1.2. Dick Whittington and his Cat - Std 8th - Balbharati

Author: Traditional / Folk Tale

Genre: Inspirational Folk Tale

Textbook: English Kumarbharati – Class 8

Board: Maharashtra State Board

English Summary

Dick Whittington was a poor orphan boy who heard that the streets of London were paved with gold. He travelled to London hoping for fortune, but only found hunger and suffering. A kind merchant, Mr. Fitzwarren, offered him food, work, and shelter. Dick’s attic was overrun with rats, but he solved the problem by buying a cat. Later, his cat was sent on a trading ship and freed an African kingdom from a plague of rats. The king paid a huge price for the cat, making Dick wealthy. He married Alice, Mr. Fitzwarren’s daughter, became a respected merchant, and was elected Lord Mayor of London three times. In time, he was knighted by the king. His story proves that courage, honesty, and perseverance can change one’s destiny.

Theme / Central Idea

The story conveys that determination, honesty, and kindness can overcome even the toughest hardships. It motivates youngsters to face struggles with patience and inspires them to believe that success comes through courage and perseverance.

Character Sketches

Dick Whittington

• Poor orphan boy, hopeful and ambitious.

• Faced hunger, cruelty, and insults with courage.

• Bought a cat to solve his problem of rats.

• Rose to become rich, kind, and Lord Mayor of London.

  
  

Mr. Fitzwarren

• Wealthy and generous merchant.

• Helped Dick when he was starving and weak.

• Gave him food, shelter, and work.

• Encouraged him and became a guiding figure.

  
  

The Cat

• Faithful companion of Dick.

• Excellent mouser who chased away rats.

• Freed an entire kingdom from the plague of mice.

• Became the reason for Dick’s fortune and success.

  
  

Word Meanings

Grammar Questions (5)

1. Infinitive / Gerund

   Sentence: “I would like to be Lord Mayor.”

   Infinitive: to be

   Explanation: Here “to be” shows Dick’s ambition and is used as the object of the verb “like.”

   
   

2. Passive Voice / Indirect Speech

   Active: The captain sold the cat for a high amount.Passive: The cat was sold by the captain for a high amount.

   Explanation: The subject and object are interchanged, and the verb changes form in passive voice.

   
   

3. Modal Auxiliary

   Sentence: “You must work if you need food.”

   Must indicates compulsion and necessity. It expresses that working is the only option to survive.

   
   

4. Tense Change

   Direct: Dick said, “I have no home.”Indirect: Dick said that he had no home.

   Explanation: Present tense changes to past tense in indirect speech.

   
   

5. Wh-Question Framing

   Statement: Dick bought a cat.Question: Why did Dick buy a cat?

   Explanation: The wh-word “Why” is used to ask the reason behind Dick’s action.

Personal Response Questions (5)

1. Decision of Dick to go to London – is it wise?

   The decision of Dick to go to London shows his courage and ambition. Although he was young and poor, he dared to dream of a better life. Such bold decisions can be risky, but they also open doors for progress. His choice teaches us that taking chances is often necessary for success, but guidance and patience are equally important.

   
   

2. Kindness by Mr. Fitzwarren – what does it teach?

   Mr. Fitzwarren’s kindness teaches that even a small act of help can change someone’s life. By offering food, shelter, and work, he gave Dick a second chance. This compassion not only saved Dick but also shaped his future. The lesson is that kindness has the power to transform others and bring respect to the giver.

   
   

3. Role of the cat – what does it show?

   The cat’s role shows that even small help can bring about great change. It chased away the rats from Dick’s attic and later freed a kingdom from a plague. Such an ordinary animal became the cause of extraordinary success. This proves that no help is too small and every contribution has value.

   
   

4. Bells of London – what do they symbolise?

   The bells of London symbolise encouragement and hope in times of despair. They reminded Dick of his hidden potential and gave him courage to return. In life too, small words or signs often inspire us to continue our journey. The message is that motivation can come from unexpected sources and must be followed with faith.

