Class 6 : Unit – 2 - prose - When the Trees Walked

 

Unit – 2 When the Trees Walked

A. Describe the picture.

You can begin like this:

This picture is about …

In this picture we can see …

There are …

 

A. Description of the Picture

This picture is about a group of children playing on a big tree in a natural setting.
In this picture, we can see many children climbing the tree, swinging from ropes, and sitting on branches. Some children are helping each other, while others are playing joyfully. There are also some animals in the tree, like a monkey, a squirrel, and some birds. The background shows a green landscape with a path leading to a small house.

 

B. Discussion and Answers

 

1.                  What are the children doing? Describe their activities. The children are engaged in various activities. Some are climbing the tree, while others are swinging on ropes. One child is sitting on a branch and looking through a telescope. Another child is trying to reach the top with the help of a friend. Some children are sitting and chatting, while a few are playing with animals like the monkey

2.                  Would you like to be in their place? If so what would you enjoy the most? Yes, I would love to be in their place! It looks like a lot of fun to play in such a big tree. I would enjoy swinging from the ropes the most because it looks exciting and adventurous. Climbing the tree and sitting on a high branch to enjoy the view would also be thrilling.

Section I

 Discuss and answer.

 1.  When did the garden become a happy place for the author? 

    The garden became a happy place for the author when Grandfather joined him.

  2. What are the two reasons the author gives for the plants moving towards grandfather?

    The author gives two reasons for the plant moving towards Grandfather:

        ·         A possible scientific explanation related to light and warmth.

        ·         The author’s personal belief that the plant wanted to be near Grandfather, as he had a               

          comforting presence.

    3.Why does the writer think that the peepul tree is a great show off?

       The writer thinks that the peepul tree is a great show-off because even when there is no breeze, its broad-   chested, slim-waisted leaves spin like tops, as if trying to attract attention and invite people into its shade.

Section II

1. Why do we need trees? List four reasons that Grandfather gives.

    Grandfather gives the following four reasons why we need trees:

    o    To keep the desert away.

    o    To attract rain.

    o    To prevent the banks of rivers from being washed away.

    o    For fruit, flowers, leaves, seeds, and timber.

    2. Why did the author help his Grandfather plant trees?

        The author helped his Grandfather plant trees because the thought of a world without trees became          a nightmare to him. This made him more enthusiastic about tree-planting.

3. What made Grandfather plant saplings on the rocky island?

    Grandfather decided to plant saplings on the rocky island because he saw a small mango tree growing      there.  This made him believe that other trees could also grow in the same place.

    Section III

    1. What did Grandmother feel about trees growing in the house?

    Grandmother did not like trees growing in the house because they could damage the structure. She was annoyed by plants taking root in unexpected places and insisted on removing them to keep the house from falling down.

    2. Why did the author leave town?

    The author left town because the Second World War began, and he was sent away to a boarding school. Later, he moved to Delhi to live with his father, and eventually, he went to England for several years.

    3.How did Grandfather’s dream come true?

    Grandfather’s dream of trees multiplying and spreading came true when the author returned to Dehradun and found that the trees they had planted had grown and multiplied. The once barren island had turned into a green paradise, supporting more trees, wild plants, grasses, and animals.

    4. Describe what the author saw when he went back to the island.

    When the author returned to the island, he saw the bright red blooms of the coral blossom standing out against the dry riverbed. The island had become a green paradise, with trees they had planted growing tall. There were squirrels living in the trees, and a koel (crow pheasant) called out to him. Smaller trees, wild plants, and grasses had sprung up under the protection of the larger trees, making it a thriving ecosystem.    

    A. Tick the most appropriate option.

1.              According to the author the tendril was moving towards grandfather because it

a. needed light and warmth.

b. did not like the light and warmth.

c. wanted to be near Grandfather.

d. wanted to escape from the winter.

Answer: (c) wanted to be near Grandfather.

 

2.      Grandmother had wanted the peepul tree cut down because

a. she did not like trees.

b. she wanted to grow flowers.

c. it was an old tree.

d. it was knocking down the bricks of the outhouse.

Answer : (d) it was knocking down the bricks of the outhouse.

 

3.      Grandfather helped grandma out with the gardening because he

a. liked gardening.

b. wanted to grow flowers to attract butterflies.

c. wanted to beautify the garden.

d. wanted to make the house green.

Answer : (b) wanted to grow flowers to attract butterflies.

