The Young Witness

'If I were innocent and on trial for my life today, I would pray to God to give me such a witness.'

1. Who speaks these lines and about whom?
Ans: The judge speaks these lines about the little girl, Lily.

2. What does the speaker mean by the phrase 'such a witness'?
Ans: By 'such a witness,' the speaker means a witness who is honest, simple, truthful, and understands the profound importance of speaking the truth, just like Lily.

3. Why does the speaker use the words 'if I were innocent…'?
Ans: The speaker uses these words to emphasize how valuable an honest witness is for an innocent person. He means that if his own life depended on the truth being told, he would want someone as pure and truthful as Lily to testify for him.

4. Do you think the accused was happy to have such a witness?
Ans: No, the accused was not happy to have such a witness because Lily's honest testimony would go against him and prove his guilt.

1. How old was the girl who had to give evidence?
Ans: The little girl, Lily, was nine years old.

2. What was her name?
Ans: Her name was Lily.

3. When did the girl shrink back in horror?
Ans: The girl shrank back in horror when the judge first asked her if she had ever taken an oath, as she mistakenly thought he was asking if she had ever spoken irreverently of God.

4. Did Lily understand the meaning of the word oath?
Ans: Initially, Lily misunderstood the word 'oath'. She thought it meant speaking God's name disrespectfully. However, she did understand the meaning of the courtroom oath after the judge explained it by asking her to place her hand on the Bible.

5. What was the book that Lily had to swear on?
Ans: The book Lily had to swear on was the Bible.

6. Who had made the little girl repeat the Ten Commandments?
Ans: Her mother had made her repeat the Ten Commandments.

7. Did the judge allow her to give evidence?
Ans: Yes, the judge allowed her to give evidence after concluding that she was a competent witness.

1. Why was the little girl's evidence important?
Ans: The little girl's evidence was extremely important because she was the sole eyewitness to the crime. A theft had been committed in her house, and she had actually seen it happen. Therefore, her testimony was crucial for the court to determine the guilt or innocence of the accused person.

2. Why didn't the lawyer want the little girl to appear as a witness?
Ans: The lawyer was defending the thief. He did not want the little girl to appear as a witness because he knew that she would speak the truth about what she saw. Her truthful testimony would go against his client, the accused, and likely prove his guilt.

3. What did the lawyer do to prove that her evidence could not be taken?
Ans: To prove her evidence could not be taken, the lawyer tried to show that she was too young and did not understand the meaning of an oath. He said to the judge, "Your honour, she does not understand what an oath is. How can she appear and give evidence as a witness?"

4. What is the oath that a witness in court has to take?
Ans: A witness in court has to take a solemn oath by placing their hand on a holy book. They must repeat the words: "I do solemnly swear that what I am about to say is the truth, the whole truth and nothing but the truth. So help me God."

5. How did the judge conclude that the girl was competent?
Ans: The judge concluded that the girl was competent after a series of questions. He discovered that she read the Bible daily and knew what would happen if she did not speak the truth—she would be locked in prison and could not go to heaven. Most importantly, she knew the Ten Commandments, especially the one about not bearing false witness, which her mother had taught her. This demonstrated to the judge that she understood the serious moral duty of telling the truth.

6. Write down the Commandment that the girl quotes.
Ans: The commandment the girl quotes is: 'Thou shalt not bear false witness against thy neighbour.'

7. Why was everyone convinced that Lily had spoken the truth?
Ans: Everyone was convinced because Lily told the court all that she had seen with great simplicity and innocence. She never wavered or contradicted herself, even when the lawyer questioned her again and again. Her honest manner and clear testimony made it obvious that she was speaking the simple truth.

1. a person who comes to give evidence in a court of law -> witness

2. a solemn promise taken in court -> oath

3. a person who uses the services of a lawyer -> client

4. information used in court to establish facts -> evidence

5. examination of evidence in court to decide guilt or innocence -> trial

1. appeal -> to go before a higher court seeking to change the decision of a lower court

2. acquit -> to declare an accused person to be innocent

3. plaintiff -> one who brings a legal action against another

4. defendant -> a person against whom a case is brought

5. testimony -> an oral or written statement of a witness given under oath in a court of law

6. cross-examination -> to ask a witness questions during a trial after another lawyer has already asked questions

7. jury -> a group of twelve people who judge a court case

8. verdict -> the decision of the judge or jury about the innocence or guilt of the accused

1. 'Were you ever a witness in court before?' the judge asked the little girl.
Ans: The judge asked the little girl if she had ever been a witness in court before.

2. 'Do you know what book this is?' asked the judge handing her the Bible.
Ans: The judge, handing her the Bible, asked her if she knew what book that was.

