CBSE Class 6 English A Pact with the Sun Chapter 4: The Old-Clock Shop NCERT Solutions

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

NCERT Solutions PDF Class 6 PDF

This chapter, 'The Old-Clock Shop,' from CBSE Class 6 English 'A Pact with the Sun' series, delves into a heartwarming story of kindness and understanding. The solutions focus on the character of Ray, the deaf and dumb shop owner, and his encounter with two suspicious visitors. Students will explore themes of judging people, the power of empathy, and how simple acts of generosity can diffuse tense situations. The questions cover Ray's unique communication methods, the visitor's true intentions, and the symbolic message of the chiming clocks. These NCERT Solutions provide clear, step-by-step explanations to help students grasp the nuances of the story, analyze character motivations, and prepare effectively for their exams by understanding the narrative's deeper meanings and moral lessons.

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Quick info

Board	CBSE
Class	Class 6
Subject	English
Session	2026
Language	English
Type	NCERT Solutions
Chapter	A Pact with the Sun - Chapter 4 The Old-Clock Shop

Chapter summary

NCERT Solutions for 'The Old-Clock Shop' (Chapter 4 of A Pact with the Sun) focus on analyzing the characters and plot. The solutions explain Ray's handicap and his unique way of communicating, the suspicious nature of the late-night visitors, and Ray's calm and generous response to a potentially dangerous situation. Key themes explored include judging intentions, the power of kindness, and the symbolic message of peace conveyed by the old clocks.

Learning outcomes

Understand the character of Ray and his communication methods.
Analyze the intentions of the visitors to the old-clock shop.
Explain how Ray's actions diffused a tense situation.
Identify the symbolic meaning of the chiming clocks.
Appreciate the themes of kindness and generosity in the story.

Topics covered

Paper topics

Character analysis of Ray
Communication methods
Interpreting character intentions
Themes of kindness and generosity
Symbolism of the old clocks
Resolving conflict peacefully
Moral lessons from the story
Understanding narrative structure

Important topics

Ray's character and his response to the visitors
The visitors' intentions and motivations
The symbolic message of the chiming clocks
Themes of empathy and generosity
How Ray tackled the 'evil-minded' shoppers

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Questions and Solutions

1. What made Ray think the visitor was not really a shopper?

What made Ray think the visitor was not really a shopper?

Solution: Ray, the shop owner, was deaf and dumb but had a sharp intuition about people. He observed the visitor's eyes and sensed a lack of friendliness, which led him to believe the person was not a genuine shopper but had other intentions, especially given the late hour.

2. Why do you think he had come to the shop?

Why do you think he had come to the shop?

Solution: Considering Ray's observation that the visitor lacked friendliness and the late hour, it's probable the visitor had not come to purchase anything. He might have intended to rob the shop owner, possibly because he was in urgent need of money.

3. How did Ray communicate with him?

How did Ray communicate with him?

Solution: Ray, being deaf and dumb, communicated with his customers, including this visitor, by writing messages on a notepad. The visitor reciprocated by writing his replies on paper, establishing a written dialogue.

4. What do you think the man said to his friend who waited at the door?

What do you think the man said to his friend who waited at the door?

Solution: The older man likely conveyed to his companion that the shop owner, Ray, could not hear or speak. He probably did this by pointing to his own ears and shaking his head from side to side, indicating Ray's disabilities.

5. Ray was not a pawnbroker. Why then did he lend money to people in exchange for their old watches and clocks?

Ray was not a pawnbroker. Why then did he lend money to people in exchange for their old watches and clocks?

Solution: Although Ray was not a pawnbroker (who lends money with interest against security), he was a kind and helpful person. He couldn't refuse people who were in need and came to him with their old watches and clocks, suggesting he offered help out of compassion rather than for profit.

6. "The watch was nothing special and yet had great powers." In what sense did it have 'great powers'?

"The watch was nothing special and yet had great powers." In what sense did it have 'great powers'?

Solution: The watch itself was ordinary, but it possessed 'great powers' in its ability to resolve a difficult and potentially dangerous situation. It allowed the older man to receive money from Ray without resorting to violence, and it enabled Ray to escape harm, thus acting as a catalyst for a peaceful resolution.

7. Do you think the man would ever come back to pick up the watch?

Do you think the man would ever come back to pick up the watch?

Solution: It is highly unlikely that the man would return to claim the watch. He had received fifty dollars for it, which was likely more than its actual worth. Having received a good price and achieved his immediate financial goal, he probably had no intention of coming back for the watch.

8. When did "the unfriendly face" of the visitor turn truly friendly?

When did "the unfriendly face" of the visitor turn truly friendly?

Solution: The visitor's unfriendly expression transformed into a genuinely friendly one when Ray paid him fifty dollars for his ordinary watch. This unexpected generosity and fair price for his item clearly pleased him and eased his tension.

