NCERT Textbook: The Little Bully | English Marigold Class 5 PDF Download

 Page 1


Do you know of any child who teases others or pushes 
them around? What would you call such a child? 
Read this story and see how Hari, a little boy troubles 
other children.
Once upon a time, not so very long ago, there was a small 
boy called Hari. Although he 
wasn’t very big, he was 
strong, and he loved to 
tease all the boys and girls 
who went to school with 
him. What he loved to do 
most was to pinch. He could 
make a big bruise appear in 
half a second. Another trick 
he played was pricking 
people with a pin.
So you can guess how all 
the children hated him. They 
tried pinching him back, but 
that was no good because he could 
always pinch harder. They didn't like telling their 
teacher, because that was telling tales.
It so happened that the class went for a picnic to 
the seaside for a whole day. All the children were 
most excited.
The Little Bully
Marigold
1 3 1
Reprint 2024-25
Page 2


Do you know of any child who teases others or pushes 
them around? What would you call such a child? 
Read this story and see how Hari, a little boy troubles 
other children.
Once upon a time, not so very long ago, there was a small 
boy called Hari. Although he 
wasn’t very big, he was 
strong, and he loved to 
tease all the boys and girls 
who went to school with 
him. What he loved to do 
most was to pinch. He could 
make a big bruise appear in 
half a second. Another trick 
he played was pricking 
people with a pin.
So you can guess how all 
the children hated him. They 
tried pinching him back, but 
that was no good because he could 
always pinch harder. They didn't like telling their 
teacher, because that was telling tales.
It so happened that the class went for a picnic to 
the seaside for a whole day. All the children were 
most excited.
The Little Bully
Marigold
1 3 1
Reprint 2024-25
On that day, the sun shone bright, and all the 
children were wild with excitement. They crowded into 
the train and sat down — but nobody wanted to sit next 
to Hari because he always pinched. 
When they arrived at the seaside, out jumped all the 
children with a shout of joy. Down to the sands they 
raced, hand in hand — but nobody took Hari’s hand. 
Nobody went near him.
Hari was angry. He went to a sandy corner near a 
rocky pool and sat down by himself. He took out his 
lunch and looked at it. It was a good lunch. There were 
two hard-boiled eggs, six jam sandwiches, three pieces of 
bread and butter, a ginger cake, and a bar of chocolate. 
He would eat it all by himself. He wouldn't offer anything 
to anyone!
Marigold
1 3 2
Reprint 2024-25
Page 3


Do you know of any child who teases others or pushes 
them around? What would you call such a child? 
Read this story and see how Hari, a little boy troubles 
other children.
Once upon a time, not so very long ago, there was a small 
boy called Hari. Although he 
wasn’t very big, he was 
strong, and he loved to 
tease all the boys and girls 
who went to school with 
him. What he loved to do 
most was to pinch. He could 
make a big bruise appear in 
half a second. Another trick 
he played was pricking 
people with a pin.
So you can guess how all 
the children hated him. They 
tried pinching him back, but 
that was no good because he could 
always pinch harder. They didn't like telling their 
teacher, because that was telling tales.
It so happened that the class went for a picnic to 
the seaside for a whole day. All the children were 
most excited.
The Little Bully
Marigold
1 3 1
Reprint 2024-25
On that day, the sun shone bright, and all the 
children were wild with excitement. They crowded into 
the train and sat down — but nobody wanted to sit next 
to Hari because he always pinched. 
When they arrived at the seaside, out jumped all the 
children with a shout of joy. Down to the sands they 
raced, hand in hand — but nobody took Hari’s hand. 
Nobody went near him.
Hari was angry. He went to a sandy corner near a 
rocky pool and sat down by himself. He took out his 
lunch and looked at it. It was a good lunch. There were 
two hard-boiled eggs, six jam sandwiches, three pieces of 
bread and butter, a ginger cake, and a bar of chocolate. 
He would eat it all by himself. He wouldn't offer anything 
to anyone!
Marigold
1 3 2
Reprint 2024-25
Just as he was beginning on the eggs, he heard a 
hoarse voice near him. “Good morning! I am so pleased to 
meet a boy like you.” Hari turned around and stared in 
fright. Whatever do you think he saw?
Hari saw a monster crab walking sideways out of the 
pool. His eyes were on the ends of short stalks and he 
looked most queer. He held out his 
front claw to Hari. Hari put out 
his hand to shake the crab’s 
claw, but to his surprise 
and anger the crab 
opened his pincers 
and nipped his 
hand so hard that 
the little boy yelled.
“Ah, here is my good cousin,” said the crab pleasantly, 
and, to Hari’s horror, he saw a large sandy lobster 
crawling heavily out of the pool. Before the little boy 
could stop him the lobster took his hand in his great 
pincer-like claws and pinched it so hard that Hari yelled 
in pain.
Marigold
1 3 3
Reprint 2024-25
Page 4


