NCERT Textbook - Anita And The Honeybees | EVS for Class 4 PDF Download

 Page 1


My name is Anita Khushwaha. I live in Bochaha village. This is
in Muzzafarpur district in Bihar. I stay with my parents and two
younger brothers. I study in college. Besides studying, I teach
young children. I also keep honeybees.
All this has not been easy for me. When I was young, I used
to spend all my time with my goats as they grazed for food. I
always wanted to go to school but my parents did not like the
idea of girls going to school.
* This is a true story. Anita Khushwaha is a ‘Girl Star’. ‘Girl Stars’ is a project
which tells extraordinary tales of ordinary girls who have changed their life
by going to school.
* Encourage children to locate Bihar on the map of India, given on the last
page of the book.
2024-25
Page 2


My name is Anita Khushwaha. I live in Bochaha village. This is
in Muzzafarpur district in Bihar. I stay with my parents and two
younger brothers. I study in college. Besides studying, I teach
young children. I also keep honeybees.
All this has not been easy for me. When I was young, I used
to spend all my time with my goats as they grazed for food. I
always wanted to go to school but my parents did not like the
idea of girls going to school.
* This is a true story. Anita Khushwaha is a ‘Girl Star’. ‘Girl Stars’ is a project
which tells extraordinary tales of ordinary girls who have changed their life
by going to school.
* Encourage children to locate Bihar on the map of India, given on the last
page of the book.
2024-25
39
Anita and the Honeybees
A Dream of School A Dream of School A Dream of School A Dream of School A Dream of School
One day I peeped into the school in
our village. I could not stay away. I
silently went and sat down behind
the children. I felt so happy. I went
home and  picked up courage to
talk to my parents about going to
school. But they told me clearly that I could not
do so. That day, I cried and cried.
One of the teachers in my village explained to my parents why
it is important to study. The teacher told them that they would not
have to pay anything for my education upto Class VIII. The teacher
said that it was the right of every child to go to school. Somehow
my parents agreed. I started going to school. I did not get high
marks, but I always asked many questions!
Ö Ö Ö Ö Ö Find out how much money do you spend in one year for
various school related things.
Things Money Spent
1. Travel to school and back
2. Notebooks
3. Pens-Pencils/Stationery
4. Uniforms
5. School bag
6. Lunch Box
7. Shoes
8. Other Things (i)
(ii)
                                            Total
2024-25
Page 3


My name is Anita Khushwaha. I live in Bochaha village. This is
in Muzzafarpur district in Bihar. I stay with my parents and two
younger brothers. I study in college. Besides studying, I teach
young children. I also keep honeybees.
All this has not been easy for me. When I was young, I used
to spend all my time with my goats as they grazed for food. I
always wanted to go to school but my parents did not like the
idea of girls going to school.
* This is a true story. Anita Khushwaha is a ‘Girl Star’. ‘Girl Stars’ is a project
which tells extraordinary tales of ordinary girls who have changed their life
by going to school.
* Encourage children to locate Bihar on the map of India, given on the last
page of the book.
2024-25
39
Anita and the Honeybees
A Dream of School A Dream of School A Dream of School A Dream of School A Dream of School
One day I peeped into the school in
our village. I could not stay away. I
silently went and sat down behind
the children. I felt so happy. I went
home and  picked up courage to
talk to my parents about going to
school. But they told me clearly that I could not
do so. That day, I cried and cried.
One of the teachers in my village explained to my parents why
it is important to study. The teacher told them that they would not
have to pay anything for my education upto Class VIII. The teacher
said that it was the right of every child to go to school. Somehow
my parents agreed. I started going to school. I did not get high
marks, but I always asked many questions!
Ö Ö Ö Ö Ö Find out how much money do you spend in one year for
various school related things.
Things Money Spent
1. Travel to school and back
2. Notebooks
3. Pens-Pencils/Stationery
4. Uniforms
5. School bag
6. Lunch Box
7. Shoes
8. Other Things (i)
(ii)
                                            Total
2024-25
Looking Around
40
One Sweet Memory
I remember some older boys in my
village also used to teach young
children. They did not like it when I
started teaching. They started to
scold and scare the children, so that
they would not come to me. For some
time, all the children except two,
stopped coming to me. But soon they
all came back because I used to teach
them with love and care.
Ö Ö Ö Ö Ö How much money did you spend on your books this year?
Ö Ö Ö Ö Ö What kind of a school uniform would you like to wear? Draw
a picture of it in your notebook and colour it.
Ö Ö Ö Ö Ö Make two groups in the class. Debate the topic – ‘We should
have uniforms in school.’
Staying in School Staying in School Staying in School Staying in School Staying in School
Time passed, and soon I completed Class V. I knew that we
would need to spend more in Class VI. My parents said that it
was time for me to leave school, but I wanted to study more. I
found a way to do this. I started to teach younger children.
From the money that I got, I was able to continue my own studies.
Let us talk
Ö Ö Ö Ö Ö Do you know someone who wanted to study, but could not
do so? Talk about them in the class.
For the teacher: Explain the meaning of term ‘debate’ to children. Debate
helps children look at any issue from different angles. Encourage children
to give their opinions in class.
2024-25
Page 4


