CBSE Class 6 English: What Happened to the Reptiles NCERT Solutions

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

NCERT Solutions PDF Class 6 PDF

CBSE Class 6 English, A Pact with the Sun, Chapter 9, 'What Happened to the Reptiles' introduces us to the village of Pambupatti and the story of Prem. This chapter beautifully illustrates the devastating effects of selfishness and conflict, contrasting them with the virtues of peace and coexistence. It emphasizes how intolerance and violence can lead to ruin, while harmony and mutual respect are essential for a tranquil existence. The NCERT Solutions for this chapter aim to deepen students' understanding of the narrative, exploring the characters' actions, the story's moral lessons, and the significance of ecological balance. These solutions offer clear, step-by-step explanations to help students grasp the chapter's core messages and prepare thoroughly for their examinations.

Home

Quick info

Board	CBSE
Class	Class 6
Subject	English
Session	2026
Language	English
Type	NCERT Solutions
Chapter	A Pact with the Sun - Chapter 9 What Happened to the Reptiles

Chapter summary

Chapter 9, 'What Happened to the Reptiles,' from 'A Pact with the Sun' focuses on the importance of peace, tolerance, and living together. Through the story of Prem's journey to Pambupatti and the tale of the reptiles, it illustrates the negative consequences of conflict and selfishness. The solutions explain the characters' actions, the ecological imbalance caused by the reptiles' departure, and the ultimate message of coexistence and mutual respect, encouraging students to reflect on these values.

Learning outcomes

Understand the importance of peace and coexistence in society.
Analyze the consequences of conflict, selfishness, and intolerance.
Identify the moral and message conveyed by the story of the reptiles.
Explain the concept of ecological balance and interdependence of species.
Relate the story's themes to real-life situations and human behavior.

Topics covered

Paper topics

Peace and Coexistence
Consequences of Conflict
Ecological Balance
Interdependence of Species
Moral of the Story
Character Analysis (Prem, Makara)
Village Life vs. Peaceful Living
Mythology and Morality

Important topics

The importance of living together peacefully
The negative impact of selfishness and conflict
The concept of ecological balance
The moral lesson of 'Live and Let Live'

PDF preview

Read page by page below. PDF is streamed from the official NCERT website — no download button on this page.

Loading document …

Page of

Loading page …

Questions and Solutions

1. In what way is Pambupatti different from any other village?

In what way is Pambupatti different from any other village?

Solution: Pambupatti village stands out because its inhabitants live in complete peace and harmony. Unlike many other villages where people often clash due to differences in religion or language, the people of Pambupatti coexist without any such conflicts. This peaceful and tolerant atmosphere is what makes Pambupatti unique.

2. Why is Prem determined not to return to his village?

Why is Prem determined not to return to his village?

Solution: Prem is resolute in his decision not to go back to his village because he witnessed extreme violence and madness there. The people had turned against each other, setting houses on fire and engaging in killing. This horrific experience has made him determined to seek a safer and more peaceful life elsewhere.

3. Why did Makara dislike tortoises, snakes and lizards? Write a line about each.

Why did Makara dislike tortoises, snakes and lizards? Write a line about each.

Solution: Makara, the dominant crocodile, disliked the other reptiles for specific reasons, driven by his selfish desire to be the sole master of the forest:

Tortoises: He disliked them because he considered them slow and stupid. He also resented that they carried their homes on their backs, perhaps seeing it as a form of independence or self-sufficiency he didn't want others to have.

Snakes: Makara found snakes to be slimy and disliked the funny noises they made. These characteristics likely made him uncomfortable or annoyed.

Lizards: He hated lizards because he viewed them as undependable, primarily due to their ability to change colour. This trait might have made him distrustful or feel they were unpredictable.

4. What went wrong when the tortoises, snakes and lizards left the forest?

What went wrong when the tortoises, snakes and lizards left the forest?

Solution: The departure of the tortoises, snakes, and lizards led to a severe ecological imbalance in the forest, causing several problems:

In the absence of tortoises, the forest floor became filled with the foul smell of rotting fruits and fishes, as they likely played a role in cleaning up the environment.

Without the snakes, which are natural predators of rodents, the population of rats multiplied uncontrollably.

The disappearance of lizards resulted in an explosion of insects, indicating that lizards were crucial in controlling insect populations.

These issues demonstrate how interconnected the forest ecosystem is and the negative consequences when key species are removed.

5. Why do you think Prem wants to tell the story of the reptiles to the people of his village?

Why do you think Prem wants to tell the story of the reptiles to the people of his village?

Solution: Prem likely wants to share the story of the reptiles because its message of peace and coexistence is highly relevant to his own village's situation. His village was torn apart by people fighting in the name of religion. The story of Pambupatti, where different beings lived together harmoniously, offers a powerful lesson about the importance of unity and mutual respect. By recounting this tale, Prem hopes to remind his fellow villagers of the value of living together peacefully and perhaps inspire them to end their destructive conflicts.

6. Do you agree that it is difficult not to go along with someone who is very strong and powerful? Express your views frankly and clearly.

Do you agree that it is difficult not to go along with someone who is very strong and powerful? Express your views frankly and clearly.

Solution: It is often true that people find it difficult to oppose those who are very strong and powerful. Many common individuals are peace-loving but may feel intimidated or fearful when faced with overwhelming strength or authority. There's a natural tendency to align with the powerful to ensure personal safety or gain favour. However, this doesn't mean people will always submit. When pushed too far or driven to desperation, even the seemingly weak can find the courage to stand up against oppression and fight for what is right, sometimes successfully.

