The-legend-behind-a-legend-class-11-english-summary-questions-and-answers-chse
SUMMARY
“The Legend Behind a Legend” is a biographical sketch of Mother Teresa, the Nobel Peace Prize winner who devoted her life to serving the poor, sick, and destitute. Born in Skopje, she joined the Loreto Convent in Ireland and later came to India as a teacher. However, she was deeply moved by the poverty and suffering she saw in the streets of Kolkata.
Answering her “call within a call,” she left her convent life and began to serve the poorest of the poor. She founded the Missionaries of Charity in 1950, which grew into a worldwide organization working for the needy. Mother Teresa dedicated herself to helping the sick, lepers, orphans, and the dying, offering them dignity and love.
Her compassion, humility, and selfless service earned her global recognition, including the Nobel Peace Prize in 1979. Yet, she remained simple and devoted only to her mission of love. She believed that small acts of kindness could bring great change.
Thus, the chapter highlights not just the biography of Mother Teresa but the spirit of service and humanity that made her a true legend behind her legendary work.
SHORT QUESTION-ANSWERS
Q1. Who is the ‘legend’ referred to in the lesson “The Legend Behind a Legend”?
Ans. The ‘legend’ refers to Mother Teresa, who became world-famous for her service to the poor, sick, and dying.
Q2. Where was Mother Teresa born?
Ans. She was born in Skopje, Yugoslavia (now North Macedonia) in 1910.
Q3. What was Mother Teresa’s original name?
Ans. Her original name was Agnes Gonxha Bojaxhiu.
Q4. When did Mother Teresa come to India and why?
Ans. She came to India in 1929 as a young nun of the Loreto Convent to work as a teacher in Kolkata.
Q5. What made Mother Teresa leave the convent and serve the poor?
Ans. She received a “call within a call” from God, which inspired her to serve the poorest of the poor outside the convent walls.
Q6. What was the name of the organization founded by Mother Teresa?
Ans. She founded the Missionaries of Charity in 1950.
Q7. What was the main aim of the Missionaries of Charity?
Ans. Its aim was to serve the poor, sick, homeless, and dying with love and dignity.
Q8. How did Mother Teresa show her compassion to the sick and dying?
Ans. She gave them care, shelter, food, and affection, restoring their dignity in the last days of their lives.
Q9. Which groups of people did Mother Teresa particularly serve?
Ans. She served orphans, lepers, the poor, the abandoned, and the dying destitute.
Q10. How did Mother Teresa’s service inspire others?
Ans. Thousands of volunteers joined her mission, and her work spread to different parts of the world.
Q11. When did Mother Teresa receive the Nobel Peace Prize?
Ans. She received the Nobel Peace Prize in 1979.
Q12. Apart from the Nobel Prize, name any other award received by Mother Teresa.
Ans. She received the Bharat Ratna (India’s highest civilian award) in 1980.
Q13. Why is Mother Teresa called the “Saint of the Gutters”?
Ans. Because she worked selflessly in the slums of Kolkata, caring for the poorest of the poor.
Q14. How did Mother Teresa’s life reflect humility?
Ans. Despite global fame, she lived a simple life in a small room, wearing only a plain white sari with blue borders.
Q15. What was Mother Teresa’s belief about small acts of kindness?
Ans. She believed “Not all of us can do great things. But we can do small things with great love.”
Q16. How did people across the world honor Mother Teresa after her death?
Ans. People of all religions and nations mourned her, remembering her as a symbol of love and compassion.
Q17. When did Mother Teresa die?
Ans. She died on 5th September 1997 in Kolkata.
Q18. How did the Vatican recognize Mother Teresa after her death?
Ans. The Vatican canonized her as Saint Teresa of Calcutta in 2016.
Q19. What does the title “The Legend Behind a Legend” suggest?
Ans. It suggests that Mother Teresa’s selfless service and humanity are the true legend behind her fame.
Q20. Why is Mother Teresa considered a legend?
Ans. Because she transformed the lives of countless suffering people, showing that love and service are greater than wealth or power.
LONG QUESTION-ANSWERS
Q1. Describe the early life of Mother Teresa.
