Chapter –10, Attila, Class VI, English Literature, DAV Board, The Best Solutions.

Pre-reading task

2. Have you ever seen a watchdog which behaves exactly opposite to the above given qualities? Would you like a fearful dog or friendly dog? Why?

Yes, I have seen a watchdog that behaved exactly opposite to the qualities like being hostile, attacking, cold, strong, and aggressive. Instead of guarding the house, it would wag its tail at strangers, follow them around playfully, and never bark even at suspicious people.

Personally, I would prefer a friendly dog over a fearful one because a friendly dog can still be trained to alert and protect its family without being aggressive. A dog that is only fearful may not be reliable in any situation and might hide instead of helping. A friendly dog creates a happy environment and can also be a great companion.

Word Meaning

Summary In English

The story is about a dog named Attila, ironically named after a fierce warrior, but who turns out to be the gentlest and most harmless dog ever. Despite his large size, Attila never barked at strangers or chased thieves. Instead, he befriended everyone, disappointing his family who had bought him for protection. One day, a thief named Ranga broke into the house and was about to escape when Attila not only let him go but also followed him out of pure affection and a desire to roam the streets. The thief got annoyed by the dog’s constant company. Days later, the family’s eldest son spotted Ranga and, in a comic chase, Attila accidentally helped in catching the thief. Ironically, Attila became a hero and was praised for his bravery, though he had no idea what he had done.

सारांश हिंदी में

यह कहानी अटिला नाम के एक कुत्ते की है, जिसे उसके मालिकों ने बहुत ही ख़तरनाक और बहादुर समझकर खरीदा था। लेकिन अटिला बहुत ही शांत और विनम्र स्वभाव का था। वह न तो किसी पर भौंकता था, न ही चोरों से लड़ता था। एक रात एक चोर रंगा घर में चोरी करता है, और अटिला उसे जाने देता है। बल्कि वह चोर के पीछे-पीछे बाहर निकल जाता है क्योंकि वह बाहर घूमने का शौक़ीन था। रंगा को अटिला की संगति परेशान करती है, लेकिन अटिला उसका पीछा नहीं छोड़ता। अंत में, परिवार का बड़ा बेटा रंगा को अटिला के साथ देखता है, और एक मज़ेदार घटना के दौरान रंगा पकड़ा जाता है। अटिला अनजाने में हीरो बन जाता है, जबकि उसे खुद नहीं पता कि उसने क्या किया।

Understanding the Story

A. Answer the following questions briefly:

1. Why did the family buy Attila?

Answer – The family bought Attila for protection because of a series of thefts in their neighbourhood. They hoped he would be strong, aggressive, and guard the house better than relying on the police.

2. What was Attila’s attitude towards strangers?

Answer – Attila was gentle and friendly towards strangers. He welcomed everyone warmly, even postmen and flower thieves, and never barked or growled at anyone.

3. What was Attila’s reaction when he saw Ranga stealing the valuables? How far was it in accordance with Ranga’s expectations?

Answer – When Attila saw Ranga stealing, he did not bark or attack. Instead, he licked Ranga’s hand and followed him like a friend. This was very different from Ranga’s expectations; he feared the dog would attack or raise an alarm.

4. Why was Ranga fed up with Attila?

Answer – Ranga was fed up with Attila because the dog kept following him everywhere. He couldn’t get rid of him, and the constant company annoyed him.

5. How did the family members react to Attila’s disappearance?

Answer – The family members were shocked and embarrassed. The mother blamed others for not locking him up. The father sarcastically said the thief deserved to keep Attila along with the stolen jewels as a reward.

6. Why did Attila run after Ranga? What did others conclude from his chase?

Answer – Attila ran after Ranga because he didn’t want to be separated from his new companion. Others believed he was bravely chasing the thief to capture him, which made them think of him as a hero.

B. The family had high expectations from Attila but he disappointed them every time by acting differently. Fill in the chart given below highlighting the difference between what was expected of Attila and what he actually did. The first one has been done for you.

HOTS

1. Is Attila really a hero? Give reasons for your answer.

Answer – Yes, Attila turned out to be a hero, though unintentionally. He helped catch the thief by following him, which led to his capture. Even though he didn’t behave like a traditional watchdog, his innocent actions resulted in the recovery of the stolen goods.

