Get here question and answers of the story ‘The Blue Umbrella’ from the book Class 7 Lavender textbook. Also see translation of The Blue Umbrella story and Notes based on The Blue Umbrella.
Summary
The Blue Umbrella by Ruskin Bond is a heartwarming story about a little girl named Binya who lives in a small village in the hills. One day, she gets a beautiful blue umbrella in exchange for her leopard-claw pendant. Everyone in the village admires it, especially Ram Bharosa, the local shopkeeper. He becomes jealous and tries to get the umbrella by dishonest means.
Later, Binya loses the umbrella at Ram Bharosa’s shop. Though he wanted it badly, he feels guilty and runs after her to return it. Seeing his change of heart, Binya decides to gift him the umbrella. This kind act makes Ram Bharosa realize his mistake and changes him for the better.
द ब्लू अम्ब्रेला रस्किन बॉन्ड की एक मार्मिक कहानी है जो बिन्या नाम की एक छोटी लड़की के बारे में है, जो पहाड़ी गाँव में रहती है। एक दिन उसे तेंदुए के पंजे के लॉकेट के बदले एक नीला छाता मिलता है। पूरा गाँव उस छाते की सुंदरता की तारीफ करता है, खासकर राम भरोसा नाम का दुकानदार। वह छाते से जलने लगता है और उसे पाने के लिए गलत तरीका अपनाता है।
एक दिन बिन्या छाता राम भरोसा की दुकान पर भूल जाती है। वह पहले तो छाते को पाना चाहता था, पर उसका दिल बदल जाता है और वह छाता लौटाने के लिए दौड़ पड़ता है। राम भरोसा के बदले हुए व्यवहार को देखकर बिन्या खुद ही छाता उसे भेंट कर देती है। इस नेक काम से राम भरोसा को अपनी गलती का एहसास होता है और वह एक अच्छा इंसान बन जाता है।
Intext-questions and Answers:
Such questions are given either in the beginning or along the main text of the story ‘The Blue Umbrella’ and answers to such questions are given below
Page 32
Time to start
See the book for the question.
Answer:
| WAGASA | KNUPS | |
|---|---|---|
| Country of origin | Japan | Meghalaya, India |
| Material used | Washi Paper | Palm leaves |
| History of origin | First introduced in Japan from China at the beginning of the Heian period (794–1185) | A traditional whole-body rain gear umbrella for the Khasi people, a tribe in Meghalaya. |
| Other features | i. The number of ribs is usually between 30 to 70, way superior to a western umbrella. | i. A rain shield of Khasi tribe that is an essential part of the daily lives of the locals of Meghalaya, especially during monsoons. |
| ii. It is made to be carried from the top of the body where a string or a leather handle is attached. | ii. ‘Knup’ has been around for many decades and has survived because of its utilitarian purposes. | |
| iii. Wagasa is often reinforced on high quality umbrellas to avoid deterioration. | iii. The tool features in many traditional Khasi agricultural folksongs as well as tales and legends. |
Pages 33, 34 and 35
1. Why do you think the old man had given up all hopes of ever possessing Binya’s umbrella?
Because he knew it belonged to Binya and she loved it very much, so he didn’t expect her to give it up or sell it.
2. Why did Binya creep past Ram Bharosa’s shop?
Binya felt shy and uncomfortable after what had happened, so she quietly passed his shop without drawing attention.
3. Do you think Ram Bharosa will hide the umbrella?
No, he will not hide it now. Binya gave it to him willingly, and he has realized his mistake. He feels grateful and changed.
Chapter-end Exercises with answers
These questions and exercises are included at the end of the story’s main text, with the answers provided alongside them.
Page – 36 to 41
Time to answer
A. Choose the correct answer.
- Why did Binya carry the umbrella though its colour had faded and it was patched in several places?
because she was fond of the umbrella
because she wanted to make Ram Bharosa jealous
because it was monsoon and raining heavily
because nobody in the village owned an umbrella
Ans: because she was fond of the umbrella
- Which of the statements tell us that Ram Bharosa was duly punished for his misdeed?
i. People had stopped coming to his shop.
ii. He was left alone without any company.
iii. He lost his appetite.
iv. People preferred walking to Tehri bus stand to buy things.
