Chapter 6: Paper Boats
Chapter Introduction
One day, Meena went to a stream near a bamboo bridge. She bent down and gently placed a paper boat in the water. The boat sailed swiftly down the stream. Meena felt very happy. She kept putting several paper boats into the water.
After some time, she saw a naughty boy pushing and overturning her paper boats. Meena looked at him angrily and shouted, “Stop!” But the boy did not listen.
Meena asked him why he was overturning her boats. The boy said it was fun. Meena told him that those boats were hers and asked him to stop.
The boy thought for a while. He said he would not do it again and asked Meena if she could help him because he did not know how to make paper boats.
Meena had enough coloured paper. She kindly showed him how to fold and re-fold the paper to make boats. The boy watched carefully and soon made his own boats.
Both of them gently placed their boats in the stream. They happily watched the boats sail away. In the end, they enjoyed playing together.
Message of the Story:
We should not spoil others’ fun.
Sharing and helping create friendship.
Kindness can solve problems.
It is better to teach than to fight.
Detailed Notes (Explanation)
The story begins on a hot summer afternoon. Gopi is sitting in the veranda reading a book when he hears a rustling sound followed by a thud in the garden. Curious, he runs outside to check. After searching in the grass, bushes, and dry leaves, he finds a white hockey ball.
Gopi wonders who the owner of the ball might be. He decides not to keep it and plans to ask his friends about it. This shows that Gopi is honest and responsible.
In the evening, he goes to the playground where his friends regularly gather to play hockey. He asks them if anyone has lost a ball. Manoj says he lost one months ago. Ramani tries to claim the ball but cannot describe it properly. Deepak boasts about having a new football, but Gopi clarifies that the ball he found is a hockey ball.
Soon, they decide to start playing. The boys take their positions on the field. Jay hits the ball very hard, and it flies out of the playground gate into the basket of a passing scooter. The scooter driver is unaware and rides away with the ball.
By the time the children reach the gate, the scooter is gone — and so is the ball. Instead of being upset, they laugh at the unexpected situation. The story ends on a cheerful note.
Message of the Story:
Always try to return lost items.
Friendship and teamwork make games enjoyable.
Sometimes unexpected events can turn into funny memories.
Word Meanings
| Word | Meaning |
|---|---|
| Delighted | Very happy |
| Several | More than two but not many |
| Overturning | Turning upside down |
| Stream | A small river |
| Swiftly | Quickly |
| Watched | Looked carefully |
Question & Answers
1. Where did Meena go to play?
Meena went to a stream near a bamboo bridge.2. What was Meena playing with?
She was playing with paper boats.3. Why was Meena delighted?
She was delighted because her paper boats sailed swiftly down the stream.4. Why did Meena become angry?
She became angry because a boy was overturning her paper boats.5. What did the boy say when Meena asked him to stop?
He said that overturning the boats was fun.6. Did the boy know how to make paper boats?
No, he did not know how to fold paper to make boats.7. How did Meena help the boy?
She showed him how to fold and re-fold coloured paper to make boats.8. What did the boy do after learning?
He made his own paper boats.9. How did the story end?
Both of them put their boats in the stream and enjoyed watching them sail.10. What lesson do we learn from this story?
We learn to be kind, helpful, and patient.11. Was Meena selfish? Why or why not?
No, she was not selfish because she shared her paper and taught the boy.12. What could have happened if Meena had not helped the boy?
They might have continued fighting and not enjoyed playing.13. Why is helping others important?
Helping others builds friendship and happiness.14. What can you make with paper besides boats?
We can make paper planes, flowers, fans, and hats.15. Have you ever taught someone something? How did you feel?
Yes, I felt happy when I helped someone learn something new.