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1. What did the physicians ask Saeeda’s mother to do to get well? Did their advice help her? If not, why?
Ans: The physicians advised Saeeda’s mother not to take normal food, and to remain shut in a small dark room.

2.What did the specialist prescribe in addition to medicine?
Ans: The specialist prescribed some effective but costly medicines. He told her to eat chapati, vegetables, milk, fruits, etc. He asked her to shift to a bigger room with windows and doors open. Above all, she should sit in the sun every mornjng for an hour and breathe in fresh air.

3. What did Saeeda tell the sunrays to do?
Ans: Saeeda made a special request to the sunrays to help her mother get well. She asked them to come the next day with lots of warmth and brightness.

4.Why were the sunrays keen to go down to the earth the next day?
Ans:The sunrays had promised to help Saeeda. They had made a pact with her that they would bring down warmth and brightness. So they were keen to go down to the earth the next day. They forced their way through the dark, dirty clouds.

I.SHORT ANSWER TYPE QUESTIONS

1.Who made the pact with the sun? What was it about?
Ans: The small girl Saeeda made a pact with the sun. Her mother was not well. She needed the warmth of the sun and fresh air. So in her mysterious language, she requested the rays of the sun to come the next day with lots of warmth.

2. What assurance did the sunrays give to Saeeda?
Ans: The sunrays granted Saeeda’s request. They promised to reach the earth at the fixed hour the next morning.

3. Why did the sun ask the rays to stay up in the sky?
Ans: The pathway to the earth was blocked by thick, dark clouds. The sun warned the rays to keep clear of the dark clouds. But all the rays refused to obey their father’s command. They got through the clouds and thus ,kept their word to Saeeda.

4. How did Saeeda’s mother feel on that sunny day?
Ans: Saeeda’s mother felt the sun on her face and she breathed in fresh air. She thought she was in a new world. Her eyes shone bright and she started recovering speedily.

II.LONG ANSWER TYPE QUESTIONS

1. Comment on the aptness of the title of the story, ‘A Pact with the Sun’. What message or idea does the story bring home to you?
Ans: ‘A Pact with the Sun’ is an educative story. It tells us that fresh air, and sunshine in the open are the key to sound health. Even the sick people need these two things. They must not be kept confined in dark room. They should get normal food.
The story tells us Saeeda’s mother was denied healthy food, sunshine and fresh air. She remained sick. But her daughter made a pact with the sunrays to warm up the ailing old woman. And the results were wonderful.

2.Who made the pact with the Sun and why? How did the pact prove fruitful?
Ans: Saeeda’s mother had been ailing for quite some time. No medicine proved effective. She was shut up in a small dark room. The cloudy weather continued for a few days. So Saeeda, the little girl, made a request to the rays of the sun to come down to the earth and give warmth to the ailing woman. The sunrays agreed and also kept their word. They came down in large numbers and gave ‘ new life to Saeeda’s mother. In this way Saeeda’s pact with the sunrays helped her mother get well.

1. What is the most obvious advantage of sleep?
Ans: The most obvious advantage of sleep is that it gives rest to our tired body. After a good sleep we become alert and active again for the day’s work.

2. What happens to our body when we sleep?
Ans: When we sleep, our body gets much needed rest. Our muscles relax. Our heartbeat slows down. Our blood pressure also falls.

3. Define a dream in your own words.
Ans:  A dream is an activity of the mind that takes place when we are asleep.

4. Why are dreams important? Mention two reasons.
Ans:  Dreams are important for two reasons:
(i)They help us sleep in spite of noise and other disturbances.
(ii)Some dreams provide a solution to certain problems.

5. Why has sleep been called a wonder?
Ans:  Sleep has been called a wonder because nobody knows for certain what brings about sleep. Secondly, it transports us to a strange land. It is the sweetest thing in the world. It is a sort of escape from reality.

6. Describe briefly to the class an improbable dream you have ever had.
Ans: I had a very funny, and uncommon dream last night. I saw two bulls locking their horns in the street. They fought fiercely. The people kept at a safe distance. One of the bulls fell to the ground. The other began to goad him with its horns. I kept a watch on their activities for a while. When I noticed the fallen animal in serious trouble, I intervened. I fired the air gun. It raised a thundering sound. Then I shouted to the bull to stop fighting. It left its victim and walked away.

I.SHORT ANSWER TYPE QUESTIONS

1. How does the author define ‘sleep’?
Ans: Sleep is a state of rest.

2.Why is it necessary to enjoy sound sleep?
Ans: Sleep gives rest to our tired body. After a good sleep we feel fresh, alert and active.

3.What happens when we are asleep?
Ans: We start dreaming. Our muscles relax. Our body temperature falls. Our heartbeat becomes slower. The ever-active brain also slows down.

4. What is a dream?
Ans: Dream is an activity of the mind that takes place only when we are asleep.

5. Are all our dreams probable or improbable?
Ans: Some dreams are probable. It means that many of the things that happen in dreams could happen when we are awake. But other dreams are improbable.

6.What is one thing that dreams can never tell?
Ans: Dreams can never tell the future.

7.What have certain doctors found about dreams?
Ans: Certain doctors think that our dreams can provide a key to the solution of problems.

II.LONG ANSWER TYPE QUESTIONS

1.Why does the author call sleep a wonder?
Ans: Sleep is a good tonic. The body and brain recover from weariness after a good sleep. Sleep is a state of rest. When we wake up, we feel fresh, become alert and ready for the normal activities of the day. During sleep, our muscles relax and the heart beat becomes slower. Sleep is the most common experience. But very few people know how wonderful it is.

2. What is the significance of dream?
Ans: What is a dream? We have strange, funny and even frightening dreams as we sink into sleep. The brain can’t think or act consciously when we fell asleep. Some dreams are believable, and could happen when we are awake. But tnost of them are absurd. Dreams are important because they help us to sleep through noise even. Some doctors say that one’s dreams can suggest solutions to one’s problem or tell the future. But this is not wholly true.

1. The monkey was happy living in the fruit tree, but his happiness was not complete. What did he miss?
Ans: The monkey was happy in his fruit tree home. He had plenty to eat, but he had no company. He felt lonely. He needed a companion to talk to and also to share his fruits.

2. What did the two friends generally talk about?
Ans: The monkey and the crocodile became fast friends. They talked about birds  and animals. They also discussed the difficulties of the farmers when the rain failed.

3. Why was the crocodile’s wife annoyed with her husband one day?
Ans: One day, the crocodile overstayed with the monkey. His wife had to manage the little ones alone. So she was annoyed with him.

4.Why was the crocodile unwilling to invite his friend home?
Ans: The crocodile’s wife wanted to eat the heart of the monkey. The crocodile refused to oblige her. He could not betray his fast friend. He shouted at her angrily.

5. What did the crocodile tell the monkey midstream?
Ans: The crocodile could not displease his wife for the sake of his friend. One day he let the monkey sit on his back, and sailed out. He reached the midstream. Then he revealed his evil plan. He admitted that he meant to kill him and take his heart to his wife.

