CBSE Class 7 English An Alien Hand Chapter 7: Chandni NCERT Solutions

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CBSE Class 7 English (An Alien Hand) Chapter 7, 'Chandni', delves into the universal yearning for freedom. The story uses Chandni, a young goat, to explore the age-old conflict between security and liberty. We see Abbu Khan's transition from solitude to finding companionship in Chandni. However, Chandni's own innate desire for freedom leads her to choose the perilous path of liberty over the safety of Abbu Khan's hut. Her courageous fight against a wolf underscores the profound value of independence, even in the face of extreme danger. The NCERT Solutions for this chapter offer a comprehensive analysis of the plot, character development, and the central themes, providing students with a clear understanding of the narrative's depth and preparing them effectively for their assessments.

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BoardCBSE
ClassClass 7
SubjectAn Alien Hand
Session2026
LanguageEnglish
TypeNCERT Solutions
Chapter7. Chandni

Chapter summary

Chapter 7, 'Chandni', of the An Alien Hand textbook for CBSE Class 7 English, presents a poignant narrative about the universal longing for freedom. The NCERT Solutions cover comprehension questions and exercises that analyze Chandni's desire to be free, her conflict with Abbu Khan's confinement, and her brave fight against a wolf. The solutions emphasize the theme that freedom is life itself, even if it comes with risks, contrasting it with a life of safety but captivity. Key concepts explored include courage, independence, and the inherent value of liberty.

Learning outcomes

  • Understand the theme of freedom and its importance in the story 'Chandni'.
  • Analyze the motivations of characters like Abbu Khan and Chandni.
  • Explain the conflict between safety and freedom as depicted in the story.
  • Evaluate Chandni's decision to fight the wolf.
  • Discuss the idea that 'Freedom is life' with reference to the story.

Topics covered

Paper topics

  • The desire for freedom
  • Abbu Khan's loneliness
  • Chandni's character
  • Conflict between safety and freedom
  • Courage in the face of danger
  • The meaning of victory
  • Life vs. captivity
  • Animal instincts
  • The theme of independence
  • Moral choices

Important topics

  • The theme of freedom
  • Chandni's fight for liberty
  • Abbu Khan's character development
  • The meaning of true victory
  • The value of independence over safety

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Questions and Solutions

Comprehension Check - Q1

Why did Abbu Khan's goats want to run away? What happened to them in the hills?
Solution: Abbu Khan's goats desired to run away because they cherished their freedom and disliked being confined by ropes. Their love for liberty was stronger than their fear of the dangers in the hills. Unfortunately, once they reached the hills, they met a tragic end, as they were attacked and killed by an old wolf that resided there.

Comprehension Check - Q2

Abbu Khan said, "No more goats in my house ever again." Then he changed his mind. Why?
Solution: Abbu Khan initially resolved not to keep any more goats after his previous ones had run away. However, he soon reconsidered this decision because he found himself terribly lonely. The absence of the goats left a void in his life, and he realized he couldn't bear the solitude without the companionship of his pets.

Comprehension Check - Q3

Why did he buy a young goat?
Solution: Abbu Khan decided to buy a young goat, Chandni, with the hope that she would stay with him for a much longer period. He believed that a young goat would gradually develop affection for him and his home, enjoying the food provided daily, and consequently, would not feel the urge to escape to the hills like the older goats.

Comprehension Check - Q4

Why did Chandni hate the rope round her neck?
Solution: Chandni hated the rope around her neck because it symbolized her confinement and restricted her ability to move freely. She longed to run across the lush green fields and head towards the distant hills, but the rope held her back, preventing her from experiencing the liberty she craved.

Comprehension Check - Q5

"Now Abbu Khan understood Chandni's problem..." What was Chandni's problem?
Solution: Chandni's problem was her deep yearning for freedom. She longed to go to the hills and felt that remaining confined within Abbu Khan's compound, tied by a rope, was suffocating her spirit. She felt that if she continued to live in captivity, her life force would diminish, and she would essentially be dying slowly.

Comprehension Check - Q6

Abbu Khan pushed Chandni into a small hut. This shows that he
  1. was cruel.
  2. loved her and wanted to save her life.
  3. was selfish
Solution: This action shows that Abbu Khan loved Chandni and wanted to save her life. Although his method of pushing her into the hut might seem harsh, his intention was to protect her from the approaching wolf and ensure her safety, demonstrating his care for her well-being.