4.      The author did not want to plant saplings in the forest because

a. no one would come to see them.

b. it was dangerous to enter the forest.

c. it would not be of any use to them.

d. no one would appreciate them.

Answer : (a) no one would come to see them.

 

5.      Grandfather felt planting trees would help the forest because

a. he wanted to make the view beautiful.

b. the river-bed was dry.

c. animals and birds in the forest would love him.

d. the animals and birds would find it easier to live.

Answer : (d) the animals and birds would find it easier to live.

6.      When the author returned from England to Dehradun, he found Grandfather's dream had come true  

because the

a. old house had changed.

b. river was full.

c. trees had red flowers.

d. forest covered the island.

Answer : (d) forest covered the island.

B. Read the story on your own. Discuss in a group and complete the story map below.

·         Grandfather built a bungalow and planted various trees.

·         During the rains Grandfather walked into the jungle beyond the river-bed and planted saplings.

·         During the second world war I was sent away to a boarding school.

·          They found a small rocky island and Grandfather saw a small mango tree –

·         Some years later, the author returned  to Dehradun.

·         He looked around and noticed the island into a green paradise.

 

C. Work in groups of five. Tell the story in ten sentences.

You can begin the story like this:

The author’s Grandfather served in the Indian Forest Service.

After his retirement he built ------------

Now continue the story. Each one should say one sentence.

1. The author’s Grandfather served in the Indian Forest Service.
2. After his retirement, he built a bungalow in Dehradun and planted different trees.
3. Grandmother wanted flowers, but Grandfather planted trees for nature and butterflies.
4. He also planted saplings in the nearby forest to help birds and animals.
5. The author questioned why they were planting trees where no one would see them.
6. Grandfather explained that trees are necessary for the environment, animals, and future generations.
7. They planted trees on an island in a dry riverbed.
8. Later, the author was sent to a boarding school, and his grandparents moved to England.
9. Years later, when the author returned to Dehradun, he visited the island.

He was happy to see that the trees had grown, fulfilling Grandfather’s dream

D. Write a summary based on the story map.

A story map is the main events of the story given in a flow chart.

Grandfather built a bungalow in Dehradun and planted various trees around it. He believed in the importance of trees, not just for humans but also for animals and birds. During the rainy season, he planted saplings in the nearby jungle and on a small island in a dry riverbed. The author initially did not understand the need for planting trees in unvisited places, but Grandfather explained their long-term benefits. Later, when the author moved away, his grandparents also left India. Years later, when the author returned, he saw that the trees had grown beautifully, turning the barren island into a green paradise. Grandfather’s dream of making the world greener had come true.

E. Look at the words in the boxes. Match the words to make as many new words as possible. One is done for you. Eg. out house.

  out – house → outhouse

  river – bed → riverbed

  water – fall → waterfall

  flower – garden → flower garden

  sun – shine → sunshine

  aerial – root → aerial root

  busy – body → busybody

  window – sill → windowsill

  foot – hill → foothill

  compound – wall → compound wall

F. Look at the words in the box. Make new words by adding ‘ly’ wherever possible. It will not be possible with all the words.

Lone   blossom    fertile    vigorous    place    constant      complete      strong     unlike       great     cross    immediate     broad

1. lone → lonely
2. vigorous → vigorously
3. constant → constantly
4. complete → completely
5. strong → strongly
6. immediate → immediately
7. broad → broadly
8. great → greatly

Words that cannot take "-ly" directly:

1. blossom
2. fertile
3. place
4. unlike
5. cross

 

G. Look at the words in the box. Fill the wheel with their antonyms.

All the words begin with ‘S’ and are from the text.

hard     fat      weak      big      fast     hide      rough     dull

   Hard → Soft

Fat → Slim

Weak → Strong

 Big → Small

 Fast → Slow

 Hide → Show

 Rough → Smooth

 Dull → Shiny

*LISTENING 

Nandhu and the Lamp

One morning, as Nandhu was walking to school, a big truck went past him. The truck went over a bump in the road and a box fell down. The box broke open. The truck kept going and was soon gone.

Out of the broken box there fell a small brass lamp. It looked just like the magic lamp that was drawn in Nandhu’s storybook. It was small and made of brass. It had a handle and a cover. Nandhu wondered if this was a magic lamp too. He decided to take it home and try it out.

“Where did you get it?” said his mother, “It looks like a lamp.”

“It fell off a truck. Is it a magic lamp? It looks just like the one in the book,” said Nandhu. As he wiped the lamp, Nandhu noticed a small button on the side. When he pressed it a bright blue light came on and lit the whole room.

