CBSE Class 6 English: The Friendly Mongoose NCERT Solutions

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NCERT Solutions PDF Class 6 PDF

This introduction is for CBSE Class 6 English, Chapter 2, 'The Friendly Mongoose' from the textbook 'A Pact with the Sun.' It presents a touching narrative about a farmer, his wife, their infant son, and a devoted pet mongoose. The story unfolds as the farmer brings the mongoose home to be a companion for his child. However, the wife harbors initial suspicions, which tragically culminate in a misunderstanding leading to the mongoose's death. The accompanying NCERT Solutions explore the characters' underlying motivations, the mongoose's role in protecting the baby from snakes, and the story's central themes of loyalty, the dangers of quick judgment, and the sorrow of regret. These solutions offer comprehensive, easy-to-understand answers, aiding students in comprehending the story's subtleties and its valuable moral teachings, thereby serving as a crucial aid for exam preparation and a deeper appreciation of the narrative.

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BoardCBSE
ClassClass 6
SubjectEnglish
Session2026
LanguageEnglish
TypeNCERT Solutions
ChapterA Pact with the Sun - Chapter 2 The Friendly Mongoose

Chapter summary

NCERT Solutions for 'The Friendly Mongoose' (Chapter 2 of 'A Pact with the Sun') cover the narrative of a farmer's pet mongoose and its tragic end due to a misunderstanding. The solutions address questions about the farmer's intentions, the wife's fear, the mongoose's loyalty in saving the baby from a snake, and the subsequent regret. They focus on comprehension of the story's events, character motivations, and the moral of acting without understanding.

Learning outcomes

  • Understand the story of 'The Friendly Mongoose' and its characters.
  • Analyze the reasons behind the farmer's and his wife's actions.
  • Explain the relationship between a mongoose and a snake.
  • Identify the themes of loyalty, misunderstanding, and repentance in the story.
  • Answer comprehension questions based on the text.
  • Develop critical thinking skills by evaluating the characters' decisions.

Topics covered

Paper topics

  • The farmer's decision to get a pet
  • The role of the mongoose as a companion
  • The wife's fear and distrust
  • The mongoose's relationship with snakes
  • The confrontation with the snake
  • The misunderstanding and its consequences
  • The wife's realization and repentance
  • Themes of loyalty and hasty judgment
  • Character analysis
  • Story comprehension

Important topics

  • The mongoose saving the baby from the snake
  • The wife's misunderstanding and reaction
  • The theme of repentance
  • The loyalty of the pet
  • Analyzing character motivations

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Questions and Solutions

1. Why did the farmer bring a baby mongoose into the house?

Why did the farmer bring a baby mongoose into the house?
Solution: The farmer had a young son and wanted him to have a companion as he grew up. To fulfill this desire, he decided to bring home a baby mongoose, hoping it would grow up with the child and provide company.

2. Why didn't the farmer's wife want to leave the baby alone with the mongoose?

Why didn't the farmer's wife want to leave the baby alone with the mongoose?
Solution: The farmer's wife was apprehensive about leaving her infant son alone with the mongoose. Despite it being a pet, she did not fully trust an animal, especially one known to be a natural predator, to be alone with her baby.

3. What was the farmer's comment on his wife's fears?

What was the farmer's comment on his wife's fears?
Solution: The farmer acknowledged his wife's concerns but tried to reassure her. He commented that the mongoose was a very friendly and gentle creature, comparing its nature to that of their own baby, suggesting she had no reason to fear.

4. Why did the farmer's wife strike the mongoose with her basket?

Why did the farmer's wife strike the mongoose with her basket?
Solution: When the farmer's wife returned home, she saw blood on the mongoose's face and paws. Misinterpreting this as a sign that the mongoose had attacked and possibly killed her baby, she became enraged and struck the animal with her heavy basket in a fit of anger, killing it instantly.

5. Did she repent her hasty action? How does she show her repentance?

Did she repent her hasty action? How does she show her repentance?
Solution: Yes, the farmer's wife deeply repented her hasty action. Upon discovering that her son was safe and sound, and that the mongoose had actually killed a venomous snake to protect the baby, she realized her terrible mistake. She showed her repentance by touching the dead mongoose, crying bitterly, and lamenting the painful consequence of her impulsive act.

