Chapter 6 – The fight Solutions

Content Structure

  • 1. About the author – (Ruskin Bond)
  • 2. Theme
  • 3. Summary
  • 4. Unit wise explanation
    • Unit – I
    • Unit – II
  • 5. Word meanings
  • 6. Comprehension Check
    • Unit – I
    • Unit – II
  • 7. Exercise questions & answers
  • 8. Additional questions & answers
    • Multiple choice questions & answers (MCQs)
      • Unit – I
      • Unit – II
    • Fill in the blanks
    • True or false
    • Match the following
    • Short-type questions & answers
      • Unit – I
      • Unit – II
    • Long-type questions & answers

1. About the author – (Ruskin Bond)

Ruskin Bond was born in 1934 and is a well-known Indian writer. He writes stories about nature, village life, childhood, and the peaceful hills. His writing is easy to understand and loved by both children and adults. His stories usually show the beauty of small towns and the kindness of the people who live in them. Over the years, he has received many awards for his wonderful and inspiring work. Some of his most loved books are The Blue Umbrella, Rusty, and The Boy from the Hills.

2. Theme

  • Firstly, the story shows that being kind and listening to each other is better than trying to win a fight. Ranji and Suraj learned this when they stopped fighting and became friends.
  • Secondly, the author also shows that friends can help each other learn new things. Ranji helped Suraj learn how to swim, and that made their friendship even stronger.

3. Summary

In this story, Ruskin Bond shows that showing kindness and making friends is better than fighting. The story is about two boys, Ranji and Suraj. Ranji was a good swimmer and a friendly boy, while Suraj was a strong wrestler who liked to act proud and spoke in a rude way. One day, Ranji moved with his parents to a new town named Rajpur. He decided to go outside and look around the hills and forests near his new home. While exploring, he found a beautiful pool with fresh, clear water. The weather was very warm, so he happily jumped in to swim. The next day, Ranji came back to the pool and met Suraj. Ranji wanted to be friends, but Suraj rudely told him the pool belonged to him and that Ranji should not swim there. Ranji didn’t believe that and refused to leave. Suraj became angry and spoke unkindly, and soon they started fighting. After five minutes, they were both tired and decided to fight again the next day. That evening, Ranji went to the market to get a lemonade and a jalebi, and he saw Suraj again. They still looked angry but didn’t fight. The next morning, Ranji didn’t feel strong, but he still went back to the pool because he didn’t want Suraj to think he was scared. When he reached the pool, he saw Suraj rubbing oil on his body and challenging him to fight again, but Ranji stayed calm. Then Suraj asked him to swim across the pool. Ranji, being a great swimmer, quickly jumped in and swam across, even going underwater. Suraj was surprised and said he had never done that before. He was amazed by Ranji’s swimming and forgot about the fight. Then he smiled and asked Ranji if he could help him learn to swim. Ranji felt really happy because he didn’t have to fight anymore, and now he had made a new friend.

4. Unit wise explanation

Unit – I

Ranji was new to Rajpur, so he wanted to explore the forests and hills around his new home. During a walk in the forest, he found a small pool with clear, fresh water. The day was very hot, so he jumped into the water and enjoyed swimming. The next day, Ranji went back to the pool and saw a boy who looked bigger and stronger than him. Ranji thought the boy would be friendly, but the boy spoke rudely and said the pool belonged to him. He told Ranji not to swim there. Ranji didn’t agree and stayed. The boy became angry and said bad things. Soon, a fight started in the muddy water. Both boys splashed, pushed each other, and tried to win. Their clothes got wet, and the mud made it hard to move. After five minutes, they were both tired and breathing heavily. Their arms and legs ached, and they did not have the energy to keep going. They decided to stop and continue the fight the next day. They picked up their clothes, which were messy and wet, and walked away quietly, each going home along a different path through the forest.

Unit – II

Ranji reached home after the fight at the pool. His mother saw the cuts and bruises on his face, arms, and legs. She understood he had been in a fight and told him to stay inside and rest. In the evening, Ranji went to the market to buy a colorful bottle of lemonade and some sweet jalebis. He enjoyed his snacks, then noticed the same boy from the pool. He started to feel angry inside and thought about fighting again or throwing the lemonade bottle, although he stayed calm and didn’t do anything. The boy also looked at him with an angry face and walked away without saying a word. The next morning, Ranji felt weak and tired. He didn’t have much strength and didn’t feel like fighting again. He still chose to go to the pool, thinking the boy might call him a scared boy if he didn’t show up. At the pool, the boy, Suraj, sat on a rock rubbing oil on his body. Suraj shouted to complete the fight, and Ranji stayed quiet. Then Suraj gave him a new challenge by asking him to swim across the pool. Ranji, being a strong swimmer, dived into the water and swam across with ease. Suraj watched with surprise and said he couldn’t dive into the water. Ranji said he could teach him. Suraj tried hard, but he made a big splash, and his belly came out of the water. Ranji laughed, though inside, he also felt a little angry. After some time, both boys sat together on a rock. Suraj said he was a wrestler and shared that his family had many cows. They shook hands and agreed to share the pool. Ranji smiled, not because he had won, but because he had made a true friend.