6. How did the monkey save himself?
Ans: The monkey was sad and terrified. But he was clever enough to make a plan to save his life. He said that he would gladly give away his heart to his friend’s wife. But unfortunately he had left his heart on the tree. The stupid crocodile swam back to the tree to collect the heart. The monkey jumped on to the tree and thus saved himself.

7. What does the last sentence of the story suggest? What would the crocodile tell his wife?
Ans: The crocodile was in a fix. He wanted to make an excuse for his failure. He told his wife that the monkey would be reaching there soon with lots of fruit as well as his heart.
or
Finally the crocodile would muster courage to tell have in strong and effective terms how she had spoiled a good relationship and that then w^rcre areas where she really had to improve and change herself.

I.SHORT ANSWER TYPE QUESTIONS

1. Why was the monkey happy/unhappy?
Ans: The monkey was happy because he had plenty of sweet fruits to eat. He was unhappy because he was alone. He had no friend to talk to and share the fruits with.

2. How did the monkey and the crocodile become good friends?
Ans: Both of them missed a friend to talk to. So they came close. Secondly, the monkey had lots of tasty fruit to give to the crocodile.

3. Why did the crocodile’s wife want to eat the monkey’s heart?
Ans: The crocodile’s wife was annoyed with him for spending a lot of time with the monkey. She was fed up with managing the young ones alone. So she planned to get rid of the monkey once for all.

4.Why did the crocodile agree to fulfil his wife’s demand?
Ans: The crocodile loved his wife. He was also very fond of his friend, the monkey. He, finally, decided to betray his friend and please his life partner.

5. How did the monkey respond to crocodile’s invitation?
Ans: The monkey readily agreed to go with his friend. But he was not a swimmer. He rode on the crocodile’s back. And they set out.

6.‘The monkey was scared and depressed’. Why? .
Ans: The monkey saw the danger to his life. The thought of his sure death made him sad and afraid.

7. What did the monkey do as he reached the tree?
Ans: The clever monkey climbed the tree. He offered some fruit to his friend. He declared that they won’t meet again.

II.LONG ANSWER TYPE QUESTIONS

1. Narrate the story of the friendship between the monkey and the crocodile in about 80 words.
Ans: A monkey lived in a fruit tree on the river bank. But he was unhappy because he had no companion. He made friends with a crocodile and sent fruits for his wife. One day, the crocodile’s wife expressed her wish to eat the monkey’s heart.
The crocodile persuaded his friend to accompany him. But the monkey was not a swimmer and therefore he rode on the crocodile’s back. They set out. When they came in midstream the crocodile disclosed his evil plan. The monkey was taken aback to hear the crocodiles’s plan. He said he had left his heart behind on the tree. As he returned to the river bank, he climbed up the tree.

2. How did the crocodile plan to please his wife? How did the monkey use his wits and save his life?
Ans: The crocodile was a good friend of the monkey who gave him lot of fruits for him as well as his wife. One day the crocodile returned home late. The wife was annoyed. She wanted him to break up with his friend. So she washed to eat the monkey’s heart. The crocodile carried his friend on his back. In midstream he disclosed his wife’s plan. The monkey was clever enough to save his life. He said he had left his heart behind on the tree. As the two came back to the tree, the monkey climbed up.

1. Why did Swami Haridas say Tansen was ‘talented’?
Ans: Tansen, as a child, learnt to imitate the calls of birds and animals. One day he roared like a tiger in the forest. He intended to frighten the travellers. Swami Haridas was impressed by the skill of the boy. So he called Tansen ‘talented’.

2. Why did Akbar ask Tansen to join his court?
Ans: Tansen learnt music from Swami Haridas for eleven years. He himself be­came a famous singer. Sometimes he sang before Emperor Akbar. Akbar was so impressed that he asked Tansen to join his court in 1556.

3. How do we know that Akbar was fond of Tansen? Give two reasons.
Ans: Tansen became the favourite of the Emperor. Akbar used to visit Tansen’s house to hear him practise music. He asked Tansen to sing whenever he had the mood. He also gave Tansen many presents.                                                                                        .

4.What did the other courtiers feel about Tansen?
Ans: Tansen’s popularity made other courtiers jealous of him. They made up their mind to ruin Tansen somehow.

5. (i) What happens if Raga Deepak is sting properly?
(ii) Why did Tansen’s enemies want him to sing the Raga?
Ans: (i) If Raga Deepak was sung properly, the air became so hot that the singer was burnt to ashes.
(ii) The courtiers who were Tansen’s enemies, wanted the singer to sing Raga Deepak and die of heat.

6.Why did Tansen agree to sing Raga Deepak?
Ans: Tansen agreed to sing Raga Deepak because he dared not disobey the Em­peror. Secondly, he wanted to prove his ability.

7.(i) What steps did he take to save himself?
(ii) Did his plan work? How?
Ans: (i) Tansen was a little worried as well as afraid. He took two steps for his safety. He requested the king to give him some time. Next, he taught his daughter and her friend to sing Raga Megh.
(ii)Yes, Tansen’s plan worked. His singing made the environment hot. Flames shot up and lighted the lamps. Just then, the two girls started singing Raga Megh. The rains came down suddenly and saved Tansen’s life.

I. SHORT ANSWER TYPE QUESTIONS

1.What was Tansen famous for?
Ans: Tansen was famous for his singing talent. He was the greatest musician India has ever produced.

2. It is said that Tansen was a naughty child. What prank did he play?
Ans: Tansen, as a child, used to play in the forest. He learnt to copy the calls of birds and animals. Once he frightened Swami Haridas and his pupils by producing the roar of a tiger.

3.What do you know about Tansen’s life before he joined Akbar’s court?
Ans: Tansen was the son of Mukandan Misra and his wife. The family lived near Gwalior. His talent was spotted by Swami Haridas. He lived with his guru for eleven years. He joined Mohammad Ghaus who took him to the court of Rani Mrignaini. Tansen married Hussaini. He impressed Emperor Akbar with music.

4. How did the jealous courtiers of Akbar plan to ruin Tansen?
Ans: Shaukat Mian had a bright idea. The courtiers made Tansen sing Raga Deepak. If the Raga was sung properly, it made the air hot and even burnt the singer to ashes.

5. Why was Tansen afraid of singing Raga Deepak?
Ans: Tansen could sing the Raga all right. But his fear was that the song would give off a lot of heat. It would set the lamps alight and would also burn him to ashes.             ,

II.LONG ANSWER TYPE QUESTIONS

1. What do you know about Tansen and his family? What quality was he gifted with?
Ans: Tansen is remembered as the greatest musician of India. His father was also a singer. The family lived in Gwalior. He learnt to copy the calls of birds and animals. Swami Haridas noticed his talent and taught him music for eleven years. He became a great favourite of Emperor Akbar. Some of the jealous courtiers made a vain attempt to ruin Tansen.

2. How did the jealous courtiers plan to harm Tansen? How did the great musician save his honour as well as official position?
Ans: Tansen was a talented musician. He came to the notice of Emperor Akbar. Tansen was honoured with a place in Akbar’s court. The jealous courtiers decided to ruin him. They demanded that Tansen should sing Raga Deepak. They knew that the Raga would bum him to ashes. However. Tansen accepted the challenge. He trained two girls to sing Raga Megh to bring rain and put out the fire. Tansen was thus saved wisely.

