CBSE Class 6 English NCERT Solutions: What Happened to The Reptiles

Reviewed by NCERT Help Editorial Team · Updated on 29 Jul 2026

NCERT Solutions PDF Class 6 PDF

This chapter from CBSE Class 6 English, 'A Pact With The Sun,' titled 'What Happened to The Reptiles,' explores the tranquil village of Pambupatti, where diverse creatures lived in harmony. The narrative focuses on Prem, who leaves his village due to its destructive conflicts, and Makara, who harbors prejudices against reptiles like tortoises, snakes, and lizards. The story highlights the ecological impact of these reptiles' absence and emphasizes the crucial role of interdependence in both nature and society. Through these characters and events, the chapter encourages young readers to consider the importance of tolerance, understanding, and the strength found in peaceful coexistence. The solutions aim to help students understand the story's deeper meanings, its moral lessons about living together, and prepare them for their assessments by clarifying the plot and its underlying messages.

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Board	CBSE
Class	Class 6
Subject	A Pact With The Sun
Session	2026
Language	English
Type	NCERT Solutions
Chapter	9. What Happened to The Reptiles

Chapter summary

Chapter 9, 'What Happened to The Reptiles,' from 'A Pact With The Sun' focuses on the peaceful village of Pambupatti and the consequences that arise when its inhabitants, particularly the reptiles, leave due to prejudice. The NCERT Solutions cover the distinct nature of Pambupatti, Prem's disillusionment, Makara's flawed judgments, and the ecological imbalance caused by the departure of tortoises, snakes, and lizards. The solutions also explore the story's moral lessons on tolerance, interdependence, and the importance of understanding each creature's role in the world.

Learning outcomes

Understand the concept of peace and harmony in a diverse community.
Analyze the reasons behind Prem's decision to leave his village.
Identify Makara's prejudices and their impact on other creatures.
Explain the ecological consequences of removing certain species from an environment.
Reflect on the importance of interdependence and tolerance among all beings.
Formulate personal views on dealing with strong or powerful individuals.

Topics covered

Paper topics

Pambupatti village characteristics
Prem's perspective on his village
Makara's prejudices against reptiles
Ecological balance and food chains
Consequences of species removal
Interdependence of living beings
Tolerance and harmony
Moral lessons from the story

Important topics

The unique peace and harmony of Pambupatti
Ecological impact of the reptiles' departure
The moral of interdependence and tolerance
Prem's reasons for shame and disillusionment

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Questions and Solutions

Question 1

In what way is Pambupatti different from any other village?

Solution: Pambupatti stands out from other villages due to the remarkable peace and harmony that prevails among its inhabitants. The villagers, despite their diverse appearances (dark, fair, short, tall), languages, dietary habits (vegetarians and non-vegetarians), and religious practices (praying in mosques and temples), coexist without conflict. The key difference lies in their mutual care and respect for one another, especially their acceptance of those who worship different gods, fostering an environment of true unity.

Question 2

Why is Prem determined not to return to his village?

Solution: Prem is resolute in his decision not to return to his village because he is deeply ashamed of the people's behaviour. He witnessed them preparing to fight and kill each other over matters they were uncertain about, even resorting to burning each other's houses. The violence and irrationality he saw filled him with such shame that he cannot bear the thought of going back.

Question 3

Makara disliked tortoises, snakes and lizards? Write a line about each.

Solution: Makara harboured dislikes for the tortoises, snakes, and lizards for specific reasons:

Tortoises: He considered them stupid and slow, and disliked that they carried their houses on their backs, perhaps seeing it as an unnecessary burden or oddity.
Snakes: Makara found snakes to be slimy creatures that made strange noises, making them undesirable company in his view.
Lizards: He found lizards peculiar due to their unusual habits, such as changing colours. This inconsistency made him distrustful of them, as their appearance could change unpredictably from one moment to the next.

Question 4

What went wrong when the tortoises, snakes and lizards left the forest?