3. The little girl said, 'The Bible is the Word of God.'
Ans: The little girl said that the Bible is the Word of God.

4. Mother kissed her and said, 'Remember, God hears every word that you say in court.'
Ans: Mother kissed her and told her to remember that God hears every word that she says in court.

5. 'You have a good mother, my child,' said the judge.
Ans: The judge told the child that she had a good mother.

(This is a personal sharing activity. Here is a sample story.)

"One day at school, my friend accidentally broke a vase in the classroom while we were playing. When the teacher came in and asked who did it, everyone was quiet. I knew my friend would get into a lot of trouble. For a moment, I thought about staying silent, but then I remembered my parents always taught me that honesty is the best policy. I raised my hand and told the teacher that we were playing and it broke by accident. The teacher was a little upset, but she appreciated that I told the truth. My friend also apologized. In the end, we were both given a small task to help the school janitor as a consequence, but we weren't shouted at. The final outcome was that I felt relieved and good about myself for being honest, and my teacher trusted me even more after that day."

1. What was the person in the trial being held for?
Ans: The person was being held for stealing.

2. Had Lily ever been a witness in court before?
Ans: No, she had never appeared in court before.

3. What book did the judge hand to Lily?
Ans: The judge handed her a Bible.

4. How often did Lily say she read the Bible?
Ans: She said she read it every day.

5. What did Lily say the Bible is?
Ans: She said, "It is the Word of God."

6. What did Lily place on the holy book?
Ans: She placed her trembling hand upon it.

7. According to Lily, what is the second punishment for not telling the truth?
Ans: The second punishment is that she cannot go to heaven.

8. What did Lily read from the Bible in the courtroom?
Ans: She read from the twentieth chapter of Exodus, verse sixteen.

9. What did Lily's mother do right after they prayed together?
Ans: Her mother kissed her.

10. How did Lily answer the judge's question, "Do you believe that?"
Ans: She answered, "Yes, sir," without hesitation.

11. What did the judge say to Lily after being impressed by her?
Ans: He said, "God bless you my child! You have a good mother."

12. Did Lily waver or contradict herself during questioning?
Ans: No, she never wavered or contradicted herself.

13. What was the lawyer's main argument against Lily?
Ans: His main argument was that she did not understand what an oath is.

14. Who repeated the oath for Lily to follow?
Ans: The judge repeated the oath for her.

15. What did the judge decide to do with the witness?
Ans: He decided to let her be examined as a competent witness.

1. Why did the judge have to explain the meaning of an 'oath' to Lily? How did he do it?
Ans: The judge had to explain it because Lily misunderstood the term. She thought it meant using God's name disrespectfully. The judge clarified by asking if she had ever been a witness before and then, by handing her the Bible, he shifted the context to the courtroom promise to tell the truth.

2. What were the two consequences Lily knew would happen if she did not speak the truth?
Ans: Lily was very clear about the consequences. She told the judge that if she did not speak the truth, she would first be locked in prison. Secondly, and more importantly to her, she believed she would not be able to go to heaven.

3. How did Lily's mother prepare her to be a witness?
Ans: Lily's mother prepared her very well. After learning that Lily was called to be a witness, she took Lily into her room. They knelt down and prayed that God would help Lily tell the truth. Her mother then made her repeat the Ten Commandments and reminded her that God hears every word she says in court.

4. The judge was very impressed with Lily. What specific things did she say or do that impressed him?
Ans: The judge was impressed by several things: her daily habit of reading the Bible, her clear understanding of the consequences of lying (prison and not going to heaven), and her ability to quote the specific commandment against bearing false witness. Her firm belief and the lessons from her mother convinced the judge of her competence.

5. Explain the meaning of the commandment: 'Thou shalt not bear false witness against thy neighbour.'
Ans: This commandment is a divine rule that means you must not lie about another person. In a court context, "bearing false witness" means giving untrue testimony or evidence against someone, which could lead to an innocent person being punished. It is a fundamental principle of justice and morality.

6. Why did the lawyer keep questioning Lily "again and again"?
Ans: The lawyer, who was defending the thief, was likely trying to confuse Lily or make her contradict herself. In a cross-examination, lawyers often ask the same questions in different ways to find inconsistencies in a witness's story. However, because Lily was telling the simple truth, she never wavered.

7. What did the judge's final remark about wanting "such a witness" for himself reveal about his character?
Ans: The judge's remark reveals that he is a man who deeply values truth and justice. He recognizes the purity and power of an honest witness. His statement shows that he believes the foundation of a fair trial rests on truthful testimony, and he sees Lily as the ideal embodiment of that truthfulness.

8. Describe the courtroom scene when Lily takes the oath.
Ans: The scene was very solemn. After the judge's questions, the little girl was asked to place her "trembling hand" upon the Bible. The judge then recited the formal oath taken in court. With her hand on the holy book, Lily repeated after the judge, promising to say the truth, the whole truth, and nothing but the truth, asking God for help.

