Q1.
Let us Read — The Old Stag. Read the story and understand what happens in it.
Answer
Here is the whole story, part by part. Read your book first, then check yourself with this.
- A kind old stag (page 43). In a lush forest lived an old stag. He was known for his kindness. Each day he warmly greeted his fellow animals and birds. The forest had plenty of food, but he liked to stay on a small hillock covered with soft, tender grass. Every day he came down to meet his friends, and all the animals and birds loved him.
- He falls ill (page 44). One day the stag fell ill. He struggled to reach the hillock. He knew that fresh, healthy food and proper rest would help him get well soon. So he ate the tender grass and decided to rest for a while. He could not go down to greet his friends.
- The friends come (page 44). His friends were worried. When they learnt he was unwell, they came to check on him. “Dear stag! How are you?” asked a deer. “Too weak to come down and meet you all,” replied the stag. They wished him a speedy recovery and left — but before going back, they ate the fresh green grass of the hillock.
- The grass disappears (page 45). The elephant said, “The grass is so tender and nice.” The giraffe said, “I have never eaten such juicy green leaves.” Word spread. Everyone who came to visit the stag feasted on the grass. Soon there was not much left, and the stag grew weaker day by day.
- They put it right (pages 45–46). His friends felt ashamed. They realised how their greed had made them forget about their friend. They decided to find food elsewhere in the forest and not disturb the hillock. Some of them also brought fresh leaves for him.
- A happy ending (page 46). It rained well that week. The grass grew back and the old stag had enough food again. Slowly he recovered from his illness.
The lesson the animals learnt: “Nature has enough for everybody. But we need to use its resources wisely.” The hillock could have fed the stag and his friends. It ran out only because everyone took as much as they liked, without thinking.
Did you know? This story is adapted from The Panchatantra, a very old Indian collection of animal stories. In a Panchatantra tale the animals talk and behave like people, and each story leaves us with one clear lesson.
Tip while reading: Notice the two turning points. The first is when the animals start eating the grass. The second is when they feel ashamed and stop. A good story usually turns twice like this.