Solution: The departure of the tortoises, snakes, and lizards led to a severe ecological imbalance in the forest:

After tortoises left: A foul smell of rot began to spread because the rotting fruits on the ground and dead animals in the river, which the tortoises used to eat, were no longer consumed.
After snakes left: The rat population exploded. With no snakes to prey on them, rats became abundant everywhere, consuming the eggs of lizards and crocodiles, leading to a lack of new offspring that year. The rats grew increasingly bold.
After lizards left: The number of insects multiplied immensely, and they grew bigger and more menacing, as there was no one to keep their population in check.

These events demonstrate how the absence of each species created new problems and disrupted the natural order.

Question 5

Why do you think Prem wants to tell the story of the reptiles to the people of his village?

Solution: Prem likely wants to share the story of the reptiles to impart a crucial lesson to his fellow villagers. He aims to help them understand that every living being has a unique and important role in the world, and their happiness is interconnected with that of others. By recounting the ecological chaos caused by the reptiles' departure and the villagers' own destructive behaviour, Prem hopes to make them realize their mistakes, stop their hatred and violence, and learn to live together peacefully as a united community.

Question 6

Do you agree that it is difficult not to go along with someone who is very strong and powerful? Express your views frankly and clearly.

Solution: Yes, it is often difficult not to follow the lead of someone who is very strong and powerful. This is frequently because people tend to fear such individuals, and this fear can make it challenging to voice dissent or offer alternative perspectives. However, it is important to try and overcome this fear. We should strive to make strong individuals understand that their opinions are not always the only correct ones and that others' viewpoints are also valuable. Ultimately, everyone is interdependent, and each person holds significance in the complex world we inhabit.

Question 7

If you were a baby crocodile, would you tell Makara that he was wrong? What would you say to convince him?

Solution: If I were a baby crocodile, I would attempt to gently convince Makara that his judgments were mistaken, without causing him offense. I would explain that the forest is a shared home for numerous animals, and each creature is dependent on the others. If one type of animal leaves, the delicate food chain gets disturbed, creating difficult situations for everyone else. I would emphasize that we are all interconnected and that every individual plays an important part in this world.

Common mistakes

Confusing the unique peace of Pambupatti with general village life.
Underestimating the ecological impact of removing specific animals.
Failing to grasp the deeper moral message about tolerance and interdependence.
Not clearly articulating personal opinions when asked for views on strong personalities.

Revision tips

Reread the story focusing on the descriptions of Pambupatti and the reptiles' roles.
List the specific reasons why Makara disliked each type of reptile and the consequences.
Think about the 'food chain' concept and how it applies to the story's events.
Consider the moral of the story: why is it important for everyone to live together peacefully?
Practice answering the opinion-based questions by clearly stating your viewpoint and reasoning.

Practice MCQs

Q1. What makes Pambupatti village different from other villages?

Q2. Why was Prem ashamed of his village people?

Q3. According to Makara, why were tortoises disliked?

Q4. What happened in the forest after the snakes left?

Q5. What is the main moral lesson conveyed by the story?

Frequently asked questions

What is special about Pambupatti village?

Pambupatti is special because people of diverse appearances, languages, diets, and religions live there in absolute peace and harmony, caring for each other and not fighting over their differences.

Why did Prem feel ashamed of his village?

Prem was ashamed because the villagers were willing to fight and destroy each other over causes they weren't sure about, showing a lack of reason and peace.

What were Makara's reasons for disliking tortoises, snakes, and lizards?

Makara disliked tortoises for being slow and carrying their houses, snakes for being slimy and making funny noises, and lizards for their strange habits like changing colours, making them untrustworthy.

How did the forest suffer when the reptiles left?

When tortoises left, rotting food and animals accumulated. When snakes left, rats multiplied and ate eggs. When lizards left, insects grew in number and became nastier. This shows how each creature plays a vital role.

What is the main message Prem wants to convey?

Prem wants to teach people that everyone has a special place in the world, and happiness depends on the well-being of others. He wants them to stop fighting and live peacefully as one family.

Why is it important to understand that all creatures are interdependent?

Understanding interdependence helps us realize that removing one species can disrupt the entire ecosystem, affecting the food chain and the survival of others. It promotes respect and harmony.

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