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Extract from the Story
Winter came early. The cherry tree bent low with the weight of snow. Field-mice sought shelter in the roof of the cottage. The road from the valley was blocked, and for several days there was no newspaper, and this made Grandfather quite
grumpy
. His stories began to have unhappy endings.
In February it was Rakesh’s birthday. He was nine—and the tree was four, but almost as tall as Rakesh.
One morning, when the sun came out, Grandfather came into the garden to let some warmth ‘get into my bones,’ as he put it. He stopped in front of the cherry tree, stared at it for a few moments, and then called out, ‘Rakesh! Come and look! Come quickly before it falls!’
Rakesh and Grandfather gazed at the tree as though it had performed a miracle. There was a pale pink blossom at the end of a branch.
In February it was Rakesh’s birthday. He was nine—and the tree was four, but almost as tall as Rakesh.
One morning, when the sun came out, Grandfather came into the garden to let some warmth ‘get into my bones,’ as he put it. He stopped in front of the cherry tree, stared at it for a few moments, and then called out, ‘Rakesh! Come and look! Come quickly before it falls!’
Rakesh and Grandfather gazed at the tree as though it had performed a miracle. There was a pale pink blossom at the end of a branch.
Summary in Bullet Points
- The tree survives another harsh winter. Snow bends it low but does not destroy it.
- Rakesh is now nine and the tree is four. The story again compares their ages and heights.
- The first blossom is treated like a miracle. After years of waiting and setbacks, one pale pink flower becomes a major event.
NCERT Questions (from the Textbook)
Let us Think and Reflect
Let us Think and Reflect
How did the early winter affect Grandfather’s mood and storytelling?
How to answer:
Connect the missing newspaper with his mood and stories.
View Answer
The blocked road meant that no newspaper arrived for several days. Grandfather became grumpy, and even his stories began to have unhappy endings.
Board Pattern
Questions Mapped to Exam Format
Short Answer
2 marks
Why do Rakesh and Grandfather gaze at the first blossom “as though it had performed a miracle”?
2 Marks
How to answer:
Give the key point and one relevant detail from this section.
View Answer
Answer: They have watched the tree survive goats, cutting, snow and slow growth. The first blossom proves that the tiny planted seed has matured enough to flower.
Longer Short Answer
3 marks
How does the writer use time to increase the importance of the first blossom?
3 Marks
How to answer:
Explain the idea and connect it with the story’s development.
View Answer
Answer: Several seasons and years pass before the blossom appears. By showing long waiting, repeated damage and gradual recovery, the writer makes one flower represent patience, survival and successful growth.