Do you know of any child who teases others or pushes 
them around? What would you call such a child? 
Read this story and see how Hari, a little boy troubles 
other children.
Once upon a time, not so very long ago, there was a small 
boy called Hari. Although he 
wasn’t very big, he was 
strong, and he loved to 
tease all the boys and girls 
who went to school with 
him. What he loved to do 
most was to pinch. He could 
make a big bruise appear in 
half a second. Another trick 
he played was pricking 
people with a pin.
So you can guess how all 
the children hated him. They 
tried pinching him back, but 
that was no good because he could 
always pinch harder. They didn't like telling their 
teacher, because that was telling tales.
It so happened that the class went for a picnic to 
the seaside for a whole day. All the children were 
most excited.
The Little Bully
Marigold
1 3 1
Reprint 2024-25
On that day, the sun shone bright, and all the 
children were wild with excitement. They crowded into 
the train and sat down — but nobody wanted to sit next 
to Hari because he always pinched. 
When they arrived at the seaside, out jumped all the 
children with a shout of joy. Down to the sands they 
raced, hand in hand — but nobody took Hari’s hand. 
Nobody went near him.
Hari was angry. He went to a sandy corner near a 
rocky pool and sat down by himself. He took out his 
lunch and looked at it. It was a good lunch. There were 
two hard-boiled eggs, six jam sandwiches, three pieces of 
bread and butter, a ginger cake, and a bar of chocolate. 
He would eat it all by himself. He wouldn't offer anything 
to anyone!
Marigold
1 3 2
Reprint 2024-25
Just as he was beginning on the eggs, he heard a 
hoarse voice near him. “Good morning! I am so pleased to 
meet a boy like you.” Hari turned around and stared in 
fright. Whatever do you think he saw?
Hari saw a monster crab walking sideways out of the 
pool. His eyes were on the ends of short stalks and he 
looked most queer. He held out his 
front claw to Hari. Hari put out 
his hand to shake the crab’s 
claw, but to his surprise 
and anger the crab 
opened his pincers 
and nipped his 
hand so hard that 
the little boy yelled.
“Ah, here is my good cousin,” said the crab pleasantly, 
and, to Hari’s horror, he saw a large sandy lobster 
crawling heavily out of the pool. Before the little boy 
could stop him the lobster took his hand in his great 
pincer-like claws and pinched it so hard that Hari yelled 
in pain.
Marigold
1 3 3
Reprint 2024-25
Then he stared at the pool in surprise, for, out came 
sandy-coloured shrimps and prawns, more crabs, and 
another large lobster and they pricked Hari till he was 
soon black and blue with their pinching.
“Don’t you like it?” said all the creatures in surprise. 
“Why, we were told you would love to see us because you 
were a champion pincher and pricker yourself. Come, 
come  join in the fun!”
Hari leapt to his feet, crying loudly. His lunch rolled 
into the pool, and when the crabs and lobsters saw it 
they ran to it and began to feast eagerly. Hari saw that 
they had forgotten him for a time, and he turned and ran 
for his life, tears streaming down his cheeks.
“They only did to me what I keep doing to the 
other children,” he thought. “But how it hurt! And how I 
hated those crabs and lobsters! I suppose the other 
children hate me too. Well, I jolly well shan’t pinch or 
prick any more.”
ENID BLYTON  
(Adapted)
Marigold
1 3 4
Reprint 2024-25
Page 5


