Once upon a Time-Nadine Gordimer-Short Answer-type Questions

Wasp’s Nest by Agatha Christie- Short Answer Questions

 Wasp’s Nest by Agatha Christie-

Short Answer Questions (40–45 words each)

Q1. Why does Poirot visit John Harrison unexpectedly?

Ans. Poirot visits John Harrison because he suspects that a murder is about to take place. Although he pretends it is a casual visit, he has actually come to prevent a planned crime involving poison and personal revenge.

 

Q2. What is the significance of the wasp’s nest in the story?

Ans.The wasp’s nest represents hidden danger. Just like wasps can sting, Harrison’s plan could hurt others. It also connects to the poison he plans to use, making it a symbol of his deadly intentions and the concealed threat in the peaceful garden.

 

Q3. How is Claude Langton connected to John Harrison?

Ans. Claude Langton is engaged to Molly Deane, who was once engaged to John Harrison. Claude and John know each other well, and although they appear friendly, a quiet rivalry exists between them due to their past and current connections with Molly.

 

Q4. What was Harrison’s plan to harm Claude Langton?

Ans. Harrison planned to drink poison and die after Claude’s visit, making it appear that Claude murdered him. He hoped this would ruin Claude’s life as revenge for taking Molly away. Harrison would die, but Claude would suffer punishment.

 

Q5. How does Poirot stop the crime?

Ans. Poirot uses his intelligence to piece together Harrison’s plan. He visits Harrison, reveals everything he has discovered, and gently persuades him not to go through with it. Poirot’s timely interference stops a murder before it happens.

 

Q6. Why does Harrison want to harm Claude Langton?

Ans. Harrison is deeply hurt and jealous because Molly Deane, whom he once loved, is now engaged to Claude. He feels betrayed and wants revenge by framing Claude for his own suicide, making it look like murder.

 

Q7. What does Poirot discover about Harrison’s illness?

Ans. Poirot finds out that Harrison’s illness is a lie. Harrison told people he was seriously ill, but Poirot realizes it’s just a part of his plan to make his upcoming death seem natural or suspicious enough to blame Claude.

 

Q8. How does Poirot show compassion toward Harrison?

Ans. Poirot chooses not to accuse or arrest Harrison. Instead, he talks to him kindly and offers a second chance. He believes Harrison is not truly evil, just misguided and hurt, and helps him see the value of life.

 

Q9. How is Wasp’s Nest different from other detective stories?

Ans. Most detective stories involve solving a crime after it happens. In Wasp’s Nest, Poirot prevents a murder before it occurs. This story is more about saving a life than solving a puzzle after a tragedy.

 

Q.10. What message does the story give about revenge?

Ans. The story shows that revenge, especially when based on jealousy, can lead to tragedy. Harrison’s desire to hurt Claude would have destroyed two lives. Poirot’s intervention shows that forgiveness and self-control are better than giving in to anger.

 

Wasp’s Nest by Agatha Christie- Summary

 Wasp’s Nest by Agatha Christie- Summary

The story Wasp’s Nest by Agatha Christie is a short detective story featuring Hercule Poirot, a brilliant Belgian detective known for solving the most puzzling cases. In this story, Poirot does something unusual: he solves a crime before it actually happens. The story takes place in a quiet English village and begins with Poirot visiting a man named John Harrison. Poirot says it’s a casual visit, but it soon becomes clear that he has a very serious reason for being there.

 

John Harrison is a lonely man who lives alone in a nice house with a garden. He seems polite and calm, but Poirot has learned that something is not quite right. A large wasp’s nest hangs in the garden, and Harrison says that he plans to destroy it himself using poison. The wasp’s nest seems harmless at first, just a part of the garden, but it becomes an important symbol of the danger hiding in this quiet place.

 

As the two men talk, Poirot begins to ask questions that seem innocent but are actually very clever. He brings up the topic of wasps, poison, and even talks about how people react when they are betrayed. Poirot also mentions a man named Claude Langton, who used to be a close friend of Harrison and is now engaged to a woman named Molly Deane. Molly was once engaged to Harrison, but their relationship ended, and now she is going to marry Claude. Although Harrison says he has no hard feelings, it becomes clear that he is still hurt and possibly jealous.

 

Poirot’s questions become more pointed, and Harrison becomes uncomfortable. Poirot suddenly changes the direction of the conversation and says something shocking: he believes a murder is about to happen—and he is there to stop it before it does. Harrison is stunned. Poirot explains that he has put together a few clues. First, Harrison has been telling people that he is seriously ill, but Poirot knows this is a lie. Poirot also found out that Harrison ordered cyanide, a deadly poison, saying it was to kill the wasp’s nest. Lastly, Poirot knows that Claude Langton recently visited Harrison’s garden and was planning to visit again soon.

 

Poirot reveals what he believes is Harrison’s plan. Harrison wanted to poison himself just after Claude’s visit, making it look like Claude had poisoned him out of jealousy. This way, Claude would be blamed and punished for murder. Harrison, who would already be dead, would get his revenge on the man who stole his love. Poirot says that Harrison planned to drink the poison quietly after Claude left, so no one would see what really happened. Since Harrison was pretending to be sick, people would not suspect suicide, and Claude would appear guilty. It was a perfect trap—except Poirot saw through it.

 

Harrison is shocked that Poirot knows so much. He tries to deny it at first, but Poirot gently insists that he is right. Poirot says he does not want to arrest Harrison because, technically, no crime has been committed yet. Instead, he gives Harrison a chance to stop and change his mind. Poirot makes it clear that suicide is never the answer, and taking revenge by ruining another person’s life is a terrible thing. After thinking for a while, Harrison gives in. He promises not to go through with the plan, and Poirot says he will take care of the poison so it can do no harm.

 

The story ends quietly, without violence or arrests. But it leaves a deep impression on the reader. Unlike most detective stories, where the crime happens and is then solved, this one is different. Poirot uses his sharp mind to prevent a tragedy before it takes place. The story is not just about mystery, but also about emotions like jealousy, heartbreak, and revenge.

The wasp’s nest itself is more than just a part of the garden. It stands for the hidden danger that was growing inside Harrison. Just like a wasp’s nest looks calm from the outside but holds stinging insects inside, Harrison appeared calm but was planning something deadly. The poison he planned to use on the wasps was the same poison he wanted to use on himself. It was a symbol of his desire to hurt and destroy.

Poirot’s role in this story shows that true intelligence is not just about solving puzzles, but also about understanding people. He knew that Harrison was not evil, just hurt and blinded by pain. Instead of punishing him, Poirot offers him a way out, a second chance. That makes the story not just clever but also kind and thoughtful.

In a very short space, Agatha Christie manages to create suspense, emotional tension, and a satisfying ending. Wasp’s Nest is special because it focuses not only on the crime, but also on preventing it and saving lives before it’s too late. It shows that sometimes, the best detectives don’t just catch murderers—they stop murders from happening at all.