CBSE Class 6 English NCERT Solutions: A Strange Wrestling March

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

NCERT Solutions PDF Class 6 PDF

This is the NCERT Solutions for Chapter 10, 'A Strange Wrestling March,' from the CBSE Class 6 English book, 'A Pact with the Sun.' The chapter tells the story of Vijay Singh, a wrestler who was a bit too proud of himself. He agrees to wrestle a ghost. The solutions explain how Vijay Singh's boastfulness was his first weakness. They also cover the strange gifts an old woman gave him – salt and an egg. The solutions show how Vijay Singh cleverly used these items to trick the ghost during their wrestling matches. He asked the ghost to get closer, pretended the egg and salt made him stronger, and ultimately won. The solutions also discuss who the 'ghost' might have really been, perhaps a robber, and whether Vijay Singh's tricks were fair. These explanations help students grasp the story, why characters acted the way they did, and the idea that cleverness can be more powerful than just being strong. This will help them get ready for their exams.

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Board	CBSE
Class	Class 6
Subject	English
Session	2026
Language	English
Type	NCERT Solutions
Chapter	A Pact with the Sun - Chapter 10 A Strange Wrestling march

Chapter summary

Chapter 10, 'A Strange Wrestling March,' from the Class 6 English 'A Pact with the Sun' textbook, focuses on the story of wrestler Vijay Singh. The NCERT Solutions cover his boastful nature, his encounter with a supposed ghost, and the clever strategies he employs using simple items like salt and an egg to overcome the challenge. The solutions analyze Vijay Singh's actions, the ghost's deception, and the true nature of the opponent, emphasizing the theme of intelligence triumphing over perceived strength.

Learning outcomes

Understand the character of Vijay Singh and his boastful nature.
Analyze how Vijay Singh used wit and simple objects to outsmart his opponent.
Identify the 'eccentric' gifts and their significance in the story.
Evaluate the fairness of Vijay Singh's methods in the wrestling match.
Infer the possible true identity of the 'ghost' based on the narrative clues.
Explain the meaning of 'Appearances can be deceptive' in the context of the story.

Topics covered

Paper topics

Vijay Singh's character
Boastfulness and its consequences
The Haunted Deserts
Eccentric characters
The old woman's gifts (salt and egg)
Trials of strength
Outwitting an opponent
Deception and trickery
Appearances can be deceptive
The nature of ghosts
Wrestlers and their challenges
Wit versus strength

Important topics

Vijay Singh's boastfulness and how it leads him to the challenge.
The clever use of the salt and egg to deceive the ghost.
The theme of wit and intelligence overcoming brute force.
Analyzing the true identity of the 'ghost'.
Understanding the phrase 'Appearances can be deceptive'.

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Questions and Solutions

Exercise (Page 46) - Question 1

What was Vijay Singh's weakness? Which awkward situation did it push him into?

Solution: Vijay Singh was a renowned wrestler, immensely proud of his physical prowess. However, his most significant weakness was his tendency to boast about his strength. This boastful nature led him into an awkward situation when he expressed a desire to confront and teach a lesson to a ghost. Consequently, he was suggested to go to the Haunted Deserts to meet this ghost, a challenge he felt compelled to accept due to his pride, despite his underlying fear.

Exercise (Page 46) - Question 2

Was the old woman's gift to Vijay Singh eccentric? Why?

Solution: The old woman was indeed known for her eccentric, or whimsical, nature. She presented Vijay Singh with a small packet containing a lump of salt and an egg. While these gifts might seem unusual or eccentric at first glance, they proved to be remarkably useful in his subsequent encounter with the ghost, helping him to outwit the formidable opponent.

Exercise (Page 46) - Question 3

Why did Vijay Singh ask the ghost disguised as Natwar to come closer?

Solution: Vijay Singh, being a seasoned wrestler, understood the importance of assessing his opponent. He asked the ghost, who was disguised as Natwar, to come closer so that he could get a good look at him. This allowed him to gauge the ghost's size, build, and overall presence, much like any wrestler would do before a match to understand their rival.

Exercise (Page 46) - Question 4

What made the ghost speechless? Why?

