Chapter 5 of 12
Chapter 5: The Old Stag
Touching Forest Fable on Empathy, Ecological Harmony, Repentance & Selfless Care | CBSE Session 2026–27
Core Pedagogical Competencies & Concepts
- The wise and affectionate old stag who lived peacefully on a green hillock.
- The stag falls sick and cannot walk down to meet his woodland friends.
- Thoughtless grazing: Visiting animals eat up the hillock's tender grass, leaving the stag without food.
- Moral awakening: Realizing their thoughtlessness, the animals nurse the hillock back to life and feed the stag.
- Environmental message: Caring for community resources and protecting the green cover of nature.
All Textbook Exercises & In-Text Tasks (14 Questions)
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Q1
Let us Think • Comprehension
Why was the old stag so popular among all the forest animals and birds? Why could he not go down the hillock to meet them?
[3 Marks]
✅ Step-by-Step Solution & Working
Popularity: The old stag was popular because of his kind, gentle, and loving nature. Every morning, he warmly greeted every animal, bird, and insect, showing genuine affection to all creatures.
Inability to Walk: In his advanced age, the stag fell severely ill and grew too weak to walk down the steep hillock to the river and meadows.
Inability to Walk: In his advanced age, the stag fell severely ill and grew too weak to walk down the steep hillock to the river and meadows.
CBSE Step-by-Step Marking Scheme
Describes kind, welcoming nature of the stag
1.5 M
Explains sickness and physical weakness preventing descent
1.5 M
Q2
Let us Think • Comprehension
Why did the lush green cover of the hillock slowly disappear? What tragedy did this cause for the sick stag?
[3 Marks]
✅ Step-by-Step Solution & Working
When the animals heard of the stag's illness, they flocked to visit him on the hillock. While standing and chatting, each visiting animal thoughtlessly nibbled on the fresh, tender grass.
Because hundreds of animals visited day after day, the entire green cover of the hillock was completely eaten away. Consequently, the weak stag had no food left near his resting place and began starving.
Because hundreds of animals visited day after day, the entire green cover of the hillock was completely eaten away. Consequently, the weak stag had no food left near his resting place and began starving.
CBSE Step-by-Step Marking Scheme
Explains visitors thoughtlessly grazing during visits
1.5 M
Identifies severe consequence of starvation for the stag
1.5 M
Q3
Let us Think • Comprehension
How did the forest animals realize their mistake, and what constructive steps did they take to help the stag recover?
[3 Marks]
✅ Step-by-Step Solution & Working
The animals realized their mistake when they saw the barren, brown hillock and noticed that the sick stag was shivering and weak from hunger. Overcome with deep remorse, they took immediate action:
1. They stopped all grazing on the hillock to let the soil rest and the grass regrow.
2. Every visiting animal started bringing fresh tender leaves, juicy fruits, and clear water from the valley to feed the stag until he regained his strength.
1. They stopped all grazing on the hillock to let the soil rest and the grass regrow.
2. Every visiting animal started bringing fresh tender leaves, juicy fruits, and clear water from the valley to feed the stag until he regained his strength.
CBSE Step-by-Step Marking Scheme
Identification of animals' guilt upon seeing barren hillock
1.5 M
Two restorative actions: halting grazing and bringing fresh food
1.5 M
Q4
Let us Think • Think & Discuss
What would happen to the natural environment around us if each human thought only of their immediate selfish needs?
[3 Marks]
✅ Step-by-Step Solution & Working
If every person considered only their immediate personal desires without thinking of others, our forests would be cut down, clean rivers would be polluted with plastic waste, and green pastures would turn into barren deserts.
Just like the animals on the hillock, selfish consumption destroys the ecosystem that sustains all life, leaving no resources for future generations or vulnerable living beings.
Just like the animals on the hillock, selfish consumption destroys the ecosystem that sustains all life, leaving no resources for future generations or vulnerable living beings.
CBSE Step-by-Step Marking Scheme
Relates animal parable to human environmental degradation
1.5 M
Highlights long-term ecological balance and intergenerational equity
1.5 M
Q5
Reading is Fun • Textual Understanding
In Chapter 5 ('The Old Stag'), what is the central theme of the story/poem, and what challenges did the main character encounter?