 

H. Listen to your teacher read out what happened to Nandhu. Some of the statements given below are correct. Tick them ().

• The truck went over a stone.

• The box fell out of a truck.

• The brass lamp was in the truck.

• Nandhu wanted to play with the lamp.

• It was like the lamp Nandhu had at home.

• Nandhu pressed a button.

❌ The truck went over a stone. (Incorrect – The truck went over a bump.)

 ✅ The box fell out of a truck. (Correct)

 ✅ The brass lamp was in the truck. (Correct)

 ❌ Nandhu wanted to play with the lamp. (Incorrect – He wanted to see if it was a magic lamp.)

 ❌ It was like the lamp Nandhu had at home. (Incorrect – It was like the lamp in his storybook.)

 ✅ Nandhu pressed a button. (Correct)

 

I. Take something from your school bag. Describe it in three sentences. Ask the class to find out the thing you have described.

Description:

1. I use this every day to write in my notebook.
2. It has a cap on one end and a pointed tip on the other.
3. It comes in different colors, but mine is blue.

Guess the object! 😊 (Answer: Pen) 

J. Discuss in groups of five. Make a story about the comic strip. Then share it in the class.

The Value of Trees

One day, two children planted a small sapling in their garden. They took good care of it, watering it every day. Over time, the plant grew into a young tree, and they were happy to see it flourish.

As the years passed, the tree became big and strong. It provided shade and fresh air. The children, now older, enjoyed playing under it, swinging on its branches, and resting in its cool shade.

One day, a man came with an axe to cut the tree. He dreamed of using the wood to build a house. But an old man sitting nearby, watching this, felt sad. He remembered how valuable the tree was and how it had supported life for many years.

The story teaches us that trees give us so much—shade, fresh air, and a place to enjoy. Instead of cutting them down, we should protect and care for them.

 K. Tick the right option to fill in the blanks.

1.                  ___________ a beautiful flower!
a. How
b. Wow
c. What
d. Hurrah
Answer: c. What

2.                  ___________ play football?
a. You can
b. Can you
c. Have you
d. You could
Answer: b. Can you

3.                  ___________ did you go yesterday?

   a. Which

   b. Where

   c. What

d. Who
Answer: Where

4.                  ___________ us go for a walk.
a. Shall
b. May
c. Let
d. Can
Answer: c. Let

5.                  ___________ like to play hide and seek.
a. He
b. She
c. I
d. Muthu
Answer: c. I

N. Read these sentences from the story carefully. Do they give commands or requests or make statements? Write 'C' for command and 'R' for request and 'S' for statement.

1.      The tendril moved towards grandfather. - S

2.      I want a roof over my head. - S

3.      Please do not cut trees. - R

4.      We spent the whole day planting saplings. - S

5.      Will you please remove the trees growing on the wall? - R

6.      There was a forest on the island. - S

7.      Go to the river bed. - C

8.      The island was a green paradise. - S

9.      Grow more trees to protect nature. - C

10.  Grandfather’s dream had come true. - S

O. Look at the picture and write a paragraph using the clues in the picture.

Grow and Protect Trees

Trees are very important for our environment. They provide shelter to birds, insects, and many other creatures. Trees give us medicine, fruits, and shade, making our surroundings cooler and more comfortable. They help prevent soil erosion and landslides by holding the soil together with their roots. Trees also bring rain, which is essential for farming and drinking water. They take in carbon dioxide and give out oxygen, helping to keep the air clean. By reducing heat, trees keep the temperature low and create a pleasant atmosphere. We must plant more trees and protect them to ensure a greener and healthier future for everyone.

CREATIVE WRITING

Look at the picture and write a story.

If You Cut Down Trees, Your Children Will Pay the Fees

In a future world, the Earth had turned into a vast desert. The once lush green forests were gone, leaving behind only dry land and tree stumps. The air was hot, the rivers had dried up, and there were no animals or birds. People had to wear special suits to survive the harsh conditions.

One day, a scientist in a space suit was seen cutting down the last remaining tree. He used an advanced chainsaw, unaware that this was the final hope for the planet. As he struck the tree, the ground cracked, and a strong wind blew dust all around him. He realized the terrible mistake that humans had made.

The message was clear—if we destroy nature today, the future generations will suffer. Trees give us life, shade, and oxygen. If we continue cutting them down, our children will struggle to survive in a world without fresh air, water, and greenery. It is time to act now before it is too late!

Moral: Save trees, save the future!