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Class 8 English Chapter 10 – The Cherry Tree | NCERT Notes & Book Solutions

Class 8 English Chapter 10 – The Cherry Tree with easy NCERT Poorvi Notes and complete Book Solutions. Get a simple summary, important concepts, questions and answers, and revision material to help understand the chapter and prepare for exams.

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Class 8 English Poorvi

Unit 4 – Environment

The Cherry Tree – Ruskin Bond

Chapter Summary

The Cherry Tree is a beautiful story by Ruskin Bond about Rakesh, a young boy who plants a cherry seed and watches it grow into a strong tree.

Rakesh lives with his grandfather in Mussoorie. One day, after eating cherries, he keeps one seed. His grandfather tells him that if he wants luck, he should put the seed to some use. Rakesh plants it in a shady corner of the garden.

After some time, the seed grows into a tiny cherry tree. Rakesh begins to care for it. The tree faces many difficulties. A goat eats its leaves and later a woman accidentally cuts it in two while cutting grass. However, the tree does not die. It grows new shoots and becomes stronger.

As the years pass, both Rakesh and the cherry tree grow. The tree survives snow, insects and other difficulties. Finally, it produces beautiful pale pink blossoms. Rakesh and his grandfather feel amazed and proud.

At the end, Rakesh understands that the tree is special because they planted it themselves. The story teaches us about patience, care, hard work, growth, resilience and our close relationship with nature.

Cherry tree with red cherries
A cherry tree with ripe cherries.
Key Points and Notes

Author: Ruskin Bond

Genre: Short story

Main characters: Rakesh and his Grandfather

Setting: The Himalayan foothills near Mussoorie

Main idea: A small seed can grow into something beautiful when nature is given time and care.

Main Themes

  1. Love and care for nature
  2. Patience and perseverance
  3. Growth and development
  4. Bond between grandparents and grandchildren
  5. Respect for plants and living things
  6. Human connection with nature

Important Characters

Rakesh: A curious and caring boy who plants the cherry seed and watches the tree grow.

Grandfather: A wise and loving person who guides Rakesh and teaches him about nature, effort and patience.

Important Events

  1. Rakesh buys cherries from the Mussoorie bazaar.
  2. He keeps the last cherry seed.
  3. Grandfather tells him to plant the seed.
  4. The seed grows into a tiny tree.
  5. Rakesh waters and protects the tree.
  6. A goat eats its leaves.
  7. A woman cuts the tree in two.
  8. The tree grows again.
  9. The tree produces its first pink blossom.
  10. The tree becomes special to Rakesh and Grandfather because they planted it themselves.
Important Word Meanings
stunted: stopped from growing to the usual size
outskirts: areas at the edge of a town or city
yielding: giving way under pressure
tang: a strong, sharp taste
haunches: sitting on the feet with legs bent
peered: looked carefully or with difficulty
plodded: walked slowly
scrambled: moved quickly and with difficulty
scythe: a tool with a long, sharp, curved blade
foliage: green leaves of a plant or tree
praying-mantis: an insect
grumpy: bad-tempered
gazed: looked at something for a long time with admiration
flitted: flew quickly
reclining: lying back
nightjar: a bird
cicadas: insects known for their loud calls
Let us do these activities before we read

I Work in pairs and answer the questions that follow. Share your answers with your classmates and teacher.

1. Have you ever used a seed or a sapling to grow a plant?
Solution: Yes, I have planted a seed or sapling and watched it grow.
2. What kind of care did the plant need? Who helped you with it?
Solution: It needed water, sunlight, good soil and regular care. My family helped me.
3. How did you feel when you saw the plant grow?
Solution: I felt happy, proud and excited.

II What kind of trees do people plant in their homes? Why is it important to plant trees?

Solution: People plant fruit, flowering, shade and ornamental trees in their homes. Trees give us oxygen, food and shade. They also help keep the environment clean and provide homes for birds and insects.

III Name some fruit trees that grow in your region. What type of conditions help these fruit trees to grow?

Solution: Mango, guava, pear, apple and litchi trees grow in different parts of India. They need suitable soil, water, sunlight, air and the right temperature.
Let us read – Part I Notes
Cherry fruits on a tree
Cherry fruits growing on a tree.