I. SHORT ANSWER TYPE QUESTIONS

1. Why did the farmer think of having a pet?

Why did the farmer think of having a pet?
Solution: The farmer had only one son and wanted him to have a companion. He believed that a pet would provide company and friendship for his child as he grew up, so he decided to bring a pet into their home.

2. What is in general, the relationship between a mongoose and a snake?

What is in general, the relationship between a mongoose and a snake?
Solution: In general, the relationship between a mongoose and a snake is that of sworn enemies. Mongooses are known for their ability to fight and kill snakes, even venomous ones.

3. How did the mongoose prove his friendly nature?

How did the mongoose prove his friendly nature?
Solution: The mongoose proved its friendly and loyal nature by bravely defending the farmer's infant son from a deadly cobra. It fought and killed the snake, sacrificing its own life in the process due to the farmer's wife's misunderstanding.

4. What was customary for the mongoose?

What was customary for the mongoose?
Solution: It was customary for the mongoose to greet the farmer's wife when she returned home from the market. It would typically run to the door to welcome her and sit outside the house, waiting for her arrival.

5. What made the farmer's wife blind with rage?

What made the farmer's wife blind with rage?
Solution: The sight of blood on the mongoose's face and paws immediately made the farmer's wife blind with rage. She instantly assumed that the mongoose had attacked and harmed her baby, leading to her furious reaction.

6. What did the farmer's wife regret?

What did the farmer's wife regret?
Solution: The farmer's wife deeply regretted her impulsive and mistaken action of killing the mongoose. She realized too late that her pet had actually saved her child's life, and she was filled with sorrow for her hasty judgment.

II. LONG ANSWER TYPE QUESTIONS

1. How did the mongoose oblige its master? What was the reward of his service?

How did the mongoose oblige its master? What was the reward of his service?
Solution: The mongoose obliged its master by acting as a loyal and protective companion to the farmer's infant son. Its ultimate act of service was saving the child's life from a deadly snake. Tragically, the reward for this selfless act of bravery was its own death, as the farmer's wife, misunderstanding the situation, killed it in anger.

2. What made the farmer's wife first kill the mongoose and then repent soon after?

What made the farmer's wife first kill the mongoose and then repent soon after?
Solution: The farmer's wife first killed the mongoose because, upon returning from the market, she saw blood on its face and paws. This sight led her to believe that the mongoose had attacked and harmed her baby. She acted in blind rage without investigating further. She repented soon after when she discovered that her baby was perfectly safe and unharmed. She then realized that the blood was from the snake the mongoose had killed to protect her child. This realization brought about deep sorrow and regret for her mistaken and hasty action.

Common mistakes

  • Misinterpreting the mongoose's actions due to the presence of blood.
  • Jumping to conclusions without understanding the full situation.
  • Confusing the farmer's and the wife's perspectives.
  • Failing to recognize the mongoose's heroic act.

Revision tips

  • Read the story carefully to understand the sequence of events.
  • Focus on the wife's emotional journey from suspicion to regret.
  • Discuss the moral of the story with friends or family.
  • Practice answering the questions aloud to improve recall.
  • Pay attention to the details that led to the misunderstanding.

Practice MCQs

Q1. Why did the farmer bring a baby mongoose into the house?

Q2. What did the farmer's wife notice when she returned home?

Q3. What was the actual reason for the blood on the mongoose?

Q4. How did the farmer's wife react to seeing the blood?

Q5. What did the farmer's wife realize after killing the mongoose?

Frequently asked questions

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

The story is about a farmer's pet mongoose that is mistakenly killed by the farmer's wife, who believes it harmed their baby. She later realizes the mongoose had actually saved the baby by killing a venomous snake.

Why did the farmer's wife kill the mongoose?

She saw blood on the mongoose's face and paws upon returning home and immediately assumed it had attacked her baby. Blinded by rage and fear, she struck the mongoose with her basket.

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

The story teaches us not to jump to conclusions or act hastily without understanding the full situation. It highlights the importance of trust and the tragic consequences of misunderstanding.

How did the mongoose prove its loyalty?

The mongoose proved its loyalty by bravely fighting and killing a deadly snake that was about to bite the farmer's baby, thus saving the child's life.

What does the story say about the relationship between a mongoose and a snake?

The story implies that mongooses and snakes are natural enemies, with mongooses often fighting and killing snakes.

How can these NCERT Solutions help Class 6 students?

These solutions provide clear and detailed answers to all questions from the chapter, helping students understand the story, its characters, and its underlying message, which is beneficial for their studies and exams.

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