The Banyan Tree Class 6 NCERT Summary Analysis Questions Answers
Written by Tanmoy Kumar Bhattacharjya
The Banyan Tree Class 6 NCERT Chapter 8 Honeysuckle Summary, Analysis, Questions Answers
In this article you will get a detailed summary, analysis and questions answers of the story "The Banyan Tree" written by Ruskin Bond. It is included in Class 6 NCERT syllabus.
The Banyan Tree
Class VI NCERT English Chapter 8 Honeysuckle
Introduction to the Story "The Banyan Tree" Class 6 NCERT English Chapter 8
In a place filled with Grandma and Grandpa's house and a big yard, there was something truly special waiting to be discovered by a young child. It was a magnificent old banyan tree, standing tall and proud, with its branches spreading out like a welcoming embrace. This tree, older than anything else around, became a source of endless joy and excitement for the child. It offered a world of hidden passages and secret hideaways, where squirrels, snails, and butterflies became trusted companions. From its branches, the child could spy on the world below, feeling a sense of wonder and adventure. Let's embark on a journey into the magical world of this extraordinary banyan tree, where friendships were formed, books were read, and even the wildest of animal encounters were witnessed.
Summary of the Story " The Banyan Tree" Class VI NCERT English Chapter 8 Honeysuckle
Part I Summary:
The story revolves around a young protagonist and their special bond with an ancient banyan tree on their grandparents' property. The tree, with its sprawling branches that reached the ground and formed passages, became a source of joy and exploration for the child. Initially, the child befriends a small grey squirrel, earning its trust by offering food. As the friendship grows, the squirrel even starts searching the child's pockets for treats.
During spring, the banyan tree attracts various birds with its red figs, creating a lively and noisy atmosphere. The child builds a simple platform halfway up the tree, where they spend afternoons reading books from their makeshift tree library, which includes titles like Treasure Island, Huckleberry Finn, and The Story of Dr Dolittle.
One memorable afternoon, the child witnesses a thrilling encounter between a mongoose and a cobra from their elevated perch in the tree. This event adds to the excitement and wonder of their experiences in the banyan tree.
Overall, the story portrays the child's deep connection to nature and the magical world they create within the branches of the magnificent banyan tree.
Part II Summary
The passage describes a confrontation between a black cobra and a grey mongoose in a garden. The scene is set in the approaching summer, with everyone seeking shelter from the warm breezes indoors. The narrator contemplates going for a swim but is captivated by the sight of a large cobra emerging from a clump of cactus. Simultaneously, a mongoose appears from the bushes and confronts the cobra.
The confrontation takes place in a clearing beneath a banyan tree, with the sun shining brightly. Both the cobra and the mongoose are acknowledged as formidable fighters. The cobra possesses deadly venom and lightning-fast striking abilities, while the mongoose is known for its cleverness and aggression. The stage is set for a battle between two champions.
As the cobra raises three of its six feet off the ground, spreading its broad hood and hissing in defiance, the mongoose responds by bushing its tail and raising the hair on its spine. The two combatants are unaware of the narrator's presence in the tree, but they soon become aware of two other spectators: a myna and a jungle crow. These birds settle on the cactus to observe the battle, but their involvement will prove to be consequential.
The cobra adopts a defensive stance, swaying from side to side in an attempt to mesmerize the mongoose and provoke a mistake. However, the mongoose avoids meeting the cobra's gaze and focuses its attention just below the cobra's hood. With a sudden attack, the mongoose moves forward, feigns a sideways maneuver, and swiftly bites the cobra on the back before retreating out of reach.
Simultaneously, as the cobra strikes, the myna and the crow, unable to resist the temptation of participating, launch themselves at the snake. In their haste, the birds collide mid-air and return to the cactus, squawking insults at each other. A few drops of blood become visible on the cobra's back.
The cycle of striking and missing continues in subsequent rounds, with the mongoose evading the cobra's attacks and retaliating with swift bites. The birds repeatedly attempt to intervene but only end up colliding with each other. During the third round, the crow fails to maneuver successfully, allowing the cobra to strike with force against its body. The crow is flung a significant distance and lies motionless, while the myna wisely decides not to interfere again.