5. Word Meanings

Word Meanings
InterminablyNever stopping
EmergedCame out
Cluster of rocksA group of rocks together
ParchedVery dry
CascadingFlowing down like a waterfall
BarelyAlmost not
TrickleA small, slow flow of water
LimbsArms and legs
SuppleFlexible and moves easily
QuenchCool down
LimpidVery clear
Broad-leavedHaving wide leaves
ThicksetStrong and heavy-built
WallowedRolled around in mud or water
Taken abackSurprised
HostilityAngry behavior
ProclaimedSaid something loudly and clearly
ImpasseA situation where no one can agree
MusterCollect
PenetratedWent inside
StaggeredWalked unsteadily after being hit
SwayingMoving side to side
AssailantA person who attacks
SplutteringSpeaking quickly
Gasping and cursingBreathing hard and saying angry words
FrenziedWild and full of energy
ExhaustionExtreme tiredness
TremendousVery big
ScowledMade an angry face
AdversaryAn enemy
FerocityGreat force
AcquiesceTo give up without a fight
BeatenCompetition
VigourFull of energy
Treading waterStaying afloat in water by moving legs and arms
Spouting waterSpraying
AstonishedVery surprised
FeatA great achievement
PlungeJump into water quickly
ConcededAdmitted
SeerA unit of weight used previously in India
UnflinchingBrave and not showing fear

6. Comprehension Check

Unit – I

1. In what way is the forest pool different from the one which Ranji knew in the Rajputana desert?
Ans: The forest pool in Rajpur is clean, cool, and full of fresh water. It is surrounded by green trees and feels peaceful. The pool in the Rajputana desert has hot and muddy water. It is not clean and is used for many things, like washing clothes and animals. Buffaloes also sit in it, so it doesn’t feel nice for swimming.

2. The other boy asked Ranji to ‘explain’ himself.
(i) What did he expect Ranji to say?
(ii) Was he, in your opinion, right or wrong to ask this question?
Ans:
(i) Ranji thought the other boy would be friendly and swim with him. He didn’t expect the boy to get angry or tell him to leave the pool.
(ii) The boy made a mistake by asking that question because the pool was in the forest, didn’t belong to anyone, and was open for everyone to enjoy. So, Ranji had the same right to swim there as other people.

3. Between Ranji and the other boy, who is trying to start a quarrel? Give a reason for your answer.
Ans: The other boy tried to start a fight. Ranji was kind and didn’t want to fight, but the boy was rude. Ranji stayed calm and didn’t answer back, but the boy kept saying bad things and said the pool was only his. This made Ranji feel upset, and the fight began.

4. “Then we will have to continue the fight,” said the other.
(i) What made him say that?
(ii) Did the fight continue? If not, why not?
Ans:
(i) Suraj said this because he wanted to show that he was stronger than Ranji. He felt angry when Ranji didn’t leave the pool. Suraj thought the pool was only his, so he believed they needed to fight again to settle it.
(ii) No, the fight didn’t happen again. In the end, they started talking, became friends, and Suraj said they could both use the pool and share it.

Unit – II

1. What is it that Ranji finds difficult to explain at home?
Ans: Ranji thought that explaining the cuts and bruises on his face, arms, and legs was difficult. He did not want to tell his family about the fight, so he stayed quiet and said nothing.

2. Ranji sees his adversary in the bazaar
(i) What does he wish to do?
(ii) What does he actually do, and why?
Ans:
(i) Ranji wanted to throw his lemonade bottle at Suraj because he was still angry about the fight at the pool.
(ii) He didn’t do anything. He just looked at Suraj with an angry face and stayed calm.

3. Ranji is not at all eager for a second fight. Why does he go back to the pool, then?
Ans: Ranji goes back to the pool because he does not want Suraj to think he’s scared of him. Although he does not want to fight again, he feels that if he quits now, people might think he is weak, and he does not want to lose his self-respect.

4. Who was the better swimmer? How do you know it?
Ans: Ranji was the better swimmer. While Suraj challenged him, Ranji didn’t waste any time and dove straight into the water and swam across the pool with ease. He even swam underwater, showing his skill and confidence.

5. What surprises the warrior?
Ans: Suraj was surprised when Ranji dived into the water and swam across the pool so easily. He was even more amazed when Ranji swam underwater, which he had never expected him to do.

