A Bottle of Dew
By Sudha Murty
Pre-Reading / Warm-up (Before the Story)
Q1. Have you ever met a beggar? How did you feel when you saw him/her?
Yes, I have seen beggars near temples and traffic signals. I felt both pity for their suffering and sadness that they had no proper work or support.
Q2. Do you think giving money to beggars really helps them? Why/Why not?
Not always. Sometimes money is misused. Instead of giving money, providing food, clothes, or opportunities for work is more helpful.
Q3. What qualities should a king or a leader have?
A king or leader should be kind, just, wise, fair, and able to guide people toward good values.
Page 1–3 – Comprehension Check
Q1. Who came to meet the king one morning?
An old man came to meet the king.
Q2. What did the old man say?
He said he was very poor and needed money to marry off his daughter.
Q3. How did the king respond to the old man’s request?
The king kindly gave him some money and promised to help again if needed.
Q4. What did the old man do with the money?
He wasted it on useless things and came back again for more help.
Q5. What did the king finally ask him to do?
The king asked him to bring a bottle of dew before he would give more money.
Page 4–5 – Think and Answer
Q1. Why did the king ask the old man to bring a bottle of dew?
The king wanted to teach him that life cannot be lived on charity. Just as dew cannot be collected in a bottle, living without work is impossible.
Q2. What lesson did the old man learn at the end of the story?
He realised that hard work is necessary for survival, and depending on others is shameful and fruitless.
Page 6–7 – Vocabulary & Grammar
Q1. Pick the opposites from the story:
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Rich × Poor
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Morning × Evening
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Useful × Useless
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Young × Old
Q2. Fill in the blanks:
(i) The old man was lazy and did not work.
(ii) The king was kind but also wise.
(iii) The man wanted money to marry his daughter.
(iv) A bottle of dew cannot be collected.
Extra Questions
Short Answer
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Why did the king stop giving money after some time?
Because the old man wasted it and showed no signs of changing his habits. -
What does the bottle of dew symbolise?
It symbolises the futility of laziness and the importance of self-reliance. -
How did the king balance kindness with wisdom?
He gave help at first but then used a clever way to make the old man learn a lesson.
Long Answer
Q. How does Sudha Murty’s story teach the value of hard work?
The story shows that hard work is the foundation of a meaningful life. The old man in the story wanted to live by asking for money without doing any work. Though the king was generous and helped him, he also realised that this attitude would not change unless the old man learned a lesson. By asking him to bring a bottle of dew, the king cleverly showed that his approach was impossible. Just as dew cannot be collected, life cannot be lived without effort. At last, the old man understood that nothing in the world is free and that one must earn to survive. The story teaches children to be hardworking, independent, and responsible rather than lazy and dependent.
Summary of A Bottle of Dew
Sudha Murty’s A Bottle of Dew is a story that combines kindness with wisdom to teach the importance of self-reliance.
The story begins with a poor old man who goes to meet a king. He tells the king he is poor and needs money to marry off his daughter. The king, known for his kindness, gives him some money. The old man, however, does not use the money wisely. Instead of saving it or spending it on his daughter, he wastes it on useless things. Soon, he returns to the king, asking for more help.
The king understands that the old man is lazy and careless. Giving him money again will not help him but make him more dependent. So, the king decides to teach him a lesson. He tells the man he will give him more money only if he brings him a bottle of dew.
The old man tries, but collecting dew is impossible. After many failed attempts, he realises the king’s hidden message: just as one cannot fill a bottle with dew, one cannot live without working hard. Charity may help for a moment, but it cannot replace self-effort.
Ashamed of his behaviour, the old man learns that nothing in life is free. One must earn through hard work to live with dignity.
The story ends with the moral that self-reliance, not laziness, gives true happiness.
Biography – Sudha Murty
Sudha Murty is a famous Indian writer, social worker, and teacher. She was born on 19 August 1950 in Shiggaon, Karnataka. From a young age, she was hardworking, curious, and loved learning.