Solution: Vijay Singh attempted to appear brave and confrontational. He looked directly at Natwar's (the ghost's) face and boldly declared that Natwar was merely a 'plain, lying ghost.' This direct accusation and insult, delivered with confidence, shocked and insulted the ghost, leaving it momentarily speechless.

Exercise (Page 46) - Question 5

Why did Vijay Singh say "Appearances can be deceptive"?

Solution: Vijay Singh uttered the phrase "Appearances can be deceptive" in response to the ghost's initial attempt to demoralize him. The ghost had claimed Vijay Singh was no match for him. In turn, Vijay Singh decided to frighten the ghost by agreeing to demonstrate his own formidable strength, implying that the ghost's intimidating appearance was misleading and that he himself possessed a power the ghost underestimated.

Exercise (Page 51) - Question 1

How did Vijay Singh use the egg? How did he use the lump of salt?

Solution: Vijay Singh cleverly used both the egg and the lump of salt to outwit the ghost.

Using the egg: Vijay Singh challenged the ghost to squeeze a piece of rock. When the ghost failed, Vijay Singh, under the cover of darkness, substituted the rock with the egg. He then squeezed the egg, making it appear as though he had crushed the rock, thus claiming victory.
Using the lump of salt: In a similar trial, Vijay Singh gave the ghost another piece of rock to crush. While the ghost struggled in vain, Vijay Singh discreetly took out the lump of salt from his pocket and crushed it easily. This demonstration made the ghost believe Vijay Singh was far stronger than himself.

Through these deceptions, Vijay Singh successfully fooled the ghost.

Exercise (Page 51) - Question 2

Why did Vijay Singh conclude that the ghost would not be a worthy opponent to him? Was he fair in his judgement?

Solution: Vijay Singh concluded that the ghost was not a worthy opponent because the ghost repeatedly failed in the strength tests. However, Vijay Singh's judgment was not entirely fair. He achieved his victories through trickery, using the egg and the salt to deceive the ghost rather than through genuine displays of superior strength. The ghost's failures were real, but Vijay Singh's 'victories' were based on deception, making the comparison of their strength unfair.

Exercise (Page 51) - Question 3

Why did Vijay Singh ask the ghost to accompany him to town next day?

Solution: Vijay Singh asked the ghost to accompany him to his town the next day primarily to impress his own people. He intended to present the ghost as his captive or prisoner, thereby showcasing his own bravery and strength (even though it was achieved through trickery) to his fellow villagers.

Exercise (Page 51) - Question 4

What made the ghost believe Vijay Singh was dead?

Solution: Vijay Singh realized the ghost intended to harm him. He cleverly got out of bed and placed a round pillow in his place, covering it with blankets. When the ghost attacked, striking the bolster hard with his mace or heavy stick, he did not hear any groan or reaction. This lack of response led the ghost to mistakenly believe that Vijay Singh was dead.

Exercise (Page 51) - Question 5

Vijay Singh complained of insects in the cave. What was he referring to, and why?

Solution: When Vijay Singh complained about insects in the cave, he was not referring to actual insects. Instead, he was using this as a metaphor to insult and belittle the ghost. By calling the ghost an 'insect,' he was implying that the ghost was weak, insignificant, and a nuisance, much like a bothersome insect, thereby trying to demoralize his opponent.

Exercise (Page 51) - Question 6

Was it really a ghost who Vijay Singh befooled? Who do you think it was?

Solution: The story strongly suggests that it was not a real ghost whom Vijay Singh befooled. The narrative points out that ghosts, as commonly imagined, do not typically live in houses, collect wealth, or engage in physical confrontations in a human-like manner. Based on the context of a haunted desert and the ghost's actions, it is highly probable that the 'ghost' was actually a dacoit or a bandit who used the fear of the supernatural to rob and possibly harm travelers.

SHORT ANSWER TYPE QUESTIONS - Question 1

Who was Vijay Singh? What did he look like?

Solution: Vijay Singh was a very famous and highly skilled wrestler. He was known for being unbeatable in wrestling matches. Physically, he was described as a giant-like figure, possessing large, strong shoulders and powerful arms, making him an imposing presence.

SHORT ANSWER TYPE QUESTIONS - Question 2

This pahalwan had but one shortcoming. What was that?