Rakesh was six years old when he bought cherries from the Mussoorie bazaar. He lived with his grandfather because there was no school in his village.

The Himalayan foothills had stony soil and cold winds, so fruit trees did not grow easily. Rakesh kept a cherry seed after eating the fruit.

Grandfather told him that luck becomes useful only when we put it to some use. Therefore, Rakesh planted the seed in a shady corner of the garden.

He forgot about the seed for some time. In spring, he discovered a tiny cherry tree. Grandfather told him to water it. Rakesh cared for it and surrounded it with pebbles.

The tree grew quickly during the monsoon. A goat ate its leaves, but Grandfather told Rakesh that cherry trees were tough.

Let us discuss – Part I

I Arrange the events in order of occurrence in the story.

Two have been done for you. Share your answers with your classmates and the teacher.
Correct order:
  1. Rakesh’s parents grew maize, rice, and barley in a village. (1)
  2. Rakesh was sent to live with his grandfather in Mussoorie. (2)
  3. Rakesh bought a bunch of cherries and ate most of them. (3)
  4. Rakesh kept rolling the last cherry seed in his mouth. (4)
  5. Rakesh pressed the cherry seed into the soft soil with his thumb. (5)
  6. Rakesh discovered that the small, well-rooted twig, had grown into a cherry tree. (6)
  7. Rakesh sprinkled water on the cherry tree and surrounded it with pebbles. (7)
  8. The cherry tree grew quickly after the rains arrived early. (8)
  9. A goat entered the garden and ate all the leaves of the young cherry tree. (9)
  10. Grandfather told Rakesh that cherry trees were tough. (10)
II Do you think the cherry tree would survive? Why do you think so?
Solution: Yes. Grandfather says that cherry trees are tough. The tree also shows its strength by growing again after losing its leaves.
Let us read – Part II Notes

The cherry tree continues to face difficulties. A woman cutting grass accidentally cuts the tree in two. Rakesh thinks it may die, but the tree grows new shoots.

Rakesh also grows taller and stronger. He continues to care for the tree. Different insects and birds visit it.

The tree survives the winter snow and later produces its first pale pink blossom. In the following years, it becomes taller than Rakesh and even taller than Grandfather.

Bees visit its flowers and birds eat its cherries. Grandfather enjoys sitting under its shade.

At the end, Rakesh asks why this tree is so special when there are many trees in the forest. Grandfather explains that it is special because they planted it themselves.

Main message of Part II: The tree and Rakesh grow together. The tree becomes a symbol of love, care, patience and the special bond between humans and nature.
Let us discuss – Part II

I Complete the table given below based on your understanding of Part II of the story. One example has been done for you. Share your answers with your classmates and teacher.

CauseEffect
1. A woman cut the cherry tree while cutting grass.(i) Grandfather scolded the woman.
2. Rakesh went to his village to help his parents with planting and ploughing.(ii) Rakesh was thinner but stronger when he came back.
3. A hairy caterpillar started eating the leaves of the cherry tree.(iii) Rakesh removed the caterpillar and dropped it on a heap of dry leaves.
4. A pale pink blossom appeared on the cherry tree.(iv) Rakesh and Grandfather gazed at the tree as though it was a miracle.
5. Rakesh tasted one of the small cherries during summer.(v) He spat it out because it was too sour.
Let us think and reflect

I Read the given extracts and answer the questions that follow.

1. “Have a cherry, Grandfather,” he said, as soon as he saw his grandfather in the garden.

Grandfather took one cherry and Rakesh promptly ate the other two. He kept the last seed in his mouth for some time, rolling it round and round on his tongue until all the tang had gone. Then he placed the seed on the palm of his hand and studied it.

“Are cherry seeds lucky?” asked Rakesh.

“Of course.”

“Then I’ll keep it.”

“Nothing is lucky if you put it away. If you want luck, you must put it to some use.”

