Class 8 English Honeydew


A Short Monsoon Diary

Ruskin Bond

NCERT Solution

Question 1: Why is the author not able to see Bijju?

Answer: Because of mist nothing is visible beyond a certain distance. Author can hear Bijju calling his sister but is unable to see him because of mist.

Question 2: What are the two ways in which the hills appear to change when the mist comes up?

Answer: The visibility drops giving the hilly area a surreal look. Because of mist and poor light everything gets a sad tone. The whole ambience is engulfed by silence.

Question 3: When does the monsoon season begin and when does it end? How do you prepare to face the monsoon?

Answer: The monsoon enters India from east and south somewhere around mid of May. It reaches northern part of the country around second week of June. The monsoon ends around September. People take out umbrellas and raincoats, gumboots are repaired. Leaking roofs are taken care of. In flood hit areas people keep their belongings at a higher and safer place. Old truck tubes are kept in good shape to be used as emergency boat during floods.

Question 4: Which hill-station does the author describe in this diary entry?

Answer: The author has described about Masoorie which is in Uttarakhand. Ruskin Bond used to live in Uttarakhand.

Question 5: For how many days does it rain without stopping? What does the author do on these days?

Answer: It rained for about 24 hours. The author tried to enjoy the beating sound of raindrops on the tin roof. It helped him keep awake. The tin roof helped him save from the incessant rain yet the sound of downpour gave him a sense of being part of the rain.

Question 6: Where do the snakes and rodents take shelter? Why?

Answer: Snakes and rodents are unable to live in their submerged holes. So, they take shelter in rooftops, attics and godowns.

Question 7: What did the author receive in the mail?

Answer: The author received a cheque in the mail. It was probably a result of the good omen of the visit by a shrew.

Working With Text

Question 1: Look carefully at the diary entries for June 24-25, August 2 and March 23. Now write down the changes that happen as the rains progress from June to March.

Answer: The rainy season begins in June. Clouds create a shroud around the hills during this period. The rain is at its peak during August when it rains with no full-stop in sight. March is the month of end of spring. This is the month of hailstorm which clears the sky.

Question 2: Why did the grandmother ask the children not to kill the Chuchundar?

Answer: The grandmother believes that chuchundars are lucky and they bring money. So, she asks children not to kill the chuchundar.

Question 3: What signs do we find in Nature which show that the monsoons are about to end?

Answer: When there is lush growth of all kinds of shrubs on the footpath, walls, roads, rooftops, etc. it shows that monsoon is about to end.

Question 4: Complete the following sentences.

  1. Bijju is not seen but his voice is heard because __________________.
  2. The writer describes the hill station and valley as __________________.
  3. The leopard was successful in __________________ but had to flee when ______________________________________________________.
  4. The minivets are easily noticed because __________________.
  5. It looks like a fashion display on the slopes when __________________.
  6. During the monsoon season, snakes and rodents are found in roofs and attics because __________________________.

Answer: (a) mist, (b) paradise that may have been (c)stealing a dog, fearing repercussions from Bijju's mother, (d) of their bright colour, (e) different kinds of flowers are in full bloom. (f) their holes are flooded

Question 5: "Although tin roofs are given to springing unaccountable leaks, there is a feeling of being untouched by, and yet in touch with, the rain."

(a) Why has the writer used the word, springing?

Answer: The tin roofs behave like hilly springs because of so many leaks. Hence, the author has used the word springing.

(b) How is the writer untouched by the rain?

Answer: The author does not get drenched because of rains. Thus, he is untouched by the rain.

(c) How is the writer in touch with the rain at the same time?

Answer: The incessant sound of raindrops falling on tin roof creates a connection between the author and the rain. Thus, the author is in touch with the rain at the same time.

Question 6: Mention a few things that can happen when there is endless rain for days together.

Answer: Endless rain for many days can be nerve wrecking. Everything in the room becomes moist and a misty smell pervades the room. You don't get a chance to venture out of your house. There is no sunlight in sight. All of this can be highly depressing.

Question 7: What is the significance of cobra lily in relation to the monsoon season, its beginning and end?

Answer: Cobra lily begins to bloom at the beginning of the monsoon. Its seeds turn red at the end of the monsoon.