CBSE Class 8 It So Happened: The Fight NCERT Solutions

Reviewed by NCERT Help Editorial Team · Updated on 29 Jul 2026

NCERT Solutions PDF Class 8 PDF

CBSE Class 8 It So Happened, Chapter 6, "The Fight," explores the intense rivalry between Ranji and another boy over a secluded forest pool. The NCERT Solutions break down the story's core elements, examining the stark contrast between Ranji's arid homeland and the lush forest setting. It delves into the motivations driving the boys' conflict, the escalating nature of their dispute, and the eventual, perhaps surprising, resolution of their animosity. The solutions meticulously analyze the characters' feelings and actions during their encounters, both at the pool and beyond. By dissecting the narrative's intricacies, these explanations aim to foster a deeper understanding of character development and the underlying themes, providing students with a comprehensive grasp of the chapter for effective exam preparation.

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Quick info

Board	CBSE
Class	Class 8
Subject	It So Happened
Session	2026
Language	English
Type	NCERT Solutions
Chapter	6. The Fight

Chapter summary

NCERT Solutions for Class 8 It So Happened, Chapter 6, "The Fight," focuses on the narrative of Ranji and his encounter with another boy at a forest pool. The solutions break down the story, explaining the initial conflict, the reasons behind the quarrel, and how the boys eventually move from animosity to friendship. They cover comprehension questions about the characters' actions, motivations, and the significance of their interactions, providing a clear understanding of the chapter's plot and underlying themes.

Learning outcomes

Understand the reasons behind the conflict between Ranji and the other boy.
Analyze the characters' motivations and actions throughout the story.
Explain the significance of the forest pool as a setting.
Describe the transition from conflict to friendship between the two boys.
Identify the themes of pride, courage, and reconciliation in the chapter.

Topics covered

Paper topics

Character analysis of Ranji and the other boy
The conflict over the forest pool
Reasons for the fight
Ranji's internal conflict
The transition from enmity to friendship
Themes of pride, courage, and reconciliation
Setting and its significance
Dialogue and its role in character interaction

Important topics

Understanding the motivations behind the fight
Analyzing the shift in the boys' relationship
Ranji's decision to return to the pool
The resolution of the conflict
Themes of courage and friendship

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Questions and Solutions

Comprehension Check - Q1

In what way is the forest pool different from the one which Ranji knew in the Rajputana desert?

Solution: The forest pool was a refreshing and appealing place, characterized by its clean and cold water, making it an inviting spot for swimming. In stark contrast, the pools Ranji was familiar with in the Rajputana desert were muddy and unpleasant. These desert pools were often filled with sticky mud, making them unsuitable for swimming and primarily used by buffaloes for wallowing and by women for washing clothes.

Comprehension Check - Q2

The other boy asked Ranji to 'explain' himself. (i) What did he expect Ranji to say? (ii) Was he, in your opinion, right or wrong to ask this question?

Solution: (i) When the other boy demanded that Ranji 'explain' himself, he expected Ranji to offer an apology for intruding and to immediately leave the pool area. He anticipated Ranji would acknowledge his perceived transgression and vacate the space without further argument.

(ii) In my opinion, the other boy was wrong to ask this question. The forest pool was located in a natural setting and was not the private property of any individual. Therefore, he had no right to claim exclusive ownership or to demand an explanation from Ranji for using a public space.

Comprehension Check - Q3

Between Ranji and the other boy, who is trying to start a quarrel? Give a reason for your answer.

Solution: The other boy was the one trying to start a quarrel. Ranji, upon seeing the other boy, initially remained silent and was not looking for a confrontation. However, the other boy immediately adopted a hostile stance, demanding an explanation from Ranji. Despite Ranji's attempt to be friendly by inviting him to swim together, the other boy escalated the situation by asserting his claim over the pool and provoking Ranji further by calling himself a 'warrior'.

Comprehension Check - Q4

"Then we will have to continue the fight," said the other. (i) What made him say that? (ii) Did the fight continue? If not, why not?

Solution: (i) The other boy said this because, despite their physical struggle, Ranji refused to leave the pool. Since the fight had not resulted in Ranji's departure, the other boy felt that the conflict was unresolved and that they would need to continue fighting to settle it.

(ii) No, the fight did not continue. After the declaration that they would continue the fight, a peculiar silence fell between them. Neither boy initiated further aggression. Eventually, the other boy proposed postponing the fight to the next day, suggesting that if Ranji dared to return, they would resume their confrontation then.