1. All said and done, Attila was a bad watchdog. Do you agree?

Answer – Yes, from a traditional point of view, Attila was a bad watchdog. He failed to bark at or attack strangers and even allowed a thief to rob the house. But ironically, his friendliness led to the thief being caught.

Life Skills

As the youngest son, who always favoured Attila. What would you do to help the family come out of the shock? (Plan a strategy to bring back Attila and the jewellery stolen).

Answer – I would comfort the family by staying hopeful. I would search nearby areas for Attila, inform the police, and ask neighbours for help. I’d also circulate a notice about the missing dog and track down any unusual activity in the locality to recover Attila and the stolen jewellery.

Values

We should judge people by what they actually are and not by what they help to achieve.’ Discuss with reference to Attila.

Answer – Attila was gentle and harmless by nature, not a typical watchdog. But his innocence led to the capture of a thief. This shows that people (or animals) should not be judged by how they appear or act on the surface, but by their inner qualities and the positive outcomes they can create.

Writing Skills

A. Imagine yourself to be a newspaper reporter who witnessed Attila blocking the way of Ranga and helping the police catch the thief. Write a newspaper report describing the brave act of Attila.

Answer – DOG TURNS DETECTIVE – THIEF CAUGHT IN COMICAL CHASE!

By Our Staff Reporter

City Lane, 6 June – In an amusing turn of events, a gentle dog named Attila turned into a hero yesterday when he unintentionally helped catch a notorious thief. The dog, known for his calm behaviour, followed thief Ranga, who had stolen valuables from Attila’s home. Spotting Attila on the road, the family’s eldest son raised an alarm. Ranga ran, but Attila overtook and blocked his way. The thief stumbled and dropped the stolen jewels, leading to his arrest by the police. Attila was hailed as a silent yet smart detective!

B. Imagine yourself to be Attila. Write a letter to one of your friends showing your displeasure over your friend Ranga’s imprisonment.

Answer – Letter from Attila to a Friend

Dear Bruno,

I hope you’re well. I’m writing to you with a heavy heart. My dear friend Ranga, who took me out on a long walk last week, has been taken by the police. I don’t understand what went wrong. I just followed him because he was kind to me. Now everyone is calling me a hero. But to be honest, I just wanted a friend and some fresh air. I hope Ranga is okay in jail. Do you think I betrayed him?

Your friend,

Attila

Additional Questions And Answers – 01

Multiple Choice Questions (MCQs)

1. Why did the family name the dog Attila?

(a) They wanted him to be friendly

(b) They liked historical names

(c) They wanted him to be strong and fierce ✅

(d) It was a random choice

2. What did Attila do when strangers came into the house?

(a) Barked loudly

(b) Bit them

(c) Welcomed them warmly ✅

(d) Ran away

3. What was Attila’s greatest ambition?

(a) To catch thieves

(b) To bark at visitors

(c) To play with children

(d) To roam freely in the streets ✅

4. What was Ranga’s reaction on seeing Attila when stealing?

(a) He ran away

(b) He screamed for help

(c) He expected to be attacked ✅

(d) He tried to hide

5. Why was Attila considered a hero in the end?

(a) He barked and caught the thief

(b) He fought with the thief

(c) He chased and stopped the thief unintentionally ✅

(d) He guarded the house

Short Questions and Answers

1. Why was the family disappointed with Attila?
   Because he was friendly towards everyone, even strangers and thieves, instead of being aggressive and protective.
2. What did the youngest boy say in Attila’s defence?
   He said Attila stayed up at night and patrolled the house.
3. What surprising thing did Attila do when Ranga entered the house?
   Instead of barking, Attila licked his hands and followed him.
4. How was Attila finally helpful in catching the thief?
   Attila chased after Ranga to stay with him, and this led to the thief being caught.

Competency-Based Reasoning and Assertion Questions

1. Assertion (A): Attila was a failure as a watchdog.
   Reason (R): He was friendly to everyone and did not bark even at the thief.

