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The Donkey – CBSE NCERT Study Resources

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4th

4th - English

The Donkey

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Chapter Overview: The Donkey

This chapter tells the story of a donkey and its experiences, highlighting themes of perseverance, hard work, and the value of every creature. It is part of the CBSE Grade 4 English curriculum, designed to improve reading comprehension and moral understanding among students.

Key Theme: The importance of hard work and self-worth, as demonstrated through the donkey's journey.

Summary of the Story

The story revolves around a donkey who is often underestimated by others due to its appearance and slow nature. Despite facing ridicule, the donkey continues to work diligently, proving its worth through perseverance. The narrative emphasizes that every being has unique strengths and should be respected.

Characters

  • The Donkey: The protagonist, hardworking and humble.
  • Other Animals: They initially mock the donkey but later appreciate its efforts.
  • The Owner: Recognizes the donkey's contributions.

Moral of the Story

The story teaches students that hard work and determination are more valuable than superficial judgments. It encourages kindness and respect toward all living beings.

Vocabulary: Words like "perseverance," "diligence," and "humility" are introduced to enhance language skills.

Activities and Exercises

The chapter includes comprehension questions, vocabulary exercises, and moral-based discussions to reinforce learning.

All Question Types with Solutions – CBSE Exam Pattern

Explore a complete set of CBSE-style questions with detailed solutions, categorized by marks and question types. Ideal for exam preparation, revision and practice.

Very Short Answer (1 Mark) – with Solutions (CBSE Pattern)

These are 1-mark questions requiring direct, concise answers. Ideal for quick recall and concept clarity.

Question 1:
What is the name of the donkey in the chapter?
Answer:
The donkey's name is Iggy.
Question 2:
Where did Iggy live?
Answer:
Iggy lived in a small village near the hills.
Question 3:
What was Iggy's favorite food?
Answer:
Iggy loved eating carrots and fresh grass.
Question 4:
Why did the children in the village love Iggy?
Answer:
The children loved Iggy because he was friendly and playful with them.
Question 5:
What sound does a donkey make?
Answer:
A donkey makes a sound called braying.
Question 6:
How did Iggy help the villagers?
Answer:
Iggy helped the villagers by carrying heavy loads and pulling carts.
Question 7:
What color was Iggy's fur?
Answer:
Iggy had grayish-brown fur.
Question 8:
Who was Iggy's best friend in the village?
Answer:
Iggy's best friend was a little boy named Rohan.
Question 9:
What did Iggy do when he was happy?
Answer:
When Iggy was happy, he wagged his tail and brayed loudly.
Question 10:
Why was Iggy special to the villagers?
Answer:
Iggy was special because he was hardworking and always cheerful.
Question 11:
What lesson does the story of Iggy teach us?
Answer:
The story teaches us to be helpful, kind, and always happy like Iggy.
Question 12:
How did Iggy show his love for Rohan?
Answer:
Iggy showed his love by nuzzling Rohan and following him around.

Very Short Answer (2 Marks) – with Solutions (CBSE Pattern)

These 2-mark questions test key concepts in a brief format. Answers are expected to be accurate and slightly descriptive.

Question 1:
What did the donkey think about himself in the story The Donkey?
Answer:

The donkey thought he was useless and unwanted because he believed nobody cared for him. He felt sad and lonely until the old man showed him kindness.

Question 2:
Why did the old man take the donkey home in The Donkey?
Answer:

The old man took the donkey home because he saw the donkey was neglected and unhappy. He wanted to give him love and a better life.

Question 3:
How did the donkey's life change after meeting the old man?
Answer:

The donkey's life became happier and meaningful. The old man fed him, cared for him, and made him feel important.

Question 4:
What lesson does the story The Donkey teach us?
Answer:

The story teaches us that kindness and compassion can change someone's life. Everyone deserves love and care, no matter how small or unimportant they may seem.

Question 5:
Describe one way the donkey helped the old man in the story.
Answer:

The donkey helped the old man by carrying loads of firewood and other goods, making the old man's work easier.