Do you know of any child who teases others or pushes 
them around? What would you call such a child? 
Read this story and see how Hari, a little boy troubles 
other children.
Once upon a time, not so very long ago, there was a small 
boy called Hari. Although he 
wasn’t very big, he was 
strong, and he loved to 
tease all the boys and girls 
who went to school with 
him. What he loved to do 
most was to pinch. He could 
make a big bruise appear in 
half a second. Another trick 
he played was pricking 
people with a pin.
So you can guess how all 
the children hated him. They 
tried pinching him back, but 
that was no good because he could 
always pinch harder. They didn't like telling their 
teacher, because that was telling tales.
It so happened that the class went for a picnic to 
the seaside for a whole day. All the children were 
most excited.
The Little Bully
Marigold
1 3 1
Reprint 2024-25
On that day, the sun shone bright, and all the 
children were wild with excitement. They crowded into 
the train and sat down — but nobody wanted to sit next 
to Hari because he always pinched. 
When they arrived at the seaside, out jumped all the 
children with a shout of joy. Down to the sands they 
raced, hand in hand — but nobody took Hari’s hand. 
Nobody went near him.
Hari was angry. He went to a sandy corner near a 
rocky pool and sat down by himself. He took out his 
lunch and looked at it. It was a good lunch. There were 
two hard-boiled eggs, six jam sandwiches, three pieces of 
bread and butter, a ginger cake, and a bar of chocolate. 
He would eat it all by himself. He wouldn't offer anything 
to anyone!
Marigold
1 3 2
Reprint 2024-25
Just as he was beginning on the eggs, he heard a 
hoarse voice near him. “Good morning! I am so pleased to 
meet a boy like you.” Hari turned around and stared in 
fright. Whatever do you think he saw?
Hari saw a monster crab walking sideways out of the 
pool. His eyes were on the ends of short stalks and he 
looked most queer. He held out his 
front claw to Hari. Hari put out 
his hand to shake the crab’s 
claw, but to his surprise 
and anger the crab 
opened his pincers 
and nipped his 
hand so hard that 
the little boy yelled.
“Ah, here is my good cousin,” said the crab pleasantly, 
and, to Hari’s horror, he saw a large sandy lobster 
crawling heavily out of the pool. Before the little boy 
could stop him the lobster took his hand in his great 
pincer-like claws and pinched it so hard that Hari yelled 
in pain.
Marigold
1 3 3
Reprint 2024-25
Then he stared at the pool in surprise, for, out came 
sandy-coloured shrimps and prawns, more crabs, and 
another large lobster and they pricked Hari till he was 
soon black and blue with their pinching.
“Don’t you like it?” said all the creatures in surprise. 
“Why, we were told you would love to see us because you 
were a champion pincher and pricker yourself. Come, 
come  join in the fun!”
Hari leapt to his feet, crying loudly. His lunch rolled 
into the pool, and when the crabs and lobsters saw it 
they ran to it and began to feast eagerly. Hari saw that 
they had forgotten him for a time, and he turned and ran 
for his life, tears streaming down his cheeks.
“They only did to me what I keep doing to the 
other children,” he thought. “But how it hurt! And how I 
hated those crabs and lobsters! I suppose the other 
children hate me too. Well, I jolly well shan’t pinch or 
prick any more.”
ENID BLYTON  
(Adapted)
Marigold
1 3 4
Reprint 2024-25
Now that you have read and understood the lesson, can you 
answer these questions? You can put a (  ) on the right answer.
1. Why did all the children hate Hari?
 (i) Because he would not talk to anyone.
 (ii) Because he always pinched them.
 (iii) Because he loved stealing their food.
2. “Nobody took Hari’s hand. Nobody went near him. 
 Nobody played with him.” This shows that Hari had
  (i) many friends.
  (ii) few friends.
 (iii) no friends.
3. Which of the following actions would make a friendly 
person? Write them down.
  Respecting other people. }
  Eating a small child’s tiffin. }
New Words
bruise  : injury by blow to body 
horrid  : terrible
hoarse : rough and deep sounding
pincer  : gripping tool
stalk  : main stem
nipped : pinched
Marigold
1 3 5
Reprint 2024-25