Summary: Eat From the Edges | Class 6 English Alive PDF Download

Introduction

In this story, we meet two important people: Chandragupta, a young warrior, and his wise teacher, Chanakya. They are facing defeat in battles against the powerful Nanda empire. Seeking rest, they enter an old woman's hut, where they learn a valuable lesson that changes their approach to warfare.

Detailed Summary

Once upon a time, there was a wise old teacher named Chanakya and a strong young prince named Chandragupta. They were trying very hard to win battles and become rulers of a big kingdom. However, they kept losing their battles against a powerful enemy called the Nanda empire.

One day, after losing another big battle, Chanakya and Chandragupta were very tired and sad. They needed a place to rest, so they went to an old woman's small and broken hut. They asked her for some water because they were very thirsty. The kind old woman gave them water and invited them to rest as long as they needed.

While resting, they started talking about the battle. Chanakya encouraged Chandragupta not to lose hope even though they were losing battles. He reminded him that they could still win in the future.

Then, the old woman came out of her hut with her grandson, Hari. She offered Chanakya and Chandragupta some simple food—gruel, which is like a thin porridge. They accepted her kind offer and began to eat.

While they were eating, something interesting happened. The old woman's grandson, Hari, tried to eat his gruel too quickly from the center of his plate and burned his fingers because it was very hot. The old woman explained to him that he should eat from the edges of the plate first because it cools down faster than the center.

Hearing this, Chanakya realized they could use a similar strategy in their battles. He explained to Chandragupta that they had been making a mistake by always attacking the strongest part of the enemy's army. He suggested that they should start attacking the weaker parts of the enemy’s army first, like the outer edges of the gruel plate, which are easier to handle.

Chanakya's new plan was to attack the enemy suddenly and then quickly pull back. By doing this, they would slowly win smaller battles and gather more soldiers and resources. Over time, this would make them strong enough to defeat the main army of the Nanda empire.

Chandragupta was inspired by this new strategy and regained his hope. He promised Chanakya that he would follow this new plan and fight with all his heart.

Before they left, Chandragupta wanted to do something nice for the old woman who had helped them. He decided to repair her leaking hut as a way to thank her for the wisdom she shared and the kindness she showed them.

Chanakya praised Chandragupta for his thoughtfulness and reminded him that a good king always takes care of his people, no matter where he is or what situation he is in.

Using the new strategy they learned from the old woman, Chanakya and Chandragupta went on to win many battles. Eventually, they defeated the Nanda empire, and Chandragupta became a great emperor known all over the world. He fulfilled his promise to take care of his teacher Chanakya and his subjects, showing kindness and wisdom just like the old woman had shown them.

This story teaches us that sometimes, great lessons come from simple moments and that we should always be kind and listen to the wisdom of others, no matter how old or young they might be.

Theme and Message

The story highlights themes of resilience, adaptability, and the power of wisdom from unexpected sources. Despite facing repeated defeats, Chandragupta and Chanakya do not give up but instead learn from their mistakes and adapt their approach. The old woman's simple yet profound advice teaches them a valuable lesson in strategy, reminding them that success often lies in unconventional methods and paying attention to small details.

List of Difficult Words with Meanings

Acharya: A Sanskrit and Hindi word for teacher or mentor.

Outnumbered: Being in a situation where the enemy has a greater number of soldiers.

Setbacks: Events that cause delays or reversals in progress.

Destiny: Fate or the predetermined course of events.

Gratitude: Thankfulness or appreciation.

Mock: To make fun of or ridicule someone.

Exile: Prolonged and enforced absence from one's own home or country.

Mantra: A word or phrase expressing a strong belief, often used as a motto or slogan.

Guerrilla warfare: A form of irregular warfare where small groups engage in surprise attacks and ambushes against a larger, conventional military force.