I. SHORT ANSWER TYPE QUESTIONS

1. Who was Ray? What was his handicap?

Who was Ray? What was his handicap?

Solution: Ray was the proprietor of an old-clock shop where he repaired and sold timepieces. His significant handicap was that he was both deaf and dumb, meaning he could neither hear nor speak. He managed his communication with customers through writing on a notepad.

2. Who were the two last-minute shoppers to Ray's shop?

Who were the two last-minute shoppers to Ray's shop?

Solution: The two individuals who arrived at Ray's shop just before closing time were a younger man and an older man, who appeared to be around fifty years old. They had an ulterior motive, planning to rob Ray of the cash in his shop.

3. What was the problem of the two shoppers? What were they going to try?

What was the problem of the two shoppers? What were they going to try?

Solution: The two shoppers were in a desperate situation, facing a severe need for money. Their plan was to attempt to forcefully take Ray's cash from the shop, indicating a willingness to resort to robbery.

4. How did Ray tackle the evil-minded shoppers?

How did Ray tackle the evil-minded shoppers?

Solution: Ray managed the situation calmly despite his fear. He noticed the older man's unfriendly demeanor and the presence of a gun. Instead of reacting with aggression, he remained composed and offered fifty dollars for an old watch. This generous act pleased the man, who then wished Ray a 'Merry Christmas' before leaving.

5. What message did the old clocks spread as they chimed 'Merry Christmas' together?

What message did the old clocks spread as they chimed 'Merry Christmas' together?

Solution: As all the old clocks and timepieces in Ray's shop chimed together in unison, they collectively spread a beautiful and timeless message of 'peace on earth and goodwill towards all', fostering a sense of harmony and shared humanity.

II. LONG ANSWER TYPE QUESTIONS

1. Sketch the character of Ray in about 80 words. What qualities of Ray do you admire most?

Sketch the character of Ray in about 80 words. What qualities of Ray do you admire most?

Solution: Ray, the owner of an old clock shop, was an elderly man who was deaf and dumb. He communicated through writing and possessed wisdom gained from experience. Despite his handicap, he was a keen observer of people. When faced with potentially dangerous visitors carrying a gun, Ray remained remarkably cool and composed. His most admirable qualities are his courage in the face of fear, his generosity in overpaying for the watch out of kindness, and his ability to handle a tense situation peacefully, ultimately sending the visitors away happy.

2. How did the old clock give a timeless message through Ray?

How did the old clock give a timeless message through Ray?

Solution: Ray, a dealer in old clocks who was also deaf and dumb, acted as a conduit for a timeless message. When two visitors with ill intentions entered his shop near closing time, Ray, despite his doubts, maintained his composure. He offered them fifty dollars for an old clock as a gesture of goodwill and peace. At that moment, the timepieces in the shop chimed together, filling the space with a musical message of hope, symbolizing the profound and enduring message of 'peace on earth and goodwill towards all' that resonated with everyone present.

Common mistakes

Misinterpreting Ray's handicap as a weakness.
Underestimating the power of calm and generosity in conflict.
Failing to grasp the symbolic message of the clocks.
Not understanding Ray's motivation for overpaying for the watch.

Revision tips

Focus on Ray's character traits and how he handles the situation.
Consider the visitors' perspective and their motivations.
Think about the deeper meaning behind the old clocks chiming.
Practice answering questions about the story's themes and moral.

Practice MCQs

Q1. What was Ray's handicap?

Q2. Why did Ray suspect the visitor was not a shopper?

Q3. How did Ray communicate with his customers?

Q4. What was the older man's likely intention?

Q5. What did the watch symbolize in the story?

Q6. What message did the chiming clocks spread?

Frequently asked questions

What is the main story of 'The Old-Clock Shop'?

The story is about Ray, a deaf and dumb owner of an old-clock shop, who encounters two suspicious visitors late at night. He handles the tense situation with calmness and generosity, diffusing their potentially harmful intentions and spreading a message of peace.

Who is Ray in 'The Old-Clock Shop'?

Ray is the kind, wise, and experienced owner of an old-clock shop. He is deaf and dumb but possesses a keen sense of judgment and a generous spirit.

How does Ray communicate?

Ray communicates with others by writing messages on a notepad, as he is unable to speak or hear.

What was the visitor's intention?

The visitor, particularly the older man, likely intended to rob Ray of his cash, possibly due to being in dire need of money. However, Ray's actions changed the situation.

What is the significance of the old clocks chiming?

When the old clocks chimed together, they spread a timeless message of 'peace on earth and goodwill towards all,' symbolizing harmony and understanding.

How do these NCERT Solutions help Class 6 students?

These solutions provide clear explanations for each question, helping students understand the story's plot, characters, themes, and moral lessons, aiding in their exam preparation.

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