The cobra weakens over time, and the fearless mongoose approaches it, raising itself on its legs and quickly grabbing the snake by the snout. Despite the cobra's writhing and coiling attempts, the mongoose holds on tenaciously until the snake stops struggling. The mongoose then drags the defeated snake into the bushes.
As the fight concludes, the myna cautiously descends to the ground, hops around, and peers into the bushes from a safe distance. Finally, with a shrill cry of congratulations, the myna flies away, recognizing the mongoose's victory.
Detailed Analysis of "The Banyan Tree" Class 6 NCERT English
Passage:
1. THOUGH the house and grounds belonged
to my grandparents, the magnificent old
banyan tree was mine — chiefly because
Grandfather, at sixty-five, could no
longer climb it.
Analysis:
The narrator begins by describing a house and grounds that belong to their grandparents. However, the focal point of the narrator's attention and ownership is the magnificent old banyan tree. They claim it as their own because their sixty-five-year-old grandfather is no longer able to climb it. This establishes a sense of ownership and connection between the narrator and the tree, setting the stage for the importance of the tree in their life.
passage:
2. Its spreading branches, which hung
to the ground and took root again,
forming a number of twisting passages,
gave me endless pleasure. Among them
were squirrels and snails and
butterflies. The tree was older than the
house, older than Grandfather, as old
as Dehra Dun itself. I could hide myself
in its branches, behind thick green
leaves, and spy on the world below.
Analysis: The narrator describes the remarkable features of the banyan tree. Its spreading branches hang down to the ground and take root, creating twisting passages. This provides the narrator with endless pleasure as they explore these passages. The branches also serve as habitats for squirrels, snails, and butterflies, adding to the tree's enchantment. The narrator emphasizes the age of the tree, stating that it predates the house and even their grandfather, making it as old as the town of Dehra Dun itself. The narrator's ability to hide in the tree's branches and observe the world below highlights their sense of adventure and escapism.
Passage:
3. My first friend was a small grey
squirrel. Arching his back and sniffing
into the air, he seemed at first to resent
my invasion of his privacy. But when
he found that I did not arm myself with
catapult or air gun, he became friendly,
and when I started bringing him pieces
of cake and biscuit he grew quite bold
and was soon taking morsels from hand.
Before long, he was delving into my
pockets and helping himself to whatever
he could find. He was a very young
squirrel, and his friends and relatives probably thought him foolish and
headstrong.
Analysis: Here, the narrator introduces their first friend, a small grey squirrel. Initially, the squirrel appears wary of the narrator's presence, but upon realizing they pose no threat, the squirrel becomes friendly. The narrator builds a bond with the squirrel by offering it pieces of cake and biscuit, leading to the squirrel growing bolder and taking food directly from the narrator's hand. The squirrel's actions indicate its trust and comfort in the narrator's presence. The narrator also suggests that the squirrel's behavior might be seen as foolish and headstrong by its friends and relatives, hinting at the narrator's unique connection with this particular squirrel.
Passage: In the spring, when the banyan tree
was full of small red figs, birds of all
kinds would flock into its branches: the
red-bottomed bulbul, cheerful and
greedy; parrots, myna and crows
squabbling with one another. During the
fig season, the banyan tree was the
noisiest place in the garden.
5. Halfway up the tree I had built a
crude platform where I would spend the
afternoons when it was not too hot. I
could read there propping myself up
against the tree with a cushion from the
living room. Treasure Island, Huckleberry
Finn and The Story of Dr Dolittle were some of the books that made up my
banyan tree library.
6. When I did not feel like reading, I
could look down through the leaves at
the world below. And on one particular
afternoon I had a grandstand view of
that classic of the Indian wilds, a fight
between a mongoose and a cobra.
Analysis :
The given passage describes the vibrant atmosphere around a banyan tree during the spring season. It paints a vivid picture of birds flocking to the tree, particularly when it is adorned with small red figs. The banyan tree becomes a lively and noisy place, with birds such as the red-bottomed bulbul, parrots, myna, and crows gathering and squabbling with one another. This imagery highlights the significance of the banyan tree as a focal point of activity in the garden during the fig season.
