“ THE UNLIKELY BEST FRIENDS” is a lesson from the Textbook“POORVI“ approved by NCERT for the Students of Class 6. Here all the Textual Questions are answered by English teachers.
Let us do these activities before we read.
1. Friends are an important part of our lives. Why do you think so? Share your ideas with your friend. What do you do when you are with your friends and how do you feel?
Now, complete the following sentences by writing in the shapes given below. Share your completed sentences with your classmates and teacher. One has been done for you.
Answer:
- With my friend
i) I play with my friend.
ii) I ate with my friend.
iii) I laugh with my friend.
- With my friend
i) I feel happy with my friend.
ii) I feel safe with my friend.
iii) I feel relaxed with my friend.
2. The title of the chapter is “The Unlikely Best Friends’.
(a) What can be the meaning of ‘unlikely’? Discuss in groups, and then discuss with your teacher.
Answer: The word “unlikely” means something that is not expected to happen or is not probable. It suggests a situation or relationship that is surprising or unusual. In the context of friendships, “unlikely” best friends are people who, at first glance, seem too different to get along or have a close bond. They might have different backgrounds, interests, or personalities, but despite these differences, they form a strong friendship.
(b) Can you think of some unlikely friends? Share your answer with your teacher.
Answer: Yes, here are a few examples of unlikely friends:
- A Cat and a Dog: Cats and dogs are often seen as natural enemies, but many stories and videos show them becoming best friends, playing, and even sleeping together.
- A Rich Kid and a Poor Kid: In many stories and real life, kids from vastly different economic backgrounds find common ground and become close friends, showing that friendship can transcend financial status.
- An Introvert and an Extrovert: An introvert who prefers quiet and solitude and an extrovert who loves socializing and being in crowds might seem like an unlikely pair, but they can balance each other out and learn from each other’s strengths.
- A Scientist and an Artist: Someone who is deeply analytical and someone highly creative might seem like they wouldn’t have much in common, but their different perspectives can lead to a deep and enriching friendship.
Let us discuss
1. Talk about the things that Gajaraj and Buntee did together. Now, write in the shapes given below. One has been done for you.
Answer:
2. Why did the farmer hug Buntee?
Answer: The farmer hugged Buntee because he had been looking for his dog ever since Buntee disappeared from his house. The farmer was relieved and happy to find his lost dog again, hence the affectionate hug.
3. Do you think Buntee will leave Gajaraj and go home with the farmer?
Answer: It’s likely that Buntee will go home with the farmer because Buntee recognizes the farmer and responds to him, indicating a previous bond. However, since Buntee also formed a friendship with Gajaraj, it’s possible that Buntee might try to visit Gajaraj or that the farmer might allow Buntee to visit the stable to maintain the new friendship. The story leaves room for interpretation, but Buntee’s initial response to the farmer suggests he will go home with him.
II
Let us discuss
1. Why did Gajaraj not eat his food?
Answer: Gajaraj did not eat food because he was missing Buntee.
2. Who were friends at the end of the story?
Answer: Gajaraj and Buntee were friends. Also, the mahout and the farmer became friends.
Let us think and reflect
1. Read the following lines and answer the questions that follow.
(a) In spite of royal comforts, Gajaraj was sad because he had no friends. The mahout, or elephant trainer, was the only one he ever interacted with. The mahout was a kind man who served Gajaraj food, and gave him a bath in the elephant pond daily. He was a good caretaker, but not a friend.
(i) Complete with one word:
mahout: kind:: Gajaraj: ____________
Answer: mahout: kind:: Gajaraj:sad
(ii) The mahout was a good caretaker because he gave __________ to Gajaraj and a _________ in the pond.
Answer: The mahout was a good caretaker because he gave food to Gajaraj and a bath in the pond.
(iii) What do you think is the difference between a friend and a caretaker?
Answer: A caretaker takes care of one’s needs while a friend shares an emotional bond of love and affection.
(b) “Are you missing your friend?” asked the farmer remembering the happy look on Buntee’s face while sitting on the elephant’s back. “I cannot see you go hungry,” said the farmer, “If you miss your friend so much, go to him.” The farmer removed the rope with which he had tied the dog.