Ans. Mother Teresa was born in Skopje, Yugoslavia in 1910 as Agnes Gonxha Bojaxhiu. From childhood, she was deeply religious and desired to serve humanity. At the age of 18, she left her home to join the Loreto Convent in Ireland, where she trained as a nun. Later, she came to India in 1929 and began her career as a teacher in Kolkata. While teaching at St. Mary’s School, she was moved by the suffering she saw around her. This experience shaped her future mission. Her early life thus reflects her deep faith, courage to leave her family behind, and commitment to serving the poor, which later defined her as Mother Teresa, the world’s most loved humanitarian.
Q2. What inspired Mother Teresa to dedicate her life to the service of the poor?
Ans. While teaching at St. Mary’s School in Kolkata, Mother Teresa witnessed extreme poverty, hunger, and disease outside the convent walls. She felt a strong inner urge to serve the needy, which she described as a “call within a call” from God. In 1948, she left the convent and began working among the poor in the slums of Kolkata. She started by teaching poor children, offering medical care, and giving shelter to the sick and dying. This deep compassion became her lifelong mission. She believed that serving the poor was equal to serving God. Her inspiration came not from wealth or fame but from love, empathy, and faith in humanity, making her a true legend of service.
Q3. Write a note on the Missionaries of Charity.
Ans. Mother Teresa founded the Missionaries of Charity in 1950 in Kolkata with only a handful of followers. The main aim of this organization was to serve the poorest of the poor, the sick, the homeless, and the dying. It provided food, shelter, medical care, and love to those neglected by society. Over the years, the organization expanded worldwide, with thousands of sisters and volunteers joining her cause. It established homes for lepers, orphans, and the dying destitute, spreading compassion beyond borders. The Missionaries of Charity became a global symbol of service and humanity. Today, even after Mother Teresa’s death, her mission continues through this organization, carrying forward her legacy of selfless love and care.
Q4. Why is Mother Teresa called the “Saint of the Gutters”?
Ans. Mother Teresa earned the title “Saint of the Gutters” because she chose to live and work in the slums of Kolkata, where the poorest and most neglected people suffered. She cared for lepers, beggars, orphans, and the dying destitute who had been abandoned by society. She not only provided food and medicine but also gave them dignity and love. She believed that no one should die uncared for or unloved. By working in dirty streets and among the most hopeless, she showed her deep compassion and humility. Despite worldwide fame, she lived a simple life among the poor. This devotion to the lowest sections of society made people lovingly call her the Saint of the Gutters, a title that reflects her greatness.
Q5. Explain Mother Teresa’s idea of service to humanity.
Ans. For Mother Teresa, service to humanity was a way of serving God. She believed in the words of Christ: “Whatever you do for the least of my brethren, you do for me.” This guided her entire life. She devoted herself to the poor, the sick, the abandoned, and the dying. She never looked for wealth, fame, or recognition but focused only on love and compassion. To her, small acts of kindness were as valuable as great deeds. She famously said, “Not all of us can do great things. But we can do small things with great love.” Her idea of service was based on humility, sacrifice, and unconditional love, which inspired millions of people across the world to live with compassion and empathy.
Q6. Write a note on the awards and honors received by Mother Teresa.
Ans. Mother Teresa’s selfless service earned her international recognition. She received the Nobel Peace Prize in 1979 for her work with the poor and suffering. In India, she was honored with the Bharat Ratna in 1980, the highest civilian award. Other notable awards include the Padma Shri (1962) and the Jawaharlal Nehru Award for International Understanding (1969). She also received the Order of Merit from Britain and many global honors. However, despite these awards, she remained humble and unaffected by fame. She accepted them on behalf of the poor and always gave credit to God. These honors highlight how the world admired her service, but to her, the greatest award was the smile of a child or the comfort of the dying she helped.
Q7. What values can we learn from the life of Mother Teresa?
Ans. Mother Teresa’s life teaches us values of compassion, humility, selfless service, and faith. She devoted herself to the poor without expecting anything in return. Her simplicity and ability to see God in every human being remind us that kindness is more important than wealth or status. She showed that small acts of love could bring big changes in the world. Her dedication also inspires us to be courageous and follow our calling in life, no matter how difficult it may be. Above all, her life proves that true greatness lies in serving others, not in power or possessions. These values are timeless and continue to guide humanity towards peace and love.
