Where did Rakesh and his grandfather live?

On the outskirts of Mussoorie near the forest

What happened to the cherry tree when a goat entered the garden?

The goat ate all the leaves leaving only the main stem and two thin branches

Who cut the cherry tree in half with a scythe?

A woman who was cutting grass on the hillside

What was the first sign of blossoming on the cherry tree?

A pale pink blossom appeared at the end of a branch

White flowers appeared all over

Why was the cherry tree special to Rakesh and his grandfather according to the story?

It was the biggest tree in the garden

Why did Rakesh's parents send him to live with his grandfather in Mussoorie?

There were no schools in their village

Grandfather was ill and needed care

What does Grandfather mean when he says "Nothing is lucky if you put it away. If you want luck you must put it to some use"?

Luck only comes from action — a seed has potential only if planted not if kept

Why did Rakesh stop looking at the cherry tree directly every morning?

He thought it was growing too slowly and began glancing at it only out of the corner of his eye

What does the cherry tree's survival after being eaten by a goat and cut by a scythe suggest?

Cherry trees are tough and resilient — as Grandfather said — and the tree's determination to survive mirrors its caretaker's care

The tree was in a protected area

The goat and the woman helped it

What visitors came to the cherry tree as it grew?

A bright green praying-mantis and a hairy caterpillar before being asked to leave to return as a butterfly

What did Rakesh say to the caterpillar he removed from the tree?

Come back when you are a butterfly

What happened to the early cherries that grew on the tree?

Rakesh tasted one found it too sour and the birds — especially bulbuls and scarlet minivets — ate most of them

Where was Grandfather sitting when Rakesh found him on a warm afternoon?

On a cane chair under the cherry tree

What does the final line — "Is this what it feels to be God?" — refer to?

The wonder Rakesh feels at having created and nurtured life from a single seed

Rakesh is comparing himself to a deity

How does the story use the seasons to structure the cherry tree's growth over several years?

Seasons are only mentioned for weather

The story uses the changing seasons — winter spring monsoon summer — to mark the passage of time and the stages of the tree's and Rakesh's growth creating a parallel between natural and human development

Seasons are used only as background

The story ignores seasonal changes

What does the cherry tree symbolise in the story?

A living symbol of the relationship between Rakesh and his grandfather — nurtured with care growing through adversity and becoming a source of joy and shade for both of them

What is the effect of the cherry tree being cut by the grass-cutting woman?

It provides a chance for Grandfather to prune the tree

It becomes another setback that tests the tree's resilience — and by surviving it the tree earns even greater admiration from Rakesh and Grandfather

It causes Grandfather to scold the woman permanently

How does the parallel between Rakesh's growth and the cherry tree's growth enrich the story?

Both Rakesh and the tree grow through the same seasons — getting taller stronger enduring setbacks and eventually flourishing — making the tree a metaphor for childhood development

The tree grows much faster than Rakesh

The parallel is only mentioned at the end

What does Grandfather's storytelling in winter by the charcoal fire contribute to the texture of the story?

It establishes the relationship between the old and the young — wisdom passing from Grandfather to Rakesh through stories — mirroring the tree's role as something they have both invested their love in

It shows Grandfather is old-fashioned

How does the author Ruskin Bond create a sense of the passage of time without using dates?

Bond uses the growth stages of the cherry tree — its height compared to Rakesh's age the seasonal visitors the blossoming and fruiting — as a living calendar marking the years

He tells us how many years passed directly

What does the description of the bees and birds visiting the blossoming tree add to the story's atmosphere?

It creates a sense of the tree now being part of the living world — no longer just a planted seed but a real ecosystem — reinforcing the theme of life and growth

It shows the tree needs protection

It is used to describe the sound of the garden

What is the significance of Grandfather reclining in the shade of the cherry tree at the end of the story?

It completes the cycle — the tree that Rakesh and Grandfather planted together has grown large enough to give shade to the man who guided its planting — showing the full circle of care and reward

Grandfather is indifferent to the tree

Which obstacles does the cherry tree survive on its way to becoming a full-grown tree?

Being eaten by a goat / Being cut in half by a woman's scythe / Cold mountain winters / A caterpillar eating its leaves

Which details in the story show the growing bond between Rakesh and the cherry tree?

He watered it so it would know he was there / He circled it with pebbles for privacy / He looked at it every morning / He felt wonder touching its bark at the end

What does the story ultimately suggest about the act of nurturing something from seed to life?

