ICSE CHAMP

Grandfather and the Python

by Ruskin Bond

(Mulberry) (Standard Version)

Pre-read

Spot the not! One of these statements about snakes is not true. Which one is it?

Snakes don't have eyelids.

Snakes can't bite into food and so they have to swallow it whole.

Snakes have flexible jaws which allow them to eat preys bigger than their head.

Snakes 'smell' with their tongue.

There are approximately 3000 snake species.

Pythons are venomous snakes. ✅ (Not true)

Snakes live on every continent of the world except Antarctica.

Answer: Pythons are venomous snakes. (Pythons are non-venomous constrictor snakes.)

About the Author

Ruskin Bond (1934– )

Ruskin Bond was born in Kasauli, India, in 1934. He wrote his first novel, The Room on the Roof, when he was only seventeen years old, and won the John Llewellyn Rhys Prize for it. He has written more than a hundred short stories, essays and poems, besides many books for children. Some of his famous works include The Room on the Roof, Panther's Moon and Time Stops at Shamli. He has received the Sahitya Akademi Award for English writing in India and has also been honoured with the Padma Shri.

Making Connections

Quick Answers

1. Answer the following questions in not more than a sentence.

a. Where did Grandfather find the python? What did he do with it?

Answer:

Grandfather bought the young python from a snake charmer for six rupees in the bazaar. He proudly carried it home around his shoulders.

b. What was Grandmother's reaction on seeing the python?

Answer:

Grandmother was terrified. She nearly fainted when she saw the python curled round Grandfather's throat and immediately ordered him to get rid of it.

c. Who arrived at the narrator's grandparents' home, shortly?

Answer:

Their cousin Aunt Mabel arrived at the narrator's grandparents' home for a three-week visit.

d. Where did the guest first see the python?

Answer:

Aunt Mabel first saw the python in the guava tree while she was reaching for a guava.

Reference to Context

2. "He's gone," announced Grandfather. "He must have felt hungry."

a. Who is being referred to in these lines?

Answer:

The "he" referred to in these lines is the young python that Grandfather had brought home.

b. Where did he go away from? How?

Answer:

The python had disappeared from the bathroom, where Grandfather had locked it in a steep-sided tub. It escaped because the bathroom window had been left open, allowing it to crawl out unnoticed.

c. What was the narrator's response to this? What did he mean?

Answer:

The narrator said, "I hope he isn't too hungry." By this, he meant that he hoped the python would not become so hungry that it would attack or frighten anyone while searching for food. The narrator was concerned about the safety of the people in the house.

3. "After this incident, the python began to make a series of appearances, often in the most unexpected places."

a. After which incident did the python start making regular appearances?

Answer:

The python began making regular appearances after it frightened Aunt Mabel in the guava tree. She screamed, ran to the house in fear and believed the snake was a huge boa constrictor.

b. What were some of these unexpected places?

Answer:

The python appeared in several unexpected places, such as:

Under a cushion, where it stared at Aunt Mabel.

On the dressing table, admiring its reflection in the mirror.

Later, it was seen in the garden before returning to the dressing table.

c. Who was the most affected by the python's visits? How did this person react to these visits?

Answer:

Aunt Mabel was the most affected by the python's appearances. Every time she saw it, she became frightened, screamed loudly and suffered fits of hysteria. Eventually, she packed her bags and left the house because she could no longer bear the repeated encounters with the python.

4. "He set about preparing a large cage with a mirror at one end. In the cage, he left a juicy chicken and various other delicacies, and fitted up the opening with a trapdoor."

a. Who began to make this cage and for whom?

Answer:

Grandfather prepared the cage to catch the python, which had been roaming freely around the house.

b. Why was this cage being prepared?

Answer:

The cage was prepared to trap the python safely because it kept appearing unexpectedly around the house and frightening Aunt Mabel and the other members of the family. Grandfather wanted to capture it without harming it and later release it into the jungle.

c. Why were such elaborate arrangements being made while preparing the cage? What does this say about whoever was expected to enter the cage?

Answer:

The cage contained a mirror, a juicy chicken and other delicious food to tempt the python inside. Grandfather had discovered that the python loved looking at its own reflection and was also attracted by food. These elaborate arrangements show that the python was intelligent, curious and difficult to catch. Grandfather understood its habits well and cleverly used its weaknesses instead of trying to harm it.

Read, Reflect and Write

5. Describe Aunt Mabel's reaction when she first saw the python.

Answer:

Aunt Mabel first saw the python in the guava tree while she was reaching for a guava. The sight of the snake terrified her. She screamed loudly and came running up the veranda steps looking as though she had seen a ghost. Gasping with fear, she cried that there was a snake in the guava tree. She imagined it to be a huge boa constrictor nearly twenty feet long and said that its terrible eyes were staring at her as if it wanted to devour her. Grandmother tried to calm her by sprinkling eau-de-Cologne on her, but Aunt Mabel remained frightened and upset. This incident marked the beginning of her constant fear of the python.

6. Why do you think Grandfather only made half-hearted attempts to get the python out of the house?

Answer:

Grandfather loved animals and treated them with great kindness. He had bought the python because he found it interesting and harmless. Although he pretended to search for ways to remove it, his attempts were never very serious. Instead of hurting the snake, he fed it, looked after it and even admired its behaviour. When the python disappeared, Grandfather seemed more embarrassed than worried. Later, when he discovered that the snake loved looking at its reflection, he patiently prepared a special trap using a mirror instead of using force. Even after catching it, he released it safely into the jungle rather than killing it. These actions show that Grandfather was very fond of the python and therefore made only half-hearted efforts to get rid of it.

