CBSE Class 6 English NCERT Solutions: Chapter 2 - The Friendly Mongoose

NCERT Solutions PDF Class 6 PDF

CBSE Class 6 English Chapter 2, 'The Friendly Mongoose', NCERT Solutions offer a comprehensive guide to understanding this engaging story. The solutions break down each question, providing clear explanations that help students explore the narrative's key events and characters. They focus on the relationship between the baby, the parents, and the mongoose, highlighting the tragic consequences of a hasty judgment. By examining the story's plot, the mongoose's loyalty, and the parents' fear, students can learn valuable lessons about trust and the dangers of misinterpreting actions. These solutions are crafted to boost comprehension and assist students in mastering the chapter's content for their studies.

Quick info

BoardCBSE
ClassClass 6
SubjectEnglish
Session2026
LanguageEnglish
TypeNCERT Solutions
ChapterChapter 2

Chapter summary

Chapter 2, 'The Friendly Mongoose', NCERT Solutions for Class 6 English focuses on a heartwarming yet tragic tale of a farmer's pet mongoose and his family. The solutions address key plot points, including why the mongoose was brought home, the wife's initial distrust, the farmer's reassurances, and the fatal misunderstanding that leads to the mongoose's death. Students will explore themes of loyalty, trust, and the consequences of hasty judgments.

Learning outcomes

  • Understand the plot and characters of 'The Friendly Mongoose'.
  • Analyze the motivations behind the characters' actions.
  • Identify the theme of hasty judgment and its consequences.
  • Improve reading comprehension skills for narrative texts.
  • Develop critical thinking about trust and misunderstanding.

Topics covered

Paper topics

  • Story Summary: The Friendly Mongoose
  • Character Analysis: Farmer, Wife, Baby, Mongoose
  • Themes: Trust, Loyalty, Hasty Judgments, Misunderstanding
  • Plot Development
  • Consequences of Actions
  • Moral Lessons
  • Reading Comprehension
  • Vocabulary from the Chapter

Important topics

  • Understanding the Mongoose's Role
  • The Wife's Fear and Action
  • The Farmer's Perspective
  • The Tragic Misunderstanding
  • Moral: Avoid Hasty Judgments

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Questions and Solutions

Q. 1

Why did the farmer bring a baby mongoose into the house?
Solution: The farmer and his wife had only one son and desired a companion for him as he grew older. To fulfill this wish, they decided to get a pet, and consequently, the farmer brought a young mongoose into their home.

Q. 2

Why didn't the farmer's wife want to leave the baby alone with the mongoose?
Solution: The farmer's wife harbored distrust towards the mongoose. She was concerned that the animal might pose a threat to her baby in her absence. Because of this fear, she was unwilling to leave the baby unsupervised with the mongoose.

Q. 3

What was the farmer's comment on his wife's fear?
Solution: The farmer acknowledged his wife's apprehension regarding the mongoose. He attempted to alleviate her worries by explaining that the mongoose was a friendly creature and would not harm their child. He further added that the baby and the mongoose had developed a strong fondness for each other and were like best friends.

Q. 4

Why did the farmer's wife strike the mongoose with the basket?
Solution: Upon returning from her shopping trip, the farmer's wife observed that the mongoose had blood on its mouth and paws. This sight led her to mistakenly believe that the mongoose had attacked and killed her baby. Overcome with grief and anger at this perceived tragedy, she struck the mongoose with the heavy basket, resulting in its death.

Q. 5

Did she repent her hasty action? How does she show her repentance?
Solution: Yes, the farmer's wife deeply repented her hasty action. When she discovered the truth – that the mongoose had actually killed a venomous snake that was about to attack her baby – she was filled with immense sorrow and regret. Her realization of the mongoose's protective act, contrasted with her violent reaction, caused her profound grief, demonstrating her repentance.

Common mistakes

  • Misinterpreting the mongoose's actions due to the bloodstains.
  • Jumping to conclusions without understanding the full situation.
  • Confusing the farmer's and the wife's perspectives.
  • Failing to recognize the tragic irony of the story.

Revision tips

  • Reread the story after reviewing the solutions to reinforce understanding.
  • Discuss the characters' decisions and their consequences with classmates.
  • Focus on the moral of the story: the danger of making assumptions.
  • Pay attention to the sequence of events leading to the tragic climax.

Practice MCQs

Q1. Why did the farmer bring a baby mongoose home?

Q2. What was the farmer's wife's main concern about the mongoose?

Q3. How did the farmer try to reassure his wife?

Q4. What did the farmer's wife see upon returning home that alarmed her?

Q5. What was the actual reason for the blood on the mongoose's mouth and paws?

Q6. How did the farmer's wife show her repentance?

Frequently asked questions

What is the main story of 'The Friendly Mongoose'?

The story is about a farmer who brings home a baby mongoose as a pet for his son. The wife distrusts the mongoose, and a tragic misunderstanding leads her to kill it, only to discover it had saved her baby from a snake.

Why is this chapter important for Class 6 English students?

It helps students develop reading comprehension skills, understand narrative structure, analyze characters, and learn important moral lessons about trust and the dangers of making quick judgments.

How do these NCERT Solutions help with exam preparation?

The solutions provide clear explanations for each question, helping students understand the story's details, themes, and character motivations, which are often tested in exams.

What is the key moral lesson from 'The Friendly Mongoose'?

The primary moral is to avoid jumping to conclusions and making hasty judgments. It emphasizes the importance of understanding the full situation before acting or accusing.

Who are the main characters in the story?

The main characters are the farmer, his wife, their baby son, and the pet mongoose.

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