Chapter 8

                                             The Banyan Tree


Short Questions and Answers (20)

  1. Who were Jumman Shaikh and Algu Chowdhry?
    Answer: They were best friends respected in their village.

  2. Why did Jumman’s aunt transfer her property to him?
    Answer: She trusted him and expected him to care for her.

  3. How did Jumman treat his aunt after a few years?
    Answer: He and his wife became indifferent and neglectful.

  4. What did the aunt request from Jumman?
    Answer: A monthly allowance to set up her own kitchen.

  5. Who advised Algu to speak the truth?
    Answer: Jumman’s aunt.

  6. What did Jumman say when the panchayat began?
    Answer: “The voice of the Panch is the voice of God.”

  7. What was Algu’s dilemma regarding the panchayat?
    Answer: He did not want to act against his friend Jumman.

  8. What was the panchayat’s decision about Jumman’s aunt?
    Answer: Jumman must pay her a monthly allowance or return the property.

  9. What happened to the friendship after the first panchayat?
    Answer: Jumman became Algu’s enemy for a while.

  10. What problem did Algu face with Sahu?
    Answer: Sahu refused to pay for the dead bullock he bought.

  11. Who became head Panch in the second case?
    Answer: Jumman was nominated head Panch.

  12. What did Jumman decide as head Panch?
    Answer: Sahu should pay Algu for the bullock.

  13. What lesson did Jumman learn as Panch?
    Answer: A Panch must be impartial, with no friend or enemy.

  14. What was special about the banyan tree in Ruskin Bond’s story?
    Answer: It had spreading branches and twisting passages.

  15. Who was the boy’s first animal friend?
    Answer: A small grey squirrel.

  16. How did the squirrel react to the boy initially?
    Answer: It resented his presence at first.

  17. What books did the boy read in the banyan tree?
    Answer: Treasure Island, Huckleberry Finn, and Dr. Dolittle.

  18. Which birds watched the mongoose and cobra fight?
    Answer: A myna and a jungle crow.

  19. How did the mongoose defeat the cobra?
    Answer: By biting its neck after tiring it out.

  20. What did the myna do after the fight?
    Answer: It congratulated the mongoose and flew away.

Long Questions and Answers (20)

  1. Describe the friendship between Jumman and Algu at the start of the story.
    Answer: They were inseparable friends, respected by villagers. Each took care of the other’s family when one was away, showing trust, loyalty, and strong bonds of friendship.

  2. Why did Jumman’s aunt take her case to the panchayat?
    Answer: She was neglected by Jumman and his wife. Despite living with them for years, she received little care or respect. Seeking justice, she appealed to the panchayat for a fair monthly allowance.

  3. How did Algu feel when asked to act against his friend?
    Answer: He was torn between loyalty and justice. Initially hesitant, he was reminded by the aunt that he must follow his conscience and uphold fairness.

  4. What does the phrase “The voice of the Panch is the voice of God” mean?
    Answer: It emphasizes that the panchayat represents justice and truth, and its decisions must be respected as divine guidance.

  5. Explain Jumman’s reaction when Algu’s name was proposed as head Panch.
    Answer: Jumman felt joy and relief, thinking his friend would favor him. But he had to suppress this expectation to act impartially.

  6. Describe the conflict over the bullock between Algu and Sahu.
    Answer: Sahu refused to pay for a dead bullock he purchased, claiming it brought ruin. Algu referred the matter to the panchayat, where fairness required a careful judgment.

  7. How did Jumman act as head Panch during the bullock case?
    Answer: He remained impartial and ruled in favor of justice. He made Sahu pay Algu, showing that a true Panch must act without bias or personal feelings.

  8. What is the moral lesson from the Fair Play story?
    Answer: Friendship must not interfere with justice. A person should always prioritize truth, fairness, and conscience over personal ties or enmity.

  9. Describe the banyan tree and why it was special to the boy.
    Answer: The banyan tree had sprawling branches that took root again, forming tunnels and hideouts. The boy could climb, read, observe wildlife, and enjoy privacy. It became his private kingdom and source of joy.

  10. How did the boy befriend the grey squirrel?
    Answer: The boy did not threaten it, offered food, and gained its trust. Over time, the squirrel became bold, showing that patience and kindness build friendship.

  11. What was the boy’s view of nature in the banyan tree?
    Answer: He observed birds, squirrels, and butterflies, finding adventure and learning from nature. It taught him patience, observation, and appreciation for wildlife.

  12. Describe the first encounter between the mongoose and the cobra.
    Answer: The mongoose and cobra faced each other in bright sunlight. Both were skilled fighters. The cobra tried to intimidate with its hood, while the mongoose was quick, smart, and strategic.

  13. How did the mongoose avoid being bitten by the cobra?
    Answer: It constantly moved, feigned attacks, and struck from different angles, wearing out the cobra until it could safely attack its neck.

  14. What role did the myna and jungle crow play during the fight?
    Answer: They acted as spectators and intermittently tried to interfere. Their presence added tension and drama, although they were ultimately powerless to change the outcome.

  15. Explain the strategy used by the mongoose to kill the cobra.
    Answer: The mongoose attacked in quick, calculated moves, dodging the cobra’s strikes, and finally seized the snake’s neck, immobilizing it until it died.

  16. How did the boy feel while watching the fight from the banyan tree?
    Answer: He felt like a spectator in a grandstand, observing the drama with awe, excitement, and a sense of learning from nature’s power dynamics.

  17. How did the battle between the mongoose and cobra demonstrate intelligence over strength?
    Answer: Despite the cobra’s venom and size, the mongoose’s agility, speed, and strategy allowed it to prevail, showing that cleverness can overcome brute force.

  18. How did Jumman and Algu reconcile at the end of the Fair Play story?
    Answer: After the bullock case, Jumman realized the importance of justice over personal enmity. He embraced Algu, and they restored their friendship.

  19. What does the banyan tree symbolize in Ruskin Bond’s story?
    Answer: It symbolizes freedom, childhood adventure, imagination, and a sanctuary where one can observe, learn, and connect with nature.

  20. How do both stories emphasize moral lessons for readers?
    Answer: Fair Play teaches justice, conscience, and integrity, while The Banyan Tree teaches patience, observation, and respect for life. Both emphasize ethical behavior, courage, and wisdom in different contexts.

Answer by Mrinmoee