1. What made Ray think the visitor was not really a shopper?
Ans: Ray was deaf and dumb, but a good judge of men. His old wise eyes told him that the new visitors to his shop at that late hour, was not a shopper or customer. There was no friendliness in his eyes.

2. Why do you think he had come to the shop?
Ans: The visitor had not come to the shop to buy anything. Perhaps his intention was to loot the owner of his cash. He was in dire need of money.

3. How did Ray communicate with him?
Ans: Ray could neither speak nor hear. So he communicated with his customer by writing his message on a notepad. The visitor also wrote his reply on paper.

4. What do you think the man said to his friend who waited at the door?
Ans: The older man pointed to his ears and shook his head from side to side. Thus he conveyed to his younger companion that the shop owner could neither hear ‘ nor speak.

5. Ray was not a pawnbroker. Why then did he lend money to people in exchange for their old watches and clocks?
Ans: Ray was not a pawnbroker, a person who lends money on security of some item. He did not lend money on interest. He was, however, kind and helpful. He could n’t say ‘No’ to the needy people.

6. “The watch was nothing special and yet had great powers.” In what sense did it have ‘great powers’?
Ans: The watch was just ordinary. But it had the power to pull a person out of a bad situation. The older man got the money he needed without hurting Ray. The generous shopkeeper also escaped physical injury. In this sense the watch had great powers.

7. Do you think the man would ever come back to pick up the watch?
Ans:No, it is very unlikely that the older man would ever come back to pick up his watch. He had, after all, got a price higher than the watch was worth for.

8. When did “the unfriendly face” of the visitor turn truly friendly?
Ans: The unfriendly face of the visitor turned friendly when he got a fifty dollar note for his ordinary watch. He felt obliged and happy.

I. SHORT ANSWER TYPE QUESTIONS

1. Who was Ray? What was his handicap?
Ans: Ray was the owner of an old-clock shop. He was deaf and dumb. He communicated with his customers by writing on a notepad.

2. Who were the two last-minute shoppers to Ray’s shop?
Ans: The two persons came to Ray’s shop just before the shop closed. One was young, the older one was nearly fifty. They had an evil plan to rob Ray of his cash.

3. What was the problem of the two shoppers? What were they going to try?
Ans: The two persons visiting Ray’s shop were in dire need of money. They were ready to take away Ray’s cash by force.

4. How did Ray tackle the evil-minded shoppers?
Ans: Ray hid his growing fear. He noticed that the older man was unfriendly and he carried a gun. But he kept cool. He paid fifty dollars in exchange for an old watch. This pleased the man. He said ‘Merry Christmas’ to Ray before he walked out of the shop.

5. What message did the old clocks spread as they chimed ‘Merry Christmas’ together?
Ans: The old-clocks and timepieces in Ray’s shop chimed all together. They spread ‘the message of peace on earth and goodwill towards all’.

II.LONG ANSWER TYPE QUESTIONS

1. Sketch the character of Ray in about 80 words. What qualities of Ray do you admire most?
Ans: Ray was an old and deaf owner of an old clock-shop. He repaired and sold old clocks. He communicated with his customers using pen and paper. But he was wise with long experience. Anger boiled within him when he noticed a gun in the man’s pocket. But he remained cool. He was generous and helpful also. He overpaid his visitors in need. He sent away the unfriendly visitors quite happy.

2. How did the old clock give a timeless message through Ray?
Ans:Ray was an old and deaf dealer in old clocks. He also used to pay to the needy customers against the security of their old clocks. Two visitors came to his shop when he was going to pull the shutters down. He doubted their intentions. But he kept his cool. He offered them fifty dollars for an old clock. He did so as a gesture of goodwill and peace. The timepiece rang out a musical message filled with hope. All the three persons who stood in the shop heard the timeless message of peace on earth and goodwill towards all.

NCERT Solutions for Class 6th English Chapter 3 The Shepherd’s Treasure

1. The shepherd had n’t been to school because
(i)he was very poor.
(ii)there were very few schools in those days.
(iii)he wasn’t interested in studies.
Choose the right answer.
Ans: (ii) There were very few schools in those days.

2.Who visited the shepherd one day. and why?
Ans:  The shepherd soon became famous for his wisdom and friendly nature. The king of Iran heard about him and visited him. He was riding a mule and dressed like a shepherd.

3.Why did the other governors grow jealous of the shepherd?
Ans: The common shepherd was appointed the governor of a small district. He was loved and honoured by the people. His fame spread far and wide. So the governors of other provinces grew jealous of him.

4.Why was the new governor called to the palace?
Ans: The jealous governors poisoned the king’s ears against the new shepherd-governor. They reported that the new governor was dishonest, and he always carried his ill-gotten treasure in an iron chest. So the king called him to the palace to see that treasure.

5. Why was everyone delighted to see the iron chest on the camel’s back?
Ans: Those who were present in the palace, thought that the iron-box contained valuables. If their report proved true, the king would dismiss the shepherd. So they were delighted. They waited anxiously to see the contents of the box.

6. (i) What did the iron chest contain?
(ii)Why did the shepherd always carry it?
(iii)Is it an example of the shepherd’s humility or wisdom or both?
Ans: (i) The iron chest contained only an old blanket.
(ii)The shepherd always carried his blanket in the box because it was his oldest and time-tested friend. It would protect him in case the king took away his post and power.
(iii)Yes, it is an example of the shepherd’s humility as well as wisdom.

7. How did the king reward the new governor?
Ans:The king was highly pleased with the new governor’s humility and honesty. He rewarded him with a promotion. He made him the governor of a much bigger province the same day.

I.SHORT ANSWER TYPE QUESTIONS

1. What were the notable qualities of the shepherd?
Ans: The shepherd was poor and uneducated. But he was wise and friendly. He lived in a cave. ‘

2.What led the king of Iran to the cave of the shepherd?
Ans: The stories of the wisdom and friendly nature of the shepherd led the king of Iran to his cave.

3. What impressed the king when he spent a night in the cave?
Ans: The king was greatly impressed by the shepherd’s hospitality and wise talks.

4. The king rewarded the shepherd twice. How and why?
Ans: The king was greatly pleased with the shepherd’s gentleness and intelligence. So he appointed him the governor of a small district. Later on, the king rewarded the shepherd for his honesty, humility and wisdom. He made the shepherd the governor of a much bigger district.

5.Why did the shepherd always carry his old blanket with him?
Ans: The old blanket was the shepherd’s oldest and the best friend. It could protect him when the king wished to take away his position, power and cloaks.

6.What is the moral/message of the story?
Ans: The moral of the story is that honesty, humility and wisdom are great virtues. These are recognised and rewarded by everybody sooner or later.

II.LONG ANSWER TYPE QUESTIONS

1. Give a character sketch of the shepherd. What qualities pleased the king?
Ans: The poor shepherd lived in a village in Iran. He was illiterate. But he was wise, and noble. He helped the people in trouble. He solved their problems with courage and common sense. The king was impressed by the shepherd’s hospitality and gentleness. He appointed the humble shepherd the governor of a district.The new governor always carried an iron-box. The jealous governors thought that there was gold inside the chest. The king examined the box and found only an old blanket in it.

