The Old Stag : Chapter -5

In a lush forest lived an old stag who was known for his kindness. Each day, he warmly greeted his fellow animals and birds. Though the forest offered plenty of food. the stag preferred staying on a small hillock with tender grass.

The hillock was covered in soft, green grass, which the old stag enjoyed. Every day, he would come down to meet his friends. and all the animals and birds loved him.

One day, the stag fell ill. He struggled to reach the hillock. The stag knew that fresh, healthy food and proper rest would help him to get well soon, so he ate the tender grass and decided to rest for a while.

The old stag could not go down the hillock to greet his friends. His friends were worried. When they learnt that the stag was unwell, they came to check on him. re

“Dear stag! How are you?” asked a deer.

“Too weak to come down and meet you all replied the stag.

“Get well soon, dear stag!” said the deer.

The animals wished him a speedy recovery and left. However, before they went back into the forest, the animals ate the fresh green grass growing on the hillock.

“The grass is so tender and nice,” said an elephant.

“I have never eaten such juicy green leaves,” said a giraffe.

Word soon spread about the tender green grass. Soon, all the animals who came to visit the stag feasted on the tender grass. Anyone who came to visit the stag would also eat the grass.

Soon, there was not much grass left for the old stag to eat. He started becoming weaker as days passed. His friends felt ashamed. They realised how their greed had made them forget about their friend, the old stag.

They understood that not much grass was left for the stag to eat and recover. The animals decided to find food elsewhere in the forest and not disturb the hillock. Some of them also brought fresh leaves for their friend.

It rained well that week. The grass soon grew back, and the old stag had enough food once again. Slowly, the old stag recovered from the illness.

The animals learnt the most important lesson:

“Nature has enough for everybody. But we need to use its resources wisely.”

Also read this: One thing at a time : Chapter-4

Let us Think

A. Answer the following.

1. Why was the old stag popular?
Ans. The old stag was popular because he was kind and friendly to all the animals and birds in the forest.

2. Why did the old stag not go down the hillock to meet his friends?
Ans. The old stag did not go down the hillock because he was sick and too weak to move.

3. Why did the green cover of the hillock slowly vanish?
Ans. The green cover of the hillock vanished because all the animals ate the tender grass when they came to visit the stag.

4. Did the animals realise their mistake towards the end? What did they do?
Ans. Yes, the animals realised their mistake. They stopped eating the grass on the hillock and brought fresh leaves for the old stag to help him recover.

B. Think and Discuss.

1. Did the animals do the right thing in the end? Why do you think so?
Ans. Yes, the animals did the right thing because they understood their mistake and helped the old stag by caring for him and protecting the hillock’s grass.

2. What would happen to the green plants around us if each one of us thought only of our own needs?
Ans. If everyone thought only of their own needs, the green plants would disappear, and nature’s balance would be disturbed.

Let us Learn

A. Match the words to their meaning.

1. Lush forest – cool resting place

2. Tender grass – green and dense woods/forest

3. Shaded spot – quick healing

4. Healthy food – delicate young grass

5. Speedy recovery  – nourishing wholesome food

Ans.