She studied engineering and became the first woman engineer at TELCO (now Tata Motors). Later, she also earned a master’s degree and worked as a teacher. She is married to N. R. Narayana Murthy, the co-founder of Infosys.
Sudha Murty is best known as a writer. She writes in both English and Kannada. Her stories are simple but powerful, teaching values like honesty, hard work, compassion, and kindness. Some of her famous books are Wise and Otherwise, How I Taught My Grandmother to Read, The Magic of the Lost Temple, and The Day I Stopped Drinking Milk. Children especially love her books because they are easy to understand and always have a moral.
She is also the Chairperson of Infosys Foundation, which helps in areas like education, healthcare, and rural development. She has built schools, libraries, and hospitals in many villages.
Sudha Murty lives a simple life and believes in service to others. She is admired for her humility, generosity, and wisdom. Her stories, like A Bottle of Dew, continue to inspire children and adults to live better lives.
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The Raven and the Fox
By Jean de la Fontaine
Pre-Reading / Warm-up (Before the Poem)
Q1. Have you ever seen a crow or raven with food in its beak? What happens then?
Yes, often other birds try to snatch it, or people throw stones to make the crow drop it.
Q2. Why do you think animals sometimes trick each other?
Animals trick each other mostly to get food or protect themselves.
Q3. Do you think it is right to flatter others for selfish gain? Why/Why not?
No, flattery for selfish gain is wrong because it is dishonest and may harm the other person.
Reading the Poem – Comprehension Check
Q1. Who is sitting on a tree in the poem? What is he holding in his beak?
A raven (crow) is sitting on a tree, holding a piece of cheese in his beak.
Q2. What does the fox say to the raven at first?
The fox flatters the raven by praising his beauty and calling him the king of birds.
Q3. What does the fox ask the raven to do? Why?
The fox asks the raven to sing. He wants the raven to open his beak so that the cheese will fall down.
Q4. What happens when the raven tries to sing?
When the raven opens his beak to sing, the cheese falls to the ground, and the fox quickly snatches it.
Q5. What lesson does the raven learn?
The raven realises he has been fooled by flattery and should not trust sweet words blindly.
Think and Answer
Q1. Do you think the raven was foolish? Why?
Yes, the raven was foolish because he was carried away by the fox’s false praise and lost his food.
Q2. What is the moral of the poem?
We should not be misled by flattery. Always judge people by their actions, not their sweet words.
Vocabulary & Grammar
Q1. Find opposites in the poem/story context:
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Foolish × Wise
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Friend × Enemy
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Praise × Criticism
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Win × Lose
Q2. Make sentences using these words:
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Flattery – He fell into trouble because of false flattery.
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Foolish – It was foolish to believe the stranger’s lies.
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Snatch – The monkey tried to snatch the banana from my hand.
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Praise – The teacher praised the student for his honesty.
Extra Questions
Short Answer
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How does the fox trick the raven?
By flattering the raven’s looks and requesting him to sing, so the cheese falls. -
Why does the raven lose his cheese?
Because he opens his beak to sing, forgetting he is holding the cheese. -
What should we learn from the raven’s mistake?
We should not let pride or flattery make us lose our sense.
Long Answer
Q. How does the poem teach us the dangers of flattery?
The poem shows how flattery can deceive even the proud. The fox praises the raven’s beauty and pretends to admire him as king of birds. The raven, feeling proud, wants to prove his talent by singing. But as soon as he opens his beak, the cheese falls, and the fox runs away with it. This teaches us that people may use sweet words for selfish purposes. Pride makes us vulnerable to such tricks. The poem warns us to remain humble and cautious. True friends give honest praise, while flatterers seek only their own benefit.
Summary of The Raven and the Fox
Jean de la Fontaine’s poem The Raven and the Fox is a fable in verse that teaches a moral lesson.