2. How did the other governors try to humiliate the new governor (the shepherd)?
Ans: The shepherd was poor but humble, honest and hospitable. The king was pleased with the shepherd’s goodness and wisdom. His wisdom, common sense and above all, honesty were his real wealth. But wherever he went, he carried with him an iron chest. The envious governors poisoned the king’s ears against him. The king agreed to see for himself the jewels in the iron-box. But he found only an old and ordinary blanket. That was his only treasure. This inci­dent enhanced the shepherd’s dignity. The other governors felt embarrassed.

1. Why did the farmer bring a baby mongoose into the house?
Ans: The farmer had a small son. He wanted to have a pet to give company to his child. So he brought home a baby mongoose to play with the child.

2. Why didn’t the farmer’s wife want to leave the baby alone with the mongoose?
Ans:The farmer’s wife did not trust even her pet mongoose. She did n’t want to leave her son alone with an animal.

3. What was the farmer’s comment on his wife’s fears?
Ans: The farmer understood why his wife was afraid of leaving the baby alone with the mongoose. Therefore, he tried to remove her fear. He said that the mongoose was a friendly animal, as sweet and gentle as their own baby.

4. Why did the farmer’s wife strike the mongoose with her basket?
Ans: The farmer’s wife returned home with a heavy basket. She noticed blood on the face and paws of the mongoose. She had no doubt that the mongoose had killed her son. So in anger she hit the animal with the basket. The poor mongoose died on the spot.

5. Did she repent her hasty action? How does she show her repentance?
Ans: The farmer’s wife saw the snake tom into pieces. Her own son was safely asleep. She realised her mistake. She felt very sorry. She touched the mongoose and cried. She saw the painful result of her hasty action.

I.SHORT ANSWER TYPE QUESTIONS

1.Why did the farmer think of having a pet?
Ans: The farmer loved his only son very much. He wanted the boy to have a companion when he grew up. So he decided to bring home a pet to give his son company.

2.What is in general, the relationship between a mongoose and a snake?
Ans: The two are sworn enemies.

3 .How did the mongoose prove his friendly nature?
Ans: The mongoose saved the life of the farmer’s son from a deadly cobra. He killed the snake. He sacrificed his life. He was killed by the farmer’s wife due to misunderstanding.

4.What was customary for the mongoose?
Ans: The mongoose used to ran to the door to welcome the farmer’s wife when she returned home. He sat outside the house waiting for her. It was customary.

5.What made the farmer’s wife blind with rage?
Ans: The sight of blood on the face and paws of the mongoose made the farmer’s wife mad with anger. She took for granted that the mongoose had killed her son.        .

6.What did the farmer’s wife regret?
Ans: She regretted and repented her hasty action. But it was all too late.

II.LONG ANSWER TYPE QUESTIONS

1. How did the mongoose oblige its master? What was the reward of his ser­vice?
Ans: A farmer lived in a village with his wife and a small son. In order to give company to the child, the farmer brought with him a small mongoose. It became a good friend of the infant. One day the mother went to the market. The child was left in the company of the mongoose. A snake was going to bite the baby. But the mongoose killed it. The mother after she came back home saw blood on the animal’s face. In anger she killed the mongoose. Soon after she discovered how the mongoose had saved the child’s life. She wept bitterly.

2. What made the farmer’s wife first kill the mongoose and then repent soon after?
Ans:  The farmer’s wife had gone to the market. She left the baby to the care of her pet, the friendly mongoose. She came back home and saw blood on the face of the pet. Blind with anger, she killed the mongoose. Soon she discovered that . her baby was all right: the mongoose had killed a snake. And thus saved the baby’s life. She repented and wept. But it was too late.

1. How did the two baby-birds get separated?
Ans: The two baby birds lived in a tall tree with their mother. One day a big storm blew. The tree came down. The mother bird was killed. The strong wind blew the two chicks away to the other side of the forest at a little distance from each other. Thus they got separated from each other.

2.Where did each of them find a home?
Ans: One of the young birds came down near a cave. A gang of robbers lived there. The other bird landed outside the ashram of a rishi at a little distance.

3.What did the first bird say to the stranger?
Ans: The first bird saw the stranger (the King). He called the robbers to hurry up and rob the man of his jewels and his horse. Indirectly he asked the stranger to leave the place at once.

4. What did the second bird say to him?
Ans: The second bird welcomed the king to the ashram. He requested the stranger to drink water, take rest and make himself comfortable. He added that his brother lived in the company of robbers, so he talked like them.

5.’ How did the rishiexplain the different ways in which the two birds behaved?
Ans: The king told the rishi about the different behaviour of the two birds. The rishi explained that the first bird repeated the words of the robbers. The second bird repeated what he had always heard at the ashram. Their different ways were the results of their company.

6. Which one of the following sums up the story best?
(i) A bird in hand is worth two in the bush.
(ii)One is known by the company one keeps.
(iii)A friend in need is a friend indeed.
Ans: (ii) One is known by the company one keeps.

I.SHORT ANSWER TYPE QUESTIONS

1.How did different company affect the character and behaviour of the two birds?
Ans: The two birds were brothers. But they got separated when a storm blew. One came down near a cave where robbers lived. The other landed outside a rishis ashram. The former learnt the language of the robbers. The latter learnt to welcome the strangers sweetly. Thus, their company shaped their behaviour.

2.What amazed the king as he stood near the cave?
Ans: The king heard a big brown bird on the tree, calling out to the robbers to come and loot the stranger.

3.How did the other bird greet the king?
Ans: The other bird welcomed the king to the ashram. Gently he requested the king to make himself comfortable in the ashram.

II.LONG ANSWER TYPE QUESTIONS

1. Narrate the tale of two birds in your own words.
Ans: Once there lived a mother bird in a forest. She had two new-born chicks. One day a storm came with thunder and lightning. The mother bird was killed. But the baby birds were blown away to the other end of the forest. One lived in the company of robbers. The other stayed with a rishi. One day a king heard them speak. The one asked the robbers to loot and kill the king. The other noble bird welcomed him sweetly in the ashram. They behaved differently because of the company they kept.

2. How did the king reach the rishi’s ashram? Why did the two birds behave with the king differently?
Ans: The king came to the forest to hunt a deer. He rode after the game and lost his way. Tired, he stood near a cave. One bird informed the robbers to rob the traveller of his jewels and his horse. The king sensed danger and rode away. Soon he came to a rishi’s ashram. He sat down in a tree’s shade. He was amazed to hear another bird’s voice. It requested him to enter the ashram and rest. The two birds were real brothers, but one became crook in the company of robbers. The other became gentle in the company of the rishi. The holy man told the king that one’s good or bad company makes one noble or wicked.

What If NCERT Text Book Questions and Answers

What if Working with the poem (NCERT Page 122)

Question 1.
(i) Who is the speaker in the poem?
Answer:
Shel Silverstein is the speaker in the poem.

(ii) With your partner list out the happenings the speaker is worried about.
Answer:
The speaker was worried about the following things

• If she fails in the examination.
• If she gets sick and dies.
• If nobody likes Jier.
• If she becomes dumb.
• If she does not grow taller.
• If her parents get separated.
• If she gets beaten up.