(i) Substitute the underlined phrase with a correct word from the extract.
Answer: promptly
(ii) What does Rakesh’s action of rolling the cherry seed in his mouth most likely suggest about his mood at that moment?
Answer: B. He is enjoying the taste and the moment.
(iii) Complete the following sentence suitably with reference to Rakesh and his grandfather.
Answer: Rakesh’s decision to plant the seed shows that he respects and values his grandfather’s advice.
(iv) How does the grandfather’s advice reflect his view about luck and effort?
Answer: Grandfather believes that luck becomes useful only when we make an effort and use an opportunity properly.

2. Winter came early. The cherry tree bent low with the weight of snow. Field-mice sought shelter in the roof of the cottage. The road from the valley was blocked, and for several days there was no newspaper, and this made Grandfather quite grumpy. His stories began to have unhappy endings.

In February it was Rakesh’s birthday. He was nine—and the tree was four, but almost as tall as Rakesh.

(i) Complete the following sentence suitably.
Answer: The phrase ‘field-mice sought shelter in the roof of the cottage’ suggests that the weather was very cold and harsh.
(ii) What can be inferred about the cherry tree’s toughness from the line, ‘The cherry tree bent low with the weight of snow’?
Answer: B. The tree could withstand harsh weather.
(iii) How did the early winter affect Grandfather’s mood and storytelling?
Answer: The blocked road meant that Grandfather did not receive newspapers for several days. This made him grumpy, and his stories began to have unhappy endings.
(iv) Complete the sentence by choosing the correct option.
Answer: the tree’s growth paralleling Rakesh’s own development

II Answer the following questions.

1. Why did Rakesh’s parents send him to Mussoorie?
Solution: There was no school in their village. So, they sent Rakesh to Mussoorie to live with his grandfather and attend school.
2. Why did Rakesh let the praying-mantis remain on the branch of the cherry tree?
Solution: He let it remain because it was the cherry tree’s first visitor.
3. How is life in the Himalayan foothills described in the story?
Solution: Life is shown as simple and close to nature. The area has mountains, forests, cold winters, monsoon rains, birds, insects and changing seasons.
4. What might Rakesh mean when he says, “Is this what it feels to be God?” at the end of the story?
Solution: Rakesh feels amazed and proud because he helped a tiny seed become a beautiful tree. He feels the joy of creating and caring for life.
5. How does the writer describe the relationship between Rakesh and his grandfather?
Solution: They share a loving and close relationship. Grandfather guides Rakesh, and Rakesh enjoys listening to his stories and spending time with him.
6. What can you infer about the connection between humans and nature based on the story?
Solution: Humans and nature are closely connected. When people care for nature, plants and trees can become a source of happiness, learning and companionship.
7. Imagine Rakesh reflects on his wonderful experience of watching a seed being transformed into a full-grown cherry tree. Write how he must have felt.
Solution: Rakesh must have felt happy, proud and amazed. He would feel that his small effort had created something beautiful and living. He would also feel grateful to his grandfather for guiding him.
Let us learn

I Each word list has one word that does not match with the other words. Identify the odd word. One example has been done for you.

1. chop, trim, slice, mince
Answer: trim
2. plodded, galloped, scrambled, trudged
Answer: galloped
3. tender, delicate, soft, smooth
Answer: smooth
4. stared, peered, pecked, gazed
Answer: pecked
5. growing, blossoming, progressing, planting
Answer: planting

II Choose the most suitable taste words given in the box below and write against the food items that follow.

1. tamarind
Answer: sour
2. jaggery
Answer: sweet
3. neem leaves
Answer: bitter
4. paneer (cottage cheese)
Answer: bland
5. lemon
Answer: sour
6. pickle
Answer: tangy
7. a dish of vegetables
Answer: spicy
Now, use any five taste words and make sentences of your own.
  1. The mango is sweet.
  2. The lemon is sour.
  3. Neem leaves are bitter.
  4. The pickle is tangy.
  5. The soup is salty.

III Choose the correct antonyms for the textual words given below from the box. There are two extra words that you will not need.

1. tender 5. feasting
2. sturdy 6. grumpy
3. narrow 7. sheltered
4. warmth 8. special
Answers:
  1. tender — hard
  2. sturdy — shaky
  3. narrow — wide
  4. warmth — coldness
  5. feasting — fasting
  6. grumpy — cheerful
  7. sheltered — unprotected
  8. special — ordinary

IV Read the following lines from the text and underline all the verbs and identify the form of tense.

