Chapter 7

                                                       The Little Fir Tree


1. Who was Shetty and what happened to him while returning home?

Answer: Shetty was a magician. While he was returning home one day, it suddenly began to rain heavily. He looked for a place to protect himself from the rain.


2. Where did Shetty take shelter during the rain?

Answer: Shetty took shelter under a pretty little fir tree. The tree protected him from getting wet during the heavy rain.


3. Why was Shetty thankful to the fir tree?

Answer: Shetty was thankful because the fir tree gave him shelter during heavy rain and saved him from getting wet.


4. How did Shetty decide to reward the fir tree?

Answer: Shetty decided to reward the fir tree by granting it four wishes, as he was pleased with its kindness.


5. Why was the little fir tree sad in the beginning?

Answer: The little fir tree was sad because it had needle-like leaves and no birds ever made their nests on it, unlike other trees.


6. What was the first wish of the fir tree?

Answer: The first wish of the fir tree was to have green leaves like other trees so that it could look beautiful and happy.


7. What happened after the fir tree got green leaves?

Answer: After the fir tree got green leaves, a goat came and ate all its leaves, leaving the tree sad again.


8. Why did the fir tree make its second wish?

Answer: The fir tree made its second wish because its green leaves were eaten by a goat and it wanted something goats would not eat.


9. What was the second wish of the fir tree?

Answer: The second wish of the fir tree was to have gold leaves, as goats do not eat gold.


10. How did the fir tree feel when it saw gold leaves?

Answer: The fir tree felt very happy and proud when it saw its beautiful gold leaves shining brightly.


11. What problem did the fir tree face with gold leaves?

Answer: A man came along and stole all the gold leaves from the fir tree, making it unhappy again.


12. Why did the fir tree make its third wish?

Answer: The fir tree made its third wish because men stole its gold leaves and it wanted leaves that no one would steal.


13. What was the third wish of the fir tree?

Answer: The third wish of the fir tree was to have glass leaves, thinking that people would not steal them.


14. How did the glass leaves look?

Answer: The glass leaves shone beautifully in the bright sunlight and made the fir tree feel very happy.


15. What happened to the glass leaves at night?

Answer: At night, strong winds blew and all the glass leaves broke into pieces.


16. Why did the fir tree regret its wishes?

Answer: The fir tree regretted its wishes because every new wish brought new problems and unhappiness.


17. What did the fir tree realize at the end?

Answer: The fir tree realized that its original needle-like leaves were the best because they were safe from goats, thieves, and wind.


18. What was the final wish or feeling of the fir tree?

Answer: The fir tree wished to have its old needle-like leaves back and felt content with what it originally had.


19. What happened when the fir tree woke up the next morning?

Answer: When the fir tree woke up, it found that all its needle-like leaves had returned.


20. How did the fir tree feel in the end?

Answer: The fir tree felt happier than ever before and was fully satisfied with itself.


21. What lesson does the story teach us?

Answer: The story teaches us to be content with what we have and not to be greedy or compare ourselves with others.


22. Why should we not always desire what others have?

Answer: Because what seems good for others may bring problems to us, as seen in the fir tree’s wishes.


23. How does the magician help convey the moral of the story?

Answer: The magician grants wishes, which show how wrong desires can lead to suffering and teach a moral lesson.


24. Why were needle-like leaves actually useful?

Answer: Needle-like leaves were useful because goats did not eat them, men could not steal them, and wind could not damage them.


25. What does the fir tree symbolize?

Answer: The fir tree symbolizes people who are dissatisfied with what they have and learn wisdom through experience.


26. Why did birds not build nests on the fir tree?

Answer: Birds did not build nests on the fir tree because its leaves were needle-like and uncomfortable.


27. How did the fir tree’s happiness change with each wish?

Answer: The fir tree was briefly happy after each wish, but soon became sad due to unexpected problems.


28. What role did nature play in the story?

Answer: Nature, like rain and wind, played an important role in showing how delicate and temporary some wishes are.


29. What mistake did the fir tree make repeatedly?

Answer: The fir tree repeatedly wished for change instead of appreciating what it already had.


30. Why is contentment important in life?

Answer: Contentment brings peace and happiness, while greed leads to dissatisfaction and sorrow.


31. How does the story relate to real life?

Answer: Like the fir tree, people often want more without realizing the value of what they already possess.


32. What would have happened if the fir tree had not made any wish?

Answer: It would have remained safe and peaceful with its needle-like leaves from the beginning.


33. Why did the fir tree feel “never so happy” at the end?

Answer: Because it finally understood the value of its natural state and was free from fear and loss.


34. How does the story show the dangers of greed?

Answer: Each greedy wish led to loss and pain, teaching that greed causes suffering.


35. What quality does the fir tree gain by the end of the story?

Answer: The fir tree gains wisdom and contentment by the end of the story.


36. Why is the ending of the story satisfying?

Answer: Because the fir tree returns to its natural form and learns an important life lesson.


37. What message does the story give to children?

Answer: Children should learn to be happy with what they have and avoid unnecessary desires.


38. How does the story encourage self-acceptance?

Answer: It shows that accepting oneself brings true happiness, not changing to please others.


39. Why are wishes shown as dangerous in the story?

Answer: Because careless wishes can create problems instead of solving them.


40. What is the central moral of “The Little Fir Tree”?

Answer: The central moral is: “Be content with what you have; it may be better than what you desire.”

Answer by Mrinmoee