6. Now that they are at the pool, why don’t they continue the fight?
Ans: Suraj was amazed by Ranji’s great swimming skills and wanted Ranji to teach him how to dive. They decided to stop the fight and became friends to avoid fighting any longer.

7. Ranji’s superiority over the other boy is obvious in the following:

physical strengthgood divinghis being a fightersense of humour
swimming under watermaking a good pointwillingness to help

Underline the relevant phrases.
Ans:

  • good diving
  • swimming under water
  • willingness to help

8. What, according to you, makes the two adversaries turn into good friends in a matter of minutes? Explain it as you have understood it.
Ans: Ranji’s swimming skills impressed Suraj. Suraj saw that Ranji was strong in the water. On the other hand, Suraj had physical strength as a wrestler. They both recognized and respected each other’s strengths and became friends.

7. Exercise questions & answers

Discuss the following topics in small groups.

1. Is fighting the only way of resolving differences of opinion? What else can be done to reach a mutually acceptable settlement?
Ans: No, fighting is not the right way to solve problems. People should talk to each other, listen carefully to each other’s points of view, and try to understand the issue. By staying calm and respectful, they can find a fair solution that both sides agree on, without causing any more problems.

2. Have you ever been in a serious fight only to realise later that it was unnecessary and futile? Share your experience/views with others frankly and honestly.
Ans: Yes, sometimes we fight over small things, but later we realize that it was unnecessary. For example, last week, I had a fight with my friend over a game. Later, I realized that sharing the game with him would have made both of us happier in our friendship.

3. Why do some of us find it necessary to prove that we are better than others? Will you be amused or annoyed to read the following sign at the back of the car in front of you?
I may be going slow but I am ahead of you.
Ans: Some people try to prove they are better than others because they want respect and feel like they need to be the best. However, real success comes from improving ourselves and working well with others. The line can be funny because it reminds us that speed isn’t everything. However, if someone is in a hurry, they might find it frustrating.

8. Additional questions & answers

Multiple choice questions & answers (MCQs)

Unit – I

1. How was the pool’s water?
(a) Dirty
(b) Clear
(c) Dark
(d) Smelly

Ans: (b) Clear

2. Where did the stream come from?
(a) Ocean
(b) Well
(c) Rocks
(d) Sky

Ans: (c) Rocks

3. Where had Ranji lived before coming to the forest?
(a) Near a big river
(b) In a desert town
(c) In a hill station
(d) By the sea

Ans: (b) In a desert town

4. What did Ranji do in the pool?
(a) Caught fish
(b) Played with friends
(c) Swam
(d) Collected rocks

Ans: (c) Swam

5. How did the other boy describe himself?
(a) A Warrior
(b) A king
(c) A teacher
(d) A Fighter

Ans: (a) A Warrior

6. What were the pools like in Ranji’s old town?
(a) Clean and blue
(b) Sticky and muddy
(c) Full of fish
(d) Dry and empty

Ans: (b) Sticky and muddy

7. How long had Ranji stayed in Rajpur?
(a) A week
(b) One year
(c) Six months
(d) Less than a month

Ans: (d) Less than a month

8. How did they feel after the fight?
(a) Happy and fresh
(b) Angry but tired
(c) Excited to play
(d) Sleepy and bored

Ans: (b) Angry but tired

Unit – II

1. Where did Ranji go in the evening?
(a) Forest
(b) Bazaar
(c) School
(d) Playground

Ans: (b) Bazaar

2. What did Ranji eat and drink in the evening?
(a) Lemonade and jalebis
(b) Ice cream and juice
(c) Mango and milk
(d) Biscuits and tea

Ans: (a) Lemonade and jalebis

3. Which of the following did Ranji not do?
(a) Smiled
(b) Throw a bottle
(c) Say hello
(d) All of the above

Ans: (d) All of the above

4. Why was Ranji feeling weak?
(a) He played too much
(b) He had a fight
(c) He fell down
(d) He ran a long distance

Ans: (b) He had a fight

5. What was most important to Ranji?
(a) Winning the fight
(b) Having fun
(c) Earning respect
(d) Leaving the place

Ans: (c) Earning respect

6. How did the warrior react to Ranji’s dive?
(a) He ignored it
(b) He got angry
(c) He laughed
(d) He was amazed

Ans: (d) He was amazed

7. What did Suraj look like when he came to the surface after diving?
(a) A fish
(b) A snake
(c) A frog
(d) A small whale spouting water

Ans: (d) A small whale spouting water

8. How did Ranji surprise Suraj while swimming?
(a) He swam away quickly
(b) He splashed him with water
(c) He swam underwater
(d) He threw a rock in the water

Ans: (c) He swam underwater

9. What did Suraj say he would do if Ranji did not teach him?
(a) Fight him again
(b) Leave the pool
(c) Give up on learning
(d) Teach himself