(iii) Why do you think she/he has these worries? Can you think of ways to get rid of such worries?
Answer:
She has these worries because she thinks a lot. Most of these worries are born due to baseless fear. One can get rid of such worries with a strong will power and developing positive attitude towards life.

Question 2.
Read the following line.
Some What ifs crawled inside my ear.
Can words crawl into your ear? This is an image. The poet is trying to make an image of what she/he experiences. Now with your partner try and list out some more images from the-poem.
Answer:
Some other images are

• And pranced and partied all night long.
• What if the wind tears up my kite?
• What if green hair grows on my chest?
• And sang their same old Whatif song.

Question 3.
In groups of four discuss some more ‘whatifs’ that you experience in your day-to-day life and list them out.
(i) …………
(ii) …………
(iii) …………
(iv) …………
(v) …………
(vi) …………
(vii) ………..
(viii) …………
(i) Whatif I wake up late in the morning?
(ii) Whatif I arrive late in the school?
(iii) Whatif the teacher does not allow me to enter into the class?
(iv) Whatif I am punished in the class?
(v) Whatif I meet with an accident?
(vi) Whatif I am alone at night in a big house?
(vii) Whatif I lose my memory?
(viii) Whatif somebody steals my books?
And now write a poem of five or six lines with the ‘whatifs’ that you have listed.
Answer:
Do it yourself.

What If Extra Questions and Answers

Whatif Extra Questions Very Short Answer Type

Question 1.
What was the reason behind the child’s fear in the poem?
Answer:
The child was worried about his future because any mishap can happen anytime in life. There seems to be lack of security in child’s mind.

Question 2.
When did strange things hit the child’s mind?
Answer:
Strange things hit the child’s mind when she was lying on her bed the last night.

Question 3.
What do you understand by ‘Whatif song’?
Answer:
The ‘Whatif song’ in the poem means what will happen in case such a change takes place in the child’s life.

What if Extra Questions Short Answer Type 

Question 1.
Do you think the child’s fear was unnecessary?
Answer:
Yes, the child’s fear was unnecessary because she was only assuming things. Nobody is sure about future and it is a mystery for everyone. Thinking too much about future is needless and waste of time.

Question 2.
What happened the next morning when the child wakes up?
Answer:
The child wakes up the next morning and everything was fine. She was afraid of many things last night, but felt good in the morning, but soon started thinking what will happen if those terrifying moments appear again in her mind. The child is in habit of worrying unnecessarily.

Question 3.
What does the poem Whatif talk about? Give a few examples of some of the child’s worries or cynical fears.
Аnswer:
Children in general have some fears and worries. Their thinking can’t be rational or probable. The speaker gives a long list of some unusual situations or mishaps. These fears haunted her in sleep. She wondered what would happen if she lost her power to speak or got beat up, or got sick and died. Moreover, she might fail/miss the test, or her hair grew green or she was struck by lightning, or a war broke out, and her parents got divorced. By morning she became normal again.

Questions 4.
Who is the speaker in the poem Whatif? What is she worried about? Can you suggest ways to get rid of silly fears?
Аnswer:
The speaker in the poem is a girl. She is haunted by fears and worries. These are related to her safety. There is no sequence or substance in her fears. Such baseless and absurd fears trouble us when we go to bed. These are like frightening dreams, only a cowardly or weak minded person entertains such fears. One can get rid of them if one tells oneself firmly to shed all worries.

What if Extra Questions Long Answer Type

Question 1.
What kind of fears and doubts arise in the child’s mind?
Answer:
The child was worried what will happen if she loses the power to speak or if her school closes the swimming pool. She was anxious if she gets beaten up or if somebody puts poison in her cup. The child might fall sick and die. She might get hit by lightning and she might stop growing in height. There can be other bad situations such as wind might tear up her kite or a war breaks out. It is possible that her parents might get separated and her teeth can grow irregularly., She might not be able to learn dance and tear her pants.

Question 2.
What is being an optimist or pessimist?
Answer:
For a person, being always optimistic is very much essential to lead a happy and healthy life. It is important to understand that life is full of ups and downs. Sometimes we are happy and sometimes sad. There may come different kinds of problems in our life. Instead of being monotonous it is preferred to face the issues and try to find the solution for the same. Optimism always helps to find a key for any kind of problem. If a person continues to be pessimistic, it becomes difficult to live a peaceful life. The person never gets strength to survive in difficult time. Thus, it is always important to be an optimist rather than a pessimist.

What if Extra Questions Extract Based Type

Extract 1

Directions (Q. Nos. 1-6) Read the extract given below and answer the following questions.

Last night, while I lay thinking here,
Some Whatifs crawled inside my ear And pranced and partied all night long
And sang their same old Whatif song: Whatif I’m dumb in school?
Whatif they’ve closed the swimming-pool?
Whatif I get beat up?
Whatif there’s poison in my cup?
Whatif I start to cry?
Whatif I get sick and die?
Whatif I flunk that test?
Whatif green hair grows on my chest?
Whatif nobody likes me?

Question 1.
What came inside the child’s mind?
Answer:
Fears and doubts about life came into the child’s mind.

Question 2.
Do you think the child is afraid of death?
Answer:
Yes, the child was afraid of death as she thinks what will happen if somebody puts poison in her cup or what will happen if she falls ill

Question 3.
The speaker suffers from
Answer:
The speaker suffers from a dense of insecurity.

Question 4.
Write antonym for the word ‘close’.
(a) Shutdown
(b) Dumb
(c) Inside
(d) Open
Answer:
(d) Open

Question 5.
Find synonym for the word‘flunk’.
(a) Fail
(b) Mute
(c) Silent
(d) Rise
Answer:
(a) Fail

Question 6.
Give a word which rhymes with the word ‘long’,…………….
(a) Test
(b) Song
(c) Chest
(d) Dumb
Answer:
(b) Song

Extract 2

Directions (Q. Nos. 1-6) Read the extract given below and answer the following questions.

What if a bolt of lightning strikes me?
Whatif I don’t grow taller?
Whatif my head starts getting smaller?
Whatif the fish won’t bite?
Whatif the wind tears up my kite?
Whatif they start a war?
Whatif my parents get divorced?
Whatif the bus is late?
Whatif my teeth don’t grow in straight?
Whatif I tear my pants?
Whatif I never learn to dance? Everything seems swell and then.
The night-time Whatif strikes again!

Question 1.
Who might get divorced in the poem?
Answer:
The child was afraid that her parents might get divorced in future.

Question 2.
What made the child worried for the second time?
Answer:
The child became worried for the second time when she thought what will happen if those terrifying moments strike her again.

Question 3.
What are these doubts and worries called?
Answer:
The doubts and worries are called as cynical.

