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    2.1 The Unlikely Best Friends - Class 6 - Poorvi (New)

    Updated: 2 days ago

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    Author: Subba Rao

    Textbook: Poorvi – Grade 6

    Genre: Folk Tale (Jataka-inspired story)


    Summary

    “The Unlikely Best Friends” is a touching folk tale about the unusual friendship between Gajaraj, a royal elephant, and Buntee, a stray dog. Gajaraj lived in the royal stables and was well taken care of by his mahout, but he remained sad because he had no true friend. One day, a hungry stray dog wandered into the stable. Gajaraj shared his food, and a bond of trust was formed. The two began spending time together—eating, bathing, playing, and even enjoying rides. Soon, they became inseparable companions.

    However, the dog’s farmer-owner eventually found Buntee and took him back home. Both Gajaraj and Buntee grew sad and stopped eating. The farmer, realizing the depth of their friendship, released Buntee so he could return to Gajaraj. The joyful reunion not only brought happiness back to the animals but also led to a new friendship between the farmer and the mahout. The story emphasizes that friendship knows no boundaries and can blossom in the most unlikely situations. It highlights love, loyalty, and the emotional bond that transcends differences.

    Character Sketch

    • Gajaraj (Elephant): Gentle, lonely, affectionate, and deeply loyal. Shows his happiness through playful acts.

    • Buntee (Dog): Cheerful, trusting, and grateful. Displays strong emotional attachment and loyalty.

    • Mahout: Kind caretaker of Gajaraj, responsible and understanding. Recognizes the value of friendship.

    • Farmer: Loving, considerate, and compassionate. Understands Buntee’s emotions and respects his bond with Gajaraj.

    Themes

    Theme

    Description

    Unlikely Friendship

    A dog and an elephant form an extraordinary bond despite differences.

    Love and Loyalty

    True friendship is shown through care, sacrifice, and loyalty.

    Emotional Bonds

    Both Gajaraj and Buntee refuse food due to separation, showing the depth of emotions.

    Human Empathy

    The farmer and mahout understand the value of the animals’ bond.

    Literary Devices

    Device

    Example

    Explanation

    Personification

    The elephant feels lonely without friends.

    Gives human emotions to animals.

    Dialogue

    “Are you missing your friend?”

    Reveals emotions and advances the plot.

    Contrast

    Elephant’s royal life vs. loneliness.

    Highlights that material comfort cannot replace friendship.

    Imagery

    “Picked up the dog with his trunk and gave him a joyous swing.”

    Creates a vivid picture of reunion.

    Symbolism

    Rope around Buntee’s neck.

    Symbol of control versus freedom for true friendship.

    Title Justification

    The title “The Unlikely Best Friends” is appropriate because it describes the core of the story. An elephant and a dog are not expected to become companions, but their deep bond makes them the best of friends. Their loyalty and happiness show that true friendship can grow between the most unlikely beings. The title captures both the uniqueness and depth of this extraordinary bond.

    One-Mark Questions

    1. Who was Gajaraj? Answer: Gajaraj was the royal elephant who lived in the king’s stables. He enjoyed comfort and care from his mahout but longed for a true friend. His loneliness sets the stage for the story.

    2. Why was Gajaraj unhappy in the beginning? Answer: Gajaraj was unhappy because, despite living in the royal stables, he had no real friends. His mahout looked after him well, but companionship was missing from his life. This made him feel sad and lonely.

    3. How did Gajaraj and Buntee become friends? Answer: Gajaraj shared some of his food with the hungry stray dog, which touched Buntee’s heart. The dog wagged his tail in gratitude, and a bond of trust began. From then on, they became close companions.

    4. What happened when Buntee was taken home by the farmer? Answer: When Buntee was taken home by the farmer, both he and Gajaraj became very sad. They refused to eat any food and longed to see each other again. Their separation clearly showed the depth of their friendship.

    5. What did the farmer finally decide to do? Answer: The farmer noticed that Buntee was not eating and understood he was missing Gajaraj. Out of compassion, he removed the rope and set Buntee free. This allowed Buntee to reunite with his best friend.

    Three-Mark Questions

    1. Describe how Gajaraj and Buntee spent their time together. Answer: Gajaraj and Buntee ate together, went to the pond, and played joyfully. Gajaraj splashed water on Buntee, carried him on his back, and gave him rides. Their companionship filled Gajaraj’s life with joy and gave Buntee love and protection.

    2. Why did Gajaraj stop eating food? Answer: Gajaraj stopped eating food after Buntee was taken away by the farmer. His sadness at losing his friend made him lose his appetite. The mahout noticed this unusual behavior and realized it was due to his loneliness.

    3. How did the farmer understand Buntee’s feelings? Answer: The farmer saw that Buntee refused to eat and remembered his happy face while being with Gajaraj. He realized Buntee was missing his friend and allowed him to return, showing compassion and understanding.

    4. What was the role of the mahout in the story? Answer: The mahout was Gajaraj’s caretaker who provided food, baths, and comfort. Though initially only a caretaker, he later understood the elephant’s need for friendship and valued the bond between Gajaraj and Buntee.

    5. What lesson does the story teach about friendship? Answer: The story teaches that friendship is built on love, loyalty, and understanding. True friendship crosses boundaries of species, class, or background. It is about emotional connection rather than external differences.

    Value-Based Question

    Why is friendship important for both humans and animals? Answer: Friendship is important for both humans and animals because it brings emotional comfort, happiness, and a sense of belonging. In the story, Gajaraj had all royal comforts but remained sad until he found Buntee. Similarly, Buntee also showed loyalty and affection. Friendship creates bonds of love and care, which are essential for well-being and peace of mind.

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