Comprehension Check - Q7

Why did Chandni refuse to join the group of wild goats?
Solution: Chandni refused to join the group of wild goats because she had finally achieved her long-desired freedom. She wanted to savor this newfound liberty on her own terms, enjoying the open spaces and the feeling of being unrestrained, rather than immediately merging with a group.

Comprehension Check - Q8

Chandni fought the wolf because she
  1. was stronger than the wolf.
  2. hated the wolf.
  3. had to retain her freedom at all costs.
Solution: Chandni fought the wolf because she was determined to retain her freedom at all costs. Her desire for liberty was so strong that she chose to confront the dangerous wolf rather than surrender her freedom and return to captivity, even if it meant risking her life.

Exercises - Q1

Why did the wise old bird say, "Chandni is the winner"?
Solution: The wise old bird declared Chandni the winner not because she survived the encounter, but because of her extraordinary courage and unwavering spirit. Chandni had the bravery to stand her ground and fight the wolf relentlessly throughout the night, rather than fleeing. She chose to defend her freedom, embodying the spirit of a valiant soldier. Even though she ultimately succumbed to her injuries, her fight for liberty was considered a victory in itself, representing the triumph of the spirit over adversity.

Exercises - Q2

"Death in an open field is better than life in a small hut," Chandni said to herself. Was it the right decision? Give reasons for your answer.
Solution: Yes, it was the right decision for Chandni. Freedom inherently involves risks and challenges, requiring bravery and resilience. Chandni's choice to fight the wolf instead of returning to the safety of Abbu Khan's compound underscores her belief that freedom was invaluable. She understood that success or failure in the fight was uncertain, but the act of fighting for her liberty was paramount. While she didn't survive, her struggle was a testament to her spirit. Remaining in the hut would have meant a longer life but in bondage, which, for Chandni, was worse than death in the pursuit of freedom.

Exercises - Q3

Freedom is life. Discuss this with reference to 'Chandni' and 'I Want Something in a Cage'.
Solution: The statement "Freedom is life" is powerfully illustrated in both 'Chandni' and 'I Want Something in a Cage'. In 'Chandni', the goat's yearning for the hills and her ultimate fight against the wolf demonstrate that liberty is paramount, even above life itself. She preferred death in the open field to a life of captivity in a hut. Similarly, in 'I Want Something in a Cage', the man, having experienced imprisonment, empathizes deeply with the caged doves and feels compelled to free them. His actions highlight that for those who have known or deeply desire freedom, captivity is akin to a living death. Both stories convey that the spirit yearns for liberty, and living without it is a diminished existence, making the pursuit and attainment of freedom a fundamental aspect of truly living.

Common mistakes

  • Confusing Abbu Khan's affection with Chandni's need for freedom.
  • Underestimating the value Chandni placed on her liberty.
  • Interpreting Chandni's fight as a simple act of aggression rather than a defense of freedom.

Revision tips

  • Reread the story focusing on Chandni's feelings about the rope and the hills.
  • Discuss with friends why Abbu Khan kept buying goats despite previous experiences.
  • Consider the wise old bird's perspective on Chandni's 'victory'.
  • Compare Chandni's situation with the man's in 'I Want Something in a Cage'.

Practice MCQs

Q1. Why did Abbu Khan's goats usually run away?

Q2. What was the primary reason Abbu Khan bought Chandni?

Q3. What did Chandni hate about the rope around her neck?

Q4. According to the story, what was Chandni's ultimate desire?

Q5. Why did the wise old bird consider Chandni the winner?

Frequently asked questions

What is the main theme of the story 'Chandni'?

The main theme of 'Chandni' is the universal and intrinsic desire for freedom, highlighting that liberty is more valuable than safety or even life itself for many creatures.

Why did Abbu Khan buy Chandni after his previous goats ran away?

Abbu Khan bought Chandni because he was lonely and missed the companionship of his pets. He hoped that a young goat like Chandni would bond with him and not want to escape.

What choice did Chandni face, and what did she decide?

Chandni faced a choice between returning to the safety of Abbu Khan's compound or staying in the open field to face the wolf and retain her freedom. She chose to fight for her freedom.

How does the story portray the concept of 'winning'?

The story suggests that winning isn't just about survival or defeating an opponent. Chandni is considered a winner by the wise old bird because she bravely fought for her freedom until the very end, embodying the spirit of liberty.

What lesson does Chandni's story teach?

Chandni's story teaches that freedom is a fundamental aspect of life and is worth fighting for, even if it involves great risk. It emphasizes courage and the spirit of independence.

Important links

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