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Roots and Wings (Class 6)The Swan King — Back Exercise

The Swan King — Back Exercise — Notes

The Swan King (Ch. 9) — Back Exercise: Question Answers, MCQ, Fill in the Blanks | Class 6 Roots and Wings

Text: The Swan King

Chapter: Chapter 9

Book: Roots and Wings Literature Reader, Class 6

Type: Back Exercise Solutions (MCQ, Question Answers, Language Skills, Character Sketch)

Story at a Glance

The swans, led by their king Sakula, flew to the Lotus Lake in Chitrakoot because they had heard it was a beautiful place with plenty of grass to eat. A hunter set a trap at the lake. One swan, Dhritarashtra, got caught in the net. The chief of the swan army, Sumukha, refused to leave his trapped companion. He stayed behind and spoke to the hunter with such wisdom and respect that the hunter was moved. The hunter freed both Dhritarashtra and Sumukha, and brought them to the king of the land. The king heard the story of the swan king's wisdom, learned from it, and then allowed the swans to return home to Chitrakoot.

The central lesson: a person can be won over not through punishment or fear, but through love and respect.

Section 1: Tick the Right Option (MCQ)

Question 1: Where did the hunter/Mahimsak live?

Answer: Chitrakoot

The story is set in Chitrakoot, where the hunter lived and the Lotus Lake was located.

Question 2: Who was the king of the swans?

Answer: Sakula

Sakula was the golden swan king who led the entire flock. He was wise and noble.

Question 3: Who shot at (aimed a blow at) the swans?

Answer: Dhritarashtra

Dhritarashtra is the one who got caught in the trap (or was the one who aimed at/engaged with the hunter). He was one of the leading swans in the flock.

Question 4: Who was very loyal to his king?

Answer: Sumukha

Sumukha was the chief of the swan army. He was deeply loyal to the swan king Sakula and refused to leave Dhritarashtra behind.

Question 5: How can a person win over another person?

Options: A) By using punishment, B) By love and respect, C) By fear

Answer: B) By love and respect

The story teaches that the most powerful way to win someone over is through love and respect, not through punishment or fear.

Section 2: Question Answers

Q1. Why did the swans want to go to the Lotus Lake?

The swans wanted to go to the Lotus Lake because they had heard that it was a very beautiful and peaceful place. The lake was known for its lovely surroundings and abundant grass, so the swans could eat well and rest comfortably there.

Q2. Why did the hunter/Dhritarashtra stay silent while the swans were feeding?

The hunter stayed silent so that the swans would not get frightened and fly away without eating. If the swans panicked and flew away on an empty stomach, they would be very weak and hungry. With no energy, they could not fly far and might fall in the middle of their journey. The hunter waited quietly so the swans would eat, rest, and then could be trapped or dealt with more easily.

Q3. Why did the king allow the swan king (Sakula) and Sumukha to return to Chitrakoot?

After hearing the full story of the swan king and Sumukha, the king was very happy and deeply impressed. He had welcomed such a wise and noble guest to his court. From the swan king, the king learned valuable lessons about how to take care of his own kingdom and his people. He understood his responsibilities as a ruler better. With great warmth and gratitude, the king gave the swans permission to return home to Chitrakoot.

Section 3: Language Skills

Fill in the Blanks

The words given for this exercise are: clans, gliding, repay, descended, afraid

The sentences and correct answers are:

1. "Which did not belong to..." (referring to a group or family)

Answer: clans

(Clans means family groups or tribes.)

2. "How can I repay you?"

Answer: repay

(Repay means to pay back or return a kindness.)

3. "People saw the Wright Brothers flying..."

Answer: gliding

(Gliding means moving smoothly through the air.)

4. "His parachute descended on the rock."

Answer: descended

(Descended means came down or moved lower.)

5. "Are you afraid of your teacher?"

Answer: afraid

(Afraid means scared or frightened.)

Collective Nouns

A collective noun is a word that names a group of people, animals, or things. The exercise asks students to identify the correct collective noun for each group.

| Group | Collective Noun |

|-------|----------------|

| Swans | Bevy / Flock |

| Flowers | Bouquet |

| Mountains | Range |

| Stairs | Flight |

| Newspapers | Bundle |

| Keys | Bunch |

Section 4: Character Sketch

The Swan King (Sakula)

Sakula is the golden swan king and the leader of the flock. He is wise, noble, and deeply caring toward all the swans under his protection. He treats everyone, including Dhritarashtra (who had caused trouble), with kindness and fairness. He rewards good deeds and gives wise advice. Even the human king learns from his wisdom about how to govern with love and justice. Sakula represents ideal leadership.

Sumukha

Sumukha is the chief of the swan army and one of the most loyal characters in the story. When Dhritarashtra is caught in the hunter's trap, Sumukha refuses to abandon him, even at great personal risk. He is devoted to his king and to his companion. He is ready to give his own life for those he cares about. His loyalty and courage are the moral heart of the story. Sumukha also speaks with the hunter respectfully and wisely, which leads to their freedom.

Dhritarashtra

Dhritarashtra is the swan who gets caught in the trap. Though he put himself in danger, the story treats him with sympathy. He is brave and is part of the inner circle of the swan flock. His predicament becomes the occasion for Sumukha's great act of loyalty.

Themes and Key Lessons

1. Love and Respect Over Force

The most important message of the story is that human beings (and all creatures) respond best to love and respect. Punishment and fear may control behaviour for a short time, but only genuine kindness wins hearts permanently.

2. Loyalty

Sumukha's refusal to leave Dhritarashtra behind is a powerful example of true loyalty. A real friend or follower stands by you even when it is dangerous.

3. Wise Leadership

Sakula leads not through power but through wisdom and fairness. He models what a good king or leader should be, and even the human king learns from him.

4. The Value of Listening

The human king in the story grows wiser by listening to the swan king's story. This shows that wisdom can come from unexpected sources.

Key Takeaways for Students

  • The story is from the Jataka tales tradition, stories about the previous lives of the Buddha.
  • The setting is Chitrakoot and the Lotus Lake.
  • Main characters: Sakula (swan king), Sumukha (chief of army, loyal companion), Dhritarashtra (the swan who was trapped).
  • The central moral: win people over through love and respect, not punishment or fear. MCQ answer is always B.
  • Sumukha = loyalty. Sakula = wisdom and noble leadership.
  • Fill in the blanks words to remember: clans, gliding, repay, descended, afraid.
  • Collective noun for swans = bevy or flock. For flowers = bouquet. For mountains = range.
  • The king released the swans after learning lessons about good governance from the swan king.
  • This chapter is often asked in school exams for Class 6. Focus on character traits and the central moral.

    • Watch the full video here: YouTube