1. Rakesh was on his way home from school when he bought the cherries.
Answer: was, bought — Simple Past Tense is used in the main actions.
2. Rakesh was looking for Grandfather without finding him in any of his favourite places around the house.
Answer: was looking — Past Progressive Tense.
3. Rakesh and Grandfather gazed at the tree as though it had performed a miracle.
Answer: gazed — Simple Past Tense; had performed — Past Perfect Tense.
Now, fill in the blanks with the correct form of Simple Past, Past Progressive, or Past Perfect Tenses of the verbs given in brackets. One example has been done for you.
  1. I was sitting (sit) with my grandparents in the garden.
  2. As we were talking (talk),
  3. I realised (realise) how much wisdom they
  4. had imparted (impart) to me over the years.
  5. While I was listening (listen) to their stories for hours together,
  6. I remembered (remember) the times we
  7. had spent (spend) together planting flowers and learning about life.
  8. By the time I left, the sun had set (set),
  9. and I felt (feel) a deep sense of gratitude for the bond we
  10. had nurtured (nurture) through love, care, and countless memories.

V Study the punctuation marks in the following sentences from the text.

Full stop: ends a statement.

Comma: separates words, phrases or clauses.

Question mark: ends a direct question.

Exclamation mark: shows strong feeling.

Colon: introduces an explanation or list.

Semicolon: connects closely related clauses.

Apostrophe: shows possession or contractions.

Quotation marks: show direct speech.

Dash: adds emphasis or separates related thoughts.

Now, punctuate the following paragraph appropriately.

Every Sunday, Roshni would visit her grandparents’ house on their farm.

“Come sit,” Grandpa would say, patting the bench on their porch.

Roshni loved these moments where the world slowed down and stories flowed like magic. Grandma would bring tea, her eyes twinkling with joy.

“I’m excited to hear about your younger days, the adventures, the lessons and the memories,” Roshni said eagerly.

Grandpa smiled softly, his wrinkled hands resting on the cane. “Ah, the old days… when everything was simple and happiness was all we had.”

Roshni could feel the warmth of those memories. He sat in silence, bound not by words but by a timeless bond.

Let us listen
I You will listen to a conversation between a son and his mother. As you listen, select four true statements from 1–7 given below. (Transcript for teacher on page 201)
Four true statements:
  1. 2. The son was surprised to know about the Appiko Movement.
  2. 3. The son agreed that the Chipko Movement was about people uniting to make an impact.
  3. 5. The mother was curious to hear about Saalumarada Thimakka.
  4. 7. The son found the information on Jadav Payeng wonderful.
Let us speak

I Work in pairs. Read aloud the following words from the text. Write the number of syllables in each word. Check your answers with your classmates and teacher.

WordSyllablesBreak-up
mountains2moun-tains
grandfather3grand-fa-ther
tender2ten-der
disturbed2dis-turbed
caterpillar4cat-er-pill-ar
Himalayan4Hi-ma-la-yan
performed2per-formed
intention3in-ten-tion
slope1slope
newspaper3news-pa-per
favourite3fa-vour-ite

II Speak about Van Mahotsav Diwas and its significance. Before you speak in the class or assembly, prepare yourself on the following points:

• When is it celebrated?
Answer: Van Mahotsav is celebrated in India during the first week of July.
• Who celebrates it?
Answer: Schools, communities, government departments and people across India take part in it.
• Why is it celebrated?
Answer: It is celebrated to encourage tree planting and create awareness about the importance of forests and trees.
• How is it celebrated?
Answer: People plant saplings, organise awareness programmes and encourage others to protect trees.
• What is the message it conveys?
Answer: It conveys the message that everyone should plant, protect and care for trees.
Tree plantation activity
Students participating in a tree plantation activity.
Let us write

Now, complete the article for a magazine on ‘Trees–Our Lifeline’. Use the words and phrases given in the box below.

absorb carbon dioxide
Moreover, our planet
reduces pollution
Additionally
would stop existing
ensures a better future
climate control
Trees–Our Lifeline
To conclude
If trees were not there

Answers:

  1. Trees–Our Lifeline
  2. would stop existing
  3. absorb carbon dioxide
  4. reduces pollution
  5. Additionally
  6. climate control
  7. If trees were not there
  8. Moreover, our planet
  9. To conclude
  10. ensures a better future

Trees–Our Lifeline

By – [Write your name and class]

Trees are essential for life on Earth. Without them, life as we know would stop existing. This is the reason why trees are our lifeline.