[2 Marks]
✅ Step-by-Step Solution & Working
Theme and Challenges:
The chapter highlights courage, curiosity, and creative problem-solving. The characters encounter an unexpected hurdle and successfully overcome it through teamwork, empathy, and active observation.
The chapter highlights courage, curiosity, and creative problem-solving. The characters encounter an unexpected hurdle and successfully overcome it through teamwork, empathy, and active observation.
CBSE Step-by-Step Marking Scheme
Central theme explained
1 M
Challenge and resolution described
1 M
Q6
Talk Time • Speaking Skills
Discuss in your classroom: If you faced a similar situation to that in 'The Old Stag', how would you handle it?
[2 Marks]
✅ Step-by-Step Solution & Working
Model Response:
I would stay calm, discuss ideas with my friends or teachers, and break the difficult task into smaller manageable steps instead of panicking.
I would stay calm, discuss ideas with my friends or teachers, and break the difficult task into smaller manageable steps instead of panicking.
CBSE Step-by-Step Marking Scheme
Thoughtful practical response
2 M
Q7
Word Building • Prefixes & Suffixes
Add suitable prefixes (un-, dis-, im-) or suffixes (-ful, -less) to create new words:
(a) Happy → ___
(b) Possible → ___
(c) Care → ___
(d) Agree → ___.
[2 Marks]
(a) Happy → ___
(b) Possible → ___
(c) Care → ___
(d) Agree → ___.
✅ Step-by-Step Solution & Working
Word Formation:
• (a) Happy + un- = Unhappy
• (b) Possible + im- = Impossible
• (c) Care + -ful / -less = Careful / Careless
• (d) Agree + dis- = Disagree.
• (a) Happy + un- = Unhappy
• (b) Possible + im- = Impossible
• (c) Care + -ful / -less = Careful / Careless
• (d) Agree + dis- = Disagree.
CBSE Step-by-Step Marking Scheme
All 4 word formations correct
2 M
Q8
Let us Listen • Sound Identification
Identify words in 'The Old Stag' that have silent letters (e.g. 'k' in knight, 'w' in write). List three examples.
[3 Marks]
✅ Step-by-Step Solution & Working
Silent Letter Words:
1. Know (silent 'k')
2. Listen (silent 't')
3. Doubt (silent 'b').
1. Know (silent 'k')
2. Listen (silent 't')
3. Doubt (silent 'b').
CBSE Step-by-Step Marking Scheme
Three valid words with silent letters identified
3 M
Q9
Grammar & Language • Adjectives & Degrees of Comparison
Complete the degrees of comparison:
(a) Fast — ___ — Fastest
(b) Bright — Brighter — ___
(c) Good — ___ — Best.
[3 Marks]
(a) Fast — ___ — Fastest
(b) Bright — Brighter — ___
(c) Good — ___ — Best.
✅ Step-by-Step Solution & Working
Degrees of Comparison:
• (a) Fast — Faster — Fastest
• (b) Bright — Brighter — Brightest
• (c) Good — Better — Best (irregular comparison).
• (a) Fast — Faster — Fastest
• (b) Bright — Brighter — Brightest
• (c) Good — Better — Best (irregular comparison).
CBSE Step-by-Step Marking Scheme
Faster, Brightest, Better correct
3 M
Q10
Let us Write • Paragraph Writing
Write a short 3-sentence paragraph describing the main setting of 'The Old Stag'.
[3 Marks]
✅ Step-by-Step Solution & Working
Descriptive Paragraph:
The story takes place in a vibrant and welcoming neighbourhood filled with shady trees and lively courtyards. Children gather there every afternoon after completing their studies to share ideas and explore nature. The peaceful atmosphere creates an ideal background for discovery and lasting friendship.
The story takes place in a vibrant and welcoming neighbourhood filled with shady trees and lively courtyards. Children gather there every afternoon after completing their studies to share ideas and explore nature. The peaceful atmosphere creates an ideal background for discovery and lasting friendship.
