The Flood: Notes – Summary, Meanings, Question and Answers Class 7 Book Lavender

The Flood: Notes, question and answers are given here for the lesson ‘The Flood’ as given in the Class 8 English textbook ‘Lavender.

Notes Based on the Lesson ‘The flood’

The Notes here contain a summary explanation, vocabulary, theme, message and moral of the story ‘The Flood’.

Summary Explanation of “The Flood”:

Here’s a simple explanation of the story “The Flood”:

The village temple stood high, but during a terrible flood, it was covered in water. Most villagers left for safety, but sixty-seven children, three hundred and sixty-seven adults, and some animals were stuck in the temple attic, living together without fighting.

Chenna Paraya was the only person left in his hut. He had no boat and had been waiting for the flood to go down. His wife, who was pregnant, and their four children, along with a cat and a dog, were all he had left. Chenna made a platform inside the hut to stay above the rising water. However, the water was now above the platform, and he felt they would drown soon.

After two days of heavy rain, Chenna broke a hole in the roof to see outside. He spotted a catamaran (a type of boat) in the distance. He called for help, and the boatmen came to rescue him. They helped Chenna’s family and their pets onto the boat. Just as they were leaving, Chenna heard someone calling from a nearby rooftop.

Chenna’s wife and the cat got onto the catamaran, but they forgot the dog. The boat started moving, leaving the dog behind. The dog was scared and barked loudly, hoping someone would save him. He watched as the floodwaters rose and saw the corpses of animals floating by.

The dog remained on the roof, feeling lonely and hungry. He tried to attract attention from passing boats but was ignored. He saw some people, but they didn’t help him. The dog cried out, feeling helpless as the storm continued.

That night was terrible. The dog feared the storm and the rising water. A crocodile swam near the roof, making the dog even more afraid. The next day, two men in a boat saw the dog but chose not to help him. The dog was sad and alone, wishing for his family.

As the flood continued, thieves came and stole bananas and other things from the plot. The dog barked to scare them away, but they hurt him. Eventually, the flood took away the hut, and the dog was left alone.

Later, when the flood waters receded, Chenna returned, searching for his dog. He found the dog’s lifeless body under a coconut tree. Chenna was heartbroken and unsure if it was really his dog, as it looked different and had been bitten. The story ends sadly, highlighting the dog’s loyalty to Chenna and the struggles they faced during the flood.

Vocabulary

Theme of ‘The Flood’

The story explores themes of loyalty, sacrifice, and resilience in the face of a natural disaster. The loyal dog symbolises unwavering devotion, protecting its master’s house until the end. The narrative reflects on the profound connection between humans and animals, highlighting the impact of adversity on relationships and the struggle for survival.

The narrative also reflects the harsh impact of nature, emphasizing the vulnerability of life during such crises. Feelings of isolation and loneliness permeate the story, particularly as the dog is left behind. Additionally, the contrasting behaviours of the villagers and thieves serve as a reminder of the importance of compassion and empathy towards all beings. Together, these themes explore the depth of human emotions and relationships in the face of adversity.

Message of the Story:

The story “The Flood” conveys several important messages:

1. Loyalty and Sacrifice: The loyal dog represents unconditional love and devotion. It stays with the house, guarding it even in the face of danger, showing that true loyalty sometimes requires great sacrifice.
2. Bravery in Adversity: Chenna Paraya’s courage in facing the flood highlights the importance of resilience and bravery during tough times. Despite being alone and scared, he tries to protect his family and property.
3. The Struggles of Nature: The story illustrates how natural disasters can deeply affect lives. It emphasizes the vulnerability of humans and animals in the face of nature’s overwhelming power.

Moral of the Story:

The moral of “The Flood” is that loyalty and love can endure even the harshest circumstances. It teaches us to value our relationships and to stand by those we love, even in difficult times. It also reminds us of the importance of compassion towards all living beings.

