How was the enemy ‘killed’? What change came about in the ill-natured man?

Question

Yes, the ‘enemy’ was ‘killed’ without the loss of a single life, or shedding even a single drop of blood. He went in the morning to confess his ingratitude to his kind neighbour, and to ask his forgiveness, and the very man who had been noted for nothing but his wickedness became the friend of all.

There is the greatest difference in the world between conquering by power, and conquering by kindness. The former is like building a dam across a stream of water. It may stop its flow for a little while, but presently the dam will give way, and then the stream will rush on with more force and fury than ever. Conquering by power is like chaining a lion; conquering by kindness keeps the lion from doing harm, by changing his nature, and turning him into a lamb. 

(1) How was the enemy ‘killed’?
(2) What change came about in the ill-natured man?
(3) Which are the ways to conquer?
(4) How has the writer exemplified ‘conquering by power’?
(5) What result does ‘conquering by kindness’ bring about?

Answer 1

(1) The enemy was ‘killed’ without the loss of a single life, or shedding one drop of blood.

The kindness of Mr Green had killed the ‘enemy’ (ill nature) in the ill-natured man.

(2) In the morning, ‘the ill-natured man’ went to confess his ingratitude to his kind neighbour and to ask his forgiveness. The wicked man became the friend of all.

(3) There are two ways to conquer:
(i) to conquer by power and
(ii) to conquer by love.

(4) For ‘conquering by power’ the writer has given the example that it is like building a dam across a stream of water. It may stop its flow for a little while, but then it will break and the water will start running more forcefully bringing more destruction.

(5) ‘Conquering by kindness’ keeps the lion from doing harm by changing its nature. It will then turn him into a lamb.