Chapter- 7 The Desert that Grew Small
1. Why is a camel called the ‘Ship of the Desert’?
Answer:
A camel is called the ‘Ship of the Desert’ because it can travel long distances across the hot and sandy desert just like a ship travels across water. Its wide and padded feet help it walk easily on soft sand without sinking. It can carry heavy loads, people, and goods for many miles. It can also survive without water for many days by storing fat in its hump. Because of all these special features, it is very useful to people living in deserts, so it is compared to a ship.
2. What did the child see when he first visited the desert?
Answer:
When the child first visited the desert at the age of seven, he saw golden sand spread all around him. The desert looked vast and beautiful. The sand dunes appeared large like hills, and everything seemed new and magical. He also noticed shadows behind the dunes, which made him curious and excited.
3. Why did the child think there were camels behind every hill?
Answer:
The child had never seen camels before in real life. When he saw still shadows behind the sand dunes, his imagination made him think that camels were hiding behind every hill. His innocent and curious mind created this idea because he could not understand what the shadows really were.
4. How old was the child when he first went to the desert?
Answer:
The child was seven years old when he first visited the desert. At this young age, children usually have a strong imagination and curiosity, which is clearly shown in the way he thought about the shadows and camels.
5. How did the desert appear to the child during his first visit?
Answer:
During his first visit, the desert appeared magical and very large to the child. The golden sand shining under the bright sun looked beautiful. The dunes seemed very high, and everything around him felt exciting and full of wonder.
6. What are sand dunes and how are they formed?
Answer:
Sand dunes are small hills or mounds of sand found in deserts. They are formed when strong winds blow sand from one place to another and pile it up. Over time, these piles become dunes. They keep changing their shape and position due to continuous wind movement.
7. What did the child notice when he visited the desert again?
Answer:
When the child visited the desert again after growing older, he noticed that the dunes looked much smaller than before. He also saw real camels moving slowly under the bright sun. This time, he understood things more clearly.
8. Why did the dunes look smaller to the child later?
Answer:
The dunes looked smaller because the child had grown taller and older. His understanding and perspective had changed. When he was younger, everything seemed bigger, but as he grew, the same things appeared smaller.
9. How were the camels moving in the desert?
Answer:
The camels were moving slowly and steadily under the bright sunlight. This slow movement shows their calm nature and their ability to travel comfortably in the hot desert environment.
10. What feeling did the child experience during his second visit?
Answer:
Even though the dunes looked smaller and the child understood things better, he still felt the same happiness and excitement. The magical feeling of the desert remained the same in his heart.
11. What lesson does the poem teach about growing up?
Answer:
The poem teaches that as we grow older, our way of seeing and understanding things changes. Things that once looked big and mysterious may seem smaller and clearer later. However, our happy memories and feelings remain unchanged.
12. Why is the desert described as golden in colour?
Answer:
The desert is described as golden because the sand shines brightly under the sunlight, giving it a yellow or golden appearance. This makes the desert look beautiful and attractive.
13. What role do shadows play in the poem?
Answer:
Shadows create a sense of imagination and mystery in the poem. The child mistakes shadows for camels, which shows his innocence and creativity. They help to show how children think differently from adults.
14. What kind of emotions does the poem express?
Answer:
The poem expresses emotions of joy, wonder, curiosity, and imagination. It also shows the happiness of childhood memories and the excitement of exploring new places.
15. What changes did the child observe in his second visit?
Answer:
In his second visit, the child observed that the dunes were smaller and camels were visible moving slowly. He no longer imagined things as before but understood reality clearly.
16. Why are deserts very hot during the day?
Answer:
Deserts are very hot because they receive direct sunlight and have very little water and vegetation. There are no large trees to provide shade, so the heat becomes intense.
17. How do camels adapt to desert life?
Answer:
Camels are specially adapted to desert life. They can store fat in their hump, which helps them survive without food. They can go without water for many days. Their long legs keep their body away from hot sand, and their wide feet help them walk easily.
18. What types of plants grow in deserts?
Answer:
Plants like cactus grow in deserts. These plants need very little water and can survive in extreme heat. They store water in their thick stems.
19. What does ‘magic’ mean in the poem?
Answer:
In the poem, ‘magic’ refers to the wonderful and joyful feeling the child experienced when visiting the desert. It shows the happiness and excitement he felt.
20. What does the poem tell us about imagination in children?
Answer:
The poem shows that children have a strong imagination. They often create ideas based on what they see. The child imagines shadows as camels, showing creative thinking.
21. What is the main message of the poem?
Answer:
The main message is that our perception changes as we grow older, but our childhood memories and happiness always remain special.
22. Why is the desert important for people living there?
Answer:
The desert is important because people depend on it for their livelihood. Animals like camels help them travel and carry goods.
23. What does ‘behind the hills’ mean?
Answer:
It means something located at the back of sand dunes, hidden from direct view.
24. Why are camels important in deserts?
Answer:
Camels are important because they help people travel, carry loads, and survive in difficult desert conditions.
25. What is the theme of the poem?
Answer:
The theme is childhood imagination and how our understanding changes with age.
26. What did the child imagine during his first visit?
Answer:
He imagined that camels were hiding behind every sand dune because of the shadows he saw.
27. How is the child’s second visit different from the first?
Answer:
In the first visit, the child imagined things due to lack of knowledge. In the second visit, he understood reality better.
28. What makes deserts special?
Answer:
Deserts are special because of their sand dunes, extreme climate, and unique plants and animals.
29. What is the opposite of ‘big’?
Answer:
The opposite of ‘big’ is ‘small’.
30. What does ‘joyful’ mean?
Answer:
Joyful means feeling very happy and full of joy.
31. Why do sand dunes change their position?
Answer:
Sand dunes change position because strong winds move the sand from one place to another.
32. What kind of climate do deserts have?
Answer:
Deserts have very hot days and sometimes very cold nights due to lack of moisture.
33. What are rhyming words in the poem?
Answer:
Examples of rhyming words are “sun–fun” and “hill–still”.
34. What animals live in deserts?
Answer:
Animals like camels, snakes, lizards, and foxes live in deserts.
35. What does the poem tell about childhood?
Answer:
It shows that childhood is full of imagination, curiosity, and happiness.
36. Why is Jaisalmer famous?
Answer:
Jaisalmer is famous for its golden desert, sand dunes, and historical forts.
37. What did the child learn from his experience?
Answer:
He learned that understanding grows with age and things may appear different over time.
38. How does the sun affect desert life?
Answer:
The sun makes the desert very hot and affects how plants, animals, and people live there.
39. Why are memories important in the poem?
Answer:
Memories help the child remember the joy and magic of his childhood visit even after growing up.
40. Write a detailed summary of the poem.
Answer:
The poem describes a child’s visit to the desert at the age of seven and again when he grows older. During his first visit, he sees golden sand and large dunes. He imagines that camels are hiding behind the dunes because of the shadows. When he visits again later, he finds that the dunes look smaller and he can see real camels moving slowly under the bright sun. The poem shows how a child’s imagination works and how our understanding changes as we grow older. However, the joy and magical feeling of childhood memories remain the same.