(a) Both A and R are true, and R is the correct explanation of A ✅

(b) Both A and R are true, but R is not the correct explanation

(c) A is true, but R is false

(d) A is false, but R is true

2. Assertion (A): The family regretted buying Attila initially.
   Reason (R): He frightened everyone who came near him.

(a) A is true, R is false ✅

(b) A is false, R is true

(c) Both A and R are true

(d) Both A and R are false

Long Answer Questions (50–60 words)

1. Describe Attila’s behaviour throughout the story. Was he a good watchdog?
   Attila was a gentle and friendly dog who welcomed everyone, including strangers and a thief. He never barked or showed aggression. Though he failed as a traditional watchdog, by chance he helped catch Ranga. Despite his nature, he unintentionally became a hero.
2. How did Attila’s actions lead to the capture of Ranga?
   Attila followed Ranga after he stole jewellery, wanting only companionship. This annoyed Ranga, and when the eldest son spotted them, Ranga tried to run. Attila ran faster, blocking his way and causing him to fall. The jewellery dropped, and Ranga was caught. Thus, Attila became the accidental hero.
3. Explain how Attila’s nature contradicted his name and the family’s expectations.
   The family named the dog Attila hoping he would be fierce and strong like the historic warrior. Instead, Attila was extremely mild and sociable. He did not bark at strangers and failed to guard the house. However, ironically, his affection and loyalty led to the thief’s capture, surprising everyone.

Additional Questions And Answers – 02

Multiple Choice Questions (MCQs)

1. Why did the family name their dog Attila?
   a) Because he was aggressive
   b) To reflect their hope for a strong, fierce dog
   c) To honour a historical figure
   d) Because he was a small puppy
   Answer: b) To reflect their hope for a strong, fierce dog
2. What was the immediate reason for buying Attila?
   a) To compete in dog shows
   b) To guard against house-breakings and thefts
   c) To keep the children company
   d) To replace an old pet
   Answer: b) To guard against house-breakings and thefts
3. How did Attila behave toward strangers entering the house?
   a) He barked loudly
   b) He attacked them
   c) He warmly welcomed them
   d) He ignored them
   Answer: c) He warmly welcomed them
4. What was the mother’s complaint about Attila?
   a) He was too noisy
   b) He didn’t catch flower thieves
   c) He slept too much
   d) He ate too much food
   Answer: b) He didn’t catch flower thieves
5. Who defended Attila’s behaviour in the family?
   a) The mother
   b) The father
   c) The youngest boy
   d) The eldest son
   Answer: c) The youngest boy
6. What did Ranga expect Attila to do when he saw him during the burglary?
   a) Run away
   b) Bark and alert the family
   c) Attack him
   d) Follow him quietly
   Answer: b) Bark and alert the family
7. Why did Attila follow Ranga after the burglary?
   a) To attack him later
   b) To fulfill his desire to wander the streets
   c) To protect the stolen jewels
   d) To guide Ranga to safety
   Answer: b) To fulfill his desire to wander the streets
8. How did the family react to Attila’s disappearance?
   a) They were relieved
   b) They were ashamed and worried
   c) They celebrated
   d) They immediately replaced him
   Answer: b) They were ashamed and worried
9. How was Ranga caught by the eldest son?
   a) Attila barked and alerted the police
   b) Attila blocked Ranga’s path, causing him to stumble
   c) The eldest son chased Ranga alone
   d) The police caught Ranga first
   Answer: b) Attila blocked Ranga’s path, causing him to stumble
10. Why was Attila considered a hero by the end of the story?
    a) He attacked Ranga
    b) He unintentionally helped catch Ranga
    c) He returned the stolen jewels
    d) He barked to alert the family
    Answer: b) He unintentionally helped catch Ranga

Short Questions and Answers

1. What was the family’s expectation of Attila when they bought him?
   Answer: They expected him to be strong and fierce to guard against thefts.
2. How old was Attila when the family bought him?
   Answer: A couple of months old.
3. What was Attila’s actual behaviour toward visitors?
   Answer: He warmly welcomed them and became friendly.
4. Who was Ranga in the story?
   Answer: Ranga was a thief who broke into the family’s house.
5. What did Attila do when he saw Ranga during the burglary?
   Answer: He licked Ranga’s hands and followed him.
6. What was Attila’s greatest ambition?
   Answer: To wander freely in the streets.
7. What did the mother suggest after Attila’s disappearance?
   Answer: She suggested locking him up at night to prevent theft.
8. How did the eldest son recognize Attila in the city?
   Answer: He saw Attila trotting behind Ranga.
9. What happened when Ranga tried to run from the eldest son?
   Answer: Attila blocked his path, causing him to stumble and drop a jewel.
10. What did the lady of the house say about Attila after he helped catch Ranga?
    Answer: She called him a cunning detective, too deep for words.

