The Great Stone Face – II: CBSE Class 8 English NCERT Guide

Summary of The Great Stone Face – II

Years have passed, and Ernest is now an old man with white hair, deep wrinkles, but a gentle, thoughtful face. He is no longer an obscure boy but a well-known and respected figure in the valley. People from all over, including scholars and city-dwellers, travel to converse with him because his wisdom is simple, kind, and true. He has spent his life observing the Great Stone Face and living a life of good deeds and sincere thoughts. Meanwhile, a new famous person emerges from the valley—a gifted poet. His poems are so beautiful and full of divine thoughts that many believe he must be the one foretold in the prophecy. The poet, hearing of Ernest's wisdom, decides to visit him. When they meet, Ernest is reading the poet's book and feels the poet's words truly capture the spirit of the Great Stone Face. However, the poet confesses to Ernest that while his songs are grand, his own life has not been as noble. He admits that he is not worthy of being the likeness of the Stone Face. That evening, as Ernest gives his customary talk to his neighbours, the setting sun illuminates his face. In that moment of pure wisdom and humility, the poet points out that Ernest himself is the living likeness of the Great Stone Face. The people look and agree; the prophecy is finally fulfilled in the humble man who lived a life of quiet nobility.

Key Characters in Part II

Ernest

Now a wise and humble old man. He is respected by everyone for his simple wisdom and kind nature. He embodies the virtues he has admired in the Great Stone Face his entire life.

The Poet

A native of the valley who has become a famous poet. His writings are filled with noble and beautiful ideas, but he feels his own life does not match the greatness of his words.

The Great Stone Face

The magnificent rock formation that looks like a human face. It remains a powerful symbol of nobility, kindness, and divine wisdom throughout the story.

How the Prophecy is Fulfilled

1. Step 1: The Poet's Arrival — A highly celebrated poet, who was born in the valley, returns. His poems are so moving and full of wisdom that everyone, including Ernest, believes he might be the one to fulfill the prophecy.
2. Step 2: The Meeting of Ernest and the Poet — The poet visits Ernest. They talk, and each admires the other. Ernest sees the greatness of the Stone Face in the poet's words, but the poet confesses that his life has not been as grand as his poetry. He admits he is not the one.
3. Step 3: Ernest's Evening Address — As is his custom, Ernest goes to speak to a group of his neighbours. The poet accompanies him. Ernest speaks from his heart, sharing simple truths and kind thoughts that have come from a lifetime of observation and goodness.
4. Step 4: The Revelation — As Ernest speaks, the golden light of the setting sun illuminates his face. The poet is struck by the resemblance between Ernest's kind, wise expression and the majestic Great Stone Face on the mountainside. He exclaims that Ernest himself is the likeness of the Great Stone Face. The crowd looks and sees it too. The prophecy is fulfilled not by a man of fame or fortune, but by a humble man who lived a noble life.

Answering Theme-Based Questions

When answering questions about the story's message or theme, don't just state the theme. Provide evidence from the text. For example, to show the theme of 'humility', mention how Ernest was still waiting for someone wiser than himself, even when he was the one fulfilling the prophecy. To discuss 'true greatness', contrast the poet's famous words with his own feeling of unworthiness, and then compare that to Ernest's simple but impactful life. Using these contrasts will make your answers much stronger.

Practice Questions with Solutions

• Q: How was Ernest different from others in the valley as he grew old? A: Step 1: Identify Ernest's key characteristics. Ernest was thoughtful, gentle, and humble. Unlike others who were busy with daily toil, Ernest spent his life observing the Great Stone Face and thinking deeply. Step 2: Describe his reputation. Because of his lifelong habit of thoughtful living and good deeds, he gained a reputation for wisdom. People, even from cities, came to seek his advice. Final answer: Ernest was different because he was not just a labourer but also a thinker. He was famous not for wealth or power, but for his quiet wisdom and the simple goodness of his character, which made him a teacher and guide for everyone around him.
• Q: Why did Ernest think the poet was like the Stone Face? A: Step 1: Recall Ernest's interaction with the poet's work. Before meeting him, Ernest read the poet's poems. Step 2: Explain the connection Ernest made. Ernest felt that the poems contained 'divine thoughts'. The words and ideas were so noble, beautiful, and grand that they seemed to echo the very spirit and wisdom of the Great Stone Face. Final answer: Ernest believed the poet was like the Stone Face because his poems were filled with a heavenly wisdom and beauty that matched the majestic and kind expression Ernest had admired on the mountain his entire life.
• Q: What did the poet confess about his thoughts and poems? A: Step 1: State the poet's core confession. The poet admitted that he was not worthy of being compared to the Great Stone Face. Step 2: Explain the reason for his confession. He explained that while his poems contained beautiful and grand thoughts, his own life was not always in harmony with them. He had grand dreams but had often lacked faith in them and had not lived up to the high ideals he wrote about. Final answer: The poet confessed that there was a gap between his words and his actions. He felt his life was 'a poor and faded reality' compared to the 'distant music' of his poems, meaning his deeds did not match the nobility of his thoughts.
• Q: How was the prophecy of the Great Stone Face finally fulfilled? A: Step 1: Describe the setting of the final scene. The prophecy was fulfilled in the evening as Ernest was giving his regular talk to his neighbours, with the poet present. Step 2: Explain the moment of realization. As Ernest spoke with simple wisdom and love, the setting sun illuminated his features. His expression was so full of kindness, nobility, and calm wisdom that it mirrored the expression of the Great Stone Face. Step 3: State who made the discovery. The poet was the first to see the resemblance and shouted that Ernest himself was the living likeness of the Great Stone Face. The people looked and agreed. Final answer: The prophecy was fulfilled when the people, prompted by the poet, recognized that Ernest's own face, full of a lifetime of goodness and wisdom, was the perfect human embodiment of the Great Stone Face. True greatness was found in a humble, well-lived life, not in fame or talent alone.

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