   
   

5. Lesson for youngsters – which qualities are important?

   The lesson for youngsters is that perseverance, honesty, and kindness are the foundation of true success. Dick’s life shows that struggles can be overcome with patience and courage. His honesty brought him opportunities, while his gratitude made him generous. The story inspires us to combine hard work with moral values.

True or False (5)

1. Dick Whittington’s parents were alive when he went to London.

   → False (He was an orphan.)

   
   

2. The cook treated Dick kindly and never scolded him.

   → False (She scolded and beat him often.)

   
   

3. The cat freed Dick’s attic and also an African kingdom from rats.

   → True

   
   

4. The queen was frightened of the cat at first.

   → True

   
   

5. The king refused to pay anything for the cat.

   → False (He paid ten times the value of the cargo.)

Probable Board / Exam Questions (5)

1. Why did Dick go to London and what did he expect there?

   Dick went to London because he had heard that the streets were paved with gold. He expected to find wealth easily and escape poverty. His dream was to live a better life and be respected. Although his expectation was false, his journey gave him new opportunities. It shows how hopes and dreams guide human actions.

   
   

2. How did Mr. Fitzwarren help Dick in his bad times?

   Mr. Fitzwarren helped Dick by giving him food, shelter, and work when he was weak and starving. He showed kindness when others rejected the boy. Later, he allowed Dick’s cat to go on the trading ship. This decision became the turning point of Dick’s life. His help shows the importance of generosity.

   
   

3. What role did the cat play in Dick’s success?

   The cat freed Dick’s attic from rats, giving him peaceful sleep. Later, it solved the rat problem in the African kingdom. The king paid a fortune for the cat, which made Dick rich. This small animal changed his destiny completely. The incident shows that even small contributions can create big results.

   
   

4. Which qualities helped Dick achieve success in life?Qualities like courage, honesty, patience, and hard work helped Dick succeed. He faced hunger and cruelty without losing hope. His wise decision of buying a cat solved his problems. His honesty earned him trust, and his gratitude kept him humble. These qualities turned him into a respected leader.

   
   

5. What moral lesson does the story give youngsters?

   The moral lesson of the story is that one should never give up hope in hard times. Success comes to those who are patient, hardworking, and honest. Compassion and gratitude make a person truly respected. Dick’s rise from poverty to power proves that destiny can be changed with effort. The story continues to inspire readers of all ages.

   
   

Appreciation / Reflection Paragraph

The story Dick Whittington and his Cat is an inspiring tale that teaches us the value of hope, honesty, and perseverance. Dick’s journey from a poor orphan to the Lord Mayor of London shows how courage and hard work overcome struggles. The cat adds charm to the tale as a symbol of small help making a big difference. Mr. Fitzwarren’s generosity reminds us that kindness can shape destinies. The story is memorable because it motivates readers to stay strong during hardships. Its timeless message encourages us to dream big and remain humble after success.

About BhashaLab

BhashaLab is a dynamic platform dedicated to the exploration and mastery of languages - operating both online and offline. Aligned with the National Education Policy (NEP) 2020 and the National Credit Framework (NCrF), we offer language education that emphasizes measurable learning outcomes and recognized, transferable credits.

We offer:

1. NEP alligned offline language courses for degree colleges - English, Sanskrit, Marathi and Hindi

2. NEP alligned offline language courses for schools - English, Sanskrit, Marathi and Hindi

3. Std VIII, IX and X - English and Sanskrit Curriculum Tuitions - All boards

4. International English Olympiad Tuitions - All classes

5. Basic and Advanced English Grammar - Offline and Online - Class 3 and above

6. English Communication Skills for working professionals, adults and students - Offline and Online

Contact: +91 86577 20901, +91 97021 12044

Mail: info@bhashalab.com

Website: www.bhashalab.com