Enterprise, My English Reader, Class VIII, DAV Board, The Best Solutions- A

Section – A

A.1. Match the professions with the challenges.

A.2. Summary In English: Legend

The poem “Legend” is about a blacksmith’s boy who sets out with a rifle and a dog, facing many natural and symbolic obstacles—rivers, thorns, rocks, rain, and even fear. Despite these hardships, he remains brave and determined. When his tools (rifle, hat, dog) are lost and night threatens to consume him, he doesn’t give up. Instead, he finds hope in a rainbow, climbs the mountain, and catches it—symbolizing success, courage, and reward. In the end, he returns home victorious, with the rainbow on his shoulder, admired by all.

In Hindi:

कविता “Legend” में एक लोहार का लड़का अपने कंधे पर बंदूक और उसके पीछे एक काले कुत्ते के साथ यात्रा पर निकलता है। रास्ते में उसे बहुत सी कठिनाइयों का सामना करना पड़ता है—नदियाँ, काँटेदार झाड़ियाँ, चट्टानें, बारिश और डर। परंतु वह साहस और आत्म-विश्वास के साथ आगे बढ़ता है। जब उसकी बंदूक टूट जाती है, टोपी उड़ जाती है और उसका कुत्ता खो जाता है, तब भी वह हार नहीं मानता। अंत में वह इंद्रधनुष को पकड़ लेता है, जो आशा और सफलता का प्रतीक है। वह इंद्रधनुष को अपने कंधे पर लेकर गर्व के साथ घर लौटता है और सब उसकी बहादुरी की प्रशंसा करते हैं।

Word Meanings Table

Multiple Choice Questions (MCQs)

1. What does the blacksmith’s boy carry with him?
   a) A bag and a map
   b) A sword and a shield
   ✅ c) A rifle and a black dog
   d) A book and a flute

2. What does the rainbow symbolize in the poem?
   a) A storm
   b) A rainbow snake
   ✅ c) Hope and victory
   d) Confusion

3. What happens to the boy’s rifle?
   a) He throws it away
   ✅ b) It breaks
   c) It turns into gold
   d) He gives it to someone

4. What emotion does the poem celebrate the most?
   a) Sadness
   ✅ b) Bravery
   c) Anger
   d) Hatred

5. How does the world react to the boy’s achievement?
   a) They ignore him
   ✅ b) They admire and praise him
   c) They laugh at him
   d) They punish him

Short Questions and Answers

Q1. Who is the central character in the poem and what is his mission?
Ans: The central character is the blacksmith’s boy. His mission is to overcome natural and symbolic obstacles to achieve something great, symbolized by catching the rainbow.

Q2. What kind of difficulties does he face during his journey?
Ans: He faces cobwebs, rivers, thorny branches, rocks, mountains, rain, and even fear of death.

Q3. What happens when night comes?
Ans: Night threatens to engulf him like a gun barrel, a black dog, or a dark hat. He loses his rifle, his hat flies away, and his dog disappears.

Q4. What does the boy do when he sees the rainbow?
Ans: He runs, climbs, and catches the rainbow with determination and courage.

Q5. What is the moral or message of the poem?
Ans: The poem teaches us that courage, determination, and belief in oneself can lead to great achievements, even when all seems lost.

A.3 – Pick lines from the poem or state points to justify the following statements.

(a) The blacksmith’s boy did not go alone. He had companions.
Answer – “The blacksmith’s boy went out with a rifle and a black dog running behind.”

(b) He faced obstacles on the way.
Answer – “Cobwebs snatched at his feet, rivers hindered him, thorn branches caught his eyes…”

(c) The boy was full of self-confidence.
Answer – “I can break branches, I can swim rivers, I can stare out any spider I meet…”

(d) Birds discouraged the blacksmith’s boy from moving ahead.
Answer – “And the old crow cried, ‘You’ll soon be dead.'”

(e) His friends deserted him.
Answer – “His rifle broke, his hat flew away and his dog was gone.”

(f) He did not waste time in catching the rainbow.
Answer – “He ran like a hare, he climbed like a fox; he caught it in his hands…”

(g) He was applauded and appreciated for accomplishing his work.
Answer – “All the world said, Nobody is braver, nobody is bolder…”

A.4 – On the basis of your reading of the poem, write T against the true statements and F against the false ones.

(a) The poem is a story handed down from the past. – F
(b) The boy’s confidence was shaken by the challenges that came his way. –  F
(c) It was night by the time he reached the mountain. –  T
(d) The crow warned him of the dangerous consequences of his mission. –  T
(e) The pigeon, magpie and dove were certain that the boy would be successful. –  F
(f) The rainbow was bright and colourful but cold. –  T
(g) There was nothing extraordinary about the boy’s feat. –  F
(h) The poem proves that where there is a will, there is a way. –  T

A.5 – The poem presents several excellent examples of simile and personification.

Similes and Personification

Personification (Nouns given human qualities):

1. “Rivers hindered him” – Rivers are personified.
2. “Grass lay down to billow him” – Grass is personified.
3. “Mountains jumped in his way” – Mountains are personified.
4. “Rain came down like mattocks” – Rain is personified as something attacking.

Similes:

1. “Like the barrel of the gun”
2. “Like a hare”
3. “Like a fox”
4. “Like a ring of gold”

A.6 – HOTS

Beside enterprise, many other qualities helped the boy gain success in his mission. Discuss with your partner and jot down the qualities in the space provided below.

HOTS: Qualities That Helped the Boy Succeed

• Courage
• Determination
• Perseverance
• Optimism
• Confidence
• Patience
• Vision/Goal-orientation
• Ability to face fear
• Problem-solving mindset
• Never-give-up attitude

A.7 – Life Skills

‘Action is the key to all success.’ The boy’s continuous action despite all obstacles on the way brought him success. Recall any one such incident of your life where your indomitable spirit enabled you to achieve success and share it with your partner.

Once, I had to give a speech in front of my school. I was extremely nervous, but I prepared thoroughly and practiced many times. Despite fear and technical issues, I delivered the speech confidently. The experience taught me that courage and preparation can help overcome any challenge.

A.8 – Pick out verbs from the poem which have the following meanings.

A.9 – Write a letter to your friend sharing the incident you recalled in A.7. Make a mention of the problems you faced while accomplishing the task.

Vastu Vihar

Bolani
12 June 2025

Dear Umesh,

I hope you are doing great! I wanted to share a recent experience that reminded me of the value of persistence and courage—just like the boy in the poem “Legend.”

Last month, I was selected to represent my class in the inter-school debate competition. Initially, I felt overwhelmed and nervous. Public speaking has always made me anxious. On top of that, I had to prepare in a short time, and my first few practice rounds were not good at all. Some even laughed when I forgot my points.

However, I didn’t give up. I worked hard every day, wrote better arguments, and practiced in front of the mirror. Finally, on the competition day, I delivered my speech confidently and even won the first prize!

This experience taught me that if we keep taking action, even when things seem tough, we can achieve anything.

Hope you’ll join me in the next event!

Warm regards,
Karan