The poem begins with a raven sitting on a tree branch, holding a piece of cheese in his beak. A fox passes by and sees the cheese. Being cunning, he decides to trick the raven into dropping it.
The fox starts praising the raven. He calls him handsome, the king of birds, and says that if his voice is as sweet as his looks, he would be the most perfect bird. The raven, flattered by these words, feels proud and wishes to show off his singing voice.
When the raven opens his beak to sing, the cheese falls down. The fox immediately picks it up and runs away. The raven is left embarrassed and hungry.
Through this simple tale, the poet conveys a universal truth: flattery can be dangerous. Those who trust false praise often lose what they have. The raven’s mistake was pride and foolishness, while the fox’s cunning teaches us to beware of flatterers.
Thus, the poem is entertaining but also carries a clear moral lesson: “Do not trust flatterers.”
Biography – Jean de la Fontaine
Jean de la Fontaine (1621–1695) was a famous French poet and fabulist, best known for his fables.
He was born on 8 July 1621 in Château-Thierry, France. From childhood, he loved stories and poetry. Though trained in law, he was more interested in literature and writing.
La Fontaine became famous for his Fables, inspired by Aesop and Indian stories like the Panchatantra. He wrote them in verse, making them entertaining and easy to remember. His fables often featured animals with human qualities, teaching moral lessons through their actions. The Raven and the Fox is one such fable, showing how pride and flattery can lead to foolishness.
His fables were not only for children but also for adults, as they cleverly criticised human weaknesses like greed, pride, and dishonesty. Kings, courtiers, and ordinary people all enjoyed them.
Apart from fables, he also wrote tales, poems, and plays, but his fables made him immortal. Even today, they are read worldwide and form part of school textbooks.
La Fontaine lived during the reign of King Louis XIV. Though life was not always easy, his talent earned him the admiration of scholars and readers.
He passed away on 13 April 1695, but his stories continue to inspire generations. He is remembered as one of the greatest fabulists in the world.
Rama to the Rescue
Amar Chitra Katha Retelling
Pre-Reading / Warm-up (Before the Story)
Q1. Who is your favourite character from the Ramayana? Why?
My favourite is Hanuman because he is brave, loyal, and helps Rama selflessly.
Q2. Do you know why Rama had to fight Ravana?
Yes, because Ravana kidnapped Sita, Rama’s wife, and took her to Lanka. Rama fought to rescue her.
Q3. Do you think good always wins over evil? Why?
Yes, in the long run, goodness wins because truth and justice are stronger than lies and cruelty.
Page 8–10 – Comprehension Check
Q1. Why did Ravana kidnap Sita?
Because he wanted to take revenge on Rama and also desired Sita’s beauty.
Q2. Who helped Rama in finding Sita?
Hanuman, along with Sugriva and the Vanara (monkey) army, helped Rama.
Q3. How did Rama and his army cross the sea to reach Lanka?
They built a bridge of stones across the sea, known as the Ram Setu.
Q4. Who killed Ravana in the battle?
Rama himself killed Ravana with his divine bow and arrow.
Q5. What happened after Ravana was killed?
Sita was freed, and Rama, Sita, and Lakshmana returned to Ayodhya, where Rama was crowned king.
Page 11 – Think and Answer
Q1. What qualities of Rama do you admire most?
Rama was brave, truthful, compassionate, and always stood for dharma (righteousness).
Q2. What lesson does the story of Rama and Ravana teach us?
It teaches us that evil, no matter how strong, is ultimately defeated by goodness, truth, and justice.
Vocabulary & Grammar
Q1. Find opposites in the story context:
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Good × Evil
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Truth × Lies
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Friend × Enemy
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Brave × Cowardly
Q2. Fill in the blanks:
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Rama was the prince of Ayodhya.
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Sita was kidnapped by Ravana.
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The bridge across the sea was called Ram Setu.
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Rama killed Ravana with his bow and arrow.
