The Cherry Tree – Class 8 English Poorvi Question Answer (NCERT 2026–27)

Complete NCERT Solutions for Class 8 English Poorvi Unit 4 (Environment) – “The Cherry Tree” by Ruskin Bond: summary, theme, about the author, word meanings and every textbook exercise (Let us discuss, Let us think and reflect, Let us learn) answered in full. The questions are reproduced exactly as in the NCERT book, and every table, fill-in and matching task is written out as readable text.

Class: 8 Subject: English Book: Poorvi Unit: 4 – Environment Type: Story (Ruskin Bond) Session: 2026–27
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About the chapter

“The Cherry Tree” is a gentle, true-to-life story from Unit 4, ‘Environment’, set in the Himalayan foothills near Mussoorie. A six-year-old boy, Rakesh, plants a single cherry seed on his grandfather’s advice and watches it survive a goat, a grass-cutter’s scythe, snow and insects over several years to become a tall, blossoming tree. As the tree grows, Rakesh grows too. The story celebrates patience, nurture, the resilience of nature and the deep bond between a boy, his grandfather and a tree they planted together.

About the author

Ruskin Bond (born 1934 in Kasauli) is one of India’s best-loved English writers, famous for his warm, simple stories about life in the hills around Mussoorie and Dehradun. He began writing as a teenager and won the John Llewellyn Rhys Prize for his first novel, The Room on the Roof. His writing is filled with affection for nature, small-town life, children and the changing seasons of the Himalayas. He has received the Sahitya Akademi Award and the Padma Shri and Padma Bhushan. “The Cherry Tree” reflects his lifelong themes of growth, gentleness and the quiet wonder of the natural world.

Summary

When Rakesh was six, he walked home from the Mussoorie bazaar eating cherries that had come from Kashmir. He gave one to his grandfather, with whom he lived on the outskirts of town, and kept the last seed. His grandfather told him that nothing is lucky if it is put away – if he wanted luck, he must put the seed to use and plant it. Rakesh pressed the seed into a soft, shady corner of the garden and soon forgot all about it.

Through winter and spring, life in the hills went on – grandfather told stories by the charcoal fire and Rakesh read him the newspaper. One morning Rakesh found that the seed had sprouted into a tiny rooted tree about four inches high. He watered it and circled it with pebbles “for privacy”. The young tree faced many dangers: a goat ate all its leaves, and later a woman cutting grass sliced it in two. But the cherry tree, as grandfather said, was tough and had “no intention of dying”. It sent out fresh shoots again and again.

Over the years the tree grew taller while Rakesh grew from six to nine years old. It welcomed visitors – a praying-mantis, a caterpillar, bees and birds. One winter morning it produced its first pale pink blossom, which felt like a miracle. The following years brought more blossoms and finally cherries. One warm evening, sitting under the tree with grandfather, Rakesh asked why this tree was so special; grandfather said it was because they had planted it themselves. Touching the smooth bark of the tree he had grown from a single seed, Rakesh whispered in wonder, “Is this what it feels to be God?”

Theme & message

The central theme is the resilience of nature and the rewards of patient nurturing. A tiny seed, given a little care and time, survives many setbacks to become a beautiful, life-giving tree. The story also explores the loving bond between Rakesh and his grandfather, and the quiet joy of watching something one has planted slowly grow. Its message is that we must respect, protect and care for nature – and that creating and nurturing life, however small, gives a deep sense of wonder and fulfilment.

Word meanings

WordEnglish meaningHindi meaning
stuntedstopped from growing to the usual sizeबौने से रुका हुआ
outskirtsthe areas that form the edge of a townसिरे / बाहरी इलाका
tanga strong, sharp tasteतीखा / चरपरा स्वाद
yieldinggiving way under pressure; softदबाव में दब जाने वाला
haunchessitting on the feet with legs bentउकड़ू बैठना
peered downlooked carefully or with difficultyध्यान से नीचे देखा
ploddedwalked slowly and heavilyधीमे-धीमे चलना
scrambledmoved quickly and with difficultyलु୪कते हुए उतरना
scythea tool with a long, curved bladeहंसिया / दरांती
foliagegreen leaves of a plantपत्ते / हरियाली
tendersoft and delicateकोमल / नरम
praying-mantisa long green insectभिंगा / मेंटिस कीट
grumpybad-temperedचिड़चिड़ा / खीझ
gazedlooked at something for a long timeटकटकी से देखना
flittedflew quickly and lightlyफुर्ती से उड़ना
reclininglying back in a relaxed wayआराम से लेटना
sturdystrong and healthyह୹टा-कट्टा / मजबूत
nightjara kind of night birdएक रात में बोलने वाला पक्षी
cicadasinsects with loud evening callsझींगुर (कीट)
deodara tall Himalayan cedar treeदेवदार का पेड़
blossomflower of a treeफूल / मंजरी

Let us discuss

I. Arrange the events in order of occurrence (Part I)

Arrange the events in order of occurrence in the story. (Two have been done for you: event 7 = 1 and event 3 = 5.)

