Class Notes

Class: VI Topic: Unit 1- Nature

Chapter 2 - The Cherry Tree (Short story)
Subject: English -By Ruskin Bond

Q. B) Read these sentences and answer the questions that follow –

1. ‘Hey, not there!’

a) Who said these words?

Ans – Grandfather said these words.

b) Why did the speaker say, ‘not there’?

Ans – The speaker (Grandfather) did not want Rakesh to plant the cherry seed there because he had
planted mustard in that flower bed.

c) Did the listener go somewhere else? If so, where?

Ans – Yes, the listener went somewhere else. Rakesh went to a corner of the garden where the earth
was soft and yielding.

2. ‘What’s so special about this tree? Why do we like it so much?’

a) Who said this?

Ans – Rakesh said these words.

b) Why did they like the tree so much?

Ans – They liked the tree so much because they had planted the seed themselves and had watched it
grow into the tree.

c) How did the speaker feel about himself after watching the tree grow?
Ans – The speaker felt almost like God who had created everything.

Q. C) Answer These questions –

1. Grandfather says, ‘Nothing is lucky if you put it away. If you want luck, you must put it to some use.
What, do you think, he means?
Ans – I think Grandfather wants Rakesh to realize that we must work towards being lucky. We should
make use of the opportunity given to us to achieve something. If things are not put to proper use and
just stored, they will be of no use to us.

2. Why did Rakesh only look at the tree out of the corner of his eye?
Ans – Rakesh thought that the tree had stopped growing. So, he stopped looking at it as he knew he
would be disappointed. Yet, he couldn’t resist looking at it. So, he looked at it from the corner of his eye
to see if there was any sign of its growth.

3. Do you think that Grandfather was as excited as Rakesh about the cherry tree? Give reasons for
your answer.
Ans – Yes, Grandfather was as excited as Rakesh about the cherry tree. He was the first to see the pale
pink blossom at the end of cherry tree. When the tree was fully grown, he sat under it on a cane chair
and enjoyed looking at the leaves.
 4. Who benefitted from the cherry tree besides Rakesh and Grandfather? How?
Ans – Besides Rakesh and Grandfather, the birds benefitted from the cherry tree. They came to feed on
the nectar in the blossoms and tiny birds pecked at the blossoms. They liked the cherries too, especially
the bigger birds, such as bulbuls and scarlet minivets which flitted in and out of the foliage, feasting on
the fruit.

Q. D) Think and Answer –

1. How many years of Rakesh’s childhood does the story covered? Describe how his relationship with
his Grandfather changes as the tree grows.
Ans – The story covers four years of Rakesh’s childhood. When the story begins, Rakesh enjoyed a good
relationship with his grandfather, who taught him how to put the cherry seed to good use by planting
it, how to look after it and nurture it. Grandfather told stories whose ending depended on his moods.
After Rakesh grew older, he read a lot of books but he still liked listening to grandpa’s tales. They
enjoyed spending time under the cherry tree. Their bond of affection became stronger as the tree grew
and yielded fruits.

Values and Life Skills –

In the story, Rakesh and Grandfather take care of the cherry tree. They also take care of each other. How do
you think we can show concern for the needs of other people?
Ans – There are various ways to show concern and care for the needs of other people. But as a student too,
we can display a good example in our society. We can help our classmates if they miss school due to any
illness by visiting them, assisting them in homework too. At home, we can share the household chores, take
care of elderly grandparents living with us. We can give away clothes, toys and books which are in good
condition to the needy children.

‘ Content Developed/Prepared Absolutely From Home ‘