Solution: The wrestler, Vijay Singh, had only one significant shortcoming, which was his habit of boasting. He was overly proud of his strength and often bragged about it, which led him to accept challenges, such as fighting a ghost, that put him in difficult situations.

SHORT ANSWER TYPE QUESTIONS - Question 3

How did Vijay Singh feel when he was told to go to the Haunted Deserts?

Solution: When Vijay Singh was told that he had to go to the Haunted Deserts to fight a ghost, he felt a surge of fear. The thought of confronting a supernatural being made his heart skip a beat or two, indicating that despite his boastfulness, he was indeed frightened by the prospect.

SHORT ANSWER TYPE QUESTIONS - Question 4

Who really helped Vijay Singh in defeating the ghost? How?

Solution: An old woman played a crucial role in helping Vijay Singh defeat the ghost. She provided him with two essential items: a lump of salt and an egg. Vijay Singh used these items cleverly to trick the ghost into believing he possessed extraordinary strength, thereby enabling him to 'win' the wrestling match.

SHORT ANSWER TYPE QUESTIONS - Question 5

Quote words that Vijay Singh uses to insult and demoralise the ghost.

Solution: Vijay Singh used several insulting phrases to demoralize the ghost. He called the ghost a "plain, lying ghost," a "stupid ghost," a "worthless ghost," and also referred to him as "a rascal of a ghost."

LONG ANSWER TYPE QUESTIONS - Question 1

In what respect was the wrestling match strange? Who were the two rivals? Who was the winner?

Solution: The wrestling match was strange primarily because one of the rivals was a human, the wrestler Vijay Singh, and the other was believed to be a ghost. Vijay Singh, known for his strength but also for being boastful, found himself in an awkward situation when he accepted the challenge to fight in the Haunted Desert. The gifts from an old woman—an egg and a lump of salt—proved instrumental, turning the contest into a trial of wit and wisdom rather than pure strength. Ultimately, Vijay Singh was the winner of this unusual match, returning home with a significant amount of gold.

Common mistakes

Confusing Vijay Singh's boastfulness as a positive trait.
Underestimating the importance of the old woman's gifts.
Assuming the 'ghost' was a supernatural being without considering alternative explanations.
Focusing solely on Vijay Singh's strength rather than his intelligence.

Revision tips

Reread the story, paying close attention to Vijay Singh's dialogue and actions.
List the specific instances where Vijay Singh used the egg and salt, and how.
Discuss with peers whether Vijay Singh's victory was truly earned or achieved through trickery.
Consider the moral of the story: intelligence and wit can overcome physical challenges.

Practice MCQs

Q1. What was Vijay Singh's main weakness?

Q2. What unusual gifts did the old woman give Vijay Singh?

Q3. How did Vijay Singh use the egg to trick the ghost?

Q4. What did Vijay Singh mean when he said, 'Appearances can be deceptive'?

Q5. Who did the narrator suggest the 'ghost' might actually have been?

Frequently asked questions

What is the main story of 'A Strange Wrestling March'?

The story is about a boastful wrestler named Vijay Singh who accepts a challenge to fight a ghost. He cleverly uses simple items like salt and an egg to outwit the ghost and win a wrestling match, ultimately proving that wit is more important than strength.

Who gave Vijay Singh the items that helped him defeat the ghost?

An old woman, known for being eccentric, gave Vijay Singh a packet containing a lump of salt and an egg. These items were crucial for his plan to trick the ghost.

How did Vijay Singh use the egg and salt?

Vijay Singh used the egg to pretend he could squeeze a rock, and the lump of salt to show he could crush something harder than rock, thereby deceiving the ghost about his strength.

Was the opponent Vijay Singh fought a real ghost?

The story suggests that the opponent might not have been a real ghost but possibly a dacoit who used the reputation of the Haunted Deserts to scare people and rob them.

What is the moral of the story 'A Strange Wrestling March'?

The moral of the story is that intelligence, cleverness, and wit are often more effective than mere physical strength in overcoming challenges.

How do these NCERT Solutions help Class 6 students?

These solutions provide clear, step-by-step answers to all questions in Chapter 10, helping students understand the story, characters, and themes, which is beneficial for their studies and exams.

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