CBSE Class 6 English Supplementary Chapter 5: A Pact with the Sun

Unveiling 'A Pact with the Sun'

Supplementary Chapter 5, 'A Pact with the Sun', tells the touching story of Saeeda, a young girl whose mother has fallen seriously ill. Doctors advise Saeeda's mother to get daily doses of sunlight and fresh air to recover. However, her mother is too weak to even sit up in bed, let alone go outside. Worried and hopeful, Saeeda takes matters into her own hands. She fervently prays to the sun's rays, making a 'pact' with them, asking them to come and warm her mother the very next day. Despite a cloudy morning, Saeeda's unwavering faith and the sun's commitment to its promise lead to a truly remarkable event. This story beautifully illustrates the bond between a child and parent, the healing power of nature, and the strength of a pure heart's belief. It encourages us to look for hope even in challenging situations and reminds us that sometimes, a little faith is all it takes to make a difference.

Understanding the Story: Key Events and Moral

1. Saeeda's Mother Falls Ill — The story begins with Saeeda's mother suffering from fever, cough, and body aches. Doctors diagnose her and advise sunshine and fresh air for recovery. This sets the stage for Saeeda's dilemma and her quest for a solution.
2. Saeeda's Plea to the Sun — Seeing her mother's helplessness and the doctor's advice, Saeeda decides to act. She sits in the courtyard, looks up at the sky, and makes a heartfelt request to the sun's rays, asking them to visit her mother's room the next day and bathe her in warmth.
3. The Sun's Promise and Arrival — The next morning, the sky is overcast with clouds. Saeeda feels disappointed, but she remembers her 'pact' with the sun. Remarkably, the sun's rays, hearing her plea and remembering their promise, force their way through the clouds to reach Saeeda's house, illuminating her mother's room with golden light.
4. Recovery and Lesson Learned — Bathed in sunlight, Saeeda's mother gradually starts to recover. The story concludes by showing the powerful impact of faith, a child's love, and the benevolent force of nature. It teaches us about hope, perseverance, and the importance of listening to our hearts.

Words to Know: Vocabulary from the Chapter

Ailing

Suffering from an illness; unwell. Example: Saeeda's mother was ailing for a long time.

Pact

A formal agreement or promise between people or groups. Example: Saeeda made a pact with the sun to bring warmth to her mother.

Fervent

Having or displaying a passionate intensity. Example: Saeeda offered a fervent prayer for her mother's recovery.

Overcast

Covered with clouds; gloomy. Example: The sky was overcast, making Saeeda worry.

Benevolent

Well meaning and kindly. Example: The benevolent sun rays brought comfort to the sick mother.

Exam Tip: Focus on Character and Theme

When studying 'A Pact with the Sun' for your exams, remember to focus not just on the story's sequence of events but also on its deeper meanings. Pay attention to Saeeda's character traits – her faith, determination, and love. Understand the main themes, such as the power of belief, the healing touch of nature, and the special bond between a mother and child. Questions often ask about the moral of the story or how a particular character behaves. Practicing vocabulary from the chapter will also boost your marks in comprehension and writing tasks.

Practice Questions with Solutions

• Q: Why was Saeeda's mother advised to sit in the sun? A: Step 1: Recall the doctor's advice in the story. Step 2: The doctors had prescribed medicines and asked Saeeda's mother to get sunlight and fresh air daily. Final answer: Saeeda's mother was advised to sit in the sun because the doctors believed that sunlight and fresh air would help her recover from her illness.
• Q: What 'pact' did Saeeda make with the sun's rays? A: Step 1: Remember Saeeda's conversation with the sun. Step 2: Saeeda requested the sun's rays to come down to her house the next morning and warm her mother with their golden light. Final answer: Saeeda made a 'pact' with the sun's rays, asking them to come the next day and bathe her ailing mother in their warmth and healing light.
• Q: How did the sun's rays keep their promise despite the clouds? A: Step 1: Think about the weather conditions on the next morning. Step 2: Even though the sky was overcast with thick clouds, the sun's rays remembered their promise to Saeeda. They forced their way through the clouds and broke through to reach her house. Final answer: Despite the cloudy weather, the sun's rays pushed through the thick clouds, managing to reach Saeeda's house and shine on her mother, thus keeping their promise.
• Q: What is the main message or moral of the story 'A Pact with the Sun'? A: Step 1: Consider Saeeda's actions and the outcome. Step 2: The story highlights the power of unwavering faith, a child's love, and the healing benefits of nature. Final answer: The main message of 'A Pact with the Sun' is that strong faith and sincere belief can lead to positive outcomes, and that nature, like the sun, has immense healing power.
• Q: Describe Saeeda's character based on the story. A: Step 1: Analyze Saeeda's actions throughout the narrative. Step 2: Saeeda shows deep love and concern for her mother. Her actions, like praying to the sun, demonstrate strong faith, determination, and hope. Final answer: Saeeda is portrayed as a loving, hopeful, and determined daughter. Her unwavering faith in the sun and her perseverance in trying to help her mother are central to her character.

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