Comprehension Check - Q5

What is it that Ranji finds difficult to explain at home?

Solution: Ranji found it difficult to explain the visible marks of the fight – the cuts and bruises that appeared on his face, legs, and arms. These injuries were clear evidence that he had been involved in a physical altercation, and it was challenging for him to conceal this fact from his family.

Comprehension Check - Q6

Ranji sees his adversary in the bazaar. (i) What does he wish to do? (ii) What does he actually do, and why?

Solution: (i) Upon seeing his adversary in the bazaar, Ranji's initial impulse was to avoid him by turning away and looking elsewhere. He then felt a surge of anger and wished he could throw the lemonade bottle he was holding at his enemy.

(ii) However, Ranji did not act on his aggressive impulses. Instead, he stood his ground and confronted the other boy with a scowl. He refrained from throwing the bottle because he recognized that doing so in the public space of the bazaar would likely escalate into another fight, which he did not want to happen in such a setting.

Comprehension Check - Q7

Ranji is not at all eager for a second fight. Why does he go back to the pool, then?

Solution: Although Ranji was not eager for another fight, he returned to the pool because not showing up would have been an admission of defeat. He could not bear the thought of accepting defeat passively. He believed that if he surrendered, he would be perpetually dominated. However, by fighting, even if he lost, he retained the right to return to the pool. As long as he was willing to fight, he felt he had a legitimate claim to the forest pool.

Comprehension Check - Q8

Who was the better swimmer? How do you know it?

Solution: Ranji was the better swimmer. This is evident when the other boy taunted him about his swimming abilities. In response, Ranji immediately dived into the water and reached the other end with remarkable speed. The other boy was astonished by Ranji's diving skill and his ability to swim underwater. Impressed, the other boy admitted he couldn't dive or swim underwater and asked Ranji to teach him.

Comprehension Check - Q9

What surprises the warrior?

Solution: The 'warrior' (the other boy) was surprised by Ranji's exceptional swimming skills. Specifically, he was amazed at how well Ranji executed his dive into the water and his proficiency in swimming underwater.

Comprehension Check - Q10

Now that they are at the pool, why don't they continue the fight?

Solution: They did not continue the fight because their interaction shifted from aggression to mutual respect and shared interests. The warrior asked Ranji to teach him diving and underwater swimming, which Ranji agreed to do. In return, the warrior offered to teach Ranji wrestling. This exchange of skills and the promise of future training fostered a sense of camaraderie, leading them to become friends instead of continuing their conflict.

Common mistakes

Misinterpreting the reasons for the fight's escalation.
Failing to understand Ranji's internal conflict about returning to the pool.
Overlooking the significance of the boys' shared interest in swimming and wrestling.
Confusing the characters' initial hostility with their eventual friendship.

Revision tips

Reread the chapter, paying close attention to the dialogue between Ranji and the other boy.
Summarize the key events of the story in your own words.
Discuss the characters' feelings and motivations with a study partner.
Focus on how the initial fight leads to an unexpected friendship.
Practice answering the comprehension questions to test your understanding.

Practice MCQs

Q1. What was the primary reason for the initial conflict between Ranji and the other boy?

Q2. Why did Ranji feel compelled to return to the pool despite not wanting another fight?

Q3. What skill did the 'warrior' boy ask Ranji to teach him?

Q4. How did the relationship between Ranji and the other boy change?

Q5. What did Ranji find difficult to explain at home?

Frequently asked questions

What is Chapter 6 of 'It So Happened' about?

Chapter 6, 'The Fight,' narrates the story of Ranji, a boy who encounters another boy at a forest pool, leading to a conflict that eventually transforms into an unlikely friendship.

Who are the main characters in 'The Fight'?

The main characters are Ranji, a boy from the Rajputana desert, and another boy, referred to as the 'other boy' or 'warrior,' who considers the forest pool his own.

Why did Ranji and the other boy fight?

They fought because the other boy claimed the forest pool as his personal property and demanded that Ranji leave, which Ranji refused to do.

How did the fight between Ranji and the other boy end?

The fight ended not with a continuation of physical combat, but with the boys discovering shared interests in swimming and wrestling, leading them to become friends.

What does Ranji find difficult to explain at home?

Ranji finds it difficult to explain the cuts and bruises he sustained from the fight, as they are evidence of his involvement in a physical altercation.

What is the significance of the forest pool in the story?

The forest pool serves as the central setting for the conflict and the subsequent development of friendship between Ranji and the other boy.

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