The Lesson “The Unlikely Best Friends” is the first story under Unit 2 ‘Friendship’ in the Class 6 New NCERT Book ‘Poorvi’. Here you would find Notes that include summary, vocabulary, character sketches and SFAQs.
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Notes: The Unlikely Best Friends
The Notes based on the lesson “The Unlikely Best Friends” include summary explanations of both the parts, important word meanings (Vocabulary Notes), Discussion Points.
Explanation of the Story: Part 1 Summary
Gajaraj, a royal elephant, lived in the best stable provided by the king. Despite all the comforts, Gajaraj was lonely because he had no friends. His only interaction was with the mahout, who took care of him daily by feeding him and giving him baths. Although the mahout was kind, he was not a friend that Gajaraj could play with.
One evening, a stray dog wandered into Gajaraj’s stable. The dog was tired and hungry, so Gajaraj kindly shared his food. The dog was grateful and fell asleep after eating. The next day, the mahout noticed the dog and saw that Gajaraj enjoyed the dog’s company. So, he allowed the dog to stay and even gave it some food.
The dog started to accompany Gajaraj everywhere, including to the elephant pond where Gajaraj bathed. Gajaraj playfully splashed water on the dog, who didn’t like getting wet. The two animals became good friends, with Gajaraj even giving the dog a ride on his back.
One day, a farmer recognized the dog as his lost pet named Buntee. The farmer was happy to find his dog and took him back home with a rope tied around his neck.
Vocabulary Notes:
- Gajaraj – The name of the elephant in the story.
- Royal Stables – A place where the king’s animals, especially horses and elephants, are kept.
- Mahout – A person who takes care of and trains elephants.
- Interacted – To talk or engage with someone.
- Strayed – To wander away from where you are supposed to be.
- Plunging – Jumping or diving into water.
- Trunk – The long nose of an elephant, which it uses to grab things, spray water, and more.
- Yelped – A sharp cry, usually because of surprise or pain.
- Delighted – Very happy or pleased.
- Objection – Disagreement or disapproval.
- Tossed – Threw something lightly.
Discussion Points:
- Friendship in Unlikely Places: The story shows that friendship can form in unexpected ways, like between an elephant and a dog.
- Kindness: Gajaraj’s act of sharing his food with the dog was a kind gesture that led to their friendship.
- Loneliness: Even with all the luxuries, Gajaraj was sad because he didn’t have a friend to play with.
Explanation of the Story: Part 2 Summary
After the farmer took Buntee, the dog, back home, both Buntee and Gajaraj, the elephant, were very sad. The dog yelped as the farmer pulled him away, and Gajaraj winced in pain, but no one noticed their tears.
Gajaraj was so heartbroken that he stopped eating. The mahout, concerned, tried to understand why Gajaraj wasn’t eating, thinking he might have a stomach issue. But Gajaraj was simply too sad without his friend.
Meanwhile, at the farmer’s house, Buntee also refused to eat. The farmer realized that Buntee was missing his friend, Gajaraj. Seeing Buntee’s sadness, the farmer decided to let the dog go back to the elephant. Buntee immediately ran back to the stable, weak but determined to see Gajaraj.
When Buntee arrived at the stable, Gajaraj was overjoyed. He picked up Buntee with his trunk and swung him around happily. The mahout, relieved to see his elephant happy again, brought food for both of them. The farmer followed Buntee back to the stable and was happy to see the two friends reunited.
The mahout then realized that not only had Gajaraj found a friend in Buntee, but he himself had found a friend in the farmer. The story ends with both pairs of friends—Gajaraj and Buntee, and the mahout and the farmer—being happy together.
Vocabulary Notes:
- Winced – Made a slight grimace or shrinking movement due to pain or distress.
- Indigestion – A discomfort in the stomach causing difficulty in digesting food.
- Concerned – Worried, troubled, or anxious.
- Wondered – Thought about or considered something.