My name is Anita Khushwaha. I live in Bochaha village. This is
in Muzzafarpur district in Bihar. I stay with my parents and two
younger brothers. I study in college. Besides studying, I teach
young children. I also keep honeybees.
All this has not been easy for me. When I was young, I used
to spend all my time with my goats as they grazed for food. I
always wanted to go to school but my parents did not like the
idea of girls going to school.
* This is a true story. Anita Khushwaha is a ‘Girl Star’. ‘Girl Stars’ is a project
which tells extraordinary tales of ordinary girls who have changed their life
by going to school.
* Encourage children to locate Bihar on the map of India, given on the last
page of the book.
2024-25
39
Anita and the Honeybees
A Dream of School A Dream of School A Dream of School A Dream of School A Dream of School
One day I peeped into the school in
our village. I could not stay away. I
silently went and sat down behind
the children. I felt so happy. I went
home and  picked up courage to
talk to my parents about going to
school. But they told me clearly that I could not
do so. That day, I cried and cried.
One of the teachers in my village explained to my parents why
it is important to study. The teacher told them that they would not
have to pay anything for my education upto Class VIII. The teacher
said that it was the right of every child to go to school. Somehow
my parents agreed. I started going to school. I did not get high
marks, but I always asked many questions!
Ö Ö Ö Ö Ö Find out how much money do you spend in one year for
various school related things.
Things Money Spent
1. Travel to school and back
2. Notebooks
3. Pens-Pencils/Stationery
4. Uniforms
5. School bag
6. Lunch Box
7. Shoes
8. Other Things (i)
(ii)
                                            Total
2024-25
Looking Around
40
One Sweet Memory
I remember some older boys in my
village also used to teach young
children. They did not like it when I
started teaching. They started to
scold and scare the children, so that
they would not come to me. For some
time, all the children except two,
stopped coming to me. But soon they
all came back because I used to teach
them with love and care.
Ö Ö Ö Ö Ö How much money did you spend on your books this year?
Ö Ö Ö Ö Ö What kind of a school uniform would you like to wear? Draw
a picture of it in your notebook and colour it.
Ö Ö Ö Ö Ö Make two groups in the class. Debate the topic – ‘We should
have uniforms in school.’
Staying in School Staying in School Staying in School Staying in School Staying in School
Time passed, and soon I completed Class V. I knew that we
would need to spend more in Class VI. My parents said that it
was time for me to leave school, but I wanted to study more. I
found a way to do this. I started to teach younger children.
From the money that I got, I was able to continue my own studies.
Let us talk
Ö Ö Ö Ö Ö Do you know someone who wanted to study, but could not
do so? Talk about them in the class.
For the teacher: Explain the meaning of term ‘debate’ to children. Debate
helps children look at any issue from different angles. Encourage children
to give their opinions in class.
2024-25
41
Anita and the Honeybees
Ö Ö Ö Ö Ö Every child has a right to free education upto Class VIII. Do you
think that all children are able to study up to Class VIII? Discuss.
A Secret
I learnt how to ride a motor-
cycle. I did not tell anyone. I
fell down and got hurt many
times, but I was happy!
 Do you know?
What is RTE-Act 2009?
This provides the right of free
and compulsory education to
each child aged 6 to 14 years.
Slowly I started talking to other
parents in the village about sending
their daughters to school. My
parents also started helping me in
my work. My mother used to do all
the house work so that I could get
more time to study.
From School to Bee-keeping From School to Bee-keeping From School to Bee-keeping From School to Bee-keeping From School to Bee-keeping
There are many litchi trees in our area. Honeybees are attracted
to the litchi flowers. Many people do bee-keeping and collect
honey. I thought that I could also do this. I joined a course run
by the government to learn about this. I was the only girl in this
course. During my training I found that honeybees lay their
eggs from October to December. This was the best time to start
bee-keeping.
Ö Ö Ö Ö Ö Have you seen any insects near flowers? Find out their names
and write.
Ö Ö Ö Ö Ö Draw and colour their pictures in the notebook.
For the teacher: Find out different schemes available for education of girl
child. Further help them identify opportunities for skill development.
2024-25
Page 5


