The Bear Story Summary Class 7 English An Alien Hand

Introduction

In a quaint cottage on the outskirts of a vast forest, an elderly woman lived in harmony with a bear she had adopted as a cub. Over the years, this bear grew into a powerful yet gentle creature, forming an unusual but heartwarming bond with the woman and the local children. Despite his imposing size and strength, the bear exhibited remarkable friendliness and patience, becoming an integral part of the household and community.

Summary

An elderly woman lived on the edge of a large forest. One day, she found a bear and decided to keep it as a pet, feeding it from a bottle. Over the years, the bear grew into a strong adult but remained friendly, playfully catching grazing cattle and enjoying games with children.

The bear had a voracious appetite, and the cook ensured he was well-fed with a diet of potatoes, porridge, cabbage, bread, and turnips, excluding meat. As a young bear, he climbed apple trees but later realized it was unwise, so he patiently waited for apples to fall.

He was once punished for plucking beehives, as he had been taught not to touch them. The punishment was being chained for two days instead of just at night. The woman visited her sister every Sunday, whose house was on the other side of a mountain lake. Since taking the bear through the forest was challenging, he was chained on Sundays.

One day, the woman and her bear fell into the water. She patted the bear and gave him an apple, which he accepted willingly. On one occasion, the bear was chained, and the woman went into the forest. Soon, she noticed the bear was following her, despite being chained.

Annoyed by the bear's disobedience and with no time to take him back, she loudly commanded him to return home. The bear refused to obey and had lost his new collar. Frustrated, she decided to punish him by striking him with her parasol, breaking it into two. The bear reluctantly turned back but looked back at her before disappearing from sight.

Upon returning, the woman scolded the bear and decided to chain him for two more days. However, the cook pointed out that the bear had behaved like an angel. The woman then realized that the bear she encountered in the forest was not her pet bear.

Theme

The central theme of this story revolves around the bond between humans and animals, highlighting the capacity for trust, understanding, and companionship that transcends species boundaries. It also explores themes of responsibility and the consequences of miscommunication. The woman's strict but caring relationship with the bear, including moments of discipline and affection, underscores the complexities and depth of their connection. The misunderstanding towards the end serves as a poignant reminder of the assumptions we make and the importance of recognizing individuality, even among animals.

Difficult words and their Meaning

• Outskirts - The outer parts of a town or city.
• Voracious - Having a very eager approach to an activity, especially eating; extremely hungry.
• Appetite - A natural desire to satisfy a bodily need, especially for food.
• Devoid - Entirely lacking or free from.
• Plucking - Taking hold of something and quickly removing it from its place.
• Beehive - A structure in which bees are kept, typically in the form of a dome or box.
• Parasol - A light umbrella used to give shade from the sun.
• Imposing - Grand and impressive in appearance.
• Transcends - Goes beyond the range or limits of something.
• Miscommunication - Failure to communicate adequately.