CBSE Class 6 English A Pact with the Sun Chapter 3: The Shepherd's Treasure 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 3, 'The Shepherd's Treasure' offers a deep dive into a story about a humble shepherd whose wisdom and honesty set him apart. This chapter explores his unexpected rise to governorship, the envy it sparked among his peers, and a pivotal moment where a king recognizes the shepherd's true wealth. The NCERT Solutions break down the narrative, focusing on the shepherd's character, his interactions with the king, and the significance of his seemingly simple possession – an old blanket. Through these solutions, students will understand the story's core themes of integrity, humility, and the value of inner worth over material possessions. The explanations aim to enhance comprehension of the plot and its underlying moral lessons, aiding students in their academic preparation.

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Board	CBSE
Class	Class 6
Subject	English
Session	2026
Language	English
Type	NCERT Solutions
Chapter	A Pact with the Sun - Chapter 3 The Shepherd’s Treasure

Chapter summary

NCERT Solutions for 'The Shepherd's Treasure' (Chapter 3, A Pact with the Sun) focus on the story of a wise and humble shepherd who becomes a governor. The solutions address his qualities, the king's appreciation for his integrity, and the envy of other officials. Key aspects covered include the shepherd's simple 'treasure'—an old blanket—and the moral of the story emphasizing honesty and humility.

Learning outcomes

Understand the character traits of the shepherd.
Analyze the reasons for the other governors' jealousy.
Explain the significance of the shepherd's iron chest and its contents.
Identify the qualities that earned the shepherd the king's favor.
Recognize the moral lessons of honesty and humility presented in the story.

Topics covered

Paper topics

Character sketch of the shepherd
The shepherd's wisdom and honesty
Jealousy of other governors
The king's appreciation
Symbolism of the iron chest and blanket
Moral of the story
Rural life in Iran
Social hierarchy
Integrity in leadership
Humility as a virtue

Important topics

The shepherd's character traits (wisdom, honesty, humility)
The significance of the iron chest and the blanket
The conflict with jealous governors
The king's judgment and reward
The moral message of the story

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Questions and Solutions

Question 1

The shepherd had not been to school because:

(i) he was very poor.

(ii) there were very few schools in those days.

(iii) he wasn't interested in studies.

Choose the right answer.

Solution: The correct answer is (ii) there were very few schools in those days. In the time period the story is set, educational facilities were not widespread, making it difficult for many, including the shepherd, to access schooling, regardless of their financial situation or interest.

Question 2

Who visited the shepherd one day, and why?

Solution: The King of Iran visited the shepherd one day. The shepherd had become well-known throughout the land for his exceptional wisdom and his kind, friendly nature. Hearing about these remarkable qualities, the king decided to visit him personally. The king disguised himself, riding a mule and dressed like a common shepherd, to observe the shepherd's character firsthand.

Question 3

Why did the other governors grow jealous of the shepherd?

Solution: The other governors grew jealous of the shepherd because he was appointed as the governor of a small district and quickly became loved and honored by the people for his fairness and wisdom. His growing fame and the people's admiration for him, despite his humble background, caused envy among the established governors of other provinces.

Question 4

Why was the new governor called to the palace?

Solution: The new governor, the shepherd, was called to the palace because the jealous governors had spoken ill of him to the king. They poisoned the king's mind by falsely accusing the new governor of being dishonest and claiming that he always carried his ill-gotten wealth in a locked iron chest. The king summoned him to investigate this accusation and see the supposed treasure.

Question 5

Why was everyone delighted to see the iron chest on the camel's back?

Solution: Those present in the palace were delighted to see the iron chest on the camel's back because they assumed it contained valuables or treasure, as alleged by the jealous governors. They hoped that if the accusation proved true, the king would dismiss the shepherd from his post. Their delight stemmed from the anticipation of the shepherd's downfall.

Question 6

(i) What did the iron chest contain? (ii) Why did the shepherd always carry it? (iii) Is it an example of the shepherd's humility or wisdom or both?

Solution: (i) The iron chest contained only an old, worn-out blanket. (ii) The shepherd always carried this old blanket with him because it was his oldest and most trusted friend. He kept it in the chest as a safeguard; if the king ever took away his position and power, the blanket would protect him from the cold and hardship. (iii) This act is an excellent example of both the shepherd's humility and his wisdom. His humility is shown by his contentment with simple possessions and his refusal to pretend to be wealthier than he was. His wisdom is evident in his foresight and preparedness for potential misfortune, understanding that true security lies not in status but in resourcefulness.

Question 7

How did the king reward the new governor?

Solution: The king was highly pleased and impressed by the shepherd-governor's honesty, humility, and wisdom, especially after discovering the contents of the iron chest. As a reward for these virtues, the king promoted him to the position of governor of a much larger and more important province on the very same day.

Short Answer Type Questions - 1

What were the notable qualities of the shepherd?

Solution: The shepherd was notable for several qualities despite being poor and uneducated. He possessed great wisdom, a friendly and kind nature, and lived a simple life, initially in a cave. His honesty, humility, and common sense were also significant traits that distinguished him.