ANSWER – correct order 1. (Event 7) Rakesh’s parents grew maize, rice, and barley in a village. 2. (Event 2) Rakesh was sent to live with his grandfather in Mussoorie. 3. (Event 5) Rakesh bought a bunch of cherries and ate most of them. 4. (Event 10) Rakesh kept rolling the last cherry seed in his mouth. 5. (Event 3) Rakesh pressed the cherry seed into the soft soil with his thumb. 6. (Event 1) Rakesh discovered that the small, well-rooted twig had grown into a cherry tree. 7. (Event 8) Rakesh sprinkled water on the cherry tree and surrounded it with pebbles. 8. (Event 4) The cherry tree grew quickly after the rains arrived early. 9. (Event 6) A goat entered the garden and ate all the leaves of the young cherry tree. 10. (Event 9) Grandfather told Rakesh that cherry trees were tough. So the order is: 7 → 2 → 5 → 10 → 3 → 1 → 8 → 4 → 6 → 9.

II. Do you think the cherry tree would survive? Why do you think so?

ANSWERYes, I think the cherry tree would survive. Although a goat ate all its leaves, only the main stem and two thin branches remained – yet grandfather, who knew about plants, said cherry trees are tough and would grow again. The tree had already taken root firmly in the soft, sheltered corner, and Rakesh cared for it lovingly. These signs suggest it had the strength and support to recover and keep growing.

I. Complete the cause-and-effect table (Part II)

Complete the table based on Part II of the story. (One example done: Cause 1 → Effect (i) Grandfather scolded the woman.)

CauseEffect
1. A woman cut the cherry tree while cutting grass.(i) Grandfather scolded the woman. (given)
2. Rakesh went home to his village to help his father and mother with the planting, ploughing and sowing during the monsoon.(ii) Rakesh was thinner but stronger when he came back.
3. A hairy caterpillar started eating the leaves of the cherry tree.(iii) Rakesh quickly removed it and dropped it on a heap of dry leaves, saying, “Come back when you’re a butterfly.”
4. Grandfather saw a pale pink blossom at the end of a branch and called Rakesh to come quickly and look.(iv) Rakesh and Grandfather gazed at the tree as though it was a miracle.
5. Rakesh tasted one of the small cherries during summer.(v) He spat it out because it was too sour, and Grandfather said they would be better next year.

Let us think and reflect

I.1. Extract – “Have a cherry, Grandfather,” he said… “Nothing is lucky if you put it away. If you want luck, you must put it to some use.”

ANSWER (i) The underlined phrase “quickly and without delay” can be substituted with the word promptly from the extract. (The Kho-kho captain changed her strategy promptly when a new player came in.) (ii) B. He is enjoying the taste and the moment. (iii) Rakesh’s decision to plant the seed shows that he respects and values his grandfather’s advice and has a close bond with him and a willingness to learn from him. (iv) Grandfather’s advice shows that he believes luck does not come from simply keeping or storing a thing; real luck or good fortune comes only when we put a thing to good use through effort. In other words, he values action and effort over superstition – planting the seed (making an effort) is what can bring something valuable, not merely saving it.

I.2. Extract – “Winter came early. The cherry tree bent low with the weight of snow… In February it was Rakesh’s birthday. He was nine—and the tree was four…”

ANSWER (i) The phrase ‘field-mice sought shelter in the roof of the cottage’ suggests that the winter had become so harsh and cold that even small animals were forced to leave the open fields and find warmth and protection inside the cottage. (ii) B. The tree could withstand harsh weather. (iii) The early winter made Grandfather grumpy and bad-tempered. The road from the valley was blocked, so there was no newspaper for several days, which he badly missed; as a result, even the stories he told Rakesh began to have unhappy endings. (iv) The comparison of Rakesh’s age to the cherry tree’s age symbolises the tree’s growth paralleling Rakesh’s own development.

