Living in Harmony Chapter Notes | EVS Class 3: The World around us (Our Wondrous World) PDF Download

Introduction

The chapter "Living in Harmony" introduces the idea of how plants, animals, and humans depend on each other for survival and well-being. Through the story of Shambhu, who learns important lessons from his father while resting under a mango tree, the chapter emphasizes the connection between nature and living beings.  It highlights how plants provide us with food, medicine, and materials, while animals play a crucial role in the environment by helping plants grow through seed dispersal and soil fertility. Humans, in turn, care for both animals and plants, creating a harmonious balance in nature.

Explanation

The Mango Tree

Shambhu and his father were walking through a forest and took a break under a large mango tree. This mango tree was a home for birds, squirrels, monkeys, and other animals. Shambhu noticed a monkey eating a mango and throwing away the seed. His father explained that this seed could grow into a new plant, showing how animals help plants by spreading their seeds. 

Shambhu’s father reminded him that plants give us fruits, vegetables, and much more, including medicines, fibres for clothes, and wood for building homes.

We Need Each Other

Humans provide care, protection, food, and shelter to animals and plants. In return, we get a lot from them. From cows, buffaloes, and goats, we receive milk and companionship. That’s why it’s important to treat animals with kindness, care, and compassion. 

Plants and animals also depend on each other. For example, animals help plants by dispersing seeds and enriching the soil through their waste, which makes the soil fertile and helps plants grow. Humans also rely on plants and animals for food, shelter, clothing, and companionship.

Visiting Your Plant Friend

When feeling sad, upset, or even happy, you can talk to your plant and share your feelings. Talking to plants can be a comforting activity and might make you feel better afterward. Just as we rely on plants, they also need our care and attention. 

Animals also need our care. Just like plants, they too play a role in maintaining balance in nature. In this way, everyone—plants, animals, and humans—can help each other and live in harmony.

Points to Remember

1. Plants and animals are interdependent: Animals help plants grow by dispersing seeds and enriching the soil, while plants provide food and shelter for animals.

2. Humans depend on plants: We get fruits, vegetables, medicines, fibres for clothes, and wood from plants.

3. Humans depend on animals: Animals like cows, goats, and buffaloes provide us with milk and companionship.

4. Kindness to animals is essential: Since animals help us and the environment, it is important to treat them with kindness and compassion.

5. Seed dispersal by animals: Animals help plants by spreading their seeds, which helps new plants grow in different places.

6. Fertile soil through animal waste: Animal waste helps make the soil more fertile, which helps plants grow stronger.

7. Talking to plants: Talking to plants can be a way of expressing emotions and can be a calming activity.

8. Caring for plants and animals: It’s important to care for plants and animals because they help us in many ways and maintain the balance of nature.

Difficult Words

• Dispersing – Spreading seeds in different directions.
• Companionship – A close friendship or feeling of being together.
• Fertile – Rich and capable of supporting plant growth.
• Compassion – Showing kindness and understanding toward others.
• Emerge – To come out or appear from something.
• Shelter – A place providing safety or protection.
• Interdependent – Depending on each other for survival.
• Fibre – A thread-like material obtained from plants used for making clothes.
• Seed dispersal – The process of seeds being spread to grow into new plants.
• Medicine – Substances used to treat illnesses or diseases.