Textbook Solutions: The Elephant and the Tragopan | Gul Mohar Class 8: Book Solutions, Summaries & Worksheets PDF Download

Before You Read

Q. Have you read or heard the story 'The Goose and the Golden Egg' by Aesop? Work in pairs and discuss— 
• What would the goose say if it could speak?
Ans: If the goose could speak, it would likely urge the man to be patient and not let greed cloud his judgment. The goose would explain that it could provide a steady stream of golden eggs over time, encouraging the man to be wise and not destroy the source of wealth for the sake of immediate gain. The goose’s plea would reflect the value of patience and long-term thinking over short-sighted greed.

• Does the man's greed in the story relate to a much larger problem in the real world?
Ans: Yes, the man’s greed in the story mirrors a much larger problem in the real world. It reflects how human beings often exploit nature and resources without considering long-term consequences. Just like the man’s greed led him to destroy a valuable source, humans frequently damage the environment, overconsume resources, and prioritize short-term profits over sustainable practices. This ultimately leads to the depletion of vital resources, affecting the planet and future generations.

Understanding the Poem

Answer these questions

Q1. I speak to you as one whose clan/ Has served and therefore studied man—says the elephant and it goes on to list a series of different qualities found in man. What strikes you about that list? Are the reasons consistent or contradictory? Give two examples. What, according to the elephant, is in the middle of all such contradictions? Do you agree with this opinion of human nature?
Ans: The elephant finds human beings full of contradictions, as they can be both kind and cruel, wise and foolish, loving and brutal at the same time. For example, man shows the ability to be gentle and compassionate, yet he is also capable of destroying nature and being violent. Another example is man’s wisdom, which often comes with pride and arrogance. At the centre of these contradictions lies selfishness, which drives most of human actions. This observation feels very accurate because humans usually act in ways that serve their own interest, even if it harms others.

Q2. He sees the planet as his fief ... What does this point of view lead humans to do? What is the consequence for the rest of the planet?Ans: The elephant criticises humans for behaving as if the earth belongs only to them. Viewing the planet as their private property makes humans cut forests, build roads, hunt animals, and exploit natural resources without limits. This selfish view results in massive destruction of habitats, pollution of air and water, and extinction of countless species. The consequence for the rest of the planet is tragic: animals and birds lose their homes, rivers become polluted, and ecosystems collapse. In the long run, human beings themselves suffer because nature’s balance is destroyed.

Q3. When the road comes, the forest goes. Explain what this means in its context. (Why are roads made into a forest?)
Ans: The line means that once roads are built into forests, they bring destruction along with them. Roads are cut through forests to allow mining, dams, and development projects, which causes large-scale felling of trees. As a result, animals lose their homes and many species become endangered. The phrase shows how human development often comes at the cost of nature. While roads may connect cities and people, they disconnect forests from life and leave wildlife vulnerable. Thus, the presence of roads in forests signals the beginning of their decline and eventual disappearance.

Q4. A reservoir is being built by destroying a lot of bamboo, which is eaten by the elephant and the tragopan—the trout thinks happily that the reservoir will provide it with 'endless space'. How does the elephant correct the trout's notion? Which line in that stanza means 'we will all die together'?
Ans: The trout imagines that the new reservoir will bring it unlimited water and space to live in. However, the elephant explains that the truth is quite the opposite. Before the reservoir fills, pollution and chemicals will kill the trout, leaving no chance of survival. The elephant reminds the trout that when nature is destroyed, all creatures suffer the same fate. The line “What tolls for us is your own bell” expresses this shared destruction, meaning that the death of one species signals the downfall of all others, including humans themselves.

Q5. You will all be homeless, like us all.—Who is saying this to whom? What will make the listeners homeless?
Ans: These words are spoken by the elephant to the other animals in the forest. He warns them that the destruction caused by humans will eventually leave all creatures without homes. The listeners, who are other species like the tragopan and trout, will also be driven out of their natural surroundings. Dams, roads, deforestation, and reservoirs will destroy their habitats, making them wander without safety or shelter. The elephant highlights that no animal will be spared once humans take over forests for their own selfish needs, leaving all equally helpless and homeless.

Appreciating the Poem

Form groups of four. Discuss these questions and then write the answers. Q1. Can we call this poem a fable? Find out and say why or why not.
Ans: This poem can indeed be called a fable. In the poem, animals speak like human beings, sharing their wisdom and warning others about the dangers of human greed. Like traditional fables, it carries a moral lesson, showing us that harming nature ultimately harms ourselves. The elephant, tragopan, and trout represent the voice of wildlife, and through their conversation the poet conveys a message about conservation. Since it uses animals to teach human beings about values and consequences, it fits the definition of a modern environmental fable.

Q2. Does the discussion of the animals relate to us, the readers, in any way? If so, how?
Ans: Yes, the discussion directly relates to us because the animals are talking about human behaviour and its destructive effects. Their words act as a warning, showing how our greed for development damages forests, rivers, and the lives of countless creatures. The poem holds up a mirror to readers, reminding us that we are responsible for the loss of biodiversity. It also stresses that protecting nature is in our own interest, since the destruction of animals and forests will eventually harm human life as well. The message is clear and personal for every reader.