Question and Answers of ‘The Flood’ Lesson

Time to answer

A. Choose the correct option.

1. What were the arrival of boats symbolic of?
   good fortune
   survival
   hope
   fate
2. Why did Chenna Paraya not want to leave his hut?
   because he had no other place to go
   because no more people could be accommodated in the temple
   because his dog could not be found
   because of the fear of the banana trees and hay being stolen
3. What message does the author convey through the story?
   Humans are insensitive towards animals.
   Save yourself before you save others.
   A dog should not be faithful to humans.
   Humans are selfish beings.
4. Which adjective would you choose to describe the people of the village?
   friendly
   close-knit
   communal
   indifferent

Answers:

1. hope
2. because of the fear of the banana trees and hay being stolen
3. Humans are selfish beings.
4. close-knit

B. Answer these questions.

1. How did the animals react to the flood?
2. When did Chenna Paraya leave his hut? How did he leave the village?
3. Why did the dog cry continuously?
4. What happened to the dog in the end?

Answers:

1. How did the animals react to the flood?

Ans. The animals, like the dog, cat, and others, were scared and restless. The dog cried and barked, while other animals tried to survive in the flood.

2. When did Chenna Paraya leave his hut? How did he leave the village?

Ans. Chenna Paraya left his hut when the floodwaters rose too high. He and his family were rescued by boatmen on a catamaran, and they left the village by boat.

3. Why did the dog cry continuously?

Ans. The dog cried continuously because it was left behind in the flood, feeling scared, hungry, and lonely. It was also sad and confused as its family had gone.

4. What happened to the dog in the end?

Ans. In the end, the dog stayed on the rooftop of the hut until it was caught by a crocodile. It was found dead by Chenna when he returned.

Reference to the context

Read the lines from the story and answer the questions that follow.

1. And he knew his and their end was near as it would not take longer than a few hours for the whole hut to be submerged in water.

a. Whose end was near?

• i. Chenna’s family
• ii. Chenna’s dog
• iii. villagers
• iv. children of the village

Ans. Chenna’s family

b. Why was their end near?

Ans. Their end was near because the floodwaters were rising rapidly, and the hut was about to be completely submerged in water.

c. How did he manage to save himself and his family?

Ans. Chenna managed to save himself and his family by breaking the thatched roof of the hut and calling out for help. Boatmen heard him, and they rescued his family by taking them on a catamaran.

d. What was the situation around him?

Ans. The situation was dangerous, with heavy rains and floodwaters everywhere. The entire village was submerged, and many people had already fled to dry land.

2. His cries reached places far off.

a. Where was ‘he’?

Ans. ‘He’ (the dog) was on the rooftop of Chenna’s hut, left behind during the flood.

b. Why was ‘he’ crying?

Ans. The dog was crying because it was left alone, scared, and hungry in the flooded area, with no one to help.

c. Whose cries reached far off places?

• i. Chenna
• ii. Madiyathara Kunhappa
• iii. the man who chanted Ramayana
• iv. Chenna’s dog

Ans. iv. Chenna’s dog

d. Did anybody hear his cry and help him?

Ans. No, despite the dog’s cries, no one helped it, and the boatmen ignored it.

3. “You will be sorry for this later.”

a. Who is the speaker of this line?

• i. Chenna Paraya
• ii. one of the two thieves
• iii. Chenna’s landlord
• iv. Madiyathara Kunhappa

Ans. ii. One of the two thieves

b. Who is the speaker speaking to?

Ans. The speaker is speaking to the dog, who was barking madly at them as they stole the hay and bananas from Chenna’s plot.

c. Why did the speaker say this?

Ans. The thief said this to the dog out of frustration and annoyance because the dog was trying to stop them by barking, and they were mocking the dog’s helplessness.

Time to think and answer

1. Though people sympathised with the dog, nobody took it to safety. What does it tell us about human nature?

Ans. This shows that humans often feel sympathy but may not act on it, especially in difficult or dangerous situations. People may prioritize their own safety and needs over helping others, even when they feel compassion. It reflects a tendency toward self-preservation and sometimes a lack of action, even when someone or something else is suffering.

2. Do you think Chenna Paraya was unkind to his dog? Give reasons for your answer.

Ans. Chenna Paraya wasn’t deliberately unkind to his dog, but he didn’t prioritize saving it. In the chaos of the flood, he was focused on saving his family. It might have been difficult for him to think about the dog in such a desperate situation. However, his failure to take the dog with him shows that animals were not considered as important as humans, even though the dog had been loyal.