Nurturing a living thing from a seed creates a bond that mirrors love — the effort care and patience invested in a growing thing are returned as beauty shade and a sense of meaning and connection to life

Nurturing only makes sense for commercial crops

Nurturing is only for gardeners

How does the story use the cherry tree as a metaphor for the relationship between Rakesh and his grandfather?

The tree has no relationship to their bond

The tree is a shared project that gives their relationship a common purpose — each stage of the tree's growth becomes a memory they share and the tree's survival reflects the resilience of their bond

The tree belongs only to Grandfather

What does Rakesh's question "Is this what it feels to be God?" suggest about the philosophical dimension of the story?

It is a childish remark with no depth

The question connects the act of creating and nurturing life to a deeper existential wonder — the experience of bringing something into existence from nothing and watching it thrive touches on the mystery of creation itself

It shows Rakesh is confused about religion

How does the story function as an argument for the value of patience?

It shows that shortcuts are better

Every stage of the tree's growth — the long wait after planting the setbacks the slow inch-by-inch progress — teaches that life only yields its beauty over time and with sustained attention

Patience is not rewarded in the story

The story shows the tree grew quickly

NCERT Solutions Class 8 English - Poorvi Chapter 4.1 – The Cherry Tree

Name: The Cherry Tree – Class 8 English - Poorvi
Uploaded: 2026-07-24T08:20:35+00:00
Description: Rakesh plants a cherry seed and nurtures it with love and patience. Over the years, the tree grows, blossoms, and bears fruit, becoming a special part of Rakesh and his grandfather’s life.

Class 8 English - Poorvi

Last Updated: 24 July 2026

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Chapter Introduction

Rakesh plants a cherry seed and nurtures it with love and patience. Over the years, the tree grows, blossoms, and bears fruit, becoming a special part of Rakesh and his grandfather’s life.

हिंदी में (Hindi)

राकेश ने एक चेरी का बीज लगाया और उसे प्यार और धैर्य से बढ़ाया। वर्षों में पेड़ उगकर फूलों और फलों से भर गया और राकेश व उसके दादाजी के जीवन का खास हिस्सा बन गया।

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Important Points

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Practice MCQ Questions (34 questions)

Q1. Who is the main character of the story?

Q2. How old was Rakesh when he planted the cherry seed?

Q3. Where did Rakesh buy the cherries?

Q4. From where did the cherries originally come?

Q5. How much did Rakesh pay for the bunch of cherries?

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Tough Words (Glossary)

bazaar

Meaning: A market where goods are sold

अर्थ: बाज़ार

"He bought cherries from the bazaar."

stunted

Meaning: Prevented from growing properly

अर्थ: ठिगना / अवरुद्ध

"The plant was stunted due to lack of sunlight."

sheltered

Meaning: Protected from wind or danger

अर्थ: सुरक्षित / आश्रय वाला

"The flowers grew in a sheltered garden."

outskirts

Meaning: The outer parts of a town or city

अर्थ: नगरीय सीमा

"They lived on the outskirts of Delhi."

terraced

Meaning: Having steps cut into slopes for farming

अर्थ: सीढ़ीदार खेत

"The villagers grew rice on terraced fields."

promptly

Meaning: Quickly, without delay

अर्थ: तुरंत

"He promptly answered the teacher."

tang

Meaning: A sharp taste or flavor

अर्थ: खट्टापन

"The lemon had a tangy taste."

sown

Meaning: Planted seeds in the ground

अर्थ: बोया हुआ

"The farmer had sown wheat in the field."

yielding

Meaning: Soft and easy to bend

अर्थ: मुलायम / झुकने वाला

"The soil was soft and yielding."

charcoal

Meaning: Black material from burnt wood

अर्थ: कोयला

"They warmed themselves by the charcoal fire."

haunches

Meaning: The hips or sitting posture with knees bent

अर्थ: कूल्हे / उकड़ूँ बैठना

"The boy sat on his haunches to tie his shoe."

sprinkling

Meaning: A small amount of liquid scattered

अर्थ: छिड़काव

"He gave the plant a sprinkling of water."

plodded

Meaning: Walked slowly and with effort

अर्थ: धीरे-धीरे चलना

"He plodded home through the rain."

scrambled

Meaning: Moved quickly and awkwardly

अर्थ: तेजी से चढ़ना-उतरना

"She scrambled down the hill."

scythe

Meaning: A curved tool for cutting grass or crops

अर्थ: दरांती

"The farmer used a scythe to cut the grass."

foliage

Meaning: The leaves of plants and trees

अर्थ: पत्तियाँ / पर्णसमूह

"The garden was full of thick foliage."