CBSE Step-by-Step Marking Scheme
Clear 3-sentence paragraph with rich descriptive vocabulary
3 M
Q11
Vocabulary • Contextual Synonyms
Find words in 'The Old Stag' that mean the same as: (a) Courageous (b) Tremendous (c) Promptly.
[3 Marks]
✅ Step-by-Step Solution & Working
Synonyms:
• (a) Courageous — Brave / Bold.
• (b) Tremendous — Huge / Enormous.
• (c) Promptly — Quickly / Immediately.
• (a) Courageous — Brave / Bold.
• (b) Tremendous — Huge / Enormous.
• (c) Promptly — Quickly / Immediately.
CBSE Step-by-Step Marking Scheme
All 3 synonyms correct
3 M
Q12
Punctuation • Speech Marks (Direct Quotes)
Punctuate correctly using quotation marks: the teacher said children always remember to be kind to animals
[2 Marks]
✅ Step-by-Step Solution & Working
Punctuated Sentence:
The teacher said, "Children, always remember to be kind to animals."
The teacher said, "Children, always remember to be kind to animals."
CBSE Step-by-Step Marking Scheme
Capital letters, comma, quotation marks, full stop
2 M
Q13
Think & Reflect • Moral Value
What lifelong value or life skill does 'The Old Stag' impart to young learners?
[2 Marks]
✅ Step-by-Step Solution & Working
Value Imparted:
It teaches us honesty, self-discipline, and compassion. True success comes from dedicated hard work and respecting the feelings of others in our community.
It teaches us honesty, self-discipline, and compassion. True success comes from dedicated hard work and respecting the feelings of others in our community.
CBSE Step-by-Step Marking Scheme
Clear life skill / moral explained
2 M
Q14
Review Questions • True or False
State True or False:
(a) Listening attentively is an essential part of good communication.
(b) In the English alphabet, every vowel always produces only one sound.
(c) A paragraph should revolve around a single central topic.
[3 Marks]
(a) Listening attentively is an essential part of good communication.
(b) In the English alphabet, every vowel always produces only one sound.
(c) A paragraph should revolve around a single central topic.
✅ Step-by-Step Solution & Working
Answers:
• (a) True: Listening is key to mutual understanding.
• (b) False: Vowels have short and long sounds (e.g. 'a' in cat vs 'a' in cake).
• (c) True: A coherent paragraph focuses on one core idea.
• (a) True: Listening is key to mutual understanding.
• (b) False: Vowels have short and long sounds (e.g. 'a' in cat vs 'a' in cake).
• (c) True: A coherent paragraph focuses on one core idea.
CBSE Step-by-Step Marking Scheme
True, False, True with explanations
3 M
🌟 NEP 2020 Competency-Based Case Study
School Garden Trampling Incident
During the annual sports day, hundreds of spectator students stood on the newly planted flowerbeds near the running track to get a better view of the 100m sprint. By evening, all the delicate marigold and rose saplings were crushed flat underfoot.
Analytical Task: How does this sports day incident compare with the forest animals' behavior in 'The Old Stag'? Suggest two rules the school pupil council should enforce to prevent such damage.
Evaluation & Model Answer:
Parallels with 'The Old Stag': Just like the forest animals who loved the stag but carelessly ate away his sustenance, the students were enthusiastically cheering their athletes but carelessly destroyed the beautiful garden through lack of environmental mindfulness.
Two Protective Rules:
1. Barricaded Viewing Corridors: Designating clearly marked standing bleachers and placing protective bamboo fences around all flowerbeds.
2. Student Eco-Marshals: Appointing Class 4 and 5 volunteers to guide spectators away from delicate botanical zones during major events.
Two Protective Rules:
1. Barricaded Viewing Corridors: Designating clearly marked standing bleachers and placing protective bamboo fences around all flowerbeds.
2. Student Eco-Marshals: Appointing Class 4 and 5 volunteers to guide spectators away from delicate botanical zones during major events.
Rubric: 1 Mark for insightful connection to the story; 1 Mark for two sensible school garden regulations.