents. They feel much concerned about their son and his health. They understand the changes coming in their son and adversely affecting him. Ultimately, his father forbids him to visit Mrs. Drew. They know how to check the boy by asking him to stop going there in a polite but firm way.
5. How long has Bubber been visiting the old lady? How would she feel in his presence ?
Answer :- Bubber has been visiting the old lady for over a month. The lady would feel young and passionate in Bubber’s presence. She would feel a kind of physical transformation taking place in her.
6. What did the boy feel in her company and after he left her ?
Answer :- The boy felt excited to eat cookies and enjoyed reading to the cookie lady. He felt perplexed but his desire to eat cookies overpowered all other feelings. After he had left her company he would feel tired and sick.
7. What reaction did Bubber’s parents give when he returned from Mrs Drew’s house ?
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8.What wrong do you find in Bubber visiting Mrs Drew ?
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9. How did the lady feel the change in herself when Bubber visited her on his last visit ?
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10. Do you approve of the lady feeling happy over her transformation when she ignored what had happened to the boy ?
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11. What fate is meted out to Bubber ?
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12. What kind of boy is Bubber depicted ?
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Long Answer Questions :
1. Discuss the appropriates of the title of the story ‘The Cookie Lady’.
Answer :- The story ‘The Cookie Lady’ has a suitable and significant title. The title is based on the main character Mrs. Drew who prepares and serves cookies to a young boy named Bubber. Her preparing the cookies gives her the name the Cookie Lady. The story also focuses on this lady’s activities and behaviour. Mrs Drew, the Cookie Lady is an old woman who feels young and possionate in the company of the young boy who visits her house. He comes there as he has an uncontrollable hunger for cookies. The lady gives him the cookies and in return enjoys his youthful company which makes her feel young and full of life. This lady has a personality that attracts any one who comes in contact with her. She has certain qualities of a vampire. Her charms have an enchanting impact on Bubber. He is so impacted by her magic that his parents get worried about his health. The evil impact on this young boy is the result of the company of the cookie lady. Thus, the whole story focuses on the personality, actions and behaviour of this lady and its impact on the young boy Bubber. The title clearly refers to all this and acquires great importance and relevance. Metaphorically, it also suggests that the lady not only cooks food but also the young boy who gets destroyed. The lady on the other hand feels transformed into someone healthy and youthful.
2. Comment on the theme of the story.
Answer :- The story brings out the unscruplous ways adopted by people to exploit others weaknesses for selfish gains. It also shows the way innocent people get used by others taking advantages of their innocent likings for certain things or their drawbacks. The story also illustrates the way one suffers because of a lack of control over one’s desires. These ideas have been effectively presented in the story through the relationship between Mrs. Drew an old lady and a young boy named Bubber. Mrs. Drew takes advantage of Bubber’s weakness for cookies and uses him to satisfy her hunger for youthful passion. She ignores how her activities destroy the boy’s health and peace of mind. On the other hand, Bubber is completely overwhelmed by the desire to eat cookies. His liking and unlimited lust for cookies lead him to his ruin. The theme of parent-child relationship also finds place in the story. Bubber’s parents fail to keep track of his activities as they lack a constant touch with him. Had they known the things well from the beginning the boy would not have visited the lady. The story suggests that parents have to be more responsible towards their children.
3. Give a character sketch of Mrs Drew.
Answer :- Mrs. Drew is an old, a little dried-up lady with a passion to feel young and energetic. She has lost her youth but still dreams of remaining young and experiencing excitement for life. It makes her behave in a very strange and highly selfish way. She knows how to cook delicious cookies and exploits the young boy Bubber’s hunger for these eatables. Being clever, she hides her true motive from the boy in serving him with cookies and asking him to read books to her. She uses these things as an excuse to experience the excitement of being young in the boy’s company. Her selfish nature does not allow her to see the evil impact of her activities on the young boy. She is concerned about her own happiness and pleasure. She has not been able to reconcile with her age and still wants to feel youthful Mrs. Drew does not enjoy a good reputation in the neighbourhood. Nobody respects or likes her. Bubber’s friends make fun of him for visiting this strange woman and his parents want him to stop visiting Mrs. Drew. She is a very selfish strange and mysterious woman.
4. What kind of story is ‘The Cookie Lady’?
Answer :- ‘The Cookie Lady’ is a strange and mysterious story with a vampire like character named Mrs. Drew. She is an old woman but her activities and the atmosphere surrounding her add an element of mystery to the story. This woman lives in a house overgrown with weeds. There is an aroma of freshly prepared cookies that has an enchanting impact on the young boy Bubber. His heart starts thudding with anticipation and he gradually feels gripped by the desire to eat the cookies. Gradually the story unfolds the way Bubber is exploited by the lady because of his weakness for cookies. The story becomes horrible when the effect of the strange old lady’s behaviour starts taking a toll of the boy’s health. One wonders how the very company of a vampire like Mrs. Drew can destroy a young boy’s health and his life. The lady’s feeling rejuvenated in the company of the young boy is also something surprising and unusual. All these elements make this story strange, mysterious and different from stories about common place experiences of life.
5. Discuss the plot of the story.
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6. Comment on the ending of the story. Could there be another ending ?
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7. Does the story ‘The Cookie Lady’ carry any meaning underneath ? What is it?
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