This is Jody’s Fawn – Class 8 English NCERT Solutions
Explore the solutions for “This is Jody’s Fawn,” Class 8 English NCERT. This heartwarming story teaches us valuable lessons about responsibility, compassion, and the importance of repaying our debts. Through Jody’s care for the orphaned fawn, students learn how every action has consequences and how we should take responsibility for our actions. The story also beautifully portrays the bond between humans and animals.
Summary of the Story
In English:
The story revolves around a young boy named Jody whose father, Penny, is bitten by a rattlesnake. To save his life, they must kill a doe (female deer) and use its liver and heart as a folk medicine to draw out the snake’s poison. After saving his father’s life, Jody feels responsible for the orphaned fawn left behind. With his father’s permission and support from Doc Wilson and Mill-wheel, Jody goes back to find the fawn. He discovers it in the forest, brings it home, and learns to feed and care for it. The story beautifully depicts themes of responsibility, compassion, and the circle of life.
In Hindi:
यह कहानी जोडी नामक एक युवा लड़के की है जिसके पिता पेनी को एक रैटलस्नेक ने काट लिया। उनकी जान बचाने के लिए, उन्हें एक मादा हिरण को मारना पड़ता है और उसके कलेजे और दिल का उपयोग सांप के जहर को निकालने के लिए करना पड़ता है। अपने पिता की जान बचाने के बाद, जोडी अनाथ हुए हिरण के बच्चे के लिए जिम्मेदार महसूस करता है। अपने पिता की अनुमति और डॉक्टर विल्सन और मिल-व्हील के समर्थन से, जोडी हिरण के बच्चे को खोजने वापस जाता है। वह उसे जंगल में खोज लेता है, घर लाता है, और उसे खिलाना-पिलाना सीखता है। कहानी जिम्मेदारी, करुणा और जीवन चक्र के विषयों को सुंदर ढंग से दर्शाती है।
Word Meanings
| Sl | English Word | Hindi Meaning | English Meaning |
|---|---|---|---|
| 1 | Dilated | फैला हुआ | Enlarged or expanded |
| 2 | Hemmed in | फंसा हुआ | Restricted or confined |
| 3 | Sidled | धीरे से चलना | Walk in a furtive, timid way |
| 4 | Balked | हिचकिचाना | Hesitate or refuse suddenly |
| 5 | Precariously | अस्थिर रूप से | In an unstable or dangerous way |
| 6 | Greedily | लालची तरीके से | In an eager way for food |
| 7 | Frantically | बेचैनी से | In a desperate, wild manner |
| 8 | Ecstasy | परम आनंद | State of extreme happiness |
| 9 | Delirious | बेहद खुश | In a state of wild excitement |
| 10 | Wobbling | डगमगाते हुए | Moving unsteadily |
| 11 | Piteously | दयनीय रूप से | In a way that arouses pity |
| 12 | Buzzard | गिद्ध | A type of hawk similar to vulture |
| 13 | Carcass | मृत शरीर | Dead body of an animal |
| 14 | Scenting | सूंघना | Detecting smell |
| 15 | Romp | खेलना-कूदना | Play energetically |
Before You Read
**Can you think of some home remedies for:**
1. A cut on your knee: – Apply turmeric powder to stop bleeding – Clean with warm water and antiseptic solution – Apply honey for its antibacterial properties
2. A burn on your arm: – Run cool (not cold) water over the burn – Apply aloe vera gel – Use potato slices to reduce the burning sensation
3. A bee sting: – Remove the stinger immediately – Apply ice pack to reduce swelling – Make a paste of baking soda and water – Apply honey to reduce pain
Comprehension Check
**What had happened to Jody’s father?**
Jody’s father, Penny, had been bitten by a dangerous rattlesnake while they were in the forest. This life-threatening situation forced them to take desperate measures to save his life, leading to the central conflict of the story.
**How did the doe save Penny’s life?**
The doe played a crucial role in saving Penny’s life through a traditional folk remedy. After being bitten by the rattlesnake, Penny killed the doe and used its freshly harvested liver and heart to draw out the snake’s venom from his body. This traditional medicine proved effective and saved Penny’s life, though at the cost of the doe’s life.
