CBSE Class 6 English NCERT Solutions: A Tale of Two Birds

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NCERT Solutions PDF Class 6 PDF

This section provides detailed NCERT Solutions for Class 6 English, Chapter 1, 'A Tale of Two Birds' from the 'A Pact with the Sun' textbook. The chapter explores the profound influence of company and environment on an individual's character and behavior, illustrated through the contrasting lives of two baby birds separated by a storm. The solutions guide students through understanding how external influences shape actions and speech, using the story of the two birds—one raised by robbers and the other by a sage—as a central example. These explanations are designed to help students grasp the moral of the story and prepare effectively for their exams by clarifying the narrative and its underlying message.

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BoardCBSE
ClassClass 6
SubjectEnglish
Session2026
LanguageEnglish
TypeNCERT Solutions
ChapterA Pact with the Sun - Chapter 1 A Tale of Two Birds

Chapter summary

Chapter 1, 'A Tale of Two Birds,' from the 'A Pact with the Sun' textbook, focuses on the theme that one is known by the company one keeps. The NCERT Solutions break down the story of two baby birds, separated by a storm, who grow up in vastly different environments—one with robbers and the other in a sage's ashram. The solutions explain how these contrasting environments lead to distinct behaviors and speech patterns, highlighting the story's moral lesson.

Learning outcomes

  • Understand the story 'A Tale of Two Birds' and its plot.
  • Analyze the impact of environment and company on character development.
  • Identify the moral lesson conveyed by the story.
  • Explain how external influences shape behavior and speech.
  • Answer comprehension questions based on the text.

Topics covered

Paper topics

  • Story Comprehension
  • Character Analysis
  • Moral of the Story
  • Influence of Company
  • Environmental Impact on Behavior
  • Narrative Retelling
  • Short Answer Questions
  • Long Answer Questions

Important topics

  • The story's plot and characters
  • The moral: 'One is known by the company one keeps'
  • How environment shapes behavior
  • Analyzing the two birds' contrasting actions

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Questions and Solutions

1. How did the two baby-birds get separated?

How did the two baby-birds get separated?
Solution: The two baby birds lived with their mother in a tall tree. One day, a fierce storm occurred, causing the tree to fall and tragically killing their mother. The strong winds then carried the two young chicks to different parts of the forest, separating them from each other.

2. Where did each of them find a home?

Where did each of them find a home?
Solution: One of the young birds landed near a cave where a group of robbers resided. The other bird, after being blown away by the wind, found itself outside the ashram of a rishi (a wise sage), located a short distance away.

3. What did the first bird say to the stranger?

What did the first bird say to the stranger?
Solution: When the first bird, who lived near the robbers' cave, saw the stranger (who was the king), it immediately called out to the robbers. It urged them to quickly come and rob the man of his valuable jewels and his horse, essentially telling the stranger to leave the area at once.

4. What did the second bird say to him?

What did the second bird say to him?
Solution: The second bird, living near the rishi's ashram, welcomed the king warmly. It politely invited him to drink some water, take rest, and make himself comfortable. The bird explained that its brother lived with robbers, which was why he spoke in such a manner.

5. How did the rishi explain the different ways in which the two birds behaved?

How did the rishi explain the different ways in which the two birds behaved?
Solution: The king recounted the contrasting behaviors of the two birds to the rishi. The rishi explained that the first bird had learned to mimic the words of the robbers it lived with. Conversely, the second bird repeated the polite and welcoming phrases it had always heard within the peaceful ashram. The rishi concluded that their distinct behaviors were a direct result of the company they kept.

6. Which one of the following sums up the story best?

Which one of the following sums up the story best?
  1. A bird in hand is worth two in the bush.
  2. One is known by the company one keeps.
  3. A friend in need is a friend indeed.
Solution: The option that best summarizes the story is (ii) One is known by the company one keeps. This proverb perfectly captures the essence of the story, as the two birds' characters and behaviors were shaped entirely by their different environments and the company they kept.