Choose the correct option.
i and iv
i and ii
i, ii and iii
ii and iii
Ans: i and ii
- What is the following statement symbolic of?
“The roof leaked, and the wind got in through the corrugated tin sheets…!
the terrible weather
Ram Bharosa’s misdeed
Ram Bharosa’s misery
the weak roof of the shop
Ans: Ram Bharosa’s misery
- Which of these adjectives best describes Binya?
humble
respectful
compassionate
modest
Ans: compassionate
B. Answer these questions.
- Why is October considered to be a kind month?
- Why did Ram Bharosa stop caring about his shop?
- Why did Binya hold herself responsible for Ram Bharosa’s miserable condition?
- How did Binya make sure that Ram Bharosa did not feel too bad?
Answers:
Answer Set 1 (Short answers)
- Why is October considered to be a kind month?
A. October has pleasant weather, warm breezes, and good grass. - Why did Ram Bharosa stop caring about his shop?
A. He was consumed by greed and misery. - Why did Binya hold herself responsible for Ram Bharosa’s miserable condition?
A. She thought her umbrella caused his unhappiness and the villagers’ mistrust. - How did Binya make sure that Ram Bharosa did not feel too bad?
A. She gave him the umbrella, showing kindness.
Answer Set 2
- Why is October considered to be a kind month?
A. October is considered kind because the weather is pleasant, with warm breezes and good conditions for walking. It’s a gentle transition before the cold winter. - Why did Ram Bharosa stop caring about his shop?
A. Ram Bharosa stopped caring about his shop because he was overwhelmed by his own greed and the resulting isolation. His unhappiness led him to neglect the shop. - Why did Binya hold herself responsible for Ram Bharosa’s miserable condition?
A. Binya felt responsible because she thought her umbrella, which Ram Bharosa envied, might have caused his misery and the villagers’ distrust. - How did Binya make sure that Ram Bharosa did not feel too bad?
A. Binya made Ram Bharosa feel better by giving him the umbrella, showing empathy and kindness despite her attachment to it.
Answer Set 3
- Why is October considered to be a kind month?
A. October is considered a kind month because the weather is pleasant, with warm and gentle breezes, and the grass is good to walk on. It is a time of transition before the cold, cruel winter sets in. - Why did Ram Bharosa stop caring about his shop?
A. Ram Bharosa stopped caring about his shop because he was overwhelmed by his own greed and misery. His unethical actions and the resulting loss of business led to his isolation and neglect of his shop. - Why did Binya hold herself responsible for Ram Bharosa’s miserable condition?
A. Binya felt responsible for Ram Bharosa’s miserable condition because she believed her umbrella, which he coveted, was the cause of his unhappiness and the villagers’ mistrust. She thought her attachment to it might have contributed to his suffering. - How did Binya make sure that Ram Bharosa did not feel too bad?
A. Binya made sure Ram Bharosa did not feel too bad by giving him the umbrella, despite her attachment to it. This act of kindness showed empathy and helped alleviate his misery.
Answer Set 4
A1. October is considered a kind month because it stays longer than any other month. In this month, the grass is good to be upon, the breeze is warm and gentle and pine scented. There are no leeches and the sunlight on the hill is golden and beautiful.
A2. Ram Bharosa had lost his own appetite, and almost stopped eating. There was no such earning. He had only his savings in a bank in Tehri. So, the roof leaked, the wind got in through the walls, but he stopped caring.
A3. Binya blamed herself for the misery of Ram Bharosa. She questioned herself repeatedly. She even asked herself if the umbrella was more important than people. She felt sorry for Ram Bharosa and closed her umbrella whenever she passed by his shop.
A4. Binya held herself responsible for Ram Bharosa’s misery. To make sure, that he did not feel too bad, she closed the umbrella whenever she came near the shop, opening it again only when she was out of sight.
