A Short Monsoon Diary – Class 8 English NCERT Solutions

Explore the solutions for “A Short Monsoon Diary,” Class 8 English NCERT. This chapter beautifully captures the essence of monsoon season through Ruskin Bond’s diary entries. Through these entries, students learn about the profound impact of weather on nature, wildlife, and human life. The diary format teaches us the art of observation and the importance of documenting our daily experiences.

Summary (English)

“A Short Monsoon Diary” is a collection of diary entries by Ruskin Bond, chronicling his observations during the monsoon season in Mussoorie. The entries span from June to March, describing how the monsoon transforms the landscape, affects wildlife, and influences daily life. Bond vividly describes the arrival of mist, continuous rain, the appearance of various flowers like cobra lilies, and the behavior of birds and animals during this season. The diary captures both the beauty and challenges of monsoon life in the hills.

सारांश (Hindi)

“ए शॉर्ट मॉनसून डायरी” रस्किन बॉन्ड की डायरी का एक संग्रह है, जो मसूरी में मानसून के दौरान उनके अवलोकन को दर्शाता है। जून से मार्च तक की प्रविष्टियां बताती हैं कि कैसे मानसून परिदृश्य को बदलता है, वन्यजीवों को प्रभावित करता है और दैनिक जीवन को प्रभावित करता है। बॉन्ड ने धुंध के आगमन, लगातार बारिश, कोबरा लिली जैसे विभिन्न फूलों के प्रकट होने और इस मौसम के दौरान पक्षियों और जानवरों के व्यवहार का जीवंत वर्णन किया है।

Word Meanings

Comprehension Check

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

The author cannot see Bijju because of the thick monsoon mist that has engulfed the hills of Mussoorie. Though he can hear Bijju calling to his sister and running about on the hillside, the dense white mist acts like a curtain, making visibility very poor. This creates an interesting situation where sound travels but sight is blocked by nature’s white blanket.

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

The hills undergo two significant changes when the mist arrives:

• Visual Change: The mist spreads like a thick white blanket over the entire area, concealing the hills and creating an illusion of nightfall
• Auditory Change: The forest becomes eerily silent as birds stop singing, creating a midnight-like stillness despite it being daytime. This sudden silence adds to the mysterious transformation of the hills

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

The monsoon follows this general pattern in India:

• Beginning: It starts from the eastern and southern regions around mid-May
• Progress: Reaches northern India by the second week of June
• End: Gradually withdraws by September

• Keep rainwear ready: Raincoats, umbrellas, and waterproof boots
• Waterproof important items and documents
• Check for any roof leakages and fix them
• Keep emergency supplies handy

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

The author describes Mussoorie, a beautiful hill station in Uttarakhand, India. Through his detailed observations, he captures the essence of this charming mountain town during the monsoon season, including its misty hills, lush vegetation, and diverse wildlife. Mussoorie’s natural beauty comes alive through Bond’s vivid descriptions.

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

The rain continues relentlessly for eight to nine days without any break. During this period, the author:

• Stays confined to his room due to the continuous downpour
• Spends time watching people with umbrellas from his window
• Observes the damp and soggy atmosphere around him
• Likely engages in indoor activities like reading and writing

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

During the monsoon, snakes and rodents seek shelter in:

• Roofs
• Attics
• Godowns (warehouses)

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

The author received a cheque in the mail. This arrival coincides interestingly with the grandmother’s superstitious belief about the Chuchundar (shrew) bringing good luck and money. Though the cheque wasn’t for a large amount, the author welcomes it, showing how small blessings can bring joy during the monsoon season.

Working with Text

Question 1: Mention a few things that can happen when there is endless rain for days together.

Endless rain brings several changes to the environment:

• The atmosphere becomes extremely damp and soggy
• Roads develop puddles and become slippery
• Green algae starts growing on wet rocks and floors
• Seasonal flowers like dahlias and begonias bloom
• Risk of landslides increases in hilly regions
• Daily activities get disrupted
• Water logging in low-lying areas
• Increased humidity affects indoor items

Question 2: What is the significance of cobra lilies in relation to the monsoon season, its beginning and end?

