NCERT Solutions for Class 7 English An Alien Hand Chapter 7 Chandni is a lesson on independence. The theme of the story is on determination and the author shows how the will to achieve freedom trumps all other benefits. This story revolves around a goat named Chandni who achieved freedom by risking her life. The summary of the story along with MCQ, NCERT Solutions for Class 7 English An Alien Hand Chapter 7 Chandni is also provided below with an explanation.
Summary – NCERT Solutions for Class 7 English An Alien Hand Chapter 7 Chandni
NCERT Solutions for Class 7 English An Alien Hand Chapter 7 Chandni, Abbu Khan resided in Almora (a hilly area in Uttarakhand) with his goats who he raised as if they were his own children. Abbu used to address his goats and would call them with funny names such as Kalua, Moongia, Gujri, etc. He used to provide the juiciest grass and grains to the goats. Sometimes they would escape and go to the forest as they wanted more freedom and feed on the fresh grass there. However, there was a wolf that used to kill and eat them.
Read more: NCERT Solutions for Class 7 English The Alien Hand Chapter 6 I Want Something in a cage
There were soon no goats left and Abbu decided to live without them. However, he grew lonely and then purchased a young and stable goat as he thought she will not leave him for freedom. He named her “Chandni” which means “moonlight.”
Many years went by and Chandni was still in Abbu ‘s house. He used to tell her stories of the goats who had been killed by the wolf. She was very friendly and used to listen to him carefully. However, she would look at the hilltop and the sunrise and wished to go there.
She asked Abbu continuously and he told her that she cannot as the wolf would catch her. But she was determined to go and stopped eating her food. Abbu was furious now, and put her in a small hut and tied her up. She disliked this as it held her back from her freedom.
Chandni’s escape to freedom
She was able to break away and went to the hills. She enjoyed her day there and made friends with a few wild goats. They asked her to join them but she refused as she wanted to enjoy her freedom by herself.
Once dusk arrived, the wolf appeared with fiery red eyes and was ready to kill Chandni. She decided to fight back as she did not want to return to Abbu’s home. Although she was small, she was also strong and healthy. She stood firm and pointed her hard horns towards the wolf. The fight was a long one and as the sun came up, she was covered in blood. The wolf was now tired and hungry and was ready to eat her.
Moral of the story
The birds all declared that the wolf was the winner but a wise old bird said that Chandni is the winner as she fought for her independence and was willing to fight till the end without giving up which is the moral of the story.
Conclusion
Therefore, from the above summary of this chapter the lesson learned is that one must fight all battles with courage and confidence even if it seems risky. Only when we take risks will we overcome our fears. The author shows us the same through the theme of the story Chandni did the same to retain her independence. The MCQ, questions, and answers also give an explanation in consonance with the same.
Comprehension Check-NCERT Solutions for Class 7 English An Alien Hand Chapter 7 Chandni
- Why did Abbu Khan’s goats want to run away? What happened to them in the hills?
Answer: Abbu’s goats used to run away to the hills in search of freedom and to graze in the green grass there.
2. Abbu Khan said, “No more goats in my house ever again.” Then he changed his mind. Why?
Answer: He changed his mind because he grew lonely and he loved having goats. This made him buy Chandni.
3. Why did he buy a young goat?
Answer: He bought a young goat as he thought she will never run away. He told her the terrible stories of how the other goats died when they went in search of freedom to the hilltop.
Comprehension check
- Why did Chandni hate the rope round her neck?
Answer: She disliked this because it held her back from going to the hills and gaining independence.
2. “Now Abbu Khan understood Chandni’s problem…” What was Chandni’s problem?
Answer: Her problem was that even though she knew that going to the hills was risky and that she might lose her life, she still wanted to do it as she chose independence over life. She thought that it was better to deal with the fierce wolf than remain with Abbu for the rest of her life without any freedom.
3. Abbu Khan pushed Chandni into a small hut. What does this show?
Answer: This shows that he cares about her and is worried about her safety.
Comprehension check
- Why did Chandni refuse to join the group of wild goats?
Answer: She refused to do so because she wanted to enjoy her freedom on her own.
2. Why did she fight with the wolf?
Answer: she fought with the wolf as she was willing to do anything to retain her freedom even if it meant losing her life.
Exercises-NCERT Solutions for Class 7 English An Alien Hand Chapter 7 Chandni
Discuss the following in groups
- Why did the wise old bird say, “Chandni is the winner”?
Answer: This was because she fought against the wolf with courage and determination. She fought for her freedom and refused to be chained. She would rather risk her life for freedom than be restricted.
2. “Death in an open field is better than life in a small hut,” Chandni said to herself. Was it the right decision? Give reasons for your answer.
Answer: Although this may be true, one must not give up one’s life for freedom as she had everything, she wanted at Abbu Khan’s home. One must be grateful for such things and not make another person sad by running away and risking one’s life.
3. Freedom is life. Discuss this with reference to ‘Chandni’ and ‘I Want Something in a Cage’.
Answer: In the lesson ‘I want something in a cage’, the man sets two doves who were in a cage free. This is because he understood the value of freedom as he spend 10 years in prison and wanted them to enjoy their freedom and independence. In ‘Chandni’ as well, she was willing to risk her life for freedom.