A Snake Charmer's Story NCERT Solutions | EVS Class 5 PDF Download

Think and Tell

Q.1. Have you ever seen anyone playing a been? Where?
Ans. Yes, I have seen snake-charmers playing a been. Sometimes they come to our colony.

Snake Charmer

Q.2. Have you ever seen a snake? Where?

Ans. Yes, I have seen snakes. The snake charmers who come to our colony carry many types of snakes.

Q.3. Were you scared by it? Why?
Ans. Yes, I was scared because snakes can be dangerous and I was not familiar with them.

Q.4. Do you think all snakes are poisonous?
Ans. No, not all snakes are poisonous. Most snakes are harmless and some even help control pests.

Q.5. In chapter 1 you read that snakes do not have external ears. Can the snake hear the been or does it dance when the been moves? What do you think?
Ans. Snakes do not have external ears, but they can sense vibrations. They might respond to the sound of the been or the vibrations caused by the music.

Write

Q.1. Have you ever seen animals being used for entertainment of people? 

• When and where have you seen this?
  Ans. Yes, I have seen many animals being used for the entertainment of people. I have seen them in circus, parks, roadside and sometimes in our colony.
• Which animal show did you see?
  Ans. I saw a show of monkeys performing tricks on the street.

Monkeys performing trick

Q.2. How did people behave with the animals in the show?
Ans. People seemed excited and enjoyed watching the animals perform, but some trainers were strict with the animals.

Q.3. Was anyone teasing the animal? How?
Ans. Yes, some trainers were using harsh methods to make the animals perform, which is not fair to them.

Q.4. What kind of questions came to your mind after seeing that animal show?
Ans. Many questions came to my mind after watching the animal show, such as:
(i) Is it ethical to use animals for people's entertainment?
(ii) How are these animals captured from the wild and trained?
(iii) Are they treated with proper care and respect?
(iv) Wouldn't it be better if they were allowed to live freely in their natural habitat?

Q.5. Imagine that you are an animal in a cage. Think how you would feel. Complete the following sentences :

• I am afraid when I see a crowd staring at me.
• I wish I could roam free in the wild.
• I am sad when I cannot play outside or interact with other animals.
• If I had a chance I would escape and live in my natural habitat.
• I do not like it at all when people tease me or poke at my cage.

Lion in Cage

Write

Q.1. Like snake charmer, which other people depend on animals for their livelihood?
Ans. Other people who depend on animals for their livelihood include farmers who raise cows for milk, horse-drawn carriage operators, and dog trainers.

Survey- People who keep animals

Talk to some people in your neighbourhood who keep one or more animals for their livelihood for example, a horse for a tonga, hen for eggs etc.

Hen for Eggs

• Name the animal they keep? 
  They keep hens for eggs.

• How many animals are there? 
  They have ten hens.

• Is there a separate place for the animals? 
  Yes, they have a coop for the hens.

• Who looks after them? 
  The owner looks after the hens.

• What do the animals eat? 
  The hens eat grains and vegetables.

• Do the animals ever fall ill? What does the keeper do then? 
  Yes, if the hens fall ill, the keeper consults a veterinarian for treatment.

• Make some more questions and discuss.
  Additional Questions for the Survey:

  1. How often do the hens lay eggs?
  2. How do you ensure the hens are kept healthy and safe?
  3. What do you do with the eggs—do you sell them or use them for your family?
  4. Do you face any challenges in taking care of the hens, such as bad weather or predators?
  5. Have you noticed any specific behavior in the hens when they are unwell?
  6. How long have you been keeping hens for livelihood, and how has it benefited you economically?
• Make a report on your project and read it out in the class.
  After completing your survey, prepare a report. Here’s a simple structure:
  Introduction: Write about the purpose of the survey and why you chose to investigate the lives of animal keepers.
  Findings: 
  - Mention the types of animals kept and their purpose (e.g., hens for eggs).
  - Discuss how many animals each person has and how they are cared for.
  Conclusion: Summarize your findings and reflect on the importance of animals in people’s lives.

What we have learnt

Q.1. The government has made a law that no one can catch and keep snakes. What do you think about this law? Give reasons for your answer and write in your own words.

Ans. 

• I believe this law is beneficial for the protection of animals. 
• I've seen animals being used for entertainment and as a source of livelihood, like in circuses and by snake charmers. 
• While these people may care for the animals because their livelihood depends on them, I think animals would truly be happy only if they are allowed to live freely in their natural habitats. 
• No creature desires to live in captivity.
• Moreover, during training or performances, animals are often mistreated or punished if they make mistakes, which is cruel and unfair.
• In addition, hunters and poachers kill animals for their skins, tusks, or horns. 
• This law helps prevent such harmful activities, making it an important step toward protecting wildlife. 
• Therefore, I believe this is a positive and necessary law.