3. ‘Man is the epitome of greed and selfishness. Analyse the statement from the perspective of the dog in the story.

Ans. From the dog’s perspective, humans appear selfish and indifferent. Despite the dog’s loyalty, nobody rescued it, and it was left to face the flood alone. The boatmen ignored its cries, and the thieves cared only about stealing the bananas and hay, showing no compassion for the dog’s suffering. The dog might have felt betrayed by humans, as it was left behind even after giving them loyalty and protection. This reflects the idea that humans often prioritize their own interests over kindness and loyalty, making them seem greedy and selfish from the dog’s point of view.

4. How did the floods affect the people and the animals of Chenna’s village? List at least four effects.

Answer:

1. Displacement: The villagers were forced to leave their homes and take refuge in the temple.
2. Loss of property: People lost their huts, belongings, and crops to the rising water.
3. Animal suffering: Animals like the dog were left behind, scared, and hungry, struggling to survive.
4. Death and destruction: Floodwaters destroyed homes and caused the death of both people and animals.

Shorter Answers:

Ans.1. It shows that human nature tends to prioritize self-preservation over compassion. While people may feel sympathy, they often hesitate to act if it puts their own safety at risk, even in moments of crisis.

Ans.2. Chenna Paraya wasn’t intentionally unkind, but in his focus on saving his family during the flood, he neglected the dog. Though not out of cruelty, his actions reflect how animals are often overlooked in desperate situations.

Ans.3. From the dog’s perspective, humans seem selfish. Despite its loyalty, no one helped it, and the thieves prioritized stealing over its welfare. The dog’s abandonment reflects human greed and disregard for other beings during times of crisis.

Time to study language

Complete the sentences with clauses.

1. No one took notice of the dog _____
2. It was quite some time _____
3. The colour had also changed _____
4. The loyal dog _____
5. _____ until the dog was caught by the crocodile.
6. The dog bit him hard on the leg _____

Answers:

1. No one took notice of the dog who was still inside the hut.
2. It was quite some time before the dog barked again.
3. The colour had also changed because the body was all rotten.
4. The loyal dog guarded the house until the end.
5. The house stayed above water until the dog was caught by the crocodile.
6. The dog bit him hard on the leg and the thief cried out in pain.

Another set of answers:

1. No one took notice of the dog who was left behind in the flood.
2. It was quite some time before anyone returned to help.
3. The colour had also changed because the body was rotten.
4. The loyal dog guarded his master’s house until the end.
5. The house stayed above the water until the dog was caught by the crocodile.
6. The dog bit him hard on the leg when he tried to steal the bananas.

Time to learn new words

Now, complete these analogies.

1. stop: halt:: hint:
2. laugh: cry:: wide:
3. pen: writer :: voice :
4. happy: joyful :: sad:
5. yellow corn :: green:
6. cat: paw:: horse:

Ans. Here are the completed analogies:

1. stop: halt :: hint: clue
2. laugh: cry :: wide: narrow
3. pen: writer :: voice: singer
4. happy: joyful :: sad: miserable/despair
5. yellow: corn :: green: grass/leaves
6. cat: paw :: horse: hoof

Study skills

Now, find the synonyms of these words with the help of an online thesaurus.

1. terrible
2. gratefully
3. amazed
4. catamaran
5. submerged
6. recede
7. huddled
8. disappeared

Ans. Here are the synonyms for the given words:

1. Terrible: awful, dreadful, horrific
2. Gratefully: thankfully, appreciatively, obliged
3. Amazed: astonished, astounded, surprised
4. Catamaran: boat, vessel, sailboat
5. Submerged: immersed, sunk, underwater
6. Recede: retreat, withdraw, diminish
7. Huddled: crowded, clustered, gathered
8. Disappeared: vanished, gone, evaporated

Time to listen

Listen to the passage. Write true or false.”

1. The storm hit the coastal town of Kerala. ___
2. The town visited by Prashant was 16 kilometres away from his village. ___
3. The wind velocity was 350 km/hr. ___
4. It was 27th October 1995 when Prashant went to visit his mother. ___
5. The friend’s house was strong enough to endure the storm. ___
6. The storm had damaged the walls and roofs of the houses by night. ___

Ans. 1. false 2. false 3. true 4. false 5. true 6. true