A Littlun named Phil, told that he had a nightmare and when he awoke he saw something big and horrid moving among the trees. Ralph held out his hand for the conch and the Littluns sat down.
"You were asleep. There wasn't anyone there. How could anyone be wondering about in the forest at night? Was anyone? Did anyone go out?"
Then Simon stood up and Ralph looked at him in astonishment.
"You! what were you mucking about in the dark for?"
Simon grabbed the conch convulsively.
"I wanted to go to a place-a place I know-a place in the jungle."
Ralph looked sternly at Simon.
"Well, don't do it again. Understand? Not at night. There is enough silly talk about beasts." Percival spoke and he gave his name and address and telephone number as well. This reminder of home caused him break into tears. All the Littluns joined him in crying. Conversation turned to mention of beast again. Percival told Jack that the beast comes out of the sea.
Maurice spoke so loudly that they jumped.
"Daddy said they haven't found all the animals in the sea yet. My daddy says there is things that are hundreds of yards long and eat whales whole. He paused again and laughed gaily.
"I don't believe in the beast, of course.'
Someone shouted.
"Squid couldn't come out of the water!" "Could!" "Couldn't!"
In a moment the platform was full of arguing, gesticulating shadows.
Simon felt a perilous necessity to speak but to speak in assembly was a terrible thing to him. "May be, "he said hesitantly," May be there is a beast."
The assembly cried out savagely and Ralph stood up in amazement.
"You Simon? You believe in this?"
"I don't know," said Simon. His heartbeats were choking him.
"But what I mean is..."
Question 1: What does Phil claim to have seen in his nightmare, and how does Ralph respond to his claim?
Answer: Phil claims to have seen something big and horrid moving among the trees in his nightmare. Ralph responds by questioning Phil's assertion, stating that nobody could be wandering about in the forest at night and asking if anyone actually went out.
Question 2: Why does Simon stand up during the discussion, and how does Ralph react to his action?
Answer: Simon stands up during the discussion because he wanted to go to a specific place in the jungle. Ralph looks at Simon with astonishment and sternly advises him not to do it again, especially at night, emphasizing that there is enough talk about beasts already.
Question 3: What triggers Percival to break into tears, and how do the other Littluns react?
Answer: Percival breaks into tears after being reminded of home when he gives his name, address, and telephone number. The other Littluns join him in crying, possibly feeling homesick and scared.
Question 4: What does Percival claim about the beast, and how does Maurice contribute to the discussion?
Answer: Percival tells Jack that the beast comes out of the sea. Maurice contributes to the discussion by sharing what his daddy told him, suggesting that there are sea creatures so large they can eat whales whole, although he expresses disbelief in the existence of the beast himself.
Question 5: How does the conversation about the beast escalate, and what does Simon cautiously suggest?
Answer: The conversation about the beast escalates into arguing and shouting among the boys. Simon, feeling compelled to speak but hesitating due to the assembly setting, cautiously suggests that there may indeed be a beast.
Question 6: How do Ralph and the assembly react to Simon's tentative belief in the beast?
Answer: Ralph reacts with amazement when Simon admits that he is uncertain about the existence of the beast. The assembly responds savagely to Simon's suggestion, indicating their disbelief and rejection of the idea.
