Why do you think Grandpa gave Ravi a detective story book as a gift? What might this suggest about Grandpa's awareness of Ravi's actions earlier in the day?
Grandpa gave Ravi a detective story book as a gift because he was fully aware that Ravi had been following him around all day. The book, titled The Best Detective Stories, serves as a playful hint at Ravi's attempts to act like a detective.
By suggesting that Ravi could "pick up some really good tips on how to be a detective" and solemnly mentioning "how to avoid getting fooled when one is trailing a suspect," Grandpa directly references Ravi's failed attempts to trail him. This clearly shows that Grandpa knew he was being followed.
Throughout the day, Grandpa cleverly outsmarted Ravi, leading him on a chase that ended with Ravi getting fooled by an empty bus. The gift is Grandpa's way of gently teasing Ravi about his lack of stealth and his failure as a spy.
Finally, Grandpa's mischievous twinkle in his eye confirms his awareness. He even tells Ravi's mother that Ravi "just disappeared," playfully hiding the truth while letting Ravi know he was caught. The gift is an affectionate acknowledgment of Ravi's actions.
Explanation
The question tests the student's ability to infer character motivations and connect earlier events in the narrative to the story's resolution. Grandpa's choice of gift is not random; it is a direct commentary on Ravi's clumsy attempt to play detective. By gifting a book on detective stories and specifically mentioning tips on 'trailing a suspect' and 'avoiding getting fooled', Grandpa reveals that he noticed Ravi following him. The context highlights Grandpa's playful nature—his mischievous twinkle and his teasing remark to Ravi's mother about Ravi 'disappearing'—which aligns perfectly with the teasing nature of the gift.