Class-6, English (A Pact With The Sun), Chapter -9 (What Happened to the Reptiles ) Summary, Word Meanings, NCERT Solutions & Frequently Asked Questions

  English

(A Pact With The Sun)

Class -6, Chapter -9

(What Happened to the Reptiles )

Summary, Word Meanings, NCERT Solutions & Frequently Asked Questions  

-- Summary --

⭐Summary In English:- 

Prem lived in a village. Last year something terrible happened there. The people of the village went mad. They started fighting with one another. Many houses were burnt. Many people were killed. So Prem ran away from his village. He ran a long time and finally reached Pambupatti. He saw some villagers standing near the well. He ran to them. Before he could say anything, he fainted.

When he opened his eyes, he found himself with an old man. Soon other villagers also came to him. They were all very kind. Prem said to the old man that he had never seen such a village in his life. His village was very different. At all other villages, he had seen people fighting in the name of religion or language. At Pambapatti, people lived in peace and cared for each other’s welfare. Thus Pambapatti was different from any other village. At this the old man told Prem a story. He said that Prem should tell that story in his own village when he reached there. At this Prem protested. He was determined not to return to his village. The behaviour of his villagers made him burn with shame. The old man, however, told his story.

It happened a long, long time ago. Children lived in caves with their parents. As for animals, there were only reptiles. Every month the reptiles of Pambupatti had a big meeting. The president of these meetings was Makara, the biggest crocodile of the forest. Since it was the strongest, every reptile agreed with what he said.

Now one day Makara sent a letter to tortoises. He asked them not to come to the next meeting. A tortoise named Ahistay was very angry at it. Yet none of the tortoises had the courage to attend the meeting. Before the meeting Makara polished his teeth red so that they sparkled. At the meeting he said that the forest didn’t need tortoises. When some reptile tried to show his disagreement, Makara shouted to silence him. He said that the tortoises were stupid and slow. They are stupid enough to carry their houses on their back. Then he announced that he had given tortoises one week to leave the forest.

So the tortoises had to go. At first, all the animals were sad. But soon thereafter they were happy because there was now more food, more water and more space for them. After a few days, a smell of rot began to fill the forest.

A month passed by. Now it was the turn of the snakes to be ordered out. Again, for a while the animals were happy because they had now no fear of a snake bite. A few days passed and the animals found that there were too many rats about them. After all, there were no snakes to eat them. The rats ate up the eggs of lizards and crocodiles. They chewed up even Makara’s own nest of eggs.

Then Makara had another idea. He asked every animal except the crocodiles to leave the forest. Now all kinds of awful things began to happen. The rats became bolder and now there were too many frogs as well. With the lizards gone, there were now millions of insects bigger and nastier than ever. It was a bad time for crocodiles. They could not understand what had happened to their happy forest home.

Then the crocodiles understood the real problem. They were no longer so afraid of Makara. They sent urgent messages for the tortoises, snakes and lizards to come back to Pambupatti. It was a great day when all of them came back. In two months, the forest was back to normal.

Now Prem decided to return to his village and tell the story to his villagers. Some of them may laugh. Yet they may remember one day and understand that each of us has a place in the world. So for the welfare of his village, Prem wants to tell the story of reptiles to the people of his village.

⭐ Summary In Hindi:- 

प्रेम एक गाँव में रहता था। पिछले वर्ष वहाँ एक भयानक बात हुई। गाँव के लोग पागल हो गये। उन्होंने एक दूसरे से लड़ना प्रारंभ कर दिया। बहुत से घर जला दिए। बहुत से लोग मारे गये। अतः प्रेम अपने गाँव से भाग निकला। वह बड़ी देर तक भागता रहा और अंतत: पंबुपट्टी में पहुँच गया। उसने कुंए के पास कुछ ग्रामीणों को खड़े देखा। वह उनके पास दौड़ गया। इससे पहले कि वह कुछ बोल पाता वह मूर्छित हो गया।

जब उसकी आँखें खुलीं, उसने अपने आपको एक बूढ़े आदमी के पास पाया। शीघ्र ही दूसरे ग्रामीण भी उसके पास आ गये। वे सब बड़े दयालु थे। प्रेम ने उस बूढ़े से कहा कि उसने अपने जीवन में कभी ऐसा गाँव नहीं देखा था। उसका गाँव इससे एकदम अलग था। अन्य सभी ग्रामों में उसने लोगों को धर्म अथवा भाषा के नाम पर लड़ते देखा था। पंबुपट्टी के लोग शांति से रहते और एक-दूसरे की चिंता करते थे। इस प्रकार पंबुपट्टी किसी भी अन्य गाँव से अलग था। इस पर बूढे व्यक्ति ने प्रेम को एक कहानी सुनायी। उसने कहा कि अपने गाँव में पहुँचने पर प्रेम यह कहानी अपने गाँव में सुनाये। प्रेम ने इसका विरोध किया। वह अपने गाँव को न लौटने पर आमादा था। अपने गाँव के लोगों के व्यवहार पर वह अत्यधिक शर्मिदा था। फिर भी बूढ़े ने अपनी कहानी सुनाई।

