6th Standard, English SL Supplementary Reading LESSON – 1
WAYS OF LEARNING
C1. Answer the following questions in one or two sentences each:
- Where did the disciples of Dronacharya assemble for the test?
Answer: The disciples of Dronacharya assembled in the large open ground in front of the Hastinapura palace for the test.
- What was the target set up by the Guru?
Answer: The Guru had set up an artificial bird (made of wood and grass) on top of a branch of the tree. That was the target set up by the Guru.
- What was Yudhishtira’s reply when Drona asked him what he saw on the tree?
Answer: Yudhishtira’s replied that ‘he can see the tree, the bird, his brothers, other friends and everything,’ when Drona asked him what he saw on the tree.
- Was Drona happy with the answers given by many of the princes? Why/why not?
Answer: No. Drona was not happy with the answers given by many of the princes. The princes are gave different common answers. Drona wanted the answer which belongs to concentration and focus.
- Who passed this test?
Answer: Arjuna passed this test.
- Why did Drona ask Arjuna to shoot the bird?
Answer: Only Arjuna answered the question which Guru Drona expected. Arjuna said that he could see only neck and head of the bird. Only Arjuna passed the ‘concentration and focus’ test. So Drona decided to ask Arjuna to shoot the bird.
- Who didn’t congratulate Arjuna on his achievement? Why?
Answer: Prince Duryodhana didn’t congratulate Arjuna. Because he was jealous about the success of Arjuna.
- What happened when Drona was washing his feet one day?
Answer: When Drona was washing his feet on the side of a stream, a crocodile grabbed his foot.
- Who drove the crocodile away? How?
Answer: Arjuna drove the crocodile away. Arjuna set an arrow to his bow, shot it into the stream aiming at the right point. It infused the crocodile and drove it away but it did not hit the Guru’s foot.
- Who do you think was the most favourite disciple of Drona? Why?
I think Arjuna was the most favourite disciple of Drona. He learned the all things up to the expectations of Guru Dronacharya. Because his dexterity, prompt and proper responsive action are other keys to achieve the goal and success. His skill, concentration and focus in archery is unbelievable.
- What is important to succeed in life?
Answer: Dexterity, prompt and proper responsive action are other keys to achieve the goal and success in life. According to the story concentration and focus are the keys to success.
C2. Discuss in small groups and answer the following:
- How did Drona test the princes’ skill and ability in archery? Narrate any one incident.
Answer: One day Dronacharya ordered his disciples to assemble in the large open ground in front of the Hastinapura palace. All of them assembled there. He asked all the princes to get ready with their bows and arrows and come to the spot, as he call them. The Guru had set up an artificial bird (made of wood and grass) on top of a branch of the tree. The princes have to shoot the bird in the tree.
Drona then called one of them. Then the Guru showed a big tree at the end of the ground. Guru asked the boy that what he saw in the tree. The boy said that he saw the tree, its trunk, branches, the sky over it and the ground below it. He sent back by Drona.
Then Yudhishtira, the eldest of Pandava brothers was called and the Guru put him the same question. “Can you see the tree, the bird on its top and other things around?” Yudhishtira replied that he saw the tree, the bird, my brothers, other friends and everything. Guru Drona told Yudhishtira that he could not shoot the target and sent him back. All the disciples answered almost the same way like ‘only the tree, everything, the branch of the tree and the bird,’ and so on. Guru was not satisfied with their answers all are sent back by him.
Then Drona called Arjuna and asked that what he could see in top of the tree. Arjuna replied that he could see only neck and head of the bird. The Guru Drona pleased from this answer and ordered him to shoot the bird on the top of the tree. Arjuna did so and the arrow hit the false bird’s neck. The bird fell down on the ground. Guru Drona embraced Arjuna, blessed him and told other boys that concentration and focus are the keys to success and be focused always.
- How did Arjuna prove his skill in archery?
Answer: One day, Drona was washing his feet on the side of a stream. A crocodile grabbed his foot. Though he could ward it off easily, Drona pretending panic, shouted loudly for the boys to save them. The boys who were standing a bit away from the bank of the stream were awestruck and confused. But the brave and ever-ready Arjuna responded quickly. Immediately he set an arrow to his bow, shot it into the stream aiming at the right point. It infused the crocodile and drove it away but it did not hit the Guru’s foot. That is how Arjuna proved his skill in archery.
C3. Say whether the following statements are True or False:
- The princes had to shoot a real bird sitting on the branch of a tree.
Answer: False.
- Arjuna said he could see only the bird’s eye.
Answer: False:
- Bhima succeeded in shooting the bird.
Answer: False.
- Arjuna drove the crocodile away.
Answer: True
Let’s Speak:
S1. Narrate the story in your own words.
S2. Take different roles and role play/dramatise the story.
