NCERT Class 5 English Marigold: Chapter 8 — Nobody's Friend
This NCERT Class 5 English Marigold chapter, 'Nobody's Friend', explores the concept of friendship through a poem by Enid Blyton. It contrasts children who refuse to share their belongings, like sweets, books, dolls, toffees, or toys, with the speaker's own generous nature. The poem highlights that hoarding possessions and not sharing leads to being 'nobody's friend'. Conversely, the speaker offers to share sweets, lend books and games, and even divide their apple and cake, thereby establishing themselves as a true friend. The chapter encourages young learners to understand the importance of sharing and generosity in building friendships, a key aspect of social and emotional learning for CBSE students.
Quick info
| Board | CBSE / NCERT |
|---|---|
| Class | Class 5 |
| Subject | English |
| Book | Marigold |
| Chapter | Chapter 8 — Nobody's Friend |
| Language | English |
| PDF type | NCERT Textbook |
| Session | CBSE 2026 |
| Reading time | 1 minute |
| Word count | 77 |
Learning outcomes
- Understand the importance of sharing and generosity in making friends.
- Identify characteristics of a good friend.
- Differentiate between selfish behavior and friendly behavior.
- Appreciate the value of friendship.
Vocabulary
| Word | Meaning |
|---|---|
| share | to have or use something at the same time as someone else |
| lend | to give something to someone for a period of time, with the agreement that they will return it to you |
| sweets | food that is sweet in taste, such as chocolate or candy |
| toffee | a chewy, brown sweet made from sugar and butter |
| doll | a toy that looks like a baby or a small person |
| tricycle | a vehicle with three wheels, usually for a child |
| train | a toy that looks like a railway engine and carriages |
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Practice questions
- Why is the girl in the poem called 'nobody's friend'? Answer: She is called nobody's friend because she wouldn't share her sweets, lend her book, or let anyone play with her doll.
- What things did the boy refuse to share? Answer: The boy refused to share his toffee, his tricycle, and his toy train.
- How does the speaker show they are a friend? Answer: The speaker offers to share sweets, lend their ball, books, and games, and share their apple and cake.
- What does the poem teach us about friendship? Answer: The poem teaches us that sharing and being generous are important qualities for making and being a good friend.
Frequently asked questions
What is the main theme of the poem 'Nobody's Friend'?
The main theme is the importance of sharing and generosity in building friendships.
Who wrote the poem 'Nobody's Friend'?
The poem was written by Enid Blyton.
What does it mean to be 'nobody's friend'?
It means that a person does not share their belongings or let others play with them, so no one wants to be their friend.
How can a child be a good friend, according to the poem?
A child can be a good friend by sharing their sweets, books, games, and food, and by being willing to lend their toys.
What specific items are mentioned that the children refuse to share?
Sweets, a book, a doll, toffee, a tricycle, and a toy train are mentioned.
Related resources
Important topics
Topics covered
NCERT Class 5 English — Marigold — Chapter 8 — Nobody's Friend. Verified by NCERT Help Editorial Team. Reviewed on 29 Jul 2026. Last updated 10 Aug 2026.