The Day I Got Lost Study Guide
Why can't the professor get in touch with anyone he knows?
Because he does not remember any phone numbers; not even his own address.
What is Professor Shlemiel's main weakness?
He always misplaces things.
How does the professor get home? What does he bring with him?
He gets home when he is noticed by a friend getting a lift from a taxi driver on the side of the road. Professor Shlemiel brings a dog to take home and celebrate his birthday.
What good qualities does Professor Shlemiel own?
He seems to sympathize with people/animals because he has been in the same situation as them.
How does the professor try to find his own address?
He tries to look in the telephone booth to see if his name is listed, but he was not, and he calls Dr. Motherhead, a friend of the professor, and tries to get the address of his house from a babysitter but sadly fails.
How does Professor Shlemiel's wife react to the dog?
She seems slightly doubtful, like it might not be a good idea to bring the dog home because of other pets. It is unusual for Professor Shlemiel to bring a new pet home, not even mentioning he loses some of his belongings almost daily due to his memory loss.
What is the theme of the story?
That the most unexpected thing will come your way when you need it the most. In this case, the dog the professor took home.
How are the professor and the dog alike?
The dog and the professor were both lost in the rain with no way to get home. He feels a connection with the dog because they were both shivering in the rain, very hungry, and desolate.
What kind of dog did Professor Shlemiel find?
The dog that Professor Shlemiel finds is a big, black dog.
What makes the situation more difficult for Professor Shlemiel to find his home?
The taxi driver ignores him, friends ignore him, and the busy streets of NYC make the situation worse.