Chapter 4
My Childhood
1. What is the poem “The Tree” about?
Answer: The poem “The Tree” is about a green tree that gives shade and comfort. The poet says he likes to sit under the tree when his work is done. The tree protects him from the hot sun and gives him peace and rest.
2. How did the banyan tree grow into a big tree?
Answer:The banyan tree grew from a small seed buried deep in the soil. When rain fell and the sun shone, the seed woke up and began to grow. Slowly it became a plant and then a big tree with wide branches.
3. Why do village children love the banyan tree?
Answer:Village children love the banyan tree because they play near it and swing on its branches. When they feel tired, they rest and sleep under its cool shade.
4. How is the tree useful to passers-by?
Answer:Passers-by sit under the tree in the afternoon to take rest. The tree gives them shade and comfort before they continue their journey.
5. How does the tree help birds and animals?
Answer:The tree is home to many birds, squirrels, and insects. Sparrows, parrots, pigeons, and ants live on it. It gives them shelter and safety.
6. Why should we care for trees?
Answer:We should care for trees because they give us shade, fruits, shelter, and fresh air. They are useful to people, birds, and animals.
7. What does the child feel about swinging in the poem “The Swing”?
Answer:The child feels that swinging high in the air is the most pleasant thing a child can do. He enjoys going up in the blue sky.
8. What can the child see from the swing?
Answer:From the swing, the child can see rivers, trees, cattle, gardens, walls, roofs, and the countryside.
9. What does the child see when he looks down?
Answer:When he looks down, he sees the green garden and the brown roof below him.
10. Why is swinging called the pleasantest thing?
Answer:Swinging is called the pleasantest thing because it makes the child feel like flying high in the sky and seeing beautiful views.
11. Who was the king in “The King and the Spider”?
Answer:The king was a wise, brave, and kind ruler. His people were happy under his rule.
12. What happened when the neighbouring king attacked?
Answer:The neighbouring king attacked his country and defeated him. Many soldiers died and others ran away. The king had to hide in a cave.
13. Why was the king sad and worried?
Answer:The king was sad because he lost the battle and his soldiers were killed or ran away. He lost his kingdom.
14. What did the king see in the cave?
Answer:The king saw a spider trying to climb the wall. It slipped and fell many times but kept trying.
15. What lesson did the spider teach the king?
Answer:The spider taught the king that we should not give up. We must keep trying again and again until we succeed.
16. What did the king do after watching the spider?
Answer:After watching the spider, the king regained confidence. He united his soldiers and attacked the enemy again.
17. How did the king finally succeed?
Answer:The king fought bravely for many days and finally defeated his enemy and got his kingdom back.
18. What is the moral of “The King and the Spider”?
Answer:The moral is “Try, try, try till you succeed.”
19. What book impressed Gandhiji in his childhood?
Answer:The book “Shravana Pitrabhakti Natak” impressed him deeply.
20. Why did the story of Shravana impress him?
Answer:Shravana carried his blind parents with devotion. Gandhiji wanted to follow his example.
21. Which play captured Gandhiji’s heart?
Answer:The play “Harishchandra” captured his heart because it showed truth and honesty.
22. Why did Gandhiji never tell a lie in school?
Answer:Gandhiji believed in truthfulness and honesty, so he never told a lie.
23. What happened during Mr. Giles’ inspection?
Answer:Mr. Giles gave five spelling words. Gandhiji misspelt “kettle.”
24. Why did Gandhiji refuse to copy the spelling?
Answer:He refused because he did not want to cheat. He believed in honesty.
25. What did the teacher say after inspection?
Answer:The teacher called him stupid for not copying, but Gandhiji was not affected.
26. What qualities did Gandhiji show in school?
Answer:He showed honesty, truthfulness, simplicity, and courage.
27. Where was Gandhiji born?
Answer:Gandhiji was born in Porbandar, Gujarat.
28. What was Gandhiji’s father’s name?
Answer:His father’s name was Karamchand Gandhi.
29. Why did Gandhiji go to London?
Answer:He went to London to study law.
30. Why did he go to South Africa?
Answer:He went to South Africa to work as a lawyer and fight against injustice.
31. How did the tree begin its life?
Answer:The tree began as a small seed buried in the soil.
32. What happens when rain falls on the seed?
Answer:When rain falls, the seed wakes up and starts growing.
33. How do birds and animals live on the tree?
Answer:They build nests and homes on its branches and live safely together.
34. What can be seen in the countryside from the swing?
Answer:Rivers, trees, cattle, and fields can be seen in the countryside.
35. Why did the king hide in a cave?
Answer:He hid in a cave to save his life after losing the battle.
36. How many times did the spider try?
Answer:The spider tried many times and kept falling but did not give up.
37. What is the meaning of ‘give up’?
Answer:‘Give up’ means to stop trying or lose hope.
38. What is the importance of truth in Gandhiji’s life?
Answer:Truth was very important to Gandhiji. He always spoke the truth and followed honesty.
39. What does the tree give us besides shade?
Answer:The tree gives us fresh air, fruits, shelter, and wood.
40. What common lesson do these stories teach us?
Answer:All these lessons teach us good values like honesty, hard work, courage, love for nature, and never giving up.
Answer by Mrinmoee