Question 6:
Why was the donkey unhappy at the beginning of the story?
Answer:

The donkey was unhappy because he felt ignored and unloved. Nobody paid attention to him or took care of him.

Question 7:
What made the donkey realize his worth in The Donkey?
Answer:

The old man's love and care made the donkey realize his worth. He understood that he was important and useful.

Question 8:
How did the old man and the donkey become friends in the story?
Answer:

The old man showed kindness to the donkey by feeding him and giving him shelter. Over time, they developed a strong bond of friendship.

Question 9:
Who is the main character in the story The Donkey?
Answer:

The main character in the story The Donkey is a donkey who learns an important lesson about being content with what he has.

Question 10:
Why did the donkey feel unhappy in the beginning of the story?
Answer:

The donkey felt unhappy because he thought his life was hard and wished to be someone else, like a dog or a horse, without realizing their struggles.

Question 11:
What lesson did the donkey learn by the end of the story?
Answer:

By the end, the donkey learned to appreciate his own life and understood that everyone has their own challenges.

Question 12:
Name one animal the donkey wished to become in the story.
Answer:

The donkey wished to become a dog because he thought dogs had an easy life.

Question 13:
How did the donkey realize his mistake?
Answer:

The donkey realized his mistake after seeing the difficulties faced by the dog and the horse, making him appreciate his own life.

Question 14:
What is the moral of the story The Donkey?
Answer:

The moral is to be happy with what you have instead of always wanting something else.

Question 15:
Describe one challenge the donkey faced in his own life.
Answer:

The donkey had to carry heavy loads and work hard, which made him feel tired and unhappy at first.

Question 16:
Why is the story The Donkey important for children?
Answer:

It teaches children the value of gratitude and helps them understand that everyone has their own struggles.

Question 17:
Who is the main character in the chapter The Donkey?
Answer:

The main character in the chapter The Donkey is a donkey named Iky. He is hardworking but often feels unappreciated.

Question 18:
Why did Iky feel sad in the story?
Answer:

Iky felt sad because he thought nobody cared for him despite his hard work. He carried heavy loads but never received any appreciation.

Question 19:
How did the farmer realize his mistake in the story?
Answer:

The farmer realized his mistake when he saw Iky feeling tired and unhappy. He understood that he should have been more grateful for Iky's hard work.

Question 20:
What did the farmer do to make Iky happy again?
Answer:

The farmer gave Iky a day off, fed him fresh grass, and patted him kindly. This made Iky feel loved and appreciated.

Question 21:
Name one quality of Iky from the story.
Answer:

Iky was hardworking. He never complained even when he had to carry heavy loads.

Question 22:
Why is it important to be kind to animals like Iky?
Answer:

Being kind to animals like Iky is important because they help us in many ways. They deserve love and care just like humans.

Question 23:
What would have happened if the farmer had continued ignoring Iky?
Answer:

If the farmer had continued ignoring Iky, the donkey might have become sick or unwilling to work. Kindness keeps animals healthy and happy.

Short Answer (3 Marks) – with Solutions (CBSE Pattern)

These 3-mark questions require brief explanations and help assess understanding and application of concepts.

Question 1:
Why did the donkey feel proud of himself in the story The Donkey?
Answer:

The donkey felt proud because he thought he was carrying a heavy load of salt and believed he was very strong. He didn't realize that the sacks became lighter after falling into the river. His pride came from misunderstanding the situation.

Question 2:
What lesson did the donkey learn by the end of the story The Donkey?
Answer:

The donkey learned that trickery doesn't pay in the long run. He tried to trick his master by falling into the river to lighten his load, but later, when he carried sponges, they absorbed water and became heavier. This taught him honesty is important.

Question 3:
How did the donkey's trick of falling into the river backfire?
Answer:

When the donkey carried sponges and tried his old trick, the sponges soaked up water and became much heavier. Instead of making his load lighter, his plan made it harder for him. This shows that repeating tricks without thinking can lead to trouble.

