NCERT Class 5 English Santoor: Chapter 4 — The Wise Parrot
This chapter, "The Wise Parrot," from NCERT Class 5 English Santoor, tells the story of a rich merchant's pet parrot. The parrot, though well-cared for in a golden cage, yearns for freedom. When the merchant travels, he offers to bring back a gift. The parrot expresses its desire to fly and, when denied, asks the merchant to send greetings to its relatives in the jungle. Upon hearing the merchant's message, one of the wild parrots falls lifelessly from a tree, symbolizing the profound impact of captivity on the parrot's kin. This narrative explores themes of freedom, longing, and the emotional connection between the pet and its wild counterparts, offering valuable lessons for young learners on empathy and the importance of liberty.
Quick info
| Board | CBSE / NCERT |
|---|---|
| Class | Class 5 |
| Subject | English |
| Book | Santoor |
| Chapter | Chapter 4 — The Wise Parrot |
| Language | English |
| PDF type | NCERT Textbook |
| Session | CBSE 2026 |
| Reading time | 2 minutes |
| Word count | 297 |
Learning outcomes
- Understand the concept of longing for freedom.
- Identify the emotions of the parrot and its wild relatives.
- Discuss the importance of liberty and companionship.
- Develop empathy towards captive animals.
Vocabulary
| Word | Meaning |
|---|---|
| merchant | a person who buys and sells goods for profit |
| entertained | provided amusement or enjoyment |
| longed | had a strong desire for something |
| offered | presented something for someone to accept or reject |
| greetings | an expression of good wishes |
| relatives | members of the same family |
| captivity | the state of being imprisoned or confined |
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Practice questions
- What did the merchant keep in a cage of gold? Answer: A bright and talkative parrot.
- What did the parrot long for? Answer: The parrot longed for the open skies and green trees, and the joy of flying.
- What did the merchant ask the parrot before travelling? Answer: He asked what he could bring for the parrot from his far-off land.
- What did the parrot ask the merchant to tell its friends? Answer: It asked the merchant to tell its friends that it sent them greetings from its cage.
- What happened when the merchant told the wild parrots about their relative? Answer: One parrot dropped like a stone from the tree and fell on the ground.
Frequently asked questions
What is the main theme of 'The Wise Parrot' chapter?
The main themes are the longing for freedom, the emotional impact of captivity, and the connection between pets and their wild counterparts.
Who is the main character in the story?
The main characters are a rich merchant and his pet parrot.
Why did the parrot want to fly?
The parrot longed for the open skies, green trees, and the joy of flying, which it missed while being in a cage.
What did the merchant do when he saw the wild parrots?
He approached the tree and told the parrots that he had one of their relatives as a pet in a golden cage and that it had sent greetings.
What was the reaction of one of the wild parrots?
One wild parrot dropped lifelessly from the tree upon hearing the news.
What does the parrot's request to send greetings imply?
It implies the parrot's deep connection and longing for its family and freedom, even while in captivity.
Related resources
Important topics
Topics covered
NCERT Class 5 English — Santoor — Chapter 4 — The Wise Parrot. Verified by NCERT Help Editorial Team. Reviewed on 29 Jul 2026. Last updated 10 Aug 2026.