यह घटना बहुत बहुत समय पहले की है। बच्चे अपने माता-पिता के साथ गुफाओं में रहते थे। जहाँ तक पशुओं की बात है वहाँ सिर्फ सरीसृप (रेंगने वाले प्राणी) ही थे। पंबुपट्टी के सारे सरीसृपों को हर महीने एक बड़ी सभा होती थी। जंगल का सबसे बड़ा मगर जिसका नाम माकर था, इन सभाओं में सभापति होता था। क्योंकि वह सबसे अधिक ताकतवाला था, सारे सरीसृप उसकी बात से सहमत हो जाते थे।

अब एक दिन माकर ने कछुओं को एक पत्र भेजा। उसने उनसे अगली सभा में न आने को कहा। अहिस्तय नामक एक कछुए को इस पर बड़ा क्रोध आया। फिर भी किसी कछुए की हिम्मत सभा में आने की नहीं हुई। सभा के पहले माकर ने अपने दाँतों को लाल रंग से रंग दिया जिससे वह दमदमाने लगे। सभा में उसने कहा कि जंगल को कछुओं की जरूरत नहीं है। जब किसी सरीसृप ने अपनी असहमति दिखाने का प्रयत्न किया तो माकर ने चीख कर उसे चुप करा दिया। उसने कहा कि कछुएं मूर्ख और आलसी हैं। वे इतने मूर्ख हैं कि अपने घरों को अपनी पीठ पर लेकर चलते हैं। फिर उसने घोषणा की कि उसने कछुओं को जंगल छोड़ने के लिए एक सप्ताह का समय दिया है|

इस प्रकार कछुओं को जाना पड़ा। पहले तो सारे जानवर कुछ दु:खी हुए। परन्तु शीघ्र ही उसके बाद वे खुश हो गये क्योंकि अब उनके पास अधिक भोजन, अधिक पानी और अधिक स्थान था। कुछ दिनों बाद ही सारे जंगल, में सड़ांध फैलने लगी।

एक महीना गुजर गया। अब बाहर निकाले जाने की बारी साँपों की थी। एक बार फिर कुछ समय के लिए जानवर प्रसन्न हो गये क्योंकि अब साँप से काटे जाने का उनका डर समाप्त हो गया था। कुछ दिन गुजरे और फिर पशुओं ने देखा कि उनके आस-पास चूहों की संख्या बहुत बढ़ गयी है। आखिर उन्हें खाने के लिए साँप नहीं थे। चूहों ने छिपकली और मगरमच्छ के अण्डों को खा लिया। उन्होंने माकर के अपने अण्डों का घोंसला भी खा डाला।

फिर माकर के दिमाग में एक और विचार आया। उसने मगरमच्छों को छोड़कर हर जानवर को जंगल से भाग जाने के लिए कहा। अब सब प्रकार की भयानक बातें होने लगीं। चूहों की हिम्मत और बढ़ गयी और अब मेंढक भी बहुत बढ़ गए थे। छिपकलियों के चले जाने से अब कीड़े लाखों की संख्या में बढ़ गये थे और ये पहले कभी की अपेक्षा कहीं अधिक बड़े और कष्टदायी भी थे। मगरमच्छों के लिए यह बुरा वक्त था। उनकी समझ में नहीं आ रहा था कि उनके खुशहाल जंगल-घर को आखिर हो क्या गया था।

अब मगरमच्छों को असली समस्या समझ में आ गयी। अब वे माकर से उतना डरते भी नहीं थे। उन्होंने कछुओं, साँपों और छिपकलियों के पास आवश्यक संदेश भेजा कि वे पंबुपट्टी में वापस आ जायें। वह महान दिन था जब वे सभी वापस आ गए। दो महीने के अंदर जंगल वापस पुरानी स्थिति में आ गया।

अब प्रेम ने निश्चय किया कि वह अपने गाँव वापस लौटेगा और अपने गाँववालों को यह कहानी सुनायेगा। हो सकता है उनमें से कुछ लोग हँसेंगे। फिर भी शायद वह इसे एक दिन याद करें और समझें कि इस संसार में हममें से प्रत्येक का एक स्थान है। अतः अपने गाँव की भलाई की खातिर, प्रेम सरीसृपों की कहानी अपने गाँव के लोगों को बताना चाहता है।