Q8. How did Mother Teresa balance fame and humility?
Ans. Despite being one of the most famous personalities of the 20th century, Mother Teresa lived a life of extreme simplicity. She wore only a plain white sari with a blue border, lived in a small room, and ate simple food. Fame never changed her character. She always said that her work was not for awards but for God and the poor. Even when she received the Nobel Peace Prize, she used the prize money for her charity work. She considered herself merely an instrument of God’s will. Her humility and refusal to be distracted by fame made her stand out in a world where most people seek recognition. She proved that true service is selfless and beyond personal glory.
Q9. Why is Mother Teresa called a legend?
Ans. Mother Teresa is called a legend because of her extraordinary service to humanity. She transformed lives by providing food, shelter, medical care, and love to those who had been abandoned by society. She founded the Missionaries of Charity, which grew into a worldwide organization. She worked fearlessly in the slums of Kolkata, earning respect and admiration across the globe. Her service won her the Nobel Peace Prize, the Bharat Ratna, and many more honors. Yet, her true greatness lay in her humility and compassion. She proved that one person, with love and determination, can make a difference in the world. This unmatched dedication to humanity made her a living legend, and her legacy continues even after her death.
Q10. How did Mother Teresa’s life become an example of true humanity?
Ans. Mother Teresa’s life is the best example of true humanity because she lived only for others. She gave up a comfortable life as a nun to serve the poor and destitute. She founded the Missionaries of Charity, which served millions of people across the world. She treated every human being with dignity, whether rich or poor. She believed that even the smallest act of kindness has great value if done with love. Her compassion crossed boundaries of religion, race, and nationality. She proved that humanity means putting others before oneself. Her selfless work, humility, and deep love for mankind showed the world that compassion is the highest form of human virtue. That is why she is remembered as the greatest symbol of humanity.
Q11. Describe Mother Teresa’s simple lifestyle and how it reflected her values.
Ans. Mother Teresa lived a life of utmost simplicity. She wore a plain white cotton sari with a blue border, ate simple meals, and slept in a small, modest room. She had no personal possessions, not even luxuries like a fan or a bed of comfort. Despite global fame, she refused wealth and honors, focusing instead on her mission. Her lifestyle reflected humility, discipline, and detachment from materialism. She believed that a life of simplicity brought her closer to God and allowed her to serve the poor with full dedication. She always said that the poor deserved respect and dignity more than sympathy. Her simple living was not only a personal choice but also a way to inspire others to live with less and give more. Her values of humility, sacrifice, and service shone brightly through her lifestyle.
Q12. How did Mother Teresa respond to criticism of her work?
Ans. Mother Teresa often faced criticism for her methods, beliefs, and reliance on religious faith in her work. Some critics argued that her hospitals lacked modern facilities, while others questioned her religious approach to suffering. However, she responded with humility and firmness, saying that her mission was not about technology or luxury but about love, dignity, and compassion. She believed that the poor deserved care and respect, even if medical resources were limited. She never allowed criticism to discourage her work. Instead, she used it as a reminder to stay focused on her calling. Her response to criticism showed her strength of character and faith in God. She valued action over arguments and always believed that service was the greatest answer to doubt.
Q13. Explain the global impact of Mother Teresa’s mission.
Ans. Mother Teresa’s work began in Kolkata but soon spread across the globe. The Missionaries of Charity established centers in more than 130 countries, running orphanages, hospitals, leprosy clinics, and homes for the dying. Volunteers from different nations joined her cause, inspired by her example of service. Her global impact was not limited to charitable institutions but also in changing people’s attitudes towards compassion and service. She became a moral voice in international forums, reminding the world that poverty and suffering cannot be ignored. Her message crossed boundaries of religion, race, and culture. Today, her mission continues worldwide, serving millions of needy people, making her one of the most influential figures of the 20th century.
Q14. How did Mother Teresa view death and the dignity of the dying?