Short Answer Type Questions - 2

What led the king of Iran to the cave of the shepherd?

Solution: The king of Iran was led to the shepherd's cave by the widespread stories and reputation of the shepherd's exceptional wisdom and his remarkably friendly and approachable nature. Intrigued by these tales, the king decided to visit the shepherd himself.

Short Answer Type Questions - 3

What impressed the king when he spent a night in the cave?

Solution: When the king spent a night in the shepherd's cave, he was greatly impressed by the shepherd's genuine hospitality, despite his simple living conditions. He was also deeply moved by the shepherd's wise and insightful conversation, which revealed his sharp intellect and understanding of life.

Short Answer Type Questions - 4

The king rewarded the shepherd twice. How and why?

Solution: The king rewarded the shepherd twice. Firstly, impressed by the shepherd's gentleness, intelligence, and hospitality during his visit, the king appointed him the governor of a small district. Secondly, when the shepherd proved his honesty, humility, and wisdom by revealing his 'treasure' was just an old blanket, the king was further pleased and rewarded him with a promotion to governor of a much bigger district.

Short Answer Type Questions - 5

Why did the shepherd always carry his old blanket with him?

Solution: The shepherd always carried his old blanket because he considered it his oldest and best friend. He kept it as a practical measure, understanding that if he were ever to lose his position, power, or fine clothes as governor, this humble blanket would still provide him with warmth and protection against the cold.

Short Answer Type Questions - 6

What is the moral/message of the story?

Solution: The moral of the story 'The Shepherd's Treasure' is that honesty, humility, and wisdom are the most valuable virtues a person can possess. These qualities are recognized and appreciated by others, especially those in positions of authority, and ultimately lead to respect and reward, far more than material wealth or outward appearances.

Long Answer Type Questions - 1

Give a character sketch of the shepherd. What qualities pleased the king?

Solution: The shepherd was a man of humble origins, living in Iran. Though he was poor and had never attended school, he was exceptionally wise, noble, and possessed a friendly demeanor. He had a knack for solving people's problems with courage and common sense. The king was particularly pleased by the shepherd's genuine hospitality and his gentle nature. Furthermore, the shepherd's unwavering honesty and humility, exemplified by his carrying an iron chest containing only an old blanket, deeply impressed the king, showcasing his true character and wisdom over any pretense of wealth.

Long Answer Type Questions - 2

How did the other governors try to humiliate the new governor (the shepherd)?

Solution: The other governors attempted to humiliate the new shepherd-governor primarily out of envy for his position and the respect he commanded. They conspired against him and poisoned the king's mind by falsely accusing him of dishonesty. They spread rumors that the shepherd carried his ill-gotten wealth in an iron chest. Their plan was to expose him to the king as a thief, hoping he would be dismissed. However, when the king opened the chest and found only an old blanket, the shepherd's dignity was enhanced, and the other governors were left embarrassed by their failed scheme and malicious lies.

Common mistakes

Misinterpreting the shepherd's 'treasure' as material wealth.
Overlooking the importance of the shepherd's humility and wisdom.
Failing to understand the motivations behind the other governors' actions.

Revision tips

Focus on the shepherd's character development from a simple shepherd to a governor.
Understand the symbolic meaning of the iron chest and the blanket.
Identify the key events that led to the shepherd's promotion and the governors' downfall.
Discuss the moral of the story with classmates to reinforce understanding.

Practice MCQs

Q1. Why was the shepherd not able to attend school?

Q2. What quality of the shepherd impressed the King of Iran?

Q3. Why did the other governors become jealous of the shepherd?

Q4. What did the jealous governors accuse the new governor of?

Q5. What was the actual content of the iron chest?

Q6. Why did the shepherd always carry the iron chest with his blanket?

Q7. What was the main moral of the story 'The Shepherd's Treasure'?

Frequently asked questions

What is the main story of 'The Shepherd's Treasure'?

The story is about a poor, uneducated but very wise and honest shepherd who becomes a governor. His true 'treasure' is an old blanket, which symbolizes his humility and preparedness, earning him the king's respect despite the jealousy of other governors.

Why did the shepherd carry an iron chest?

The shepherd carried an iron chest containing only his old blanket. He did this to show the king and the other governors that his real wealth was not material possessions but his wisdom, honesty, and humility, and that he was prepared for any situation.

What qualities did the king admire in the shepherd?

The king admired the shepherd's wisdom, his friendly nature, his honesty, his humility, and his common sense. These qualities made him a respected and effective governor.

What is the moral lesson of this chapter?

The moral of the story is that honesty, humility, and wisdom are the most valuable virtues. These qualities are recognized and rewarded, and they are more important than material wealth or status.

How do these NCERT Solutions help Class 6 students?

These solutions provide clear, step-by-step answers to all questions in the chapter, helping students understand the story's plot, characters, and underlying messages, which aids in exam preparation.

Why were the other governors jealous of the shepherd?

The other governors were jealous because the humble shepherd, despite being uneducated and poor, was appointed governor and was loved and respected by the people for his wisdom and fairness, overshadowing them.

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