(i) The farmer uses the word ___________ to refer to the elephant.
Answer: The farmer uses the word friend to refer to the elephant.
(ii) How did the farmer know that Buntee was hungry?
Answer: The farmer knew this because Buntee had not eaten for several days.
(iii) Why did the farmer remove the rope with which he had tied Buntee?
Answer: The farmer removed the rope to free Buntee and allowed him to go to his friend.
(iv) Complete with one word:
Gajaraj: Buntee:: ____________ : farmer
Answer: Gajaraj: Buntee:: mahout : farmer
2. Give two examples to show that Gajaraj was very happy to have a friend.
Answer:
- Gajaraj shared his food with Buntee when the dog was hungry, showing his generosity and care.
- Gajaraj playfully splashed water on Buntee during their bath together, indicating their playful and joyful interactions.
3. How did the mahout come to know that Gajaraj was sad?
Answer: The mahout noticed that Gajaraj was not eating his food, which was unusual behavior for the elephant. Despite checking Gajaraj’s physical condition and finding nothing wrong, the mahout suspected that Gajaraj might be feeling sad due to the absence of Buntee, his only friend.
4. Why do you think Buntee licked the farmer’s hand?
Answer: Buntee licked the farmer’s hand to thank him for granting it freedom to go to his friend.
5. What was ‘unlikely’ about the friendship of Gajaraj and Buntee?
Answer: Gajaraj was a royal elephant while Buntee was a normal dog. This gap of status made it unlikely for them to be friends.
Let us learn
1. Gajaraj was sad without a friend and when he met Buntee, he was filled with joy. ‘Sad’ and ‘filled with joy’ are opposites. Opposites can also be formed by adding some letters before a word. For example, un- unhappy, in- incorrect, dis- disconnect, mis- misuse.
Now, take help from the words given as hints and fill up their opposites in the puzzle. (Note: All the words are from the story you have just read.)
Answer:
2. Now, complete the paragraph with some of the words you have used in the puzzle.
My pencil was ________. I was very ________ as it was a gift from my friend. I woke up my elder brother who was ________ on the bed. I told him that my pencil seemed to have _________. He _________ and told me to look under my pillow. I was _________ when I _________ the pencil there.
Answer: My pencil was lost. I was very worried as it was a gift from my friend. I woke up my elder brother who was asleep on the bed. I told him that my pencil seemed to have disappeared. He laughed and told me to look under my pillow. I was delighted when I found the pencil there.
3. The words that tell us about an action are called verbs. In the story, the author tells us what happened before. To do that, the past form of the action word (verb) is used. Let us learn about the three forms of past tense.
Answer:
| Simple Past Tense | Past Progressive Tense | Past Perfect Tense |
| told | was looking | had tied |
| looked | was missing | had followed |
| hated | was munching | had remained |
| went | had ordered | |
| asked | ||
| joined | ||
| gave | ||
| felt | ||
| arrived | ||
| noticed | ||
| served | ||
| touched | ||
| threw |
Select the correct form of the verb to complete the passage. Check your answers with the teacher.
The farmer came back and ________ (noticed/was noticing/had noticed) that Buntee was sad. He ________ had (tied/ was tying/had tied) Buntee with a rope the day before. He _________ (asked/was asking/had asked) Buntee why he was sad. Farmer _________ (felt/was feeling/had felt) that Buntee ________ (missed/was missing/had missed) Gajaraj and set him free.
Answer: The farmer came back and noticed that Buntee was sad. He had tied Buntee with a rope the day before. He asked Buntee why he was sad. Farmer felt that Buntee was missing Gajaraj and set him free.
Let us listen
1. You will listen to a story about ‘Unlikely Friends’. Use exact words from the story to fill up the missing details in the paragraph. (refer to page 71 for transcript)
Answer:
The leopard is a wild animal but it became a friend of a cow. When the leopard grew up, it left the village. It came in the village to meet the cow. The leopard would sit beside the cow. They also played together. Villagers were surprised at their friendship.