II. Answer the following questions.

ANSWER 1. Why did Rakesh’s parents send him to Mussoorie? Rakesh’s parents lived in a small village fifty miles away where there were no schools. Since they were keen that he should get an education, they sent him to stay with his grandfather in Mussoorie as soon as he was of school-going age. 2. Why did Rakesh let the praying-mantis remain on the branch? Rakesh let the bright green praying-mantis stay because it was the cherry tree’s very first visitor. He loved the tree and was happy that life had begun to gather around it, so he did not disturb the harmless insect. 3. How is life in the Himalayan foothills described in the story? Life in the foothills is shown as simple, close to nature and shaped by the seasons. The soil is stony and cold winds stunt most plants, though sheltered slopes have oak and deodar forests. People grow maize, rice and barley on terraced fields; winters bring snow and blocked roads, and spring is marked by wild ducks flying north. 4. What might Rakesh mean by “Is this what it feels to be God?” By growing a great tree from a single tiny seed, Rakesh feels he has taken part in the wonder of creating and nurturing life. Touching the tree he had grown, he senses the same joy and power that a creator might feel – a feeling of awe at having helped bring something living and beautiful into the world. 5. How does the writer describe the relationship between Rakesh and his grandfather? Their relationship is warm, affectionate and full of companionship. They live happily together, sit by the fire on winter evenings, and grandfather tells Rakesh stories while Rakesh reads him the newspaper. They share the joy of the cherry tree and quietly watch nature together – a bond built on love, trust and shared wonder. 6. What can you infer about the connection between humans and nature? The story shows that humans and nature are deeply linked. When we care for nature with patience and love, it rewards us with beauty, shade, flowers and fruit. Nature is resilient and forgiving, but it also depends on our protection. Caring for a tree brings humans a sense of joy, peace and belonging. 7. Imagine Rakesh reflects on watching a seed transform into a full-grown cherry tree. Write how he must have felt. (Sample) Rakesh must have felt amazed and deeply proud. He would remember the tiny seed he once rolled on his tongue, and marvel that it had become a tall, blossoming tree. Watching it survive the goat, the scythe and the snow taught him patience and hope. Above all, he felt a quiet wonder – a sense that, by caring for one small seed, he had shared in the magic of creating life.

Let us learn

I. Identify the odd word in each list

Each list has one word that does not match. (Example 1: ‘chop’, ‘slice’, ‘mince’ are cutting with a knife; ‘trim’ is cutting with scissors.)

ANSWER 2. plodded, galloped, scrambled, trudged → odd word: galloped (it means to move very fast, while ‘plodded’, ‘scrambled’ and ‘trudged’ suggest slow or difficult movement). 3. tender, delicate, soft, smooth → odd word: smooth (it describes an even surface, while ‘tender’, ‘delicate’ and ‘soft’ describe gentleness or softness). 4. stared, peered, pecked, gazed → odd word: pecked (it means to strike with a beak, while ‘stared’, ‘peered’ and ‘gazed’ all mean to look). 5. growing, blossoming, progressing, planting → odd word: planting (it is an action done by a person, while ‘growing’, ‘blossoming’ and ‘progressing’ describe natural development).

II. Choose the most suitable taste words

Write the most suitable taste word (sweet, sour, tangy, spicy, salty, bitter, bland) against each food item.

ANSWER 1. tamarind → sour / tangy 2. jaggery → sweet 3. neem leaves → bitter 4. paneer (cottage cheese) → bland (tasteless) 5. lemon → sour 6. pickle → spicy / tangy 7. a dish of vegetables → salty Sentences (sample): (1) Sweet – The mango shake was very sweet. (2) Sour – The unripe tamarind tasted very sour. (3) Bitter – Neem leaves are too bitter to eat. (4) Spicy – The mango pickle was deliciously spicy. (5) Salty – The soup was a little too salty for me.

III. Choose the correct antonyms

Choose antonyms for the textual words from the box (growing, wide, ordinary, fasting, unprotected, shaky, cheerful, fussing, hard, coldness). Two extra words are not needed.

ANSWER 1. tender → hard 2. sturdy → shaky 3. narrow → wide 4. warmth → coldness 5. feasting → fasting 6. grumpy → cheerful 7. sheltered → unprotected 8. special → ordinary (The two unused words are growing and fussing.)

IV. Verbs and tenses

Underline all the verbs and identify the form of tense in the given sentences, then fill in the blanks with the correct tense.

ANSWER – identify the tense 1. “Rakesh was on his way home from school when he bought the cherries.” → Simple Past Tense 2. “Rakesh was looking for Grandfather without finding him…” → Past Progressive (Continuous) Tense 3. “Rakesh and Grandfather gazed at the tree as though it had performed a miracle.” → Simple Past + Past Perfect Tense
ANSWER – fill in the blanks (i) was sitting (given) (ii) talked   (iii) realised   (iv) had imparted (v) was listening   (vi) remembered   (vii) had spent (viii) had set   (ix) felt   (x) had nurtured

V. Punctuation

Punctuate the given paragraph (about Roshni visiting her grandparents) appropriately.