**Why does Jody want to bring the fawn home?**
Jody wants to bring the fawn home due to a strong sense of moral responsibility and compassion. He feels guilty because they had to kill the fawn’s mother to save his father’s life, leaving the young animal orphaned. He believes they owe a debt to the doe and her fawn, and taking care of the baby deer would be a way to repay that debt. His desire also stems from genuine concern for the fawn’s survival, knowing it would likely starve without its mother.
**How does Jody know that the fawn is a male?**
Jody identifies the fawn as male through a distinctive pattern in its spots. His father had taught him that male fawns have spots arranged in a straight line, while female fawns have spots scattered randomly “every which way.” This knowledge helps him confidently determine the fawn’s gender.
**Jody didn’t want Mill-wheel with him for two reasons. What were they?**
Jody wanted to be alone for two deeply personal reasons: 1. If the fawn was dead, he didn’t want anyone to witness his disappointment and grief 2. If he found the fawn alive, he wanted to keep this special moment private and intimate, considering it too precious to share with others
**Why was Mill-wheel afraid to leave Jody alone?**
Mill-wheel was concerned for Jody’s safety for two main reasons: – He worried that Jody might get lost in the unfamiliar woods – He feared that Jody might encounter and get bitten by a snake, similar to what happened to his father These concerns were natural given Jody’s young age and the recent incident with his father.
**How did Jody bring the fawn back home?**
Jody brought the fawn home through a careful and considerate process: 1. First, he approached the fawn gently and stroked its neck to gain its trust 2. He carefully picked it up, protecting it from thorny vines while carrying it through the thick forest 3. During the journey, he alternated between carrying the fawn and letting it walk 4. When the fawn showed signs of following him, he would walk ahead and let it trail behind 5. He carried it again when it seemed tired 6. Finally, when they reached home and the fawn refused to climb the steps, he carried it inside This shows his patience and gentle nature in handling the young animal.
**Jody was filled with emotion after he found the fawn. Can you find at least three words or phrases that show how he felt?**
The text beautifully captures Jody’s emotional state through several powerful phrases: 1. He became “*delirious*” when touching the fawn’s neck, showing his overwhelming joy 2. He was “*light-headed with his joy*” upon realizing the fawn would follow him 3. His eyes were “*as bright as the fawn’s*” when he brought it home, reflecting his excitement and happiness 4. He felt “*the marvel of its acceptance*” of him, showing his wonder and appreciation These expressions reveal Jody’s deep emotional connection with the fawn.
**How did the deer drink milk from the gourd?**
The fawn’s first experience drinking milk from the gourd was a learning process: 1. Initially, it butted the gourd, recognizing the smell of milk but not knowing how to drink it 2. Jody then innovatively dipped his fingers in the milk 3. He placed his milk-covered fingers in the fawn’s mouth, which it sucked eagerly 4. Gradually, he lowered his fingers into the gourd while the fawn was sucking 5. The fawn learned to drink while following Jody’s fingers, though it needed his fingers to remain in the milk This shows both Jody’s patience and resourcefulness in caring for the fawn.
**Why didn’t the fawn follow Jody up the steps as he had thought it would?**
The fawn’s hesitation to climb the steps stemmed from its natural instincts and unfamiliarity with human structures. As a wild creature born in the forest, it had never encountered stairs before. This new, artificial structure was completely foreign to its experience, just as it had been confused by the gourd of milk. This reaction highlights the fawn’s wild nature and its need to adjust to domestic life.
**Why did Penny Baxter allow Jody to go find the fawn and raise it?**
Penny Baxter allowed Jody to find and raise the fawn for several thoughtful reasons: 1. He recognized a moral obligation to the doe that saved his life 2. He understood that the fawn was innocent and didn’t deserve to starve 3. He appreciated Jody’s sense of responsibility and compassion 4. He saw this as an opportunity for Jody to learn about care and responsibility His decision showed both wisdom and understanding of the situation’s moral implications.
**What did Doc Wilson mean when he said, “Nothing in the world ever comes quite free”?**
Doc Wilson’s statement carries deep philosophical meaning. He was expressing that every benefit or gain comes with a corresponding responsibility or cost. In this context: 1. Penny’s life was saved, but it cost the doe’s life 2. This created a responsibility to care for the orphaned fawn 3. The statement reminds us that we must acknowledge and accept the consequences of our actions 4. It teaches the valuable lesson that we should be ready to pay the price for what we receive
**How did Jody look after the fawn, after he accepted the responsibility for doing this?**
Jody demonstrated remarkable care and dedication in looking after the fawn: 1. He was extremely gentle, treating it “as though the fawn were a china deer” 2. He protected it from thorny vines during their journey home 3. He sacrificed his own milk ration to feed the fawn 4. He showed patience and creativity in teaching the fawn to drink from the gourd 5. He provided emotional comfort and security to the frightened animal His actions showed maturity and genuine commitment to his responsibility.