Question 4:
Describe the donkey's attitude before and after his trick failed in The Donkey.
Answer:

Before: The donkey was overconfident and thought he was clever for making his load lighter by falling into the river.
After: He felt foolish and realized his mistake when the sponges became heavier. His attitude changed from pride to regret.

Question 5:
What would have happened if the donkey didn't fall into the river with the sponges?
Answer:

If the donkey hadn't fallen, the sponges would have stayed dry and light. He would have carried them easily, and his master wouldn't have learned about his trick. The donkey wouldn't have faced the consequences of his actions.

Question 6:
Why do you think the donkey's master gave him sponges to carry after the salt incident?
Answer:

The master was clever and suspected the donkey was pretending to fall. By giving him sponges, he taught the donkey a lesson. The sponges would react differently in water, showing the donkey that his trick wouldn't always work.

Question 7:
How did the donkey prove his usefulness in the story?
Answer:

The donkey proved his usefulness by carrying heavy sacks of grain for the farmer. Unlike the horse or cow, he could bear heavy loads without complaining. This made the farmer appreciate him, and the donkey learned his importance.

Question 8:
Describe one quality of the donkey that helped him in the story.
Answer:

One quality of the donkey was his strength. He could carry heavy loads without getting tired, which made him useful to the farmer. Unlike the horse, who was fast but couldn’t carry as much, the donkey’s endurance was his special skill.

Question 9:
How did the farmer react when the donkey helped him?
Answer:

The farmer was very happy and grateful when the donkey helped him. He patted the donkey and gave him extra food, showing his appreciation. This made the donkey feel loved and important.

Question 10:
What mistake did the donkey make at the beginning of the story?
Answer:

The donkey’s mistake was thinking he was useless because he couldn’t do the same jobs as the horse or cow. He didn’t realize his own strengths until he got a chance to prove himself by carrying heavy loads.

Question 11:
Why did the donkey feel sad in the story The Donkey?
Answer:

The donkey felt sad because he thought he was useless and no one loved him. He compared himself to other animals like the horse and cow, who had important jobs. Later, he realized his own value when he helped carry heavy loads.

Long Answer (5 Marks) – with Solutions (CBSE Pattern)

These 5-mark questions are descriptive and require detailed, structured answers with proper explanation and examples.

Question 1:
Describe the character of The Donkey from the chapter. How does the donkey's behavior teach us an important lesson?
Answer:

The donkey in the chapter is portrayed as a hardworking and patient animal. Despite being mistreated or overworked, the donkey continues to perform its duties without complaining. This teaches us the value of perseverance and resilience in difficult situations.

Additionally, the donkey's behavior highlights the importance of kindness towards animals. The story reminds us that all creatures deserve respect and care, as they contribute to our lives in many ways.

An important lesson from the donkey's character is that patience and hard work often lead to better outcomes, even if the rewards are not immediate. This aligns with moral values like determination and empathy.

Question 2:
Explain how the setting of the story The Donkey contributes to its overall message. Provide examples from the text.
Answer:

The story The Donkey is set in a rural village, where donkeys are commonly used for labor. This setting helps emphasize the donkey's role as a hardworking and essential part of daily life.

For example, the donkey is often seen carrying heavy loads or helping farmers in fields, showing how animals support human activities. The village setting also highlights the contrast between how the donkey is treated and how it deserves to be treated, reinforcing the theme of compassion.

Furthermore, the simple village life teaches readers about gratitude and the importance of valuing those who help us, whether humans or animals. The setting thus plays a key role in delivering the story's moral message.

Question 3:
Explain how the setting of the story The Donkey influences the events in the chapter. Provide examples from the text.
Answer:

The story is set in a rural village, where the donkey is a common working animal. This setting plays a crucial role in shaping the events because:

  • The donkey is used for carrying heavy loads, which reflects the hard life of villagers who depend on animals for labor.
  • The simple lifestyle of the village highlights the donkey's importance in daily tasks, such as transporting goods or helping in farming.

For example, when the donkey is overworked, it shows the challenges faced by both the animal and the villagers. The setting also emphasizes the bond between humans and animals in rural areas, where cooperation is essential for survival.

