NCERT Class 5 Arts Bansuri: Chapter 3 — PICTURING STORIES
This NCERT Class 5 Arts textbook chapter, 'Picturing Stories,' introduces students to observing people and their surroundings. It highlights how each person has a unique style of walking, talking, and expressing themselves, and how their shadows differ. The chapter encourages students to notice details like faces, smiles, clothes, and gestures of their favourite people. Through activities like tracing shadows and creating shadow creatures using body movements, students learn to represent stories visually. The focus is on developing observational skills and creative expression through shadow play and emojis, fostering an understanding of people's lives and actions.
Quick info
| Board | CBSE / NCERT |
|---|---|
| Class | Class 5 |
| Subject | Arts |
| Book | Bansuri |
| Chapter | Chapter 3 — PICTURING STORIES |
| Language | English |
| PDF type | NCERT Textbook |
| Session | CBSE 2026 |
| Reading time | 2 minutes |
| Word count | 254 |
Learning outcomes
- Observe and describe the unique characteristics of people.
- Understand how shadows are formed and how they can differ from the object creating them.
- Create shadow figures using body movements.
- Develop observational skills for visual storytelling.
Vocabulary
| Word | Meaning |
|---|---|
| distinct | recognizably different in nature from something else of a similar type. |
| interact | act in such a way as to have an effect on each other. |
| surroundings | the things and conditions around a person or thing. |
| shadow play | a form of storytelling and entertainment using shadow puppets. |
| emojis | small digital images or icons used to express an idea or emotion. |
| trace | follow the course or outline of. |
| gliding | move with a smooth, continuous motion. |
| sway | move or cause to move slowly or rhythmically to and fro. |
| hunch | bend one's back and shoulders forward and downward. |
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Practice questions
- Why do people's shadows look different from each other? Answer: People's shadows look different because each person has a distinct style of walking, talking, and their body shape is unique.
- What does it mean to 'trace a shadow'? Answer: To 'trace a shadow' means to draw or outline the shape of a shadow.
- Name two activities mentioned in the chapter that help in picturing stories. Answer: Shadow play and creating shadow creatures are two activities mentioned.
- How can you make an elephant's trunk using your hands? Answer: You can hunch down on your knees and use your hands to create an elephant's trunk.
Frequently asked questions
What is the main idea of the NCERT Class 5 Arts chapter 'Picturing Stories'?
The chapter teaches students to observe people and their surroundings, and to use shadow play and body movements to create visual stories.
How does the chapter suggest learning about people?
It suggests observing their distinct styles of walking, talking, laughing, and expressing moods, as well as their physical details and daily activities.
What is 'shadow play'?
Shadow play is a form of storytelling or entertainment that uses shadows created by objects or people.
What kind of activities are included in Chapter 3 of Bansuri?
The chapter includes activities like tracing shadows and creating shadow creatures using body movements, such as making a peacock or an elephant's trunk.
Why are shadows important in this chapter?
Shadows are used as a tool to understand how objects and people can be represented visually and to create stories through their shapes.
Related resources
Important topics
Topics covered
NCERT Class 5 Arts — Bansuri — Chapter 3 — PICTURING STORIES. Verified by NCERT Help Editorial Team. Reviewed on 29 Jul 2026. Last updated 10 Aug 2026.