**How does Jody’s mother react when she hears that he is going to bring the fawn home? Why does she react in this way?**
Jody’s mother’s reaction was complex and practical: 1. Initial Reaction: – She was surprised and temporarily stunned (shown by holding the coffee pot in mid-air) – She expressed concern with “Well, for pity sake—” – She felt helpless about the situation Reasons for her reaction: She hadn’t witnessed the doe’s sacrifice firsthand She was concerned about practical matters like feeding the fawn She worried about giving up Jody’s milk ration As a mother, she had to balance emotional needs with practical limitations Her reaction reflects the practical concerns of a mother managing a household with limited resources.
Grammar Exercises
**Convert the following to Indirect Speech:**
1. “Do you really want it son?” → Penny asked his son if he really wanted it. 2. “Will he ride back with me?” → Mill-wheel asked if he would ride back with him. 3. “Do you think the fawn is still there?” → He asked Mill-wheel if he thought the fawn was still there. 4. “Will you help me find him?” → He asked Mill-wheel if he would help him find him. 5. “Was it up here that Pa got bitten by the snake?” → He asked if it was up there that Pa had got bitten by the snake.
**Identify whether the verbs are Transitive or Intransitive (continued):**
3. Found (in “You found him”) – *Transitive* – Takes direct object “him” 4. Picked up (in “He picked it up”) – *Transitive* – Takes direct object “it” 5. Dipped (in “He dipped his fingers in the milk”) – *Transitive* – Takes direct object “his fingers” 6. Bleated and butted (in “It bleated frantically and butted him”) – *Intransitive* (bleated), *Transitive* (butted – takes object “him”) 7. Sucked (in “The fawn sucked his fingers”) – *Transitive* – Takes direct object “his fingers” 8. Lowered (in “He lowered his fingers slowly into the milk”) – *Transitive* – Takes direct object “his fingers” 9. Stamped (in “It stamped its small hoofs impatiently”) – *Transitive* – Takes direct object “its small hoofs” 10. Held (in “He held his fingers below the level of the milk”) – *Transitive* – Takes direct object “his fingers” 11. Followed (in “The fawn followed him”) – *Transitive* – Takes direct object “him” 12. Walked (in “He walked all day”) – *Intransitive* – No direct object 13. Stroked (in “He stroked its sides”) – *Transitive* – Takes direct object “its sides” 14. Lifted (in “The fawn lifted its nose”) – *Transitive* – Takes direct object “its nose” 15. Hung (in “Its legs hung limply”) – *Intransitive* – No direct object
MCQ Questions
**For whom was Jody worried?**
Answer: (d) Jody was worried about the fawn Explanation: Throughout the story, Jody shows deep concern for the orphaned fawn’s well-being, constantly thinking about whether it was hungry, scared, or alone.
**When did Penny feel hemmed?**
Answer: (b) Penny felt hemmed when Jody proposed to bring the fawn home Explanation: Penny felt “hemmed in” or caught in a difficult situation when Jody asked to bring the fawn home because he couldn’t refuse his son’s compassionate request, especially after the doe had saved his life.
**Why did Jody fear his parents not allowing him to bring the fawn home?**
Answer: (b) His parents did not want the fawn because of the expenses of feeding the animal Explanation: The main concern was about feeding the fawn, particularly since it would require Jody’s share of milk, which was already a limited resource in their household.
**Why did Jody’s mother held the coffee pot in mid-air? What does it show?**
Answer: (a) Jody’s mother held the coffee pot in mid-air because she was stunned at what Jody had said Explanation: This action symbolizes her surprise and momentary shock at Jody’s unexpected announcement about bringing home the fawn, showing her immediate concern about the implications of this decision.
**Whom did Dr. Wilson and Mill support?**
Answer: (b) Dr. Wilson and Mill supported Jody Explanation: Both Dr. Wilson and Mill-wheel supported Jody’s desire to save the fawn. Dr. Wilson even emphasized the moral obligation by saying “Nothing in the world comes quite free,” while Mill-wheel offered to help Jody find the fawn.