The narrator then mentions a crude platform halfway up the tree, where they would spend their afternoons. This platform serves as a peaceful retreat, where the narrator could engage in reading. The use of a cushion from the living room indicates a makeshift and comfortable reading setup against the sturdy support of the banyan tree. The mention of specific books like "Treasure Island," "Huckleberry Finn," and "The Story of Dr Dolittle" suggests the variety and enjoyment the narrator derives from their banyan tree library.
Moreover, the passage takes a different direction as it describes an event that occurred when the narrator chose not to read. They mention having a view from the tree, looking down through the leaves, which becomes a vantage point for witnessing a battle between a mongoose and a cobra. This unexpected and thrilling encounter with nature further emphasizes the allure and excitement of the banyan tree and its surroundings.
Passage:
7. The warm breezes of approaching
summer had sent everyone, including
the gardener, into the house. I was
feeling drowsy myself, wondering if I
should go to the pond and have a swim
with Ramu and the buffaloes, when I
saw a huge black cobra gliding out of a
clump of cactus. At the same time a
mongoose emerged from the bushes and
went straight for the cobra.
8. In a clearing beneath the banyan
tree, in bright sunshine, they came
face to face. The cobra knew only too
well that the grey mongoose, three
feet long, was a superb fighter, clever
and aggressive. But the cobra, too,
was a skilful and experienced fighter.
He could move swiftly and strike with
the speed of light; and the sacs
behind his long sharp fangs were full
of deadly poison. It was to be a battle
of champions.
Analysis:
During the warm summer, everyone, including the gardener, went inside because of the approaching summer. I was also feeling sleepy and considering going for a swim in the pond with Ramu and the buffaloes. However, I saw a big black cobra coming out of a group of cactus. At the same time, a mongoose came out of the bushes and confronted the cobra. They faced each other in a sunny area below the banyan tree. The cobra knew that the mongoose was a skilled and aggressive fighter, while the cobra itself was also experienced and swift, with deadly poison in its fangs. It was going to be a battle between two champions.
Passage:
9. . Hissing defiance, his forked tongue
darting in and out, the cobra raised
three of his six feet off the ground, and
spread his broad, spectacled hood. The
mongoose bushed his tail. The long hair
on his spine stood up.
10. Though the combatants were
unaware of my presence in the tree, they
were soon made aware of the arrival of
two other spectators. One was a myna,
the other a jungle crow. They had seen
these preparations for battle, and had
settled on the cactus to watch the
outcome. Had they been content only
to watch, all would have been well with
both of them.
Analysis:
there is a cobra and a mongoose getting ready to fight. The cobra is hissing and sticking out its tongue, while the mongoose is raising its hair and tail. They are unaware that there are two other animals, a myna and a jungle crow, watching them from a cactus. Everything would have been fine if the myna and crow had just watched without getting involved.
Passage:
The cobra stood on the defensive,
swaying slowly from side to side, trying
to mesmerise the mongoose into making
a false move. But the mongoose knew
the power of his opponent’s glassy,
unwinking eyes, and refused to meet
them. Instead he fixed his gaze at a point
just below the cobra’s hood, and opened
the attack.
12. Moving forward quickly until he was
just within the cobra’s reach, the
mongoose made a pretended move to
one side. Immediately the cobra struck.
His great hood came down so swiftly
that I thought nothing could save the
mongoose. But the little fellow jumped
neatly to one side, and darted in as
swiftly as the cobra, biting the snake
on the back and darting away again
out of reach.
13. At the same moment that the cobra
struck, the crow and the myna hurled
themselves at him, only to collide heavily
in mid-air. Shrieking insults at each
other they returned to the cactus plant.
A few drops of blood glistened on the
cobra’s back.
14. The cobra struck and missed. Again
the mongoose sprang aside, jumped in
and bit. Again the birds dived at the
snake, bumped into each other instead,
and returned shrieking to the safety of
the cactus.
Analysis:
there is a cobra and a mongoose facing each other. The cobra tries to hypnotize the mongoose with its swaying movements and eyes, but the mongoose is smart and avoids looking directly at the cobra's eyes. Instead, the mongoose focuses on a spot below the cobra's hood and attacks. It quickly moves forward, and when the cobra strikes, the mongoose dodges and bites the snake on its back. Meanwhile, a crow and a myna bird also try to attack the cobra but end up colliding in mid-air and returning to safety. The cobra misses its strikes again, and the mongoose continues to dodge and bite, while the birds make unsuccessful attempts to attack.
