1.2 Self Help is the Only Way
Complete textbook exercise solutions — Maharashtra State Board (Balbharati), Grade Six English.
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About the chapter
This story is about a mother lark and her young ones. They live in a nest in a field of ripe corn. The farmer first depends on his neighbours and then on his relatives to reap the corn. The wise mother lark knows that the work will be done only when the farmer decides to do it himself.
Key points
- The larks lived in a cozy nest in a cornfield.
- The farmer first planned to call his neighbours, and then his relatives.
- The mother lark was not worried while the farmer depended on others.
- When the farmer decided to reap the corn himself, the larks left the nest.
- Message: self-help is the best help. Work that we do ourselves gets done.
Words to remember
- cozy – warm and comfortable
- reap – to cut and gather a crop
- lark – a small singing bird
- depend – to rely on someone else
- relatives – members of one’s family, like uncles and cousins
(i) Where did the family of larks live?
The family of larks lived in a cozy nest in a field of ripe corn.
(ii) Why did the mother lark go outside?
The mother lark went outside to find food for her children.
(iii) What made the mother lark decide that it was time for them to leave the nest?
At first, the farmer depended on his neighbours and then on his relatives. So the mother lark knew there was no danger. On the third day, the farmer said he would reap the corn himself. Now the mother lark knew the work would surely be done. So she decided it was time to leave the nest.
(iv) How can you apply the lesson of ‘Self-Help’ to your studies or personal goals?
The lesson teaches us to do our own work. I should complete my homework myself. I should revise on my own and make my own notes. If I depend on others, my work will be delayed. If I do it myself, it gets done on time and I learn better.
(v) Do you think the farmer would have reaped the corn if he had relied on his neighbours and relatives? Why or why not?
No, he would not have reaped the corn in time. The neighbours did not come. The relatives were busy with their own crops. The corn was reaped only when the farmer decided to do it himself.
- The mother lark — wise, calm, alert and caring.
- The young larks — obedient, but easily frightened.
- The farmer — hard-working in the end, but at first he depended on others.
- (i) keep your eyes and ears open — When you travel alone in a new city, keep your eyes and ears open.
- (ii) at any cost — I must reach the examination hall on time at any cost.
Alternative ending
On the very first day, the farmer came to the field with his sons. He said, “The corn is ready. We will not wait for anyone. We will reap it ourselves tomorrow.”
The young larks told their mother what they had heard. This time the mother lark did not smile. She said, “We must leave tonight. This man means what he says.”
Before morning, the larks flew to a safe hedge. The next day, the farmer reaped all the corn. The larks were safe because they acted at once.
This is a discussion and collection project. Students should collect their own newspaper cuttings and discuss the reasons in class.
Points for discussion: cutting of forests · roads and buildings in forest areas · shortage of food and water in forests in summer · garbage near villages that attracts animals.
- (i) I saw an elephant walking through the forest.
- (ii) The sun rises in the east.
- (iii) She is reading an interesting book about wildlife.
- (iv) The largest mammal on Earth is the blue whale.
- (v) I’m reading a book about the Amazon rainforest.
- (vi) An apple a day keeps the doctor away.
Remember: Use an before a vowel sound (an elephant, an apple), a before a consonant sound (a book), and the when the thing is specific or already known (the sun, the largest mammal).
This is a drawing and creative activity. Students should prepare their own poster.
Slogans students may use: “Save birds, save nature.” · “Keep a water bowl out this summer.” · “Plant a tree — build a nest.” · “No trees, no birds, no us.”