Ans: (a) Fight him again

10. What did Suraj say he drank every day?
(a) Coconut water
(b) One seer of milk
(c) A glass of lemonade
(d) Orange juice

Ans: (b) One seer of milk

Fill in the blanks

1. Ranji goes to the market to buy a bottle of _____________________. (lemonade)
2. Suraj told Ranji that he wanted to be a world champion __________________. (wrestler)
3. Ranji was a good _____________________. (swimmer)
4. Suraj massages his body with ____________________. (oil)
5. Ranji cuts and bruises on his __________, ______________, and ____________. (face, legs, and arms)
6. Ranji lived in a small town called _________________. (Rajpur)
7. Suraj asked Ranji to______________ him how to dive and swim underwater. (teach)
8. Suraj came to the surface, spouting water like a small ______________________. (whale)
9. Ranji told Suraj that he needed more _____________________ to improve his diving. (practice)
10. Ranji and Suraj sat together on a smooth _________________ rock. (grey)

True or false

1. Ranji and Suraj were enemies. (False)

2. Ranji starts the fight with Suraj in the sand. (False)

3. Suraj was surprised when he saw the smooth drive of Ranji. (True)

4. Ranji believed in respect. (True)

5. Ranji wanted first to make a friend, Suraj. (True)

6. Ranji goes to the market in the morning to buy vegetables. (False)

7. Suraj lived in a desert. (False)

8. Ranji only can do underwater swimming. (False)

9. Ranji’s mother knew he came from fighting. (True)

10. In the desert, pool water was clear. (False)

Match the following

Column AColumn B
(i) A wrestlera) Rajputana desert
(ii) A best swimmerb) Rajpur forest pool
(iii) Clean waterc) The fight became a friendship
(iv) Muddy waterd) Ranji
(v) Ranji and Suraje) Suraj

Ans:

Column AColumn B
(i) A wrestlere) Suraj
(ii) A best swimmerd) Ranji
(iii) Water cleanb) Rajpur forest pool
(iv) Muddy watera) Rajputana desert
(v) Ranji and Surajc) The fight became a friendship

Short-type questions & answers

Unit – I

1. Why did Ranji love the pool in the forest?
Ans: Ranji loved the pool because it was quiet and hidden in the forest. The water was cool, clean, and clear. The trees around it made the place calm and beautiful.

2. What did Ranji expect when he saw Suraj?
Ans: Ranji saw Suraj near the pool and hoped he would be friendly. He wished they could swim together and become good friends.

3. Describe Suraj’s character.
Ans: Suraj was a strong wrestler. In the beginning of the story, he behaved a little rudely and tried to show off his strength. He was tall, had big muscles, a broad nose, and thick red lips. He drank a lot of cow’s milk every day to stay strong.

4. Describe Ranji’s character.
Ans: Ranji was a good swimmer and could swim easily underwater. He was kind and did not like fighting but he stood up for himself when he needed to and cared about his self-respect.

5. Why didn’t Ranji swim in the desert pool?
Ans: Ranji did not swim in the desert pool because the water was dirty and muddy. The pool was in a hot, dry area with buffaloes around it, and people used it to wash clothes and do other things, so it wasn’t clean for swimming.

Unit – II

1. Why did Ranji go to the market in the evening?
Ans: Ranji went to the market in the evening to buy a bottle of lemonade and some jalebis because he wanted to feel fresh and happy.

2. Why did Ranji go to the pool the next day?
Ans: Ranji went to the pool the next day because he didn’t want Suraj to think he was scared. He wanted to show that he was brave and stand up for himself. It was important to him to earn respect and feel proud.

3. What was Ranji teaching Suraj?
Ans: Ranji showed Suraj a simple way to dive gently into the water. He helped him jump in without making a big splash and go under smoothly, like a real swimmer.

Long-type questions & answers

1. How did Ranji and Suraj become best friends?
Ans: Ranji met Suraj at a forest pool. They started fighting because Suraj challenged Ranji to leave the pool but Ranji did not listen. Both got angry and began a fight. After five minutes, they felt tired and said they would fight again the next day. The next day, Ranji did not feel strong. He stayed quiet and did not reply to Suraj’s bad words. Suraj challenged him to swim across the pool. Ranji agreed, jumped in, and reached the other side easily. Suraj saw that Ranji was very good at swimming and asked him to teach diving. They shook hands, forgot the fight, and became best friends.

2. Why did Ranji refuse to fight the next day?
Ans: Ranji did not want to fight again because the fight from yesterday made him feel weak and tired. He was a kind boy and did not like fighting. He hoped to be friends with Suraj, but Suraj was still angry and wanted to fight again. Ranji stayed calm, ignored Suraj’s bad words, and swam in the pool. Ranji did not want to fight but he still went back to the pool because he cared about his self-respect. He knew that if he did not go, Suraj might think he was afraid.

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