Passage:
The third round followed the same
course as the first but with one dramatic
difference. The crow and the myna, still
determined to take part in the
proceedings, dived at the cobra; but this
time they missed each other as well as
their mark. The myna flew on and
reached its perch, but the crow tried to
pull up in mid-air and turn back. In the
second that it took the bird to do this
the cobra whipped his head back and
struck with great force, his snout
thudding against the crow’s body.
16. I saw the bird flung nearly twenty feet
across the garden. It fluttered about for
a while, then lay still. The myna
remained on the cactus plant, and when the snake and the mongoose returned
to the fight, very wisely decided not to
inter fere again! The cobra was
weakening, and the mongoose, walking
fearlessly up to it, raised himself on his
short legs and with a lightning snap had
the big snake by the snout. The cobra
writhed and lashed about in a
frightening manner, and even coiled
itself about the mongoose, but to no
avail. The little fellow hung grimly on,
until the snake had ceased to struggle.
He then smelt along its quivering length,
gripped it round the hood, and dragged
it into the bushes.
17. The myna dropped cautiously to
the ground, hopped about, peered
into the bushes from a safe distance,
and then, with a shrill cry of
congratulation, flew away.
Analysis:
during the third round of a confrontation, a crow and a myna attempt to attack a cobra. However, they miss their target and each other. The myna manages to escape and return to its perch, but the crow tries to retreat. In that moment, the cobra strikes the crow forcefully, throwing it across the garden. The myna wisely decides not to interfere anymore. The cobra, weakened, is then approached fearlessly by a mongoose. The mongoose quickly seizes the cobra by the snout and holds on tightly until the snake stops struggling. Afterward, the myna cautiously observes from a distance, congratulates the mongoose with a cry, and flies away.
Extra Questions Answers from The Banyan Tree Class 6 NCERT English Chapter 8 Honeysuckle
1. Whose house and grounds did the banyan tree belong to?
The house and grounds belonged to the narrator's grandparents.
2. What creatures could be found among the banyan tree's branches?
Squirrels, snails, and butterflies could be found among the branches.
3. How did the narrator become friends with a squirrel?
The narrator didn't harm the squirrel and started feeding it pieces of cake and biscuit, which made the squirrel trust and befriend the narrator.
4. Which birds would flock to the banyan tree during the fig season?
Bulbuls, parrots, mynas, and crows would flock to the banyan tree during the fig season.
5.
Where did the narrator spend their afternoons in the banyan tree?
The narrator spent their afternoons on a crude platform halfway up the tree, reading books and propping themselves against the tree with a cushion.
6.
What did the narrator witness from the tree one afternoon?
The narrator witnessed a fight between a mongoose and a cobra.
7.
Why did everyone, including the gardener, go into the house?
They went into the house because the warm breezes of approaching summer had arrived.
8.
Describe the confrontation between the mongoose and the cobra.
The mongoose and the cobra faced each other in a clearing beneath the banyan tree. The cobra tried to mesmerize the mongoose, but the mongoose was cautious. The cobra struck, but the mongoose dodged and bit the snake on the back. The fight continued with the cobra striking and missing, while the birds, a crow and a myna, tried to attack but collided with each other instead.
9. What happened to the crow during the fight?
The crow tried to attack the cobra but was struck by the cobra's head and flung about twenty feet across the garden. It fluttered for a while and then lay still.
10. What did the mongoose do when the cobra weakened?
The mongoose walked fearlessly up to the weakened cobra, grabbed it by the snout, and hung on until the snake stopped struggling. It then dragged the snake into the bushes.
11. How did the myna react to the mongoose's victory?
The myna cautiously dropped to the ground, hopped around, peered into the bushes from a safe distance, and then flew away with a shrill cry of congratulations.
Long Questions Answers from The Banyan Tree Class 6 NCERT English Honeysuckle
1. Whose house and grounds did the banyan tree belong to?
The banyan tree belonged to the narrator's grandparents. Although the house and grounds were owned by them, the tree felt like it belonged to the narrator because their grandfather, who was sixty-five and unable to climb the tree, couldn't claim ownership of it.
2.
What creatures could be found among the banyan tree's branches?