Competency-Based Questions (Reasoning and Assertion)

1. Assertion (A): The family was initially disappointed with Attila’s behaviour.
   Reason (R): Attila was friendly to strangers instead of being a fierce guard dog.
   Answer: Both A and R are true, and R is the correct explanation of A.
   Explanation: The family expected Attila to be strong and aggressive to protect against thefts, but his warm, friendly behaviour toward visitors, like postmen and vendors, disappointed them, as he failed to act as a guard dog.
2. Assertion (A): Attila’s actions led to Ranga’s capture.
   Reason (R): Attila followed Ranga and blocked his path when he tried to flee.
   Answer: Both A and R are true, and R is the correct explanation of A.
   Explanation: Attila’s persistent following of Ranga and his act of blocking Ranga’s escape caused him to stumble, drop a jewel, and be caught by the eldest son, making Attila unintentionally instrumental in the capture.
3. Assertion (A): The family’s perception of Attila changed by the end of the story.
   Reason (R): Attila helped recover the stolen jewels by aiding in Ranga’s capture.
   Answer: Both A and R are true, and R is the correct explanation of A.
   Explanation: Initially criticized for his friendliness, Attila was praised as a “cunning detective” after his actions led to Ranga’s capture, shifting the family’s view from disappointment to admiration for his unexpected heroism.
4. Assertion (A): Attila’s friendly nature was a source of irony in the story.
   Reason (R): His friendliness, criticized by the family, ultimately helped catch the thief.
   Answer: Both A and R are true, and R is the correct explanation of A.
   Explanation: The family saw Attila’s friendliness as a flaw, expecting fierceness, but this trait led him to follow Ranga, resulting in the thief’s capture, creating irony as his criticized behaviour became the key to his heroism.
5. Assertion (A): Attila’s lack of barking was significant during the burglary.
   Reason (R): It allowed Ranga to steal without alerting the family but also led to his capture.
   Answer: Both A and R are true, and R is the correct explanation of A.
   Explanation: Attila’s silence during the burglary enabled Ranga to steal unnoticed, but his subsequent companionship with Ranga led to the thief’s capture when Attila blocked his escape, highlighting the dual impact of his quiet nature.

Long Questions and Answers (50-60 words)

1. Why was the family disappointed with Attila, and how did the youngest boy defend him?
   Answer: The family was disappointed because Attila was friendly to strangers instead of being a fierce guard dog, failing to protect against thefts like flower stealing. The youngest boy defended him, claiming Attila had “better business” than catching petty thieves, staying awake to patrol the house at night, showing his loyalty and vigilance.
2. How did Attila’s behaviour during the burglary contribute to the story’s irony?
   Answer: Attila’s friendly behaviour, criticized by the family, allowed Ranga to steal without barking but led to his capture by following and blocking Ranga’s escape. This irony lies in how his perceived weakness—friendliness—became his strength, turning him into an unintentional hero, as his actions indirectly helped recover the stolen jewels.
3. Describe how Attila’s actions led to Ranga’s capture in the story.
   Answer: Attila followed Ranga after the burglary, fulfilling his desire to wander. When the eldest son spotted them and shouted, Ranga fled, but Attila, unwilling to lose his companion, ran faster and blocked Ranga’s path. This caused Ranga to stumble, drop a jewel, and be caught by the son and police, making Attila a hero.
4. How did the family’s perception of Attila change by the end of the story?
   Answer: Initially, the family saw Attila as a disappointing, overly friendly dog unfit for guarding. After he unintentionally helped catch Ranga by blocking his escape, their view shifted. The mother, once critical, called him a “cunning detective,” and the family admired his unexpected heroism, despite his actions being driven by friendliness, not ferocity.
5. What role did Attila’s desire to wander play in the story’s outcome?
   Answer: Attila’s desire to wander led him to follow Ranga after the burglary, despite the family’s disapproval of his friendliness. This persistence caused him to block Ranga’s escape when the eldest son intervened, leading to Ranga’s capture. His wandering, seen as a flaw, ironically became the key to recovering the stolen jewels and earning him hero status.