Question

Write down in your own words the differences between the following stages of a man's life.

1.  2^nd stage and the 4^th
2. 3^rd stage and 5^th stage
3. 1^st stage and 7^th (last) stage

Answer 1

1. 2^nd stage and the 4^th:
   The second stage is that of a school boy, complaining and crying. He goes to school early in the morning, with a well-scrubbed, shining face. He carries his school bag and creeps slowly, like a snail, unwilling to go to school.
   The fourth stage is that of an aggressive soldier, bearded like a leopard and full of oaths. He is jealous where his honour is concerned and is quick to quarrel. He is ambitious, and does useless things for his reputation, even endangering his life for it.
2. 3^rd stage and 5^th stage:
   

   The third stage is that of a lover, who is breathless and sighing with passion. He sings sad songs to the beauty of his lover.
   The fifth stage is that of a mature middle-aged man with a round belly. He is stern and formal and full of wisdom. He is keen on justice, is fat, and has opinions on bribery, a system which was prevalent at that time. He is full of wise sayings and gives modern examples.

3. 1^st stage and 7^th (last) stage:

   The first stage is that of an infant, crying weakly and throwing up in his nurse's arms. He is unaware of what is happening around him. The baby, at this stage, is without teeth, without vision, without taste and without anything.
   The last stage of all, which ends this eventful life, is when man becomes senile and enters his second childhood. He is again unaware of what is happening around him. This final stage is when he is once more without teeth, without vision, without taste and without anything.