Overall, the village setting makes the story relatable and teaches us about the interdependence of living beings in a community.

Question 4:
Describe the character of the donkey in the chapter The Donkey. How does the donkey's behavior teach us a lesson?
Answer:

The donkey in the chapter The Donkey is portrayed as a hardworking and patient animal. Despite being mistreated by its owner, the donkey continues to perform its duties without complaining. This shows its resilience and dedication.

The donkey's behavior teaches us an important lesson about perseverance and kindness. Even when faced with difficulties, we should not give up and should always treat others with respect. The story highlights that every creature, no matter how small or seemingly unimportant, deserves love and care.

Additionally, the donkey's story reminds us to appreciate the efforts of those who work silently and contribute to our lives in ways we may not always notice.

Question 5:
Explain the moral of the story The Donkey and how it can be applied in real life.
Answer:

The moral of the story The Donkey is that hard work and patience are virtues that should be respected and rewarded. The donkey, despite being overworked and underappreciated, remains loyal and diligent. This teaches us the importance of recognizing and valuing the efforts of others.

In real life, this moral can be applied in several ways:

  • We should always appreciate the people who help us, whether at home, school, or in the community.
  • We must treat animals with kindness and care, as they too have feelings and contribute to our lives.
  • The story also encourages us to be patient and persistent in our own tasks, just like the donkey.

By following these values, we can create a more compassionate and understanding world where everyone's efforts are acknowledged and celebrated.

Question 6:
Describe the character of the donkey in the chapter The Donkey. How does the donkey's behavior teach us an important lesson?
Answer:

The donkey in the chapter The Donkey is portrayed as a stubborn and hardworking animal. Despite being mistreated by its owner, the donkey continues to perform its duties without complaining. However, its stubbornness often leads to trouble, such as refusing to move when it doesn't want to.

The donkey's behavior teaches us two important lessons:

  • Perseverance: Like the donkey, we should keep working hard even in difficult situations.
  • Adaptability: The donkey's stubbornness shows that being inflexible can create problems. We should learn to adapt to changes and listen to others.

Additionally, the chapter highlights the importance of treating animals with kindness, as they are loyal and hardworking creatures.

Question 7:
Explain the moral of the story The Donkey and how it applies to real-life situations.
Answer:

The moral of the story The Donkey is that patience and understanding are essential in dealing with challenges. The donkey's stubbornness represents how people sometimes resist change or refuse to cooperate, leading to unnecessary conflicts.

In real life, this moral applies in many ways:

  • Teamwork: Just like the owner and the donkey, we must work together and communicate effectively to achieve goals.
  • Empathy: The story reminds us to be kind to animals and people, as everyone has their own struggles.

Furthermore, the story encourages us to reflect on our actions. If we act stubbornly like the donkey, we might miss out on opportunities or harm relationships. Instead, we should be open-minded and willing to learn.

Question 8:
Describe the character of the donkey in the story The Donkey. How does the donkey's behavior teach us an important lesson?
Answer:

The donkey in the story The Donkey is portrayed as a hardworking and patient animal. Despite being mistreated by its owner, the donkey continues to perform its duties without complaining. This shows its resilience and dedication.

The donkey's behavior teaches us an important lesson about perseverance and kindness. Even when faced with difficulties, the donkey does not give up. This reminds us to stay strong and keep working hard, no matter the challenges. Additionally, the story highlights the importance of treating animals with compassion and respect, as they too have feelings.

In real life, we can apply this lesson by being kind to others and not giving up easily when things get tough. The donkey's story inspires us to be determined and empathetic.

Question 9:
Explain how the setting of the story The Donkey contributes to its overall message. Provide examples from the story to support your answer.
Answer:

The setting of The Donkey plays a crucial role in conveying its message. The story takes place in a rural village, where the donkey is used for heavy labor like carrying loads and working in fields. This setting highlights the hardships faced by the donkey and the importance of hard work in such environments.

