Question

Long long ago, in a big forest, there were many trees. Among the cluster of trees, there was a very

tall pine tree. He was so tall that he could talk to the stars in the sky. He could easily look over the heads

of the other trees. One day late in the evening, the pine tree saw a ragged, skinny girl approaching him. He

could see her only because of his height. The little girl was in tears. The pine tree bent as much as he

could and asked her, ‘‘What is the matter ? Why are you crying ?’’

The little girl, still sobbing, replied, ‘‘I was gathering flowers for a garland for goddess Durga, who I

believe, would help my parents to overcome their poverty and I have lost my way’’. The pine tree said to

the little girl, ‘‘It is late evening. It will not be possible for you to return to your house, which is at the

other end of the forest. Sleep for the night at this place.’’ The pine tree pointed out to an open cave like

place under him. The little girl was frightened of wild animals. The girl quickly crept into the cave like

place. The pine tree was happy and pleased with himself. He stood like a soldier guarding the place. The

little girl woke up in the morning and was amazed to see the pine tree standing as a guard outside the

cave. Then her gaze travelled to the heap of the flowers that she had gathered the previous night. The

flowers lay withering on the ground. The pine tree understood what was going on in the girl’s mind. He

wrapped his branches around the nearby flower trees and shook them gently. The little girl’s eyes

brightened. But a great surprise awaited her. The pine tree brought out a bag full of gold coins which had

been lying for years in the hole in its trunk and gave it to the girl. With teary eyes, she thanked her

benefactor and went away.

On the basis of your reading of the above passage, answer the following questions briefly.

1. Why was the little girl crying? (2)

2. Where did the pine tree want the little girl to sleep for the night? (2)

3. Why was the little girl disappointed when she looked at the flowers and what did the tree do to make

her happy? (2)

4. What lesson does this short story teach us? (2)

5. What is meant by the word ‘Cluster’? (para 1) (1)

a. group b. team c. class d. party

6. What is meant by the word ‘Withering’? (para 2) (1)

a. Dead b. shrunk c. colourless d. unhappy​

Answer 1

Answer:

tall pine tree. He was so tall that he could talk to the stars in the sky. He could easily look over the heads

of the other trees. One day late in the evening, the pine tree saw a ragged, skinny girl approaching him. He

could see her only because of his height. The little girl was in tears. The pine tree bent as much as he

could and asked her, ‘‘What is the matter ? Why are you crying ?’’

The little girl, still sobbing, replied, ‘‘I was gathering flowers for a garland for goddess Durga, who I