The banyan tree's branches were a bustling habitat for various creatures. Squirrels, snails, and butterflies were among the inhabitants that the narrator would often come across while exploring the tree. The twisting passages formed by the branches, which hung to the ground and took root again, provided a delightful home for these creatures.
3. How did the narrator become friends with a squirrel?
The narrator's first friend in the banyan tree was a small grey squirrel. At first, the squirrel seemed annoyed by the narrator's presence, viewing it as an invasion of privacy. However, as the narrator didn't pose a threat with any harmful tools, the squirrel gradually became friendly. The bond strengthened when the narrator started offering the squirrel pieces of cake and biscuit. The squirrel grew bold and even began taking food directly from the narrator's hand.
4. Which birds would flock to the banyan tree during the fig season?
During the fig season, the banyan tree became a bustling hub of avian activity. Birds of various kinds would flock to the tree's branches. Among them were the red-bottomed bulbul, known for its cheerful and greedy nature, as well as parrots, mynas, and crows, often engaged in squabbles with each other. The tree's branches resonated with the lively chatter of these birds, making it the noisiest place in the garden during that time.
5. Where did the narrator spend their afternoons in the banyan tree?
To escape the heat and find solace, the narrator built a crude platform halfway up the banyan tree. It became their retreat during the afternoons when the temperature was bearable. With a cushion from the living room, the narrator propped themselves against the tree and indulged in reading. The banyan tree library consisted of books like Treasure Island, Huckleberry Finn, and The Story of Dr. Dolittle.
6.
What did the narrator witness from the tree one afternoon?
One afternoon, from their vantage point in the banyan tree, the narrator had a front-row seat to a thrilling encounter between a mongoose and a cobra. The warm breezes of approaching summer had driven everyone, including the gardener, into the house, leaving the garden deserted. It was during this moment of tranquility that the massive black cobra emerged from a clump of cactus, followed by the appearance of a mongoose from the nearby bushes, setting the stage for an epic showdown.
7. Why did everyone, including the gardener, go into the house?
The arrival of warm breezes signaling the approach of summer prompted everyone, including the gardener, to seek refuge indoors. The rising temperature made it uncomfortable to stay outside, causing drowsiness and the desire for a respite. The narrator, too, felt the drowsiness taking hold and contemplated joining Ramu and the buffaloes for a swim in the pond. However, they were captivated by the unfolding drama between the mongoose and the cobra, which kept them rooted in the banyan tree.
8. Describe the confrontation between the mongoose and the cobra.
The mongoose and the cobra faced each other in a clearing beneath the banyan tree, bathed in bright sunshine. The cobra, aware of the mongoose's reputation as a superb fighter, attempted to mesmerize it with its swaying movements and hypnotic gaze. The cobra raised three of its six feet off the ground, spreading its spectacled hood in a display of defiance. The mongoose, undeterred by the cobra's menacing presence, bristled its tail, causing the hair on its spine to stand up, signifying readiness for battle.
9. What happened to the crow during the fight?
As the fight ensued between the mongoose and the cobra, two additional spectators, a myna bird and a jungle crow, arrived to witness the confrontation. These birds settled on the nearby cactus plant, intending to watch the outcome of the battle. Unfortunately, their eagerness to participate resulted in a mid-air collision between the crow and the myna. The crow was sent flying across the garden, fluttering briefly before lying still, presumably injured or unconscious.
10. What did the mongoose do when the cobra weakened?
As the fight progressed, the cobra gradually weakened, providing an opportunity for the mongoose to seize the advantage. Fearlessly, the mongoose approached the cobra and grabbed it firmly by the snout, refusing to let go even as the snake thrashed and coiled around it. The mongoose's grip remained unyielding until the cobra ceased to struggle. Once the snake was subdued, the victorious mongoose explored its defeated opponent before dragging it away into the bushes.
11. How did the myna react to the mongoose's victory?
Upon witnessing the mongoose's victory and the subsequent triumph over the cobra, the myna bird, which had cautiously observed from the safety of the cactus plant, decided it was time to rejoin the scene. It descended to the ground, hopped around curiously, and peered into the bushes from a safe distance. Finally, with a shrill cry of congratulations, the myna took flight, presumably celebrating the mongoose's successful conquest.
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