Chandni Summary Class 7 English An Alien Hand

Introduction 

"Chandni" is a captivating story written by Zakir Husain, adapted for young readers. It revolves around an old man named Abbu Khan who lives in Almora and keeps goats as pets. Abbu Khan loves his goats dearly and treats them like his children. Despite his care and affection, his goats often run away to the hills, where a dangerous wolf kills them. The story takes a turn when Abbu Khan buys a new, young goat named Chandni, hoping she will stay with him. However, Chandni, like the others, yearns for freedom and faces a significant challenge when she encounters the wolf in the hills.

Summary 

Once upon a time, there was an old man named Abbu Khan who lived in Almora. He lived alone except for a few goats, which he kept as pets. He gave them funny names like Kalua, Moongia, and Gujri. Abbu Khan took them out for grazing during the day and talked to them as if they were his children. At night, he brought them back to his little hut and tied them with a string around their necks.

Unfortunately, Abbu Khan was unlucky with his goats. Often at night, one of the goats would pull and pull at the string until it broke loose and then would disappear into the hills. The goats loved their freedom and would run away, only to be killed by a wolf that lived in the hills. This made Abbu Khan very sad, and he couldn’t understand why his goats preferred the freedom that led to their death over the comfort and love he provided.

One day, after losing all his goats, Abbu Khan decided not to keep goats anymore. However, he soon felt lonely and bought a young goat, thinking that a young goat would stay with him longer. He named her Chandni, which means ‘moonlight’. Chandni was very pretty, with white fur, two little horns, and red eyes. She had a friendly temperament and enjoyed listening to Abbu Khan’s stories.

Several years passed, and Chandni stayed with Abbu Khan. He believed she would never leave him. But every morning, Chandni looked at the hills and longed for the freedom they promised. She stopped eating, grew thin, and stared longingly at the hills. Finally, she told Abbu Khan that she wanted to go to the hills, as she felt she would die if she stayed in his compound.

Abbu Khan was very unhappy but understood her problem. He tried to convince her to stay by offering tastier food and a longer rope, but Chandni refused. She wanted her freedom, even if it meant facing the dangerous wolf. Abbu Khan tried to warn her about the wolf and told her stories of other goats who had tried and failed, but Chandni was determined. In anger, Abbu Khan locked her in a small hut, but he forgot to close the small window at the back. Chandni used this window to escape to the hills that night.

Chandni felt immense joy and freedom as she reached the hills. She played on the grassy slopes and felt welcomed by the hills, grass, flowers, and wind. When darkness fell, she heard a strange sound from the bushes and realized it was the wolf. Despite her fear, she decided she would rather die in the open than live in captivity. The wolf approached, and they prepared to fight.

The fight between Chandni and the wolf lasted all night. By morning, Chandni was lying on the ground, soaked in blood, while the wolf, tired and sleepy, was ready to eat her. Birds watching the fight debated the result. Most believed the wolf had won, but a wise old bird declared with confidence that Chandni was the real winner because she fought bravely for her freedom.

Theme

The primary theme of "Chandni" is the conflict between freedom and safety. The story illustrates the powerful desire for freedom, even when it comes with risks and dangers. Chandni, the goat, symbolizes the spirit of independence and the courage to pursue one's dreams despite the odds. Her decision to seek freedom, even at the cost of her life, highlights the idea that true fulfillment comes from living freely and authentically. The story also touches on themes of love, sacrifice, and the inevitable struggle that comes with the quest for independence.

Difficult Words and Their Meanings

• Almora - A town in the Indian state of Uttarakhand. 
• Grazing - Eating grass in a field.
• Compound - A fenced or enclosed area.
• Anguish - Severe pain or distress.
• Obstinate - Stubborn, refusing to change one's opinion or course of action.
• Ferocious - Very fierce or violent.
• Greedily - In an excessive or selfish manner.
• Perched - Resting or sitting, especially on something high.
• Declaimed - Spoke in a dramatic or passionate manner.
• Adaptation - A modified version of a story or text.