9. How does the story show that a person's age is not a measure of their honesty or competence?
Ans: The story clearly shows this by contrasting the lawyer's view with the judge's conclusion. The lawyer assumed that because Lily was only nine, she was not competent. However, the judge's careful questioning revealed that despite her young age, she had a deeper and more profound understanding of truth and duty than many adults might have.

10. What role did Lily's religious upbringing play in her being a good witness?
Ans: Her religious upbringing played a crucial role. Her daily reading of the Bible and the lessons from her mother about the Ten Commandments and God's presence gave her a very strong moral compass. Her belief that God hears every word and that lying would prevent her from going to heaven was a more powerful motivation to be truthful than any legal punishment.

1. The story highlights a conflict between legal technicality and moral truth. Discuss this theme with reference to the lawyer and the judge.
Ans: The story presents a clear conflict between two perspectives. The lawyer represents legal technicality. His job is to defend his client, and he tries to use a loophole—Lily's age and her supposed inability to understand an oath—to disqualify her testimony, even though he knows she might be telling the truth. For him, the rules of the court are a tool to win his case.

The judge, on the other hand, represents moral truth. While he respects the law, he is more interested in finding out if the witness truly understands the difference between right and wrong. He doesn't just check if she knows the definition of an "oath"; he investigates the foundation of her character. By confirming she has a strong moral and religious understanding of truth, he prioritizes the substance of her honesty over the lawyer's procedural objection. The judge's decision to allow her testimony shows that he believes moral competence is more important than legal jargon.

2. Analyse the character of the judge in the story. What qualities make him a good judge?
Ans: The judge is portrayed as wise, patient, and just. Several qualities make him an excellent judge:

• Patience and Understanding: When Lily misunderstands the word "oath," he doesn't dismiss her. He patiently rephrases his questions and gently guides her to understand what he is asking.
• Insightfulness: He looks beyond the surface. Instead of just accepting the lawyer's objection about her age, he decides to probe deeper to understand the child's moral character.
• Focus on Truth: His primary goal is to ensure that a fair trial based on truth can proceed. His final statement, where he wishes for "such a witness" if he were innocent, shows his deep reverence for honesty.
• Fairness: He listens to both the lawyer's objection and gives the little girl a fair chance to prove her competence. He makes his final decision based on evidence of her character, not on prejudice about her age.

These qualities allow him to uphold justice and ensure the truth can be heard in his courtroom.

3. The story is titled 'The Young Witness'. Do you think this is an appropriate title? Suggest an alternative title and explain your choice.
Ans: Yes, "The Young Witness" is a very appropriate title. It is simple, direct, and captures the central focus of the story, which is a nine-year-old girl who stands up in court to give crucial evidence. The entire drama of the story revolves around her youth and whether she is competent enough to be a witness.

An alternative title could be **"The Heart of Truth."** I think this title would also be fitting because the story is not just about a young witness, but about the nature of truth itself. Lily is competent not because she knows complex laws, but because she understands truth from her heart, taught by her mother and her faith. The story shows that the real foundation of a just testimony comes from a person's moral core—their heart—and not just from their age or legal knowledge.

4. How does the story explore the theme of innocence? Discuss with reference to Lily's character and actions.
Ans: The story deeply explores the theme of innocence through Lily. Her innocence is not portrayed as ignorance, but as a form of pure, unshakeable honesty. When she first shrinks back from the word "oath," it's from an innocent misunderstanding, fearing it means something bad. Later, her testimony is powerful precisely because of its innocence; she speaks with "simplicity and innocence," without any motive other than to tell what she saw. The lawyer's repeated questioning, which might confuse an adult trying to be clever, has no effect on her because her story is simple and true. The judge recognizes that this innocence is not a weakness but a strength, making her the most reliable kind of witness—one who has not been corrupted and will only speak the truth as she knows it.

5. Imagine you are the lawyer who objected to Lily. Write a short reflection on what you learned from the experience after the trial was over.
Ans:

Today, I lost a case, but I think I learned something far more important. I stood up in court and argued that a nine-year-old girl was not competent to be a witness. I used her age and her innocent confusion about a word against her. It was my job to defend my client, and I thought it was a clever legal tactic. I was wrong.

That little girl, Lily, stood there with more integrity and a deeper understanding of truth than many adults I have cross-examined. She wasn't just repeating words; she believed in them. Her belief wasn't rooted in law books, but in her mother's teachings and her faith. When the judge said he would pray for such a witness if he were innocent, I felt a sense of shame. I was so focused on the letter of the law that I had forgotten its spirit. Today, in court, I was reminded that truth doesn't have an age limit. And sometimes, the simplest honesty is the most powerful force in a courtroom.