Chapter 8
The Cub's Teacher
1. Where does the story of “The Cub’s Teacher” take place?
Answer: The story takes place in a jungle, mainly in a lion’s den. The lion is seated on a rock and many animals and birds gather there for an important discussion.
2. Why had the animals and birds gathered in the jungle?
Answer: The animals and birds gathered because the prince cub had completed one year and after one year he was to be crowned as the king of the jungle.
3. Who announced the reason for the gathering?
Answer: The jackal, who was the prime minister of the lion, announced the reason for the gathering and informed everyone about the prince cub.
4. What important decision did the lion want to take?
Answer: The lion wanted to choose a teacher for his cub so that the cub could become a wise, strong, and capable king of the jungle.
5. Why was choosing the right teacher important for the cub?
Answer: Choosing the right teacher was important because the cub was going to be the future king, and his training would decide how well he ruled the jungle.
6. Which animal did the owl suggest first as a teacher?
Answer: The owl first suggested the fox as a teacher because the fox was considered very clever.
7. Why did the lion reject the fox as a teacher?
Answer: The lion rejected the fox because the fox never told the truth, and a king must always be honest.
8. Which animal was suggested next by the owl?
Answer: The owl suggested the mole as the next teacher.
9. Why was the mole rejected as a teacher?
Answer: The mole was rejected because it was blind and shaky on its feet, so it was not suitable to train a future king.
10. Which animal did the owl suggest after that?
Answer: The owl then suggested the panther as a teacher.
11. Why did the lion not choose the panther?
Answer: The lion felt that the panther was brave and strong but a king needs more than just fighting skills.
12. Who finally suggested the eagle as a teacher?
Answer: The eagle himself suggested that he could teach the cub.
13. What qualities did the eagle claim to have?
Answer: The eagle said that he was the king of the skies and could make the cub clever and strong.
14. Why did the lion agree to the eagle’s suggestion?
Answer: The lion agreed because he believed that a powerful bird like the eagle could train his cub well.
15. With whom did the cub go for training?
Answer: The cub went with the eagle for training.
16. How long did the cub stay with the eagle?
Answer: The cub stayed with the eagle for one full year.
17. What happened after one year?
Answer: After one year, the animals gathered again because the cub was ready to be crowned as king.
18. What did the lion ask the cub to do?
Answer: The lion asked the cub to come forward and tell everyone what he had learned during his training.
19. What did the cub say about his learning?
Answer: The cub said that he had learned everything about birds, their nests, eggs, and where berries grow.
20. Why was the lion unhappy after hearing the cub?
Answer: The lion was unhappy because the cub had learned bird skills, which were of no use to a lion king.
21. How did the lion express his sorrow?
Answer: The lion held his head in sorrow, showing his disappointment.
22. How did the other animals react to the cub’s learning?
Answer: The other animals and birds were also sad and disappointed and agreed that the decision was wrong.
23. What mistake did the lion realize he had made?
Answer: The lion realized that choosing a bird as a teacher for a lion cub was a mistake.
24. Who gave the final lesson in the story?
Answer: The wise owl gave the final lesson.
25. What important advice did the owl give?
Answer: The owl said that everyone is made for a special purpose and should not be forced to change their natural ways.
26. What does the line “Let birds be birds, let cubs be kings” mean?
Answer: It means that everyone should follow their own nature and not try to be something they are not.
27. What is meant by “Each to his own”?
Answer: It means that each person or animal has their own role and abilities.
28. Why is the owl called wise in the story?
Answer: The owl is called wise because he understands nature, balance, and true learning.
29. What is the central theme of the lesson?
Answer: The central theme is that natural abilities should be respected and the right guidance is important.
30. What does the story teach about education?
Answer: The story teaches that education should match one’s nature and needs.
31. Why should a teacher be chosen carefully?
Answer: Because a teacher shapes the future and character of the student.
32. What qualities should a king of the jungle have?
Answer: A king should have strength, wisdom, leadership, and understanding of his people.
33. Why was the cub unable to become a good king after training?
Answer: Because he was trained in bird skills, not lion skills.
34. How does this story relate to human life?
Answer: It teaches that children should be guided according to their interests and talents.
35. What role did the jackal play in the lesson?
Answer: The jackal acted as a messenger and announcer.
36. Why is the title “The Cub’s Teacher” appropriate?
Answer: Because the story revolves around choosing the right teacher for the cub.
37. What would have happened if a lion taught the cub?
Answer: The cub would have learned kingly and lion-like qualities.
38. What mistake should parents avoid according to this story?
Answer: Parents should avoid forcing children into unsuitable paths.
39. What kind of ending does the story have?
Answer: The story has a moral and thoughtful ending.
40. What is the moral of “The Cub’s Teacher”?
Answer: “Everyone is born with special abilities. Education should respect nature and individuality.”
Answer by Mrinmoee