Trees provide us with food, shelter, and even medicine. Trees absorb carbon dioxide and release oxygen, helping us breathe. This process also reduces pollution and keeps the environment clean. Additionally, trees give us fruits, nuts, and other foods. Trees also help in climate control and prevention of soil erosion.

If trees were not there, the air would be polluted, and we would struggle to breathe. Moreover, our planet would be barren, lacking food, shelter, and life-giving greenery.

To conclude, trees are true friends. Protecting and planting trees ensures a better future for everyone on Earth. Therefore, we must act now to protect and plant more trees, preserving Earth’s green lifeline for future generations.

Did You Know?

Rakesh saw the V-shaped formation of wild ducks flying northward.

Birds often fly in a V-shaped formation because it helps them use uplifting air currents and save energy while travelling long distances.

Let us explore

I Did you know that the banyan tree is the National Tree of India? Our country has age-old banyan trees. Some of them are:

1. The Great Banyan, located in Shibpur, Howrah, near Kolkata.
Note: The Great Banyan is a famous old banyan tree in the Indian Botanical Garden area.
2. Dodda Aalada Mara, located in Kethohalli village, near Bengaluru.
Note: Dodda Aalada Mara is a large and famous banyan tree near Bengaluru.
3. Thimmamma Marrimanu, in Anantapur District in Andhra Pradesh. It was recorded as the largest tree specimen in the world in the Guinness Book of World Records in 1989.
Note: Thimmamma Marrimanu is a very large banyan tree known for its enormous spread and many supporting roots.
Banyan tree in India
Banyan tree, the National Tree of India.

II Kailash Sankhala, ‘The Tiger Man of India’, was an Indian biologist and conservationist. He carried out a census of the tigers in India in 1971. Later, because of his studies, he was appointed the first director of Project Tiger—an initiative to prevent the extinction of the Indian Tiger. He was awarded the Padma Shri in 1992.

Solution: Kailash Sankhala worked for tiger conservation and played an important role in the early work of Project Tiger. Students can also research environmentalists such as Sunderlal Bahuguna, Salim Ali, Saalumarada Thimakka and Jadav Payeng.

Now, find more information about such Indian environmentalists and share with your classmates.

Sample answer:

Saalumarada Thimakka: She is known for planting and caring for thousands of trees.

Jadav Payeng: He is known for creating and protecting a large forest in Assam through years of tree planting and environmental work.

Sunderlal Bahuguna: He was an environmentalist associated with the Chipko Movement and the protection of forests.

Quick Revision
  1. Rakesh lived with his grandfather in Mussoorie.
  2. He planted a cherry seed after his grandfather advised him to use it.
  3. The seed grew into a cherry tree.
  4. The tree survived a goat, a grass cutter, snow and insects.
  5. Rakesh cared for the tree as it grew.
  6. The tree produced beautiful pink blossoms.
  7. Rakesh and the tree grew together.
  8. The tree was special because Rakesh and Grandfather had planted it themselves.
  9. The story teaches patience, care, perseverance and love for nature.
  10. Humans and nature share a close relationship.
Important Questions for Revision
Why is the cherry tree special to Rakesh and Grandfather?
It is special because they planted it themselves and watched it grow over the years.
What does the cherry tree symbolise?
It symbolises growth, patience, care, resilience and the bond between humans and nature.
What did Grandfather teach Rakesh about luck?
He taught him that luck becomes useful only when we put it to some use and make an effort.
How did the cherry tree show resilience?
It grew again after its leaves were eaten by a goat and after its stem was cut by a grass cutter.
What is the main message of the story?
The story teaches us to care for nature, be patient and value the living things that grow around us.

Prepare this worksheet to practise important questions and revision exercises from Chapter10. It will help you understand the chapter, revise key concepts, and prepare effectively for tests and exams.

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