ANSWER (sample) Every Sunday, Roshni would visit her grandparents’ house on their farm. “Come, sit,” Grandpa would say, patting the bench on their porch. Roshni loved these moments, where the world slowed down and stories flowed like magic. Grandma would bring tea, her eyes twinkling with joy. “I’m excited to hear about your younger days – the adventures, the lessons and the memories,” Roshni said eagerly. Grandpa smiled softly, his wrinkled hands resting on the cane. “Ah, the old days… when everything was simple and happiness was all we had.” Roshni could feel the warmth of those memories. She sat in silence, bound not by words, but by a timeless bond.

Note: The Let us listen (true statements about the Chipko/Appiko movements, Saalumarada Thimakka and Jadav Payeng), Let us speak (counting syllables; speaking about Van Mahotsav Diwas) and Let us write (the article ‘Trees – Our Lifeline’) and Let us explore activities for this unit are listening, speaking and project tasks to be done in class. For the article fill-ins, a model order is: (i) your name – by your class, (ii) would stop existing, (iii) absorb carbon dioxide, (iv) reduces pollution, (v) Additionally, (vi) climate control, (vii) If trees were not there, (viii) Moreover, our planet, (ix) To conclude, (x) ensures a better future.

Extra questions

Short answer (30–40 words)

1. Where did the cherries Rakesh ate come from, and how did they taste?

ANSWERThe small, bright red cherries had come all the way from the Kashmir Valley. They tasted a little sweet and a little sour, and Rakesh bought a bunch for fifty paise on his way home from school.

2. Why did Rakesh surround the young tree with pebbles?

ANSWERAfter watering the tiny tree, Rakesh circled it with pebbles. When Grandfather asked why, Rakesh said the pebbles were “for privacy” – showing his loving, protective and slightly playful attitude towards the little tree.

3. What dangers did the cherry tree survive?

ANSWERA goat ate all its leaves, a woman cutting grass sliced it in two with her scythe, a caterpillar fed on its leaves, and the weight of winter snow bent it low. Yet, being tough, it grew back each time.

4. How did the cherry tree finally show its first sign of flowering?

ANSWEROne winter morning, when the sun came out, Grandfather noticed a pale pink blossom at the end of a branch. He called Rakesh quickly, and both gazed at the tree as though it had performed a miracle.

5. What creatures visited the cherry tree, and how did Rakesh feel about them?

ANSWERA praying-mantis, a caterpillar, bees and birds such as bulbuls and scarlet minivets visited the tree. Rakesh welcomed the praying-mantis as the tree’s first visitor and gently moved the caterpillar away, happy that life surrounded his tree.

Long answer (100–120 words)

6. Trace the journey of the cherry seed from being planted to becoming a blossoming tree.

ANSWERWhen Rakesh was six, his grandfather advised him to plant the cherry seed he had kept. Rakesh pressed it into a soft, shady corner and forgot about it. Months later, he found a tiny rooted twig and was thrilled to see it had sprouted. He watered it and protected it with pebbles. The tree faced many threats – a goat ate its leaves, a woman’s scythe cut it in two, a caterpillar nibbled it, and snow bent it low – but each time it grew back, for it was tough. Over the years it produced new shoots, then its first pale pink blossom, then more blossoms, and finally cherries – growing taller than both Rakesh and Grandfather.

7. How does ‘The Cherry Tree’ convey the message of caring for nature and the environment?

ANSWERThe story gently teaches that nature rewards patience and care. From a single seed, given a little water and protection, grows a tall tree that gives shade, blossoms, fruit and a home to insects and birds. The tree’s repeated recovery from harm shows nature’s resilience, while the harm itself – the goat, the careless grass-cutter – reminds us how easily plants can be destroyed. Rakesh’s loving attention and his final feeling of wonder, “Is this what it feels to be God?”, suggest that nurturing even one tree connects us to the miracle of life. The story thus inspires readers to plant trees, protect greenery and respect the environment.

MCQs & Assertion–Reason

1. Where had the cherries that Rakesh ate come from?

(a) Mussoorie   (b) the Kashmir Valley   (c) his village   (d) Dehradun

ANSWER(b) the Kashmir Valley.

2. Who did Rakesh live with in Mussoorie?

(a) his parents   (b) his uncle   (c) his grandfather   (d) his teacher

ANSWER(c) his grandfather.