-- Word Meanings -- 

• Inhabited - बसा हुआ 

• Flees - भाग जाता है 

• Unfortunate - दुखःदायक 

• Resident - निवासी 

• Looks after - देखभाल करना  

• Edge - किनारा , सीमा 

• Cliff - टीला , पहाड़ी 

• Vast - विशाल 

• Stretches - फैला हुआ 

• Mossy - काई जैसा 

• Terrible - भयानक 

• Hate - घृणा 

• Violence - हिंसा , मारधाड़ 

• Fainted - मूर्छित हो गया 

• Rubbed - मालिश की 

• Sores - दुःखदायी 

• Anxiously - चिंतित होकर 

• Reptiles - रेंगने वाले जंतु 

• Grumpy - कर्कश 

• Hissed - फुंफकारने लगे 

• Rot - सड़ना 

• Pleaded - निवेदन किया 

• Slimy - चिपचिपे 

• Weird - भयानक  

• spit - थूक 

• Taken over - अधिकार जमा लेना 

• Chewed - चबा डाले 

• Clapped - तालियां बजाई 

• Awful - भयानक 

• Somersault - कलाबाजी 

• Nastier - घिनौने 

• Squeaky - तीख चीख जैसी 

• Piped up - चहचहाई 

• Crazy - अस्त व्यस्त 

• Nervous - बेचैन , घबराया 

• Familiar - पहले जैसा 

• Old self - जाना पहचाना 

• Keep at it - प्रयास करते रहना 

-- NCERT Solutions -- 

Question 1.- In what way is Pambupatti different from any other village?

Answer:- While the people in other villages clashed with one another, people of Painbupatti lived in peace. They did not fight in the name of religion or language. In this way, Pambupatti is different from any other village.

Question 2.- Why is Prem determined not to return to his village?

Answer:- Prem had left his village when the people had gone mad. They set the houses on fire and killed one another. So Prem is determined not to return to his village.

Question 3.- Why did Makara dislike tortoises, snakes and lizards? Write a line about each.

Answer:- Makara disliked tortoises because they were slow and stupid. They even carried their houses on their backs. He disliked snakes because they were slimy and they made funny noises. Makara hated lizards because they were undependable because they changed colour.

Question 4.- What went wrong when the tortoises, snakes and lizards left the forest?

Answer:- There came a tough time. The forest got filled with foul smell of rotting fruits and fishes in the absence of tortoises. Rats multiplied in the absence of snakes and without lizards, there were millions of insects in the forests.

Question 5.- Why do you think Prem wants to tell the story of the reptiles to the people of his village?

Answer:- The people of Prem’s village had gone mad. They fought with one another in the name of religion. The story of Pambupatti gave the message of peace and coexistence. It underlined the importance of living together. So Prem wanted to carry that message to his own village.

Question 6.- Do you agree that it is difficult not to go along with someone who is very strong and powerful? Express your views frankly and clearly.

Answer:- It is true that the common people are peace loving and weak. They live in constant fear of the strong and powerful. It is human nature to go with the strong, to be on the safe side. But the people also stand up against the bully when they are driven to the wall. They take up arms and fight the enemy successfully.

Question 7.- If you were a baby crocodile, would you tell Makara that he was wrong? What would you say to convince him?

Answer:- As a baby crocodile, I have a privilege to oppose my parents boldly. I would tell the elders that this world is a common property of all living creatures. To convince my dad, Makara, that he is wrong, I will give him a couple of reasons. First, it is the duty of the strong to protect the weak, and not to harass them. Secondly, this earth is not the sole property of any one person or animal. All are inter-dependent. Together, they make this earth a place worth-living.

-- Frequently Asked Questions --

Question 1.- What was it that made Prem leave his village?

Answer:- The communal riots in his village made life unsafe in the village. The people went mad, burnt houses and killed one another. So Prem left his village for good.

Question 2.- What surprised Prem in Pambupatti village?

Answer:- Prem had seen people in his village fighting in the name of religion or language. But in Pambupatti, there was no violence, not even tension. People lived in peace. They also cared for the welfare of even strangers. This was something surprising for Prem.

Question 3.- What happened to the reptiles in the forest once?

Answer:- The reptiles in the forest included crocodiles, snakes, turtles and lizards. Makara being strong and selfish, drove all other reptiles out. He got rid of turtles, snakes and lizards one by one. But this created the problem of frogs ‘ and rats and insects.

Question 4.- How did the forest become normal and peaceful again?

Answer:- It was a terrible time for the crocodiles. A small crocodile pointed out what had gone wrong. They knew that Makara was not all that strong and right. They called all their reptile friends back to Pambupatti. Their arrival marked the beginning of normal and peaceful life again in the forest.

Question 5.- Narrate the story of the reptiles as told by Zai Whitaker in not more than 80 words.

Answer:- Prem was a native of a village far from Pambupatti. Communal riots broke out and Prem left the village. He walked and got free lifts. He reached Pambupatti. There an old man told him a tale of reptiles—snakes, crocodiles, lizards and turtles. Makara, the biggest crocodile was the master of the forest. He became selfish and vain. He managed to get rid of all the cobras and other reptiles. As a result the forest was infested with rats. Awful things happened. The reptiles were welcomed back to strike a balance.

Question 6.- What is the story’s underlying message or advice to the readers? Do you also support the author’s view?

Answer:- The story of the reptiles is a myth but it has a moral and a message. This world belongs to all sorts of creatures. Together they keep a balance. Every kind of creature serves a useful purpose. It is sad that man is trying to kill all the species and rule over the world like a dictator. This is certainly not practicable or in his own interest. Our motto should be to ‘Live and Let Live’. 

-- By Durgesh Pandey

(Eklavya Coaching Institute)