Question 4.
Give superlative degree of the word ‘taller’.
(a) Tall
(b) Tallest
(c) Long
(d) Length
Answer:
(b) Tallest

Question 5.
Write antonym for the word ‘start’.
(a) Begin
(b) Resume
(c) Continue
(d) End
Answer:
(d) End

Question 6.
Find synonym for the word ‘late’.
(a) Delayed
(b) Early
(c) Again
(d) Before
Answer:
(a) Delayed

What if Summary in English

The narrator is a young girl. Her mind is sometimes filled with doubts and fears. At night such unpleasant situations haunt her. She wonders what will happen if she loses her power to speak, or if the school closes the swimming pool, or if she gets beaten up, or if somebody puts poison in her cup. It is also possible that she may get sick and die, or fail in the examination, or stop growing in height, or is hit by lightning. The other such bad situations are that the wind may tear up the kite, or a war breaks out, or her teeth grow irregularly, or she may never learn to dance. When she wakes up next morning, everything looks fine and normal. But her fears return at night again.

What if Summary in Hindi

लेखक एक युवा बालिका है। उसके दिमाग में कभी-कभी संशय और भय भर जाते हैं। रात को ये दुखदायी स्थितियाँ उसके दिमाग को मथती रहती हैं।उसे हैरानी है कि क्या परिणाम होगा यदि वह अपनी वाक्शक्ति खो बैठे, अथवा उसका स्कूल स्विमिंग पूल के इस्तेमाल पर पाबन्दी लगा दे, अथवा कोई व्यक्ति उसकी धुनाई कर दे अथवा उसके प्याले में विष घोल दे। यह भी संभव है कि वह स्वयं बीमार पड़कर भगवान को प्यारी हो जाये, अथवा वह परीक्षा में फेल हो जाये अथवा उसका कद बढ़ना थम जाये अथवा उस पर आकाशीय बिजली गिर जाये। अन्य ऐसी बुरी स्थितियाँ हैं कि पवन उसकी पतंग फाड़ दे, अथवा विश्व में युद्ध छिड़ जाये अथवा उसके दाँत टेढ़े-मेढ़े उगे अथवा वह कभी भी नृत्यकला न सीख पाये।जब वह अगली सुबह उठती है तो सब कुछ ठीक-ठाक और सामान्य पाती है। पर उसके भय पुन: रात को उसे तंग करने लगते हैं।

What if Hindi version of the poem with comprehension

1. Last night, while I lay thinking here,
Some Whatifs crawled inside my ear
And pranced and partied all night long
And Sang their same old Whatif song:
Whatif I’m dumb in School?
Whatif they’ve closed the swimming-pool?
Whatif I get beat up?
Whatif there’s poison in my cup?
Whatif I start to cry?
Whatlif I get sick and die?
Whatif I flunk that test?
Whatif green hair grows on my chest?
What if nobody likes me?
Whatif a bolt of lightning strikes me?
Whatif I don’t grow taller?
Whatif my head starts getting smaller?

पिछली रात जब मैं यहाँ लेटी हुई सोच-विचार कर रही थी, कुछ प्रश्न मेरे कानों में प्रवेश कर गये – ‘कहीं ऐसा हो तो क्या हो’? वे सारी रात उछलकूद और मस्ती करते रहे। और वे अपना पुराना गीत ‘ऐसा हो तो क्या हो।’ गाते रहे। कहीं मैं स्कूल में गूँगी हो जाऊँ, अथवा स्वीमिंग पूल में प्रवेश बंद कर दें, अथवा मुझे कोई पीट दे, अथवा मेरे चाय के प्याले में कोई विष घोल दे अथवा मैं रोना-धोना शुरू कर दूँ, अथवा मैं बीमार पड़कर स्वर्ग सिधार जाऊँ, अथवा मैं परीक्षा में फेल हो जाऊँ, अथवा मेरी छाती पर उगने वाले बाल हरे रंग के हो जायें, अथवा सभी लोग मुझे नापसन्द करन लगें अथवा आकाशीय बिजली मुझ पर आ गिरे अथवा मेरी लम्बाई यहीं रुक जाये, अथवा मेरा सिर छोटे आकार का होने लगे, तो फिर क्या हो?

Read the following questions and choose the most appropriate option from the ones given below:

Question 1.
When do strange questions strike the poet?
(a) In the morning
(b) In the afternoon
(c) In the evening
(d) In the night.
Answer:
(d) In the night.

Question 2.
What does she mean by What if song?
(a) What will happen if she loses her power to speak
(b) The song means what will happen in case such a change takes place
(c) What will happen if she gets beaten up
(d) None of the above.
Answer:
(b) The song means what will happen in case such a change takes place

Question 3.
The ‘Whatif song haunts the speaker……….
(a) only once
(b) again and again
(c) only twice
(d) every moment.
Answer:
(b) again and again

Question 4.
What does the poem reveal about the speaker?
(a) She is bold
(b) She is timid
(c) She is filled with doubts and fears
(d) She is confident.
Answer:
(c) She is filled with doubts and fears

Question 5.
What does the expression Whatif mean?
(a) What will happen in case these happen
(b) What will happen the next moment
(c) What will happen if the earth gets dry
(d) None of the above.
Answer:
(a) What will happen in case these happen

2. Whatif the fish uwon’t bite?
Whatif the wind tears up my kite?
Whatif they start a war?
Whatif my parents get divorced?
Whatif the bus is late?
Whatif my teeth don’t grow in straight?
Whatif I tear my pants?
Whatif I never learn to dance?
Everything seems swell, and then
The night-time Whatif strikes again!

कहीं यदि मछलियाँ काटना बंद कर दें, पवन मेरी पतंग को फाड़ दे, लोग युद्ध छेड़ दें, मेरे माता-पिता तलाक ले लें, बस आने में देर हो जाये, मेरे दाँत सीधे सामान्य न होकर टेढ़े-मेढ़े हो जायें, मैं अपनी पैंट फाड़ दूँ, मैं कभी भी नृत्य न सीख पाऊँ, तो फिर क्या होगा? हर चीज दिन में ठीक-ठाक लगती है, पर रात में वही प्रश्न मुझे पुन: तंग करने लगते हैं।

Read the following questions and choose the most appropriate option from the ones given below:

Question 1.
Which of the fears is not applied to the speaker?
(a) What will happen in case the fish stops biting
(b) What will happen in case her parents get divorced
(c) What will happen in case she gets poor marks
(d) What will happen in case a war breaks out.
Answer:
(c) What will happen in case she gets poor marks

Question 2.
Such silly questions are baseless, still…..
(a) they trouble the speaker every time
(b) they create havoc in the speaker’s life
(c) they develop negative aptitude in the speaker
(d) none of the above.
Answer:
(d) none of the above.

Question 3.
What are these doubts and worries called?
(a) Cynical fears
(b) Inborn fears
(c) Habitual fears
(d) Baseless fears.
Answer:
(a) Cynical fears

Question 4.
What type of people do entertain such fears?
(a) Strong-minded people
(b) Haughty people
(c) Weak-minded people
(d) Mature people.
Answer:
(c) Weak-minded people

Question 5.
What does the word ‘swell’ in the extract mean?
(a) Deformed
(b) Spoiled
(c) Short in size
(d) Large and wonderful in size.
Answer:
(d) Large and wonderful in size.

Vocation NCERT Text Book Questions and Answers

Vocation Working with the poem (NCERT Page 110)

Question 1.
Your partner and you may now be able to answer these questions.
(i) Who is the speaker in the poem? Who are the people the speaker meets?What are they doing?
Answer:
The speaker in this poem is a school-going child. Every day he happens to meet the hawker selling bangles, the gardener digging away at the garden, and the watchman walking the street all night.