Reference to the context
Read the lines from the story and answer the questions that follow.
1. Ram Bharosa picked it up and bit it; he held it up to the light; he rang it on the ground.
a. What is ‘it’ mentioned in the above sentence?
Ans. i. a coin
b. Who gave it to Ram Bharosa?
Ans. Binya gave the coin to Ram Bharosa.
c. Why was he suspicious about the customer who gave ‘it’ to him?
Ans. He was suspicious because he thought the coin might be fake or that Binya might be trying to trick him.
d. Why did Ram Bharosa hold it up and ring it on the ground?
Ans. He checked the coin to confirm its authenticity and ensure it wasn’t a bad coin.
2. ‘But I’m never in the sun or in the rain,’ he said aloud. ‘Of what use is an umbrella to me?’
a. Who is the speaker?
Ans. iii. Ram Bharosa
b. Who is the person being spoken to?
Ans. The person being spoken to is Binya.
c. Why did the other person leave the umbrella with the speaker?
Ans. Binya left the umbrella with Ram Bharosa because she decided she no longer needed it and wanted to give it to him.
d. Why is the speaker never in the sun or rain?
Ans. Ram Bharosa is never in the sun or rain because he spends most of his time inside his shop.
Time to think and answer
In the beginning, Ram Bharosa wanted the umbrella at any cost, but when Biniya left it at his shop, he ran after her to give it back. What caused the change of heart in Ram Bharosa? Jot down the relevant details in this graphic organiser.
See the book for the full question
Answer:
In the beginning, Ram Bharosa was
- Greedy: He was obsessed with possessing Binya’s umbrella.
- Dishonest: He tried to have the umbrella stolen.
- Untrusted: The villagers began to mistrust him because of his actions.
In the end, Ram Bharosa changed. He became
- Regretful: He felt remorse for his previous actions.
- Sincere: He wanted to return the umbrella to Binya, showing a change of heart.
- Grateful: He appreciated Binya’s kindness and generosity.
I know this because
- What caused Ram Bharosa to change during the story?
- Binya’s Kindness: Binya gave him the umbrella, despite his earlier wrongdoings, which made him reflect on his actions.
- Realization of Misdeeds: The act of receiving the umbrella back made him realize the value of generosity and the wrongness of his greed.
I know this because
- Binya’s selfless gesture and Ram Bharosa’s reaction: He initially wanted the umbrella for himself but felt genuinely moved when Binya left it with him and ran after her to return it, indicating his internal change.
2. As you sow, so shall you reap. Explain this proverb in connection to the story.
Answer:
The proverb means that your actions have consequences. Ram Bharosa’s greed and dishonesty led to his isolation and misery. Binya’s kindness and generosity helped him realize his mistakes and brought a positive change. His actions led to negative outcomes, while Binya’s positive actions led to his redemption.
OR
The proverb “As you sow, so shall you reap” means that the actions you take will determine the outcomes you experience. In the story, Ram Bharosa’s greedy actions (trying to steal the umbrella) led to negative consequences (losing trust, business, and companionship). His dishonesty and selfishness resulted in his isolation and misery. However, Binya’s kindness and generosity (giving away the umbrella) eventually brought a positive change to Ram Bharosa. He realized the value of kindness and felt regret for his past behaviour, showing that the positive actions of Binya influenced Ram Bharosa’s realization and eventual redemption.
3. Do you think Binya was responsible for making Ram Bharosa realize his mistake? Give reasons to support your answer.
Answer:
Yes, Binya was responsible. Her generosity in giving away the umbrella made Ram Bharosa reflect on his own greed and dishonesty. Her kind gesture helped him feel regret and realize his mistakes, leading to his change of heart.
OR
Yes, Binya was responsible for making Ram Bharosa realize his mistake. Here’s why:
- Generosity: Binya’s act of giving away the umbrella, despite its significance to her, demonstrated selflessness and kindness. This act made Ram Bharosa reflect on his own behavior and the consequences of his greed.