Ans. Mother Teresa believed that every person deserved to die with dignity, love, and care. She opened Nirmal Hriday (Home for the Dying Destitute) in Kolkata, where the abandoned and terminally ill were brought in from the streets. She and her sisters gave them food, medical care, and above all, affection. Many people died peacefully in her care, knowing they were not alone. She believed that even if she could not cure them, she could give them comfort in their last moments. She often said, “A person deserves to die with a smile, not with loneliness.” Her approach to death was filled with compassion and respect, showing her belief that love could transform even the saddest moments of human life.
Q15. What role did religion and faith play in Mother Teresa’s work?
Ans. Religion and faith were central to Mother Teresa’s mission. As a Catholic nun, she believed her service was a response to God’s call. Her faith gave her strength to continue despite challenges and criticism. She often repeated the words of Jesus: “Whatever you do to the least of my brethren, you do to me.” For her, serving the poor was the same as serving God. However, she never discriminated based on religion. She served Hindus, Muslims, Christians, and people of all faiths with equal love. Her faith motivated her to dedicate her entire life to others. Religion in her work was not about conversion but about compassion and humanity, making her mission universally respected.
Q16. How did Mother Teresa’s Nobel Prize acceptance reflect her character?
Ans. When Mother Teresa received the Nobel Peace Prize in 1979, she did not celebrate it as a personal achievement. Instead, she dedicated the award to the poor and suffering people of the world. She requested that the Nobel banquet be canceled and the money be given to the needy. This gesture shocked many but reflected her deep humility and commitment to service. In her acceptance speech, she spoke about love, compassion, and the value of small acts of kindness. Her words inspired people worldwide. By refusing luxury and recognition, she showed that awards had meaning only if they could serve humanity. Her Nobel Prize acceptance was a powerful example of her simplicity, humility, and focus on her mission.
Q17. How did Mother Teresa influence the youth of the world?
Ans. Mother Teresa inspired countless young people to dedicate themselves to service. Through her example, she showed that greatness comes not from wealth or fame but from love and compassion. Many young men and women joined the Missionaries of Charity to serve the poor. Others volunteered in her homes, learning the value of selfless work. She encouraged youth to see beyond material success and live for higher values like kindness and humanity. She often told them, “Do small things with great love.” Her influence on youth was not only religious but also moral and humanitarian, guiding a whole generation to believe in the power of love and service.
Q18. Discuss the legacy of Mother Teresa after her death.
Ans. After Mother Teresa’s death on 5th September 1997, the world mourned the loss of a great humanitarian. However, her legacy continues through the Missionaries of Charity, which still runs thousands of centers across the globe. Her teachings on compassion, humility, and selfless service continue to inspire millions. The Vatican recognized her greatness by canonizing her as Saint Teresa of Calcutta in 2016. Her story is taught in schools, her quotes inspire social workers, and her mission influences governments and NGOs to focus on the poor. Though she is no longer alive, her legacy of love and humanity ensures that her spirit still lives on in every act of kindness.
Q19. How did Mother Teresa’s personal sacrifices strengthen her mission?
Ans. Mother Teresa sacrificed comfort, family ties, and personal desires to dedicate herself fully to the poor. She left her homeland at a young age, never to see her family again. She gave up a secure life as a convent teacher to live in the slums of Kolkata. She denied herself luxury, wealth, or fame, choosing instead a life of hardship and service. These personal sacrifices gave her strength and credibility, as people saw her living the values she preached. Her sacrifices inspired others to trust her mission and join her cause. By placing humanity above personal comfort, she proved that true service requires selflessness and courage.
Q20. In what ways does Mother Teresa remain relevant in today’s world?
Ans. Mother Teresa’s message of compassion, humility, and service is more relevant today than ever. In a world filled with materialism, poverty, and conflicts, her example reminds us of the need for love and humanity. Her teachings inspire social workers, NGOs, and ordinary people to serve the needy. The Missionaries of Charity continue her work worldwide, showing that kindness has no boundaries. Her belief in small acts of love is a lesson for modern society, where selfishness often dominates. She remains a global symbol of peace and service, reminding us that the true measure of life is not wealth but how much we help others.