(ii) What wishes does the child in the poem make? Why does the child want to be a hawker, a gardener, or a watchman? Pick out the lines in each stanza which tell us this.
Answer:
The little child is innocent. He watches the people keenly around him. He is sick of checks on his movement. He wants to enjoy the same freedom as do the hawker, the gardener, and the watchman. They do what they like. The child says:

1. I wish I were a hawker, spending my day in the road.
2. I wish I were a gardener, digging away at the garden.
3. I wish I were a watchman walking the street all night.

(iii) From the way the child envies the hawker, the gardener and the watchman, we can guess that there are many things the child has to do, or must not do. Make a list of the do’s and don’ts that the child doesn’t like. The first line is done for you.

The child must
get his clothes dirty in the dust.
………………….
…………………..

The child must not
come home at a fixed time.
……………………….
………………………..
Now add to the list your own complaints about the things you have to do, or must not do.
Answer:

                       DO’s                                                                     Donʼts

(i) Obey his elders                                                             Be late for school.
(ii) Do his homework regularly.                                          Eat junk food.
(iii) Be truthful and honest.                                                Be rude or ill-mannered.

(iv) Like the child in the poem, you perhaps have your own, wishes for yourself. Talk to your friend, using “I wish I were…”
Answer:
For self-attempt

Question 2.
Find out the different kinds of work done by the people in your neighbourhood. Make different cards for different kinds of work. You can make the card colourful with pictures of the persons doing the work.
Answer:
Do yourself.

Vocation Extra Questions and Answers

Vocation Extra Questions Very Short Answer Type 

Question 1.
Where did the child meet a hawker?
Answer:
The child met a hawker on the road when he was going to his school in the morning.

Question 2.
When did the child see a gardener?
Answer:
The poet saw the gardener outside his house in the afternoon after returning from his school.

Question 3.
Why did the child want to be a gardener?
Answer:
The child wanted to become a gardener so that he could dig the ground and nobody could stop him.

Question 4.
How did the child see a watchman?
Answer:
The child was told to sleep when he saw the watchman through an open window.

Vocation Extra Questions Short Answer Type 

Question 1.
What did the child mention about the hawker?
Answer:
The poet said that the hawker was not in a hurry. There was no specific road which he must take. There was no fixed time for him to return his home.

Question 2.
Describe the activity of the watchman.
Answer:
The watchman was walking on the dark and lonely lane with his lantern. He was following his shadow at one side. He never went to bed in his life, according to the child.

Question 3.
What kind of life is led by the hawker, watchman and gardener?
Answer:
The hawker, watchman and gardener are performing vocational tasks. They are leading their life the way they wants to. There is no restrictions on them.

Question 4.
What activities are dear to little children? Who does the child envy and why in the poem Vocation?
Аnswer:
Children by nature love freedom and fun. They are too young to foresee the consequences of their hasty action. They are adventure loving also. Tagore in his poem “Vocation’ gives voice to the natural desires of a child. The child first sees a hawker, selling bangles. He goes by his whim and enjoys freedom of movement. The child too wishes to become a hawker. In the afternoon he saw a gardener working with his spade and soiling his clothes. There is nobody to check or chide him. Lastly the child feels like becoming a watchman who walks the street all night. The child envies them all.

Vocation Extra Questions Value Based Type

Question 1.
Why did the child find others’ life interesting?
Answer:The child found others’ life more interesting because he was under strict control of his family. He was not allowed to move anywhere and return home anytime. He was fed up with his life due to restrictions imposed on him. He thought that the hawker, gardener and watchman were very happy as they could do things at their own wish. They can go anywhere at any time. Nobody restricts them and they are free to enjoy their life. So, the child wants to exchange his life with that of a hawker, a gardener and a watchman.

Vocation Extra Questions Extract Based Type

Extract 1

Directions (Q. Nos. 1-6) Read the extract given below and answer the following questions.

When the gong sounds ten in the morning and
I walk to school by our lane,
Every day I meet the hawker crying, “Bangles,
crystal bangles!”
There is nothing to hurry him on, there is no
road he must take, no place he must go to, no
time when he must come home.
I wish I were a hawker, spending my day in
the road, crying, “Bangles, crystal bangles!”

Question 1.
Who used to cry “bangles, crystal bangles”?
Answer:
A hawker used to cry “bangles, crystal bangles” every morning on the road.

Question 2.
What was the routine of the hawker?
Answer:
The hawker was seen in the morning and was never in a hurry. He can take any road, go anywhere and return his home anytime.

Question 3.
Why did the child want to be a hawker?
Answer:
The child wanted to become a hawker, so that he could spend his entire day on the road.

Question 4.
Write synonym for the word ‘hurry.’
(a) Hawker
(b) Rush
(c) Walk
(d) Child
Answer:
(b) Rush

Question 5.
Give one word substitute for a person who sells goods by moving on roads.
(a) Teacher
(b) Cobbler
(c) Gardener
(d) Hawker
Answer:
(d) Hawker

Question 6.
The hawker passes time
(a) tensely
(b) quarrling
(c) happily
(d) bored
Answer:
(c) happily

Extract 2
Directions (Q. Nos. 1 -6) Read the extract given below and answer the following questions.

When at four in the afternoon
I come back from the school,
I can see through the gate of that house
the gardener digging the ground.

He does what he likes with his spade,
he soils his clothes with dust,
nobody takes him to task,
if he gets baked in the sun or gets wet.
I wish I were a gardener digging away at the
garden with nobody to stop me from digging.

Question 1.
Who was digging the ground?
Answer:
The gardener was digging the ground with his spade outside the house.

Question 2.
What did the child notice about the gardener?
Answer:
The child noticed that the gardener has spread soil all over his clothes and nobody punished him for getting baked under the Sun.

Question 3.
Name the poet of the above lines.
Answer:
The poet of the above lines is Rabindranath Tagore.

Question 4.
Give synonym for the word ‘bake.’
(a) Burn roast
(b) Garden
(c) Sun
(d) Stop
Ans.
(a) Burn roast

Question 5.
Write antonym for the word ‘ wet.’
(a) Move
(b) Continue
(c) Soaked
(d)Dry
Answer:
(d) Dry

Question 6.
Who is the speaker of the above lines?
(a) A small boy
(b) An adult man
(c) A hawker
(d) An old man
Answer:
(a) A small boy

Vocation Summary in English

The child walks to his school at ten in the morning, Everyday he meets a bangle-seller. The man goes about at ease all day long. The child is tempted to adopt the vocation of that happy hawker.In the afternoon the child comes back from the school. He sees a gardener working with spade in a kothi. The gardener is his own master. He soils his clothes and gets wet in the rain. But nobody scolds or punishes him. The child wishes he too were a gardener, free to do what he liked. At night the child sees the watchman on duty. The lone man carries a lantern and keeps walking in the lane all night. The child envies the watchman. He too wants to go about freely and do what he likes.