Cobra lilies serve as natural indicators of the monsoon cycle:

• Beginning: They emerge from the ferns when the first genuine monsoon rain arrives
• End: Their seeds turn red, signaling the approaching end of the monsoon season

Question 3: 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.

The progression of monsoon through these dates shows distinct phases: June 24-25:

• Arrival of monsoon mist creating a white blanket over hills
• Birds fall silent, creating an eerie atmosphere
• First cobra lily appears, marking genuine monsoon rain
• Warm and humid weather begins

• Continuous drumming of rain on tin roofs
• Steady tropical downpour without storms
• Creating a peaceful atmosphere for reading and reflection

• End of winter marked by dramatic weather
• Appearance of the blackest cloud over Mussoorie
• Half-hour hailstorm followed by a beautiful rainbow
• Complete transformation of weather pattern

Question 4: Why did the grandmother ask the children not to kill the Chuchundar?

Grandmother stopped the children from killing the Chuchundar (shrew) because of a traditional belief that these creatures bring good fortune to the house they visit. This superstition was interestingly followed by the author receiving a cheque in the mail, though he doesn’t explicitly connect the two events. This shows how traditional beliefs often get passed down through generations and sometimes coincidentally align with positive events.

Question 5: What signs do we find in Nature which show that the monsoons are about to end?

Nature provides several indicators of the monsoon’s approaching end:

• The seeds of cobra lily turn red
• Wild balsam starts blooming
• Begonias appear in their full glory
• Ground orchids begin to flower
• Ferns start showing signs of turning yellow
• The intense greenery begins to fade

Question 6: ‘Although tin roofs are given to springing unaccountable leaks, there is a feeling of being untouched by, and yet in touch with, the rain.’

(i) Why has the writer used the word, ‘springing’?
The writer uses ‘springing’ to describe how leaks suddenly and unexpectedly appear in tin roofs during the monsoon. The word effectively captures the surprising and spontaneous nature of these leaks, as they seem to occur without warning or apparent cause.

(ii) How is the writer untouched by the rain?
The writer remains physically dry and protected from the rain thanks to the tin roof over his head. Despite the occasional leaks, the roof serves as a barrier between him and the direct rainfall, keeping him sheltered from the elements.

(iii) How is the writer in touch with the rain at the same time?
The writer stays connected to the rain through multiple sensory experiences:

• The rhythmic sound of raindrops drumming on the tin roof
• The peaceful atmosphere created by the continuous rainfall
• The awareness of rain’s presence all around
• The occasional drips from roof leaks reminding of nature’s presence

Question 7: Complete the following sentences.

(i) Bijju is not seen but his voice is heard because of the thick monsoon mist that has engulfed the surroundings, creating a white blanket that limits visibility but allows sound to travel. (ii) The writer describes the hill station and valley as a paradise that might have been, suggesting its pristine natural beauty despite human intervention. (iii) The leopard was successful in attacking one of Bijju’s cows but had to flee when Bijju’s mother came running towards it, screaming curses. (iv) The minivets are easily noticed because of their bright scarlet (males) and yellow (females) coloring that stands out against the green foliage. (v) It looks like a fashion display on the slopes when the ground orchids, mauve lady’s slipper, and white butterfly orchids bloom in their full glory. (vi) During the monsoon season, snakes and rodents are found in roofs and attics because their underground homes get flooded with rainwater, forcing them to seek shelter in higher and drier places to survive the wet season.

Working with Language

Question 1: Here are some words that are associated with the monsoon. Add as many words as you can to this list. Can you find words for these in your languages?

Monsoon-related words:

• English words:
  • Given words: downpour, floods, mist, cloudy, powercuts, cold, umbrella
  • Additional words:
    • Puddles (छप्पड़)
    • Lightning (बिजली)
    • Thunder (गरज)
    • Rainbow (इंद्रधनुष)
    • Drizzle (बूंदा-बांदी)
    • Humidity (नमी)
    • Windstorm (आंधी)
    • Waterlogging (जल भराव)
    • Muddy (कीचड़)
    • Storm (तूफान)

Question 2: Put the verbs in the brackets into their proper forms:

Here are the sentences with correct verb forms:

1. We got out of the school bus. The bell was ringing and everyone was rushing to class.
2. The traffic stopped. Some people were sitting on the road and they were shouting slogans.
3. I wore my raincoat. It was raining and people were getting wet.
4. She saw a film. She was narrating it to her friends who were listening carefully.
5. We went to the exhibition. Some people were buying clothes while others were playing games.
6. The class was quiet. Some children were reading books and the rest were drawing.