My name is Anita Khushwaha. I live in Bochaha village. This is
in Muzzafarpur district in Bihar. I stay with my parents and two
younger brothers. I study in college. Besides studying, I teach
young children. I also keep honeybees.
All this has not been easy for me. When I was young, I used
to spend all my time with my goats as they grazed for food. I
always wanted to go to school but my parents did not like the
idea of girls going to school.
* This is a true story. Anita Khushwaha is a ‘Girl Star’. ‘Girl Stars’ is a project
which tells extraordinary tales of ordinary girls who have changed their life
by going to school.
* Encourage children to locate Bihar on the map of India, given on the last
page of the book.
2024-25
39
Anita and the Honeybees
A Dream of School A Dream of School A Dream of School A Dream of School A Dream of School
One day I peeped into the school in
our village. I could not stay away. I
silently went and sat down behind
the children. I felt so happy. I went
home and  picked up courage to
talk to my parents about going to
school. But they told me clearly that I could not
do so. That day, I cried and cried.
One of the teachers in my village explained to my parents why
it is important to study. The teacher told them that they would not
have to pay anything for my education upto Class VIII. The teacher
said that it was the right of every child to go to school. Somehow
my parents agreed. I started going to school. I did not get high
marks, but I always asked many questions!
Ö Ö Ö Ö Ö Find out how much money do you spend in one year for
various school related things.
Things Money Spent
1. Travel to school and back
2. Notebooks
3. Pens-Pencils/Stationery
4. Uniforms
5. School bag
6. Lunch Box
7. Shoes
8. Other Things (i)
(ii)
                                            Total
2024-25
Looking Around
40
One Sweet Memory
I remember some older boys in my
village also used to teach young
children. They did not like it when I
started teaching. They started to
scold and scare the children, so that
they would not come to me. For some
time, all the children except two,
stopped coming to me. But soon they
all came back because I used to teach
them with love and care.
Ö Ö Ö Ö Ö How much money did you spend on your books this year?
Ö Ö Ö Ö Ö What kind of a school uniform would you like to wear? Draw
a picture of it in your notebook and colour it.
Ö Ö Ö Ö Ö Make two groups in the class. Debate the topic – ‘We should
have uniforms in school.’
Staying in School Staying in School Staying in School Staying in School Staying in School
Time passed, and soon I completed Class V. I knew that we
would need to spend more in Class VI. My parents said that it
was time for me to leave school, but I wanted to study more. I
found a way to do this. I started to teach younger children.
From the money that I got, I was able to continue my own studies.
Let us talk
Ö Ö Ö Ö Ö Do you know someone who wanted to study, but could not
do so? Talk about them in the class.
For the teacher: Explain the meaning of term ‘debate’ to children. Debate
helps children look at any issue from different angles. Encourage children
to give their opinions in class.
2024-25
41
Anita and the Honeybees
Ö Ö Ö Ö Ö Every child has a right to free education upto Class VIII. Do you
think that all children are able to study up to Class VIII? Discuss.
A Secret
I learnt how to ride a motor-
cycle. I did not tell anyone. I
fell down and got hurt many
times, but I was happy!
 Do you know?
What is RTE-Act 2009?
This provides the right of free
and compulsory education to
each child aged 6 to 14 years.
Slowly I started talking to other
parents in the village about sending
their daughters to school. My
parents also started helping me in
my work. My mother used to do all
the house work so that I could get
more time to study.
From School to Bee-keeping From School to Bee-keeping From School to Bee-keeping From School to Bee-keeping From School to Bee-keeping
There are many litchi trees in our area. Honeybees are attracted
to the litchi flowers. Many people do bee-keeping and collect
honey. I thought that I could also do this. I joined a course run
by the government to learn about this. I was the only girl in this
course. During my training I found that honeybees lay their
eggs from October to December. This was the best time to start
bee-keeping.
Ö Ö Ö Ö Ö Have you seen any insects near flowers? Find out their names
and write.
Ö Ö Ö Ö Ö Draw and colour their pictures in the notebook.
For the teacher: Find out different schemes available for education of girl
child. Further help them identify opportunities for skill development.
2024-25
Looking Around
42
Ö Ö Ö Ö Ö Why do you think they come to the flowers? Find out.
Ö Ö Ö Ö Ö When honeybees fly, there is a kind of sound. Can you try to
copy this sound?
Becoming a Bee-keeper Becoming a Bee-keeper Becoming a Bee-keeper Becoming a Bee-keeper Becoming a Bee-keeper
I completed my bee-keeping course. But I did not have money to
keep my own bees and start work. I continued to teach and with
time could collect `5000. With this money, I bought two boxes
for keeping bees. Each box costs `2000. With the remaining
money, I bought sugar to make the syrup for honeybees, and
medicines to clean the beehives.
42
2024-25