tender

Meaning: Soft and delicate

अर्थ: कोमल

"The child touched the tender flower petals."

sturdy

Meaning: Strong and solid

अर्थ: मजबूत

"The sturdy boy lifted the heavy bag."

praying-mantis

Meaning: An insect with folded front legs

अर्थ: मांटिस (एक कीट)

"A praying-mantis sat on the branch."

caterpillar

Meaning: The worm-like stage of a butterfly

अर्थ: इल्ली

"The caterpillar ate the leaves."

grumpy

Meaning: Easily annoyed or in a bad mood

अर्थ: चिड़चिड़ा

"He was grumpy because he had no newspaper."

miracle

Meaning: An amazing, unexplained event

अर्थ: चमत्कार

"The tree blossoming was a miracle."

blossom

Meaning: A flower, especially on a fruit tree

अर्थ: फूल

"The cherry tree was full of blossoms."

nectar

Meaning: Sweet liquid in flowers for bees

अर्थ: मकरंद / परागरस

"The bees drank nectar from the flowers."

bulbuls

Meaning: A type of small songbird

अर्थ: बुलबुल (पक्षी)

"Bulbuls sang in the garden."

minivets

Meaning: Brightly coloured small birds

अर्थ: मिनिवेट पक्षी

"Scarlet minivets flew among the trees."

reclining

Meaning: Lying back in a relaxed way

अर्थ: लेटना / टिकना

"He was reclining on the chair."

breeze

Meaning: A light wind

अर्थ: हल्की हवा

"A cool breeze blew through the trees."

striding

Meaning: Walking with long, confident steps

अर्थ: लंबे डग भरना

"The man was striding across the field."

cicadas

Meaning: Insects that make loud sounds in summer

अर्थ: झींगुर

"Cicadas chirped in the forest."

NCERT Solutions Class 8 English - Poorvi Chapter 4.1 – The Cherry Tree

Chapter Introduction

Watch Video Lecture

Important Points

Practice MCQ Questions (34 questions)

Q1. Who is the main character of the story?

Q2. How old was Rakesh when he planted the cherry seed?

Q3. Where did Rakesh buy the cherries?

Q4. From where did the cherries originally come?

Q5. How much did Rakesh pay for the bunch of cherries?

Q6. Where did Rakesh and his grandfather live?

Q7. What happened to the cherry tree when a goat entered the garden?

Q8. Who cut the cherry tree in half with a scythe?

Q9. What was the first sign of blossoming on the cherry tree?

Q10. Why was the cherry tree special to Rakesh and his grandfather according to the story?

Q11. Why did Rakesh's parents send him to live with his grandfather in Mussoorie?

Q12. What does Grandfather mean when he says "Nothing is lucky if you put it away. If you want luck you must put it to some use"?

Q13. Why did Rakesh stop looking at the cherry tree directly every morning?

Q14. What does the cherry tree's survival after being eaten by a goat and cut by a scythe suggest?

Q15. What visitors came to the cherry tree as it grew?

Q16. How did Rakesh try to give the cherry tree privacy as it grew?

Q17. What did Rakesh say to the caterpillar he removed from the tree?

Q18. What happened to the early cherries that grew on the tree?

Q19. Where was Grandfather sitting when Rakesh found him on a warm afternoon?

Q20. What does the final line — "Is this what it feels to be God?" — refer to?

Q21. How does the story use the seasons to structure the cherry tree's growth over several years?

Q22. What does the cherry tree symbolise in the story?

Q23. What is the effect of the cherry tree being cut by the grass-cutting woman?

Q24. How does the parallel between Rakesh's growth and the cherry tree's growth enrich the story?

Q25. What does Grandfather's storytelling in winter by the charcoal fire contribute to the texture of the story?

Q26. How does the author Ruskin Bond create a sense of the passage of time without using dates?

Q27. What does the description of the bees and birds visiting the blossoming tree add to the story's atmosphere?

Q28. What is the significance of Grandfather reclining in the shade of the cherry tree at the end of the story?

Q29. Which obstacles does the cherry tree survive on its way to becoming a full-grown tree?

Q30. Which details in the story show the growing bond between Rakesh and the cherry tree?

Q31. What does the story ultimately suggest about the act of nurturing something from seed to life?

Q32. How does the story use the cherry tree as a metaphor for the relationship between Rakesh and his grandfather?

Q33. What does Rakesh's question "Is this what it feels to be God?" suggest about the philosophical dimension of the story?

Q34. How does the story function as an argument for the value of patience?