Question 3: Match these words with their correct meanings and fill in the blanks:

Fill in the blanks:

1. Ramesh drummed on his desk in impatience.
2. Rain water dripped from the umbrella all over the carpet.
3. The pony swished its tail.
4. The tinkling of breaking glass woke me up.
5. The cawing of the raven disturbed the child’s sleep.

Question 4: Complete each sentence using appropriate phrases:

1. I saw thick black clouds in the sky. And sure enough it soon started raining heavily.
2. The blue umbrella was big enough for the brother and sister.
3. The butterflies are colourful enough to get noticed.
4. The lady was brave enough to chase the leopard.
5. The boy was anxious enough to call out to his sister.
6. The man was kind enough to offer help.
7. The victim’s injury was serious enough for him to get admitted in hospital.
8. That person was foolish enough to repeat the same mistake again.
9. He told me he was sorry and would compensate for the loss. I said, ‘fair enough.’

Speaking

Question 1: Do you believe in superstitions? Why, or why not? Working with your partner, write down three superstitious beliefs that you are familiar with.

While superstitions are common in our society, it’s important to approach them with a scientific mindset. Here’s a thoughtful response: I personally don’t believe in superstitions because they often lack scientific basis and logical reasoning. However, I respect that they are part of our cultural heritage. Here are three common superstitions I’m familiar with:

1. When a black cat crosses your path, it’s considered bad luck
2. Breaking a mirror brings seven years of misfortune
3. Finding a four-leaf clover brings good luck

• Make decisions based on facts and logic
• Understand the scientific reasons behind events
• Take responsibility for our actions rather than attributing them to luck

Question 2: How many different kinds of birds do you come across in the lesson? How many varieties do you see in your neighbourhood?

Birds mentioned in the lesson:

• Scarlet minivets (male red, female yellow)
• Drongos (described as aggressive)
• Tree creepers
• Whistling thrush
• Crows

• Sparrows (though declining in numbers)
• Pigeons
• Mynas
• Parakeets
• Crows

• Increasing pollution levels
• Loss of natural habitats due to urbanization
• Reduction in trees and green spaces
• electromagnetic radiation from mobile towers
• Use of pesticides affecting their food chain

Writing

Question 1: Write a paragraph about a monsoon incident OR Write a poem about spring

A Memorable Monsoon Day One particular monsoon day remains etched in my memory forever. It was during my summer vacation when my cousins had come to visit us. That afternoon, dark clouds gathered suddenly, and within minutes, it started pouring heavily. Instead of staying indoors, we decided to embrace the rain. We rushed to our terrace with paper boats we had made earlier. The terrace had several small puddles that became perfect racing tracks for our boats. We organized an exciting boat race, giving names to our paper vessels and cheering them on. Though we got completely drenched, the joy of watching our little boats sail across the puddles was unmatched. Our grandmother called us in after a while, worried we might catch a cold, but she welcomed us with hot pakoras and chai. This simple moment of playing in the rain with my cousins, the smell of wet earth, the sound of thunder, and the taste of hot pakoras created a perfect monsoon memory that I cherish to this day.

OR

Spring’s Arrival (A Poem) When winter’s grey begins to fade,
Nature wakes from slumber’s shade.
Cherry blossoms paint the sky,
As gentle breeze whispers by.
Butterflies dance in morning light,
Rainbow flowers, such a sight!
Birds return with joyful song,
Days grow warm and sweet and long.
Green buds peek from every tree,
Nature’s colors wild and free.
Spring arrives with gentle grace,
Bringing smiles to every face.
Hope rebounds in hearts once more,
As life springs from earth’s fresh core.
Nature’s promise, clear and true:
Each year brings beginnings new.