The Unlikely Best Friends — NCERT Solutions

Concept: Opposites can be formed by adding prefixes such as un-, in-, dis-, mis- before a word.

Based on the story 'The Unlikely Best Friends', the opposites using prefixes are:

(Note: The actual puzzle grid image is not visible, but the above opposites are drawn from the story's vocabulary and the prefix examples given in the textbook.)

Concept: Use the opposite words formed with prefixes that were found in the puzzle.

Completed paragraph:

My pencil was missing. I was very unhappy as it was a gift from my friend. I woke up my elder brother who was sleeping on the bed. I told him that my pencil seemed to have disappeared. He smiled and told me to look under my pillow. I was relieved when I noticed the pencil there.

Concept:

• Simple Past Tense: Second form of the verb (action completed in the past).
• Past Progressive Tense: was/were + verb + ing (action was ongoing in the past).
• Past Perfect Tense: had + third form of the verb (action completed before another past action).

Concept: Choose the correct tense based on the context:

• Simple past for completed actions.
• Past perfect for actions completed before another past action.
• Past progressive for ongoing past actions.

Completed passage:

The farmer came back and noticed (Simple Past — he completed the action of noticing) that Buntee was sad. He had tied (Past Perfect — tying happened before he came back, i.e., 'the day before') Buntee with a rope the day before. He asked (Simple Past — completed action) Buntee why he was sad. The farmer felt (Simple Past — completed action) that Buntee was missing (Past Progressive — the missing was an ongoing feeling) Gajaraj and set him free.

Concept:

• Neither...nor — used to connect two negative choices. It means 'not this one and not that one either.'
• Either...or — used to connect two positive choices. It means 'one or the other.'

Explanation of given sentences:

1. Neither Shikha nor Anuj likes to tell stories.

— This means Shikha does not like to tell stories, and Anuj also does not like to tell stories. Both have a negative preference.

2. Either Bhavesh or Abha made this painting.

— This means the painting was made by Bhavesh or by Abha. One of the two made it.

Example sentences for practice:

• Neither the elephant nor the dog wanted to be separated.
• Either the mahout or the farmer will bring the food.
• Neither Rohit nor I want to play football.
• Rohit wants to play either cricket or kho-kho.

Note: This activity is based on a listening transcript (refer to page 71 of the textbook). Based on the transcript provided, the completed paragraph is:

The leopard is a wild animal but it became a friend of a cow. When the leopard grew up, it left the village. It came in the night to meet the cow. The leopard would sit beside/next to the cow. They also played together. People/Villagers were surprised at their friendship.

Note: This activity is based on the listening transcript. Based on the logical sequence of events in the story:

Note: This is a speaking activity. Below is a sample answer that students can use as a model:

Sample Response:

My friend's name is Priya. My friend and I like to play. Both of us want to play badminton after school. I like to read storybooks but my friend likes to draw and paint. We are different as she is very artistic and I am more interested in reading. However, we both love animals and enjoy watching nature documentaries together. Even though we are different in some ways, we are the best of friends — just like Gajaraj and Buntee!

Note: This is a creative writing activity. Below is a sample answer that students can adapt:

My Friend

My best friend's name is Arjun. Both Arjun and I like to play cricket in the evening. Like me, he also enjoys watching animated movies. However, I like to eat spicy food but Arjun likes sweet dishes. We are different in some ways — he is very calm and quiet, and I am energetic and talkative. Still, we are the best of friends and enjoy each other's company. Neither Arjun nor I like to miss our evening playtime together.

(Students should replace the sample details with their own friend's real information.)

Answer: The story 'The Elephant and the Dog' comes from the Jataka Tales, which are ancient Buddhist stories more than two thousand years old. They teach values like kindness, friendship, honesty, and wisdom.

Another famous Jataka story: 'The Monkey and the Crocodile'

A monkey lived on a fruit tree by a river. A crocodile became his friend and the monkey shared fruits with him. The crocodile's wife wanted to eat the monkey's heart. The crocodile tricked the monkey into sitting on his back to cross the river, then revealed the plan. The clever monkey said his heart was left on the tree and the crocodile turned back. The monkey jumped to safety. The story teaches us to be clever and to be careful about false friends.

(Students are encouraged to find and read any Jataka story from their school library or online resources.)

Points for class discussion:

Historical and cultural role of elephants in India:

• Elephants were used in warfare by kings and emperors (e.g., Chandragupta Maurya, Akbar).
• They are considered sacred in Hindu religion — Lord Ganesha has an elephant head.
• Elephants are used in festivals like temple processions (e.g., Thrissur Pooram in Kerala).
• They were symbols of royal power and prestige.

Contemporary ecological challenges:

• Habitat loss due to deforestation and human settlements has reduced elephant territory.
• Human-elephant conflict — elephants enter farmlands and villages, destroying crops.
• Poaching for ivory remains a serious threat.
• Climate change affects the availability of food and water for elephants.

What can be done:

• Protect elephant corridors and forests.
• Raise awareness about coexistence.
• Strict laws against poaching.

(This is a discussion activity — students should share their own views in class.)

Answer — Reflection on the news report:

The real-life story of Tarra and Bella is a beautiful example of an unlikely friendship, just like Gajaraj and Buntee in our story.

Key facts from the report:

• Tarra is an elephant and Bella is a dog — two very different animals.
• Bella wandered into the elephant sanctuary and became Tarra's friend.
• Tarra spent most of her time with Bella.
• When Bella was injured and kept indoors for three weeks, Tarra stood outside the building waiting for her — showing deep loyalty and love.
• When they finally met, both were very happy.

What this teaches us:
This story shows that true friendship has no boundaries — not of size, species, or background. Just as Gajaraj waited for Buntee and refused to eat, Tarra waited outside for three weeks for Bella. Both stories remind us that friendship is about love, loyalty, and caring for each other, no matter how different we may be.