- Sprang – Moved or jumped suddenly or rapidly.
- Joyous – Full of happiness and joy.
- Relieved – Feeling reassured or free from worry.
- Satisfaction – A feeling of contentment or pleasure.
Discussion Points:
- True Friendship: The story highlights the deep bond between Gajaraj and Buntee, showing how true friends miss each other and feel incomplete when they are apart.
- Empathy and Understanding: The farmer and the mahout both show understanding and kindness by recognizing the importance of the friendship between the dog and the elephant.
- Happiness in Togetherness: The happiness of Gajaraj and Buntee when they reunite reflects the joy that comes from being with loved ones.
Theme of ‘Unlikely the Best Friends’
The theme of the story is friendship and kindness. It explores how unlikely friendships can form between different beings, highlighting the importance of caring for one another, showing empathy, and the joy that true companionship brings. The story also touches on the idea that love and friendship can overcome loneliness and lead to happiness for everyone involved.
Message of ‘Unlikely the Best Friends’
The message of the story is that friendship can happen between anyone, even if they are very different. True friends make each other happy and feel better. Being kind and understanding can help us make new friends and keep the ones we have.
Moral of the Story
The moral of “The Unlikely Best Friends” is that true friendship transcends differences and brings happiness and comfort to those involved. It teaches us that kindness, understanding, and empathy are the foundations of strong relationships. Even when friends come from different backgrounds or are unlikely to be together, the bond they share can bring joy and fulfillment to their lives. Additionally, the story shows that helping others find happiness can lead to new friendships and strengthen existing ones.
Character Sketches
1. Gajaraj:
Gajaraj is a royal elephant who lives in a comfortable stable. Despite his luxurious life, he feels lonely because he has no friends. Gajaraj is kind-hearted, shown by how he shares his food with Buntee, the stray dog. His deep longing for companionship makes him stop eating when Buntee is taken away, highlighting his sensitive and caring nature.
2. Buntee:
Buntee is a stray dog who wanders into Gajaraj’s stable. He is grateful for the food Gajaraj shares with him and quickly becomes his loyal friend. Buntee’s loyalty is evident when he refuses to eat after being separated from Gajaraj. Despite his small size, Buntee shows great determination by running back to the stable to be with his friend.
3. The Mahout:
The mahout is Gajaraj’s caretaker. He is attentive and concerned about Gajaraj’s well-being. Although he does not initially see himself as a friend, he genuinely cares for the elephant. The mahout is also understanding, allowing Buntee to stay with Gajaraj and eventually forming a friendship with the farmer.
4. The Farmer:
The farmer is Buntee’s original owner. He loves Buntee and is happy to find him again. However, he is kind and empathetic, realizing that Buntee misses Gajaraj. The farmer’s willingness to let Buntee return to Gajaraj shows his selflessness and understanding. By the end of the story, he also becomes friends with the mahout.
Some Student-FAQs (SFAQs)
These questions help reinforce key details and themes from the story for better understanding.
- Why was Gajaraj sad even though he lived in the royal stables?
- Gajaraj was sad because he had no friends to play with, and he felt lonely despite all the comforts he had.
- How did Gajaraj and Buntee become friends?
- Gajaraj shared his food with Buntee, a stray dog, when he wandered into the stable. After that, they started spending time together and became close friends.
- Why did Gajaraj stop eating when Buntee left?
- Gajaraj stopped eating because he was heartbroken and missed his friend Buntee very much.
- How did Buntee show his loyalty to Gajaraj?
- Buntee refused to eat after being taken away from Gajaraj. He ran back to the stable to be with his friend as soon as the farmer let him go.
- What lesson does the story teach about friendship?
- The story teaches that friendship is important for happiness and that true friends care for and support each other.
- How did the mahout and the farmer become friends?
- The mahout and the farmer became friends after realizing how much they both cared for Gajaraj and Buntee. They bonded over their shared concern for the happiness of their animals.