I. SHORT ANSWER TYPE QUESTIONS

1. How did different company affect the character and behaviour of the two birds?

How did different company affect the character and behaviour of the two birds?
Solution: The two birds, despite being brothers, were separated by a storm. One ended up near a cave inhabited by robbers, while the other landed near a rishi's ashram. The bird living with robbers learned their harsh language and behavior, becoming aggressive. The bird living in the ashram learned politeness and gentleness from the sage and his surroundings. Thus, their company profoundly shaped their individual characters and behaviors.

2. What amazed the king as he stood near the cave?

What amazed the king as he stood near the cave?
Solution: As the king stood near the cave, he was amazed to hear a loud voice from a bird perched on a tree. The bird was calling out to the robbers, instructing them to hurry up and loot the stranger (the king) of his jewels and horse.

3. How did the other bird greet the king?

How did the other bird greet the king?
Solution: The other bird, which lived near the rishi's ashram, greeted the king with great warmth and politeness. It welcomed him to the ashram and gently requested him to come inside, make himself comfortable, and rest.

II. LONG ANSWER TYPE QUESTIONS

1. Narrate the tale of two birds in your own words.

Narrate the tale of two birds in your own words.
Solution: Once upon a time, a mother bird lived in a forest with her two newly hatched chicks. A terrible storm struck, killing the mother bird and scattering the chicks to different parts of the forest. One chick landed near a cave where robbers lived, and the other landed near a sage's ashram. Over time, the first bird learned the robbers' rough ways and language, while the second bird learned the sage's gentle and welcoming manner. A king, lost in the forest, encountered both birds. The first bird urged the robbers to attack the king, but the second bird welcomed the king to the ashram. The story teaches that one's company greatly influences one's character and actions.

2. How did the king reach the rishi's ashram? Why did the two birds behave with the king differently?

How did the king reach the rishi's ashram? Why did the two birds behave with the king differently?
Solution: The king reached the rishi's ashram while hunting a deer. He rode deep into the forest, got lost, and eventually found himself near a cave. There, he heard a bird instructing robbers to loot him. Sensing danger, the king rode away and soon came upon a rishi's ashram. He rested in the shade of a tree and was surprised to hear another bird's voice inviting him in. The two birds behaved differently because they were brothers who had been separated and raised in vastly different environments. One grew up among robbers and adopted their wicked ways and speech, while the other grew up in the peaceful ashram of a sage and learned his gentle, welcoming nature. The holy man explained to the king that good or bad company determines whether one becomes noble or wicked.

Common mistakes

  • Confusing the actions of the two birds.
  • Not clearly articulating the story's moral.
  • Misinterpreting the role of the king and the rishi.

Revision tips

  • Reread the story to ensure a clear understanding of the plot.
  • Focus on the contrast between the two birds' upbringing and behavior.
  • Identify the key events that led to the birds' separation and different paths.
  • Discuss the story's moral with classmates to reinforce understanding.

Practice MCQs

Q1. What caused the separation of the two baby birds?

Q2. Where did the first baby bird find its new home?

Q3. What did the second bird, living near the ashram, advise the king?

Q4. According to the rishi, why did the two birds behave so differently?

Q5. Which proverb best summarizes the story's moral?

Frequently asked questions

What is the main theme of 'A Tale of Two Birds'?

The main theme of 'A Tale of Two Birds' is that the company one keeps significantly influences one's character and behavior. It highlights how environment shapes individuals.

How did the two baby birds get separated?

The two baby birds were separated during a severe storm that blew them to different parts of the forest.

What was the difference in the behavior of the two birds?

One bird, living with robbers, spoke rudely and encouraged robbery. The other bird, living in a sage's ashram, spoke politely and welcomed the visitor.

Who explained the reason for the birds' different behaviors?

The rishi (sage) explained to the king why the two birds behaved differently, attributing it to their respective environments and company.

How do these NCERT Solutions help students?

These solutions provide clear, rewritten answers to all questions, helping students understand the story, its moral, and key concepts for their exams.

Important links

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