For example, the donkey is often seen working under the hot sun, which shows its struggle and dedication. The village setting also reflects the lack of awareness about animal welfare, as the donkey is sometimes treated poorly. This helps the reader understand the need for compassion and better treatment of animals.

The setting reinforces the story's message by showing how challenging life can be for those who work silently without complaint. It teaches us to appreciate the efforts of others and to treat everyone, including animals, with kindness and respect.

Question 10:
Describe the character of The Donkey from the chapter. What lessons can we learn from its behavior?
Answer:

The Donkey in the chapter is portrayed as a hardworking and patient animal. Despite facing difficulties, it never complains and continues to do its duties diligently. The donkey teaches us the importance of perseverance and humility.

From its behavior, we learn:

  • Hard work: The donkey works tirelessly, showing us that effort leads to success.
  • Patience: It remains calm even in tough situations, teaching us to stay composed.
  • Humility: The donkey doesn’t boast about its work, reminding us to stay modest.
These qualities make the donkey a role model for students to follow in their daily lives.

Question 11:
How does the chapter The Donkey highlight the bond between humans and animals? Explain with examples from the story.
Answer:

The chapter The Donkey beautifully showcases the strong bond between humans and animals through the relationship between the donkey and its owner. The owner relies on the donkey for tasks like carrying loads, while the donkey depends on the owner for care and food.

Examples from the story:

  • The owner trusts the donkey to complete tasks without fail, showing mutual reliance.
  • The donkey’s loyalty is evident when it obeys commands willingly, reflecting its bond with the owner.
  • The owner’s kindness in feeding and caring for the donkey highlights compassion in their relationship.
This bond teaches us to treat animals with respect and kindness, as they are faithful companions in our lives.

Case-based Questions (4 Marks) – with Solutions (CBSE Pattern)

These 4-mark case-based questions assess analytical skills through real-life scenarios. Answers must be based on the case study provided.

Question 1:
Read the following passage from The Donkey:

'The donkey was tired and hungry. He saw a field of fresh green grass but could not reach it because of a high fence.'

Based on this, answer: Why do you think the donkey couldn't reach the grass? What does this tell us about the donkey's situation?
Answer:

The donkey couldn't reach the grass because there was a high fence blocking his way. This tells us that the donkey was in a difficult situation where his basic need for food was not being met easily. Despite being tired and hungry, he faced an obstacle (the fence) that prevented him from satisfying his hunger. This highlights the donkey's struggle and the challenges he had to overcome.

Question 2:
In The Donkey, the donkey meets different animals on his journey. How does the donkey's interaction with the other animals help us understand his character?
Answer:

The donkey's interactions with other animals show that he is friendly and curious. For example, when he talks to the cow or the dog, he listens to their advice and tries to learn from them. This tells us that the donkey is open-minded and willing to seek help when needed. His behavior also shows that he is kind, as he never argues or fights with the other animals, even when he is tired or hungry.

Question 3:
The donkey in the story The Donkey finally finds a way to solve his problem. What lesson can we learn from the donkey's perseverance and how he overcame his challenge?
Answer:

The donkey teaches us the importance of perseverance and problem-solving. Even though he faced many obstacles, like the high fence and his hunger, he did not give up. Instead, he kept looking for solutions until he found a way to reach the grass. This shows us that:

  • Challenges can be overcome with patience and effort.
  • Never giving up leads to success.
  • Thinking creatively helps solve problems.
The donkey's story inspires us to stay determined in difficult situations.

Question 4:
Read the following passage from The Donkey:

'The donkey carried heavy sacks of grain every day. His owner never gave him rest or enough food.'

How do you think the donkey felt in this situation? Give reasons to support your answer.
Answer:

The donkey likely felt tired, unhappy, and neglected because of the way he was treated.

1. Tired: The passage mentions he carried heavy sacks every day without rest. Continuous work would exhaust anyone.
2. Unhappy: The owner did not care for his needs, which would make the donkey feel sad or unloved.
3. Neglected: Not getting enough food is a sign of poor treatment, affecting his health and happiness.