3. According to Grandfather, when is something lucky?

(a) when you keep it   (b) when you put it to some use   (c) when you sell it   (d) when you hide it

ANSWER(b) when you put it to some use.

4. Why did Rakesh surround the little tree with pebbles?

(a) for decoration   (b) for privacy   (c) to mark it   (d) to keep water in

ANSWER(b) for privacy.

5. What animal first ate all the leaves of the young cherry tree?

(a) a cow   (b) a goat   (c) a deer   (d) a monkey

ANSWER(b) a goat.

6. Who cut the cherry tree in two with a scythe?

(a) a woodcutter   (b) a woman cutting grass   (c) a gardener   (d) a neighbour

ANSWER(b) a woman cutting grass.

7. What was the cherry tree’s first visitor?

(a) a caterpillar   (b) a bee   (c) a praying-mantis   (d) a bulbul

ANSWER(c) a praying-mantis.

8. What colour was the tree’s first blossom?

(a) white   (b) pale pink   (c) red   (d) yellow

ANSWER(b) pale pink.

9. According to Grandfather, why was this tree special?

(a) it was the tallest   (b) they planted it themselves   (c) it gave fruit   (d) it was very old

ANSWER(b) they planted it themselves.

10. Who is the author of ‘The Cherry Tree’?

(a) Sarojini Naidu   (b) Ruskin Bond   (c) R. K. Narayan   (d) Kamakshi Balasubramanian

ANSWER(b) Ruskin Bond.
MCQ Answer Key: 1-(b), 2-(c), 3-(b), 4-(b), 5-(b), 6-(b), 7-(c), 8-(b), 9-(b), 10-(b)

Assertion–Reason – choose: (a) A and R true, R explains A; (b) A and R true, R does not explain A; (c) A true, R false; (d) A false, R true.

1. Assertion (A): Rakesh planted the cherry seed instead of keeping it.

Reason (R): Grandfather told him that nothing is lucky if it is put away and that luck comes from putting a thing to use.

ANSWER(a) Both true and R correctly explains A.

2. Assertion (A): The cherry tree survived even after a goat and a scythe damaged it.

Reason (R): Cherry trees are tough and the tree had no intention of dying.

ANSWER(a) Both true and R correctly explains A.

3. Assertion (A): Grandfather became grumpy during the early winter.

Reason (R): The blocked road meant there was no newspaper for several days.

ANSWER(a) Both true and R correctly explains A.

4. Assertion (A): The small cherries tasted delicious the first time Rakesh tried them.

Reason (R): Rakesh tasted one cherry and spat it out because it was too sour.

ANSWER(d) A is false (the cherries were too sour), while R is true.

5. Assertion (A): Rakesh felt a deep sense of wonder at the end of the story.

Reason (R): He realised that he had grown a great tree from a single tiny seed.

ANSWER(a) Both true and R correctly explains A.

Exam tips & common mistakes

Exam tips

• Remember key details in order: bazaar → seed planted → sprouts → goat → scythe → blossom → cherries. Examiners love sequence questions.
• Always name the author (Ruskin Bond) and the setting (Mussoorie, Himalayan foothills) in long answers.
• Link the tree’s growth to Rakesh’s growth – this ‘parallel growth’ idea earns full marks in theme questions.
• For value-based questions, mention patience, care for nature and the human-nature bond.

Common mistakes

• Do not write that the cherries came from Mussoorie – they came from the Kashmir Valley.
• Do not confuse the two creatures: the praying-mantis was the first visitor; the caterpillar ate leaves and was removed.
• The tree was cut by a woman cutting grass with a scythe, not a woodcutter.
• The first blossom was pale pink, not white – check colour words carefully.

FAQs

Who wrote ‘The Cherry Tree’ and where is it set?

It was written by Ruskin Bond and is set in the Himalayan foothills near Mussoorie, where the boy Rakesh lives with his grandfather.

What is the main message of ‘The Cherry Tree’?

The story teaches patience, the resilience of nature, and the joy and responsibility of nurturing and protecting living things, especially trees.

How did the cherry tree survive being cut and eaten?

Cherry trees are tough. Each time the tree was damaged – by a goat, a scythe, a caterpillar or snow – it sent out new shoots and kept growing.

What does Rakesh mean by ‘Is this what it feels to be God?’

Having grown a great tree from one tiny seed, Rakesh feels the wonder of having helped create and nurture life, much as a creator might feel.

Questions are taken verbatim from the NCERT Poorvi textbook; the summary, author note and all answers are written originally by ClearStudy.

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