7. If you were a baby crocodile, would you tell Makara that he was wrong? What would you say to convince him?

If you were a baby crocodile, would you tell Makara that he was wrong? What would you say to convince him?

Solution: Yes, as a baby crocodile, I would find the courage to speak to Makara and tell him he was wrong. I would try to convince him by explaining a few important points:

Firstly, I would emphasize that being strong comes with a responsibility to protect the weak, not to harm or drive them away. Harassing or eliminating others is not a sign of true strength.

Secondly, I would explain that the Earth does not belong to any single individual or species. It is a shared home for all living creatures. We are all interconnected and depend on each other for survival. By living together and respecting each other's roles, we make the world a better and more sustainable place for everyone.

I. SHORT ANSWER TYPE QUESTIONS

1. What was it that made Prem leave his village?

What was it that made Prem leave his village?

Solution: Prem left his village because of the dangerous communal riots that broke out. During these riots, people lost their sense, houses were set ablaze, and lives were taken. The situation became so unsafe and violent that Prem felt compelled to leave his home permanently.

2. What surprised Prem in Pambupatti village?

What surprised Prem in Pambupatti village?

Solution: Prem was greatly surprised by the peaceful atmosphere in Pambupatti. Having come from a village where people constantly fought over religion and language, he found it astonishing that in Pambupatti, there was no violence, no tension, and people lived in complete harmony. He was also touched by their kindness and care, even towards strangers, which was a stark contrast to his own experiences.

3. What happened to the reptiles in the forest once?

What happened to the reptiles in the forest once?

Solution: Once, the forest experienced a significant disruption involving its reptiles. Makara, who was the strongest and most dominant crocodile, became selfish and decided to drive out all the other reptiles. He managed to get rid of the turtles, snakes, and lizards. However, this act of selfishness led to severe problems, including an overpopulation of frogs and rats, and a proliferation of insects, disrupting the forest's natural balance.

4. How did the forest become normal and peaceful again?

How did the forest become normal and peaceful again?

Solution: The forest regained its normal and peaceful state when the reptiles were invited back. The crocodiles realized that Makara's actions had caused terrible problems. A young crocodile pointed out the mistakes made. They understood that Makara wasn't entirely right and that balance was needed. By calling back their reptile friends, including the turtles, snakes, and lizards, the ecosystem was restored, and peace returned to the forest.

1. Narrate the story of the reptiles as told by Zai Whitaker in not more than 80 words.

Narrate the story of the reptiles as told by Zai Whitaker in not more than 80 words.

Solution: Prem, fleeing communal riots in his village, reached Pambupatti. There, an old man shared a tale about the forest's reptiles. Makara, the dominant crocodile, selfishly expelled turtles, snakes, and lizards. This caused ecological chaos: rats multiplied, and insects swarmed. The forest only returned to normal and peace when the reptiles were welcomed back, restoring the natural balance.

2. What is the story's underlying message or advice to the readers? Do you also support the author's view?

What is the story's underlying message or advice to the readers? Do you also support the author's view?

Solution: The story's underlying message is that the world is a shared space for all living creatures, and each species plays a vital role in maintaining a balance. It advises readers to embrace coexistence and respect diversity, as trying to dominate or eliminate others leads to negative consequences. The author's view that 'Live and Let Live' should be our motto is very important, especially in a world where human actions often threaten other species. I strongly support this view because it promotes harmony, sustainability, and respect for all life.

Common mistakes

Confusing the reasons for Prem's departure with the story of the reptiles.
Failing to grasp the ecological message behind the reptiles' absence.
Misinterpreting the characters' motivations, especially Makara's.
Not connecting the story's moral to broader themes of tolerance and harmony.

Revision tips

Reread the story focusing on the contrast between Prem's village and Pambupatti.
Identify the specific problems caused by the absence of each type of reptile.
Summarize the moral of the story in your own words.
Think about how the story's message applies to human conflicts and environmental issues.

Practice MCQs

Q1. What made Pambupatti village different from other villages?

Q2. Why was Makara selfish and vain, according to the story?

Q3. What problem arose in the forest due to the absence of snakes?

Q4. What is the main message of the story 'What Happened to the Reptiles'?

Q5. Why did Prem leave his village?

Frequently asked questions

What is the main theme of the chapter 'What Happened to the Reptiles'?

The main theme is the importance of peace, coexistence, and maintaining balance in nature and society. It shows how conflict and selfishness lead to problems, while harmony helps restore peace.

Why did Makara dislike tortoises, snakes, and lizards?

Makara disliked tortoises for being slow and stupid, snakes for being slimy and making funny noises, and lizards for being undependable because they changed colour. He was selfish and wanted to be the sole master.

What happened to the forest when the reptiles left?

The forest suffered. Foul smells from rotting fruits and fish appeared without tortoises. Rats multiplied without snakes, and insects became abundant without lizards, creating an imbalance.

What lesson can be learned from the story of the reptiles?

The story teaches that the world is for all creatures, and they are interdependent. Every species plays a role, and harming or driving out others disrupts the natural balance, ultimately causing problems for everyone.

How does the story relate to Prem's village?

Prem's village suffered from communal riots and fighting, similar to the conflict caused by Makara's selfishness. Prem hopes the story of Pambupatti's peace and coexistence will inspire his village to live harmoniously.

What does the phrase 'Live and Let Live' mean in the context of this story?

It means that all living beings have a right to exist and thrive. We should not harm or disturb others, but rather respect their space and allow them to live peacefully, just as the reptiles were welcomed back to restore balance.

Content reviewed by the NCERT Help team. Editorial Team and update policy

NCERT Solutions PDF PDF on NCERT Help. URL unchanged for search indexing.