Extra Questions
Short Answer
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Who was Ravana?
Ravana was the ten-headed king of Lanka, a great scholar but arrogant and cruel. -
How did Hanuman help Rama?
Hanuman leapt across the ocean, found Sita in Ashok Vatika, and burned Lanka with his fiery tail. -
What role did the Vanara army play?
They helped Rama build the bridge, fought bravely in battle, and supported him in rescuing Sita.
Long Answer
Q. How does the battle between Rama and Ravana symbolise the fight between good and evil?
The Ramayana’s central theme is the victory of good over evil. Rama represents virtue, truth, and righteousness, while Ravana represents arrogance, lust, and cruelty. Ravana kidnaps Sita through deceit, symbolising the misuse of power. Rama, instead of acting out of anger, patiently gathers allies and prepares for battle with courage and fairness. The Vanara army, led by Hanuman and Sugriva, shows the strength of loyalty and friendship. The construction of the Ram Setu demonstrates determination and teamwork. Finally, Rama defeats Ravana, proving that evil, no matter how mighty, cannot last. The story teaches us that moral values, courage, and justice always triumph. This timeless message inspires us to live truthfully and bravely.
Summary of Rama to the Rescue
The story Rama to the Rescue retells an important episode from the Ramayana — Rama’s battle with Ravana to rescue Sita.
Rama, the prince of Ayodhya, lived in exile with his wife Sita and brother Lakshmana. One day, Sita was kidnapped by Ravana, the ten-headed king of Lanka. Ravana, though a learned scholar and powerful king, was arrogant and driven by desire. He carried Sita to his palace in Lanka.
Rama was heartbroken but determined to bring her back. With the help of Hanuman and Sugriva, the king of monkeys, Rama raised a mighty army of Vanaras. Hanuman leapt across the ocean, discovered Sita in Ashok Vatika, and assured her that Rama would rescue her soon.
To reach Lanka, Rama’s army built a bridge of stones across the sea, called Ram Setu. With faith and teamwork, they crossed over and prepared for battle.
A fierce war followed between Rama’s army and Ravana’s forces. Many heroic duels took place, with warriors on both sides displaying bravery. Hanuman, Angada, and Lakshmana fought valiantly. Ultimately, Rama confronted Ravana himself. With his divine bow and arrow, Rama killed Ravana and ended his reign of terror.
Sita was freed and reunited with Rama. Together with Lakshmana, they returned to Ayodhya. Rama was crowned king, and his rule, known as Rama Rajya, became a symbol of justice, peace, and prosperity.
The story is not just about war but about values. Rama’s patience, courage, and devotion to truth stand in contrast to Ravana’s arrogance and greed. The message is clear: good always defeats evil, and righteousness is the strongest weapon of all.
About Amar Chitra Katha
Rama to the Rescue is adapted from Amar Chitra Katha, India’s most famous comic book series.
Amar Chitra Katha (ACK) was founded in 1967 by Anant Pai, popularly known as “Uncle Pai.” His idea was to teach Indian children about their own history, mythology, and culture in a fun way, through colourful comic books. At that time, children were more familiar with Western stories, and Pai wanted to connect them with India’s heritage.
Amar Chitra Katha comics cover Indian epics like the Ramayana and the Mahabharata, stories of gods and goddesses, freedom fighters, kings, saints, and great leaders. The stories are written in simple language and beautifully illustrated, making them easy for children to enjoy and understand.
The comics became so popular that generations of Indians grew up reading them. Today, ACK has published more than 400 titles in many Indian languages and English, with millions of copies sold worldwide.
Through Amar Chitra Katha, children learn not just stories but also values like courage, honesty, respect, and devotion. In Rama to the Rescue, ACK brings alive the epic battle of Rama and Ravana, showing how truth and goodness always win.
Even today, Amar Chitra Katha remains a cultural treasure, keeping India’s rich traditions alive in the hearts of young readers.