Vocation Summary in Hindi

बच्चा प्रात: दस बजे स्कूल के लिये निकल पड़ता है। हर दिन वह एक चूड़ी विक्रता को देखता है। वह व्यक्ति सारा दिन मौज से घूमताफिरता है। बच्चे की भी इच्छा होती है कि उस सुखी फेरी वाले का धंधा अपना ले। दोपहर बाद बच्चा स्कूल से घर लौटता है। वह एक कोठी में किसी माली को फावड़ा चलाते देखता है। माली अपनी मर्जी का मालिक स्वयं होता है। वह अपने वस्त्र भी गंदे कर लेता है और वर्षा में गीले कर लेता है। पर कोई भी व्यक्ति उसे न डाँटता है, न दण्ड देता है। बच्चे की तमन्ना होती है कि काश वह भी माली बन जाये और अपनी इच्छानुसार काम स्वतंत्र रूप से किया करे।

रात को बच्चा चौकीदार को ड्यूटी देते देखता है। वह अकेला व्यक्ति हाथ में लालटेन लिये सारी रात गली में घूमता रहता है। बच्चे को चौकीदार से भी ईष्य होने लगती है। वह कामना करता है कि वह स्वच्छन्द विचरण करे और अपनी इच्छानुसार काम करे।

Vocation Hindi version of the poem with comprehension

1. When the gong Sounds ten in the morning and I walk to School by Our lane,
Every day I meet the hawker Crying, “Bangles, crystal bangles!”
There is nothing to hurry him on, there is no road he must
take, no place he must go to, no time when he must comehome.
I wish I were a hawker, spending my day in
the road, crying, “Bangles, crystal bangles!”

प्रात: दस बजे जब घंटा बजता है और मैं अपनी गली से गुजरकर स्कूल जाता हूँ तो हर दिन मैं एक फेरी वाले को देखता हूँ जो ऊँची आवाज में चिल्लाता रहता है, ‘चूड़ियाँ, काँच की चूड़ियाँ।’ उसे कोई जल्दी नहीं होती, वह किसी भी सड़क पर जा सकता है, उसे किसी निश्चित स्थान पर नहीं पहुँचना है, उसके घर लौटने का समय भी कोई निश्चित नहीं है। काश, मैं भी एक फेरी वाला होता। अपना दिन मैं सड़क पर घूमते बिताता और आवाज करता, ‘चूड़ियाँ, पारदर्शी काँच की चूड़ियाँ !”

Read the following questions and choose the most appropriate option from the ones given below:

Question 1.
What is the hawker selling here?
(a) Toys
(b) Bangles
(c) Watches
(d) Glasses.
Answer:
(b) Bangles

Question 2.
The hawker passes time…..
(a) leisurely
(b) tensely
(c) with great difficulty
(d) happily.
Answer:
(a) leisurely

Question 3.
The child wants to become……..
(a) a bangle-seller
(b) a green grocer
(c) a hawker
(d) a shopkeeper.
Answer:
(c) a hawker

Question 4.
The child wishes so because……….
(a) It will make him a sensible man
(b) It will give him opportunity to work hard
(c) It will give him enough money
(d) It will give him full freedom of action.
Answer:
(d) It will give him full freedom of action.

Question 5.
What does the word ‘gong in the passage mean?
(a) A type of cage
(b) A metal object which makes a loud sound when one hits it
(c) A large boat
(d) None of the above.
Answer:
(b) A metal object which makes a loud sound when one hits it

2. When at four in the afternoon I come back from the school,
I can see through the gate of that house the gardener
digging the ground.
He does what he likes with his spade, he soils his
clothes with dust, nobody takes him to task, if he gets
baked in the Sun or gets wet.
I wish I were a gardener digging away at the
garden with nobody to stop me from digging.

शाम चार बजे जब मैं स्कूल से लौटता हूँ मैं उस घर के गेट के अन्दर एक माली को जमीन खोदते देखता हूँ।
वह अपना फावड़ा चलाकर जो मर्जी होती है करता है, वह अपने वस्त्र धूल में गंदे कर लेता है, यदि वह धूप में तप जाता है अथवा वर्षा में भीग जाता है तो भी उसे कोई डाँटता नहीं। मेरी भी तमन्ना है कि मैं कोई माली होता, बगीचे में मिट्टी खोदता और मुझे इस काम से रोकने वाला कोई नहीं होता।

Read the following questions and choose the most appropriate option from the ones given below:

Question 1.
Who is the speaker?
(a) An adult man
(b) A hawker
(c) A small boy
(d) An old man.
Answer:
(c) A small boy

Question 2.
What does he see the gardener doing?
(a) Cutting the trees
(b) Cleaning the garden
(c) Digging the earth with his spade and soiling his clothes
(d) None of the above.
Answer:
(c) Digging the earth with his spade and soiling his clothes

Question 3.
What does the phrase “take to task in the above passage mean?
(a) Order
(b) Rebuke
(c) Praise
(d) Honour.
Answer:
(b) Rebuke

Question 4.
Here the child wants to become…….
(a) a hawker
(b) a gardener
(c) a grown-up man
(d) a shopkeeper.
Answer:
(b) a gardener

Question 5.
What does the word ‘bake’ in the above passage mean?
(a) Feel comfortable
(b) Feel guilty
(c) Feel proud
(d) Feel very hot.
Answer:
(d) Feel very hot

3.Just as it gets dark in the evening and my mother sends me to bed,
I can see through my open window the watchman walking up and down.
The lane is dark and lonely, and the street-lamp stands
like a giant with one red eye in its head.
The watchman swings his lantern and walks with his
shadow at his side, and never once goes to bed in his life.
I wish I were a watchman walking the street all
night, chasing the shadows with my lantern.

जैसे ही शाम को अँधेरा होने लगता है, मेरी माँ मुझे बिस्तर पर जाने को कहती है। मैं खुली खिड़की से पहरेदार को गली में गश्त लगाते देखता हूँ। गली अंधेरी और सुनसान है और सड़क का लैंप किसी दैत्य की भाँति दिखता है जिसके सिर पर एक ही लाल आँख हो। पहरेदार अपनी लालटेन झुलाता रहता है, उसका साया एक ओर उसके साथ-साथ रहता है, वह कभी भी सोता नहीं। काश, मैं भी पहरेदार होता, सड़क पर सारी रात घूमता, अपने साये का लालटेन की रोशनी में पीछा करता रहता।

Read the following questions and choose the most appropriate option from the ones given below:

Question 1.
What is the job of a watchman?
(a) To walk up and down the street all night for the safety of the people
(b) To supervise the people’s activities during nights
(c) To whistle during nights
(d) To save people from criminals during nights.
Answer:
(a) To walk up and down the street all night for the safety of the people

Question 2.
What does he carry in his hand?
(a) A whistle
(b) A torch
(c) A lantern
(d) A big stick.
Answer:
(c) A lantern

Question 3.
The Street lamp has been compared to a ………
(a) ship
(b) giant
(c) witch
(d) magician.
Answer:
(b) giant

Question 4.
The lane is dark and lonely because ………
(a) there is no street lamp there
(b) it is a holiday
(c) it is very cold
(d) it is night.
Answer:
(d) it is night.

Question 5.
What does the word ‘chasing in the extract mean?
(a) Running fast
(b) Moving backward
(c) Going after
(d) Staring at someone.
Answer:
(c) Going after