Uncle Owl

B) Answer these questions:

1. Why were the rats becoming a problem for the villagers?
Ans: The rats were spoiling the wheat, chewing holes in clothes, and leaving garbage in the yards.

2. How did the two young men find Uncle Owl?
Ans: They searched many villages and found Uncle Owl sitting under a big banyan tree.

3. Why were the villagers surprised to see Uncle Owl in their village?
Ans: Because no one saw him coming along the village road.

4. Uncle Owl offered to help the villagers, but he had one condition. What was it?
Ans: He told everyone to stay indoors at night and warned them not to step out.

5. How did Uncle Owl help to get rid of the rats from the village?
Ans: The owls dropped rats on Uncle Owl’s shawl, and it magically folded up and made the rats disappear into the soil.

C) Answer with reference to the context:

1. ‘We need to ask Uncle Owl for his help. Only he can save us!’

a) Who said these words?
i) the villagers    ii) the two young men    iii) the owls    iv) the children
Ans: ii) the two young men

b) Why did the speaker need Uncle Owl’s help?
i) because the owls were creating problems    ii) because the two young men were creating problems    iii) because the cats were creating problems    iv) because the rats were creating problems
Ans: iv) because the rats were creating problems

c) Where did Uncle Owl live?
i) far away in the hills beyond the village    ii) in the big field near the village    iii) under the banyan tree of the village    iv) on the banyan tree of the village
Ans: i) far away in the hills beyond the village

d) How did the young men recognise Uncle Owl?
i) He was sitting under a banyan tree that had many owls.    ii) He was sitting under a banyan tree that had many rats.    iii) He was sitting under a banyan tree that had many crows.    iv) He was sitting under a banyan tree that had many parrots.
Ans: i) He was sitting under a banyan tree that had many owls.

2.‘If anyone steps out, they will be in great danger.’

a) Who said these words and to whom?
Ans: Uncle Owl said this to the villagers.

b) What was the speaker going to do?
Ans: He was going to get rid of the rats from the village.

c) Why do you think the speaker gave such a warning?
Ans: Because it could be dangerous to watch or disturb the magic he was going to perform.

d) Do you think it is right for the speaker to give such a warning? Give reasons.
Ans: Yes, it was right. Uncle Owl wanted to keep everyone safe while he removed the rats.

D) Think and Write

1. What question did Uncle Owl ask the two men? Why do you think did he ask that question?
Ans: He asked if they had a banyan tree in their village. He asked this because owls live in banyan trees, and he needed a place for the owls.

2. Nobody saw Uncle Owl take the road to come to the village. Why?
Ans: Because Uncle Owl came by magic, not by road.

3. What do you think happened to the two young men? Give reasons for your answer.
Ans: The two young men may have been turned into owls because they disobeyed Uncle Owl and watched him at night.

4. Uncle Owl had warned the people to stay indoors, yet the two men disobeyed. Do you think it is wrong for the men to disobey an elder? Give reasons for your answer.
Ans: Yes, it is wrong. We should always listen to elders because they guide us for our safety.

Grammar

Now, put these words in the correct order and write them on the line:

1. Father / bought / a / new / car
Ans: Father bought a new car.

2. My / aunt / lives / in / Noida
Ans: My aunt lives in Noida.

3. Rajat / will / play / football / tomorrow
Ans: Rajat will play football tomorrow.

4. He / drew / beautiful / pictures
Ans: He drew beautiful pictures.

5. Sarla / will / write / an / essay / tomorrow
Ans: Sarla will write an essay tomorrow.

6. My / mother / teaches / English / at / school
Ans: My mother teaches English at school.