2 . The Unlikely Best Friends - Class 6 - Poorvi

BhashaLab
Jul 4
4 min read

Updated: Jul 5

Author: Subba Rao

Textbook: Poorvi – Grade 6

Genre: Fiction / Animal Friendship Story

📝 Summary

“The Unlikely Best Friends” is a heartwarming story about an unexpected friendship between an elephant named Gajaraj and a stray dog named Buntee. Gajaraj lived a comfortable life in the royal stables but felt lonely. One day, a hungry and tired dog wandered into the stable. Gajaraj offered him food, and they soon became inseparable companions. They played together, went to the pond, and shared moments of happiness.

One day, a farmer recognized Buntee as his lost dog and took him home. Both Gajaraj and Buntee were heartbroken. They stopped eating and grew weak due to missing each other. Seeing this, the kind farmer realized the strength of their bond and let Buntee return to his friend. Buntee ran back joyfully, and Gajaraj welcomed him with love.

The story ends with a touching scene where not only Gajaraj and Buntee are reunited, but the mahout and the farmer also become friends. The tale teaches that love, empathy, and friendship can grow even in the most unlikely pairs.

👤 Character Sketch

Gajaraj: A gentle and loving elephant who longs for true companionship. Though he lives in royal comfort, his emotional need for friendship makes him deeply relatable and endearing.

Buntee (the dog): A stray dog who finds kindness in Gajaraj. Loyal, cheerful, and equally affectionate, Buntee values emotional connection over physical comfort.

The Mahout: Kind and observant, he cares for Gajaraj and eventually understands the elephant’s emotional needs.

The Farmer: Buntee’s original owner. He learns to value true friendship when he sees the deep bond between Gajaraj and Buntee and acts with understanding.

📚 Themes

Theme	Description
Unlikely Friendship	Shows how strong friendships can form between the most unexpected pairs.
Emotional Connection	Highlights how love and care matter more than appearances or species.
Compassion and Empathy	Gajaraj’s and the farmer’s kindness bring happiness and healing.
Reuniting with Loved Ones	Celebrates the joy of reunion and the importance of emotional bonds.
True Care vs. Duty	Differentiates between caretaking and heartfelt companionship.

✨ Literary Devices

Device	Example / Explanation
Imagery	“Gajaraj gave a joyous swing” – creates a vivid picture of their happiness.
Personification	Gajaraj and Buntee express emotions like sadness, loyalty, and joy like human friends.
Irony	Although Gajaraj lived in royal stables, he felt lonely until he found a stray dog.
Dialogue	Used in conversations like the farmer’s speech to Buntee, revealing character feelings.
Symbolism	The friendship symbolizes harmony across boundaries and species.

📖 Title Justification

The title “The Unlikely Best Friends” is perfect because it highlights the unusual bond between an elephant and a dog—two animals one would never expect to form a friendship. Yet, they become emotionally inseparable, showing that love and connection can bloom between the most different beings. Their story reminds readers that friendship depends not on appearances or origin, but on empathy and shared affection.

✅ One-Mark Questions

Who was Gajaraj? → Gajaraj was a royal elephant who lived in the king’s stables.
What did Gajaraj offer the stray dog? → Gajaraj offered the dog some of his food.
Why did the farmer take Buntee home? → He recognized Buntee as his lost pet dog.
How did Buntee react when tied at the farmer’s house? → Buntee refused to eat and looked sad.
What did the mahout and farmer feel at the end? → They were happy to see the friends reunited and also became friends.

✅ Three-Mark Questions

Why did Gajaraj and Buntee become friends? → Gajaraj felt lonely in the royal stables despite being well-cared for. When Buntee, the stray dog, entered the stable, Gajaraj kindly offered him food. This small act of kindness began their bond. They started spending time together, bathing, playing, and riding around. Both enjoyed each other’s company and soon became best friends.
Describe how both Gajaraj and Buntee reacted when separated. → After Buntee was taken by the farmer, both he and Gajaraj were heartbroken. Gajaraj stopped eating and became dull and weak. The mahout, though confused at first, realized Gajaraj missed his friend. Similarly, Buntee also stopped eating and looked unhappy. This mutual sadness highlighted how deeply they cared for each other.
How did the story show that friendship can happen in unexpected ways? → The story shows that Gajaraj, a majestic elephant, and Buntee, a stray dog, built a strong emotional bond despite being so different. Their unlikely friendship grew out of kindness and shared moments, not from similarity or background. Even the farmer and the mahout became friends, reinforcing the idea that true friendship knows no boundaries.

🧠 Value-Based Question

Q. What life lesson does the story “The Unlikely Best Friends” teach us about friendship? → The story teaches us that true friendship is not about who we are or where we come from, but about love, care, and emotional connection. Gajaraj and Buntee remind us that friends can come from unexpected places, and that kindness can turn strangers into companions. It also shows that understanding and empathy are the true marks of a friend.

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