- Realization: When Ram Bharosa saw the umbrella left behind by Binya and her genuine offer to let him keep it, he began to understand the value of generosity and the wrongness of his previous actions. This led him to feel regret and reassess his behavior.
- Influence: Binya’s kind gesture and willingness to forgive played a crucial role in making Ram Bharosa acknowledge his mistakes and feel remorseful, leading to his eventual change of heart.
Time to study language
Complete the sentences with suitable phrases and clauses from the box.
- That October everyone seemed contented __________
- She was Ram Bharosa’s first customer __________
- People had stopped coming to his shop __________
- Bijju and Binya passed his shop __________
- Binya had already left the shop __________
- She entered the shop __________
Answer:
- That October everyone seemed contented, except Ram Bharosa.
- She was Ram Bharosa’s first customer in almost two weeks.
- People had stopped coming to his shop because of the umbrella.
- Bijju and Binya passed his shop almost every day.
- Binya had already left the shop when Ram Bharosa saw the closed umbrella lying on his counter.
- She entered the shop and asked the old man for a toffee.
Time to learn new words
Tick() the correct meaning of the highlighted idiomatic expressions.
1.Don’t cry wolf or when you’re really in trouble, no one will believe you.
pretend to be someone else
lie about something serious
ask for help unnecessarily
use sarcasm in a situation
Ans: ask for help unnecessarily
2. Rahul crossed his fingers in hopes of getting good marks in his test.
hoped for the best
gave up hope
made a promise
showed disbelief
Ans: hoped for the best
3. Let’s cut to the chase and talk about the main issue at hand.
speak indirectly
get to the point
avoid confrontation
speak directly
Ans: get to the point
4. Priya always goes an extra mile to ensure her teacher is satisfied with her work.
walks a long distance
does maximum work
puts in extra effort
works very hard
Ans: puts in extra effort
5. I am starting to get cold feet about the presentation tomorrow.
nervousness or hesitation before doing something challenging
physical condition of having cold feet
take risks.
feeling hot
Ans: nervousness or hesitation before doing something challenging
Time to speak
Suppose you are Binya. Tell your classmates about your experience of losing the blue umbrella and what made you give to Ram Bharosa. You may begin like this.
One day, I was out with my goats in the jungle. It was afternoon and the hot sun made me drowsy. I fell asleep under the cool shade of a tree when…
Answer: Sample Answer as an Example:
One day, I was out with my goats in the jungle. It was afternoon and the hot sun made me drowsy. I fell asleep under the cool shade of a tree when I woke up to find my blue umbrella missing. I searched everywhere but couldn’t find it. I was heartbroken because it was my favorite thing.
Later, I found out that Ram Bharosa, the shopkeeper, had the umbrella. I knew he really wanted it, and I felt sorry for the trouble it caused him. Despite my attachment to the umbrella, I decided to give it to him. I thought it was better to show kindness than to hold onto something that caused so much unhappiness.
So, I went to his shop and left the umbrella there. I hoped it would make him feel better and show him that sometimes, sharing and being generous can make a big difference.
Time to write
Suppose you are Ram Bharosa. You feel sorry for stealing Binya’s umbrella and at the same time want to thank her for giving you the umbrella. Write a letter expressing both your guilt and gratitude towards the little girl.
Answer: Sample Letters are given below:
Letter Example -1
Ram Bharosa
Tehri Village
July 22, 2025
Dear Binya,
I hope this letter finds you well. I am writing to you with a heavy heart and a deep sense of regret. I want to apologize for my actions regarding your beautiful blue umbrella. I was consumed by greed and did things I am not proud of. I realize now how wrong I was to try and take something that wasn’t mine.
Your kindness in giving me the umbrella, despite everything, touched me deeply. I am incredibly grateful for your generous gesture. It has made me reflect on my behavior and the importance of compassion and honesty. Your act of selflessness has inspired me to change and be a better person.
Thank you for showing me the true meaning of kindness. I promise to be more mindful and considerate from now on. I hope we can move past this, and I wish you all the best.
Yours sincerely,
Ram Bharosa
Letter Example -2