Animals, like humans, need care and kindness to stay healthy and happy.

Question 5:
In The Donkey, the donkey's owner was unkind. If you were the owner, what two changes would you make to treat the donkey better? Explain why these changes are important.
Answer:

If I were the owner, I would make these two changes:

1. Give proper rest: The donkey should not work all day. Rest helps him recover and stay strong.
2. Provide enough food: A well-fed donkey is healthier and can work better without feeling weak.

These changes are important because:

  • Rest and food show kindness, which every living being deserves.
  • A happy and healthy donkey can work more efficiently in the long run.

Question 6:
The donkey in the story The Donkey was overworked. Imagine you see an animal being treated poorly like this in real life. What would you do to help?
Answer:

If I saw an animal being treated poorly, I would take these steps:

1. Talk to the owner politely: Explain why the animal needs better care, like rest and food.
2. Report to an adult or authority: If the owner doesn’t listen, inform someone who can help, like an animal welfare group.

Helping animals is important because:

  • They cannot speak for themselves and rely on humans for care.
  • Kindness to animals makes the world a better place for all living beings.

Question 7:
Read the following passage from The Donkey:

'The donkey was tired and hungry. He had been working all day in the fields. His owner, however, did not give him any food.'

Based on this, answer: Why do you think the donkey felt sad? How would you have treated the donkey differently?
Answer:

The donkey felt sad because he was exhausted from working all day and hungry as his owner did not feed him. Animals, like humans, need care and rest.

If I were the owner, I would have treated the donkey kindly by:

  • Giving him enough food and water after work.
  • Allowing him to rest in a comfortable place.
  • Praising him for his hard work.
This way, the donkey would feel loved and motivated to work again.

Question 8:
In The Donkey, the donkey is described as hardworking but often ignored. Imagine you are the donkey’s friend. Write a short dialogue (4-5 lines) between you and the donkey where you cheer him up.
Answer:

Dialogue:
Me: Hey Donkey, you look tired today. Are you okay?
Donkey: I worked so hard, but no one noticed.
Me: I noticed! You are the strongest and most helpful animal here.
Donkey: Really? Thank you! That makes me feel better.
Me: Always remember, your hard work matters!

This dialogue shows empathy and encouragement, which can lift someone's spirits.

Question 9:
From The Donkey, we learn that animals have feelings too. List three ways the owner could have shown kindness to the donkey. Also, explain why kindness to animals is important.
Answer:

Three ways to show kindness:

  • Providing enough food and clean water daily.
  • Giving the donkey proper rest after work.
  • Speaking gently and patting him to show appreciation.

Why kindness matters: Animals, like the donkey, help humans in many ways. Being kind ensures they stay healthy and happy. It also teaches us compassion and responsibility towards all living beings.

Question 10:
Read the following passage from The Donkey:

'The donkey was tired and hungry. He saw a field of fresh grass but could not reach it because of the fence.'

Why do you think the donkey couldn't reach the grass? What does this tell us about the donkey's situation?
Answer:

The donkey couldn't reach the grass because there was a fence blocking his way. This tells us that the donkey was in a difficult situation where he was tired and hungry, but he couldn't get what he needed easily. The fence represents an obstacle in his path, showing how sometimes things we want are close but hard to reach.

Question 11:
In The Donkey, the donkey meets different animals on his journey. How does the donkey's behavior change when he meets the cow? What lesson can we learn from this interaction?
Answer:

When the donkey meets the cow, he becomes more friendly and hopeful. The cow might have given him advice or helped him in some way. From this, we learn that kindness and helping others can make difficult situations better. The donkey's change in behavior shows how positive interactions can improve our mood and outlook.

Question 12:
The donkey in the story The Donkey faces many challenges. Describe one challenge he faces and how he tries to overcome it. What does this teach us about perseverance?
Answer:

One challenge the donkey faces is being lonely and lost during his journey. He tries to overcome this by meeting other animals and asking for help. This teaches us that perseverance means not giving up even when things are hard. By seeking help and continuing his journey, the donkey shows us the importance of determination and hope.

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