CBSE Class 8 English Chapter 10: The Great Stone Face - II NCERT Solutions

1. True. Ernest's words, stemming from his sincere heart and life of good deeds, carried a profound wisdom that resonated with people, much like established wise sayings.
2. True. Strangers visiting the valley were struck by Ernest's familiar and kind face, sensing a connection to the legendary Great Stone Face.
3. False. The Great Stone Face did not explicitly confirm Ernest's view; rather, it was the poet who later recognized Ernest as the embodiment of the Stone Face.
4. True. Upon meeting, both Ernest and the poet shared a mutual respect and admiration, recognizing the unique qualities in each other.
5. False. The poet did not address the inhabitants alongside Ernest. Ernest spoke to the people, and the poet observed and later recognized Ernest's true nature.
6. True. The poet acknowledged that Ernest's life and inner thoughts represented a deeper, more noble form of poetry than his own written verses.

Ernest stood apart from the other inhabitants of the valley due to his inherent humility, diligence, and thoughtfulness. As he aged, his reputation grew beyond the valley, attracting visitors like college professors and city dwellers. Ernest welcomed them with genuine warmth and spoke openly from his heart. He lived a life dedicated to good deeds and selfless love for others. His words possessed a unique power because they were deeply rooted in the reality of his life and actions. When he spoke, his face would illuminate with a gentle radiance, akin to a mild evening light, profoundly impacting his audience. This combination of inner virtue, impactful speech, and radiant presence distinguished Ernest from everyone else in the valley.

Ernest initially believed the poet might be the one resembling the Great Stone Face because the poet's songs were filled with lofty and noble thoughts that deeply resonated with Ernest. After his daily work, Ernest would read the poet's works and find them worthy of admiration. When the poet visited Ernest, he appeared wise, gentle, and kind. Ernest even felt that the Great Stone Face itself seemed to lean forward, as if listening intently to the poet's conversation. These observations led Ernest to believe that the poet was the person the prophecy foretold.

The poet confessed to Ernest that while his thoughts and poems might contain echoes of a heavenly song, his own life had not truly reflected these noble ideals. He admitted to having grand dreams but acknowledged that they often remained just dreams. Furthermore, the poet revealed that he sometimes struggled with a lack of faith in his own profound thoughts and aspirations, indicating a disconnect between his inner world and his outward life.

The poet proclaimed Ernest as the Great Stone Face after observing him speak kindly and sincerely to the valley inhabitants. He was deeply moved by the depth of Ernest's thoughts and the genuine goodness radiating from him. The poet felt that Ernest's life and character constituted a far more profound and beautiful form of poetry than any verses he himself had ever written. He also noticed a striking visual similarity: the white hair around Ernest's brow reminded him of the misty white clouds often seen clinging to the Great Stone Face on the mountain. These combined observations led the poet to declare Ernest as the true likeness of the Stone Face.

1. Poet. The poet admitted that his life did not correspond with his lofty thoughts and poems.
2. Ernest. Ernest's words were powerful because they were truthful and aligned with his sincere actions and life.
3. Poet. This statement accurately reflects the poet's own self-assessment of his writings – beautiful but lacking the substance of a lived reality.