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)
About the Text
"The Swan King" is Chapter 9 of the Roots and Wings Literature Reader for Class 6. It is based on a Jataka tale, a collection of ancient stories about the previous lives of the Buddha. In this story, a golden swan king named Sakula leads a flock of swans. They travel to the beautiful Lotus Lake, where a hunter sets a trap. Through wisdom, courage, and deep loyalty, the swans escape. The king who hears their story learns an important lesson about ruling with love and respect rather than force.
This video covers the full back exercise of the chapter: the MCQ (tick the right option) section, the question-answer section, the language skills section (fill in the blanks and collective nouns), and a character sketch section.
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.