7. What about the python was concluded to be its weakness?

Answer:

Grandfather discovered that the python's greatest weakness was its fascination with its own reflection. The snake would spend long periods gazing into a mirror as if admiring itself. It even returned to the dressing table after wandering into the garden just to look at its reflection again. Grandfather jokingly remarked that the attention the python had received had made it rather vain. He cleverly used this weakness by placing a large mirror inside a cage along with food. The python entered the cage, ate the food and remained happily staring at its reflection. Because it was so absorbed in admiring itself, it did not even notice when the trapdoor was closed. Thus, its vanity became the reason for its capture.

8. The author says that his grandmother drew the line at snakes being brought to the house. Having read the story, do you believe that Grandmother was unkind to snakes or to the particular snake Grandfather brought to the house?

Answer:

No, I do not think Grandmother was unkind to snakes in general. She simply did not want a snake inside her home because she was extremely frightened of reptiles. The story tells us that she was tolerant of most birds and animals but believed that reptiles made her blood run cold. Her fear was natural because snakes can be dangerous. Even then, she never suggested that the python should be killed. Instead, she repeatedly asked Grandfather to return it to the snake charmer or leave it safely in the jungle. This shows that she was not cruel to the python; she only wanted it removed from the house for the safety and peace of the family.

9. Both the narrator and his grandparents love animals. Have you ever cared for an animal or a bird? Describe your experience.

Answer:

Yes, I have cared for a pet dog. I fed it every morning and evening, gave it clean drinking water and made sure that it had a comfortable place to sleep. I also took it for regular walks and played with it every day. Whenever it fell sick, I took it to a veterinarian and followed the doctor's advice carefully. Looking after the dog taught me to be responsible, patient and kind towards animals. It became a loving companion and filled our home with happiness. Caring for it helped me understand that animals also need love, affection and proper care.

(Students may write about any pet or bird they have cared for.)

10. Extended writing: Do you think Grandfather was fond of the python? Give instances from the text to support your answer.

Answer:

Yes, Grandfather was extremely fond of the python. Throughout the story, he treated it with affection and kindness rather than fear.

Firstly, he bought the young python from a snake charmer and proudly carried it home around his shoulders without worrying about what others would think. He admired the snake and wanted to keep it as a pet.

Secondly, when Grandmother insisted that the python should be removed, Grandfather did not abandon it immediately. Instead, he fed it a plucked chicken before thinking of taking it away. This shows that he genuinely cared about its well-being.

Thirdly, after the python escaped, Grandfather never tried to harm it. Although it frightened Aunt Mabel several times, he searched for gentle ways to catch it. He carefully observed its behaviour and discovered that it loved looking at its reflection.

Finally, Grandfather prepared a special cage with a mirror and delicious food to trap the python without causing it any injury. After catching it, he released it safely in the jungle instead of killing it. He even left the mirror in the cage because he felt sorry for taking away something the snake enjoyed. These incidents clearly prove that Grandfather loved the python and respected all forms of animal life.

Integrate

11. Do you think snakes are interesting animals? What do you know about pythons? What kind of habitat do pythons generally live in? Make a fact file on pythons. Also find out about some of the myths that surround these creatures.

Answer:

Fact File on Pythons

Common Name: Python

Scientific Family: Pythonidae

Type: Non-venomous constrictor snake

Habitat: Tropical forests, grasslands, swamps, wetlands, rocky hills and scrub forests.

Distribution: Asia, Africa and Australia.

Food: Rats, mice, rabbits, birds, monkeys, deer and other small animals.

Method of Hunting: Pythons catch their prey by wrapping their strong bodies around it and squeezing until it cannot breathe. They then swallow the prey whole.

Average Lifespan: About 20–30 years in the wild; longer in captivity with proper care.

Special Features:

They are non-venomous snakes.

They have powerful muscles and flexible jaws.

They can swallow animals much larger than their heads.

They use their forked tongues to smell their surroundings.

They help control the population of rats and other pests.

Common Myths about Pythons

Myth: All pythons are venomous.

Fact: Pythons are non-venomous snakes.

Myth: Snakes always chase people to attack them.

Fact: Most snakes avoid humans and attack only when threatened.

Myth: Snakes drink milk.

Fact: Snakes do not naturally drink milk; they drink water.

Myth: Every snake is dangerous.

Fact: Many snakes are harmless and play an important role in maintaining ecological balance.

Myth: Snakes are aggressive by nature.

Fact: Most snakes are shy animals and prefer to escape rather than fight.

Conclusion

Pythons are fascinating creatures that play an important role in nature by controlling rodent populations. They should be respected and protected instead of being feared because of common myths.

WORD WALL

Antonyms

1. Find the antonyms of the following words from the story. Also, make sentences with the words you find.

a. intolerant (page 63)

Antonym: tolerant

Sentence: Grandmother was tolerant of most birds and animals.

b. indifferent (page 64)

Antonym: curious

Sentence: The curious cook followed Grandfather into the bathroom.

c. guilty (page 64)

Antonym: innocent

Sentence: Grandfather wore an innocent expression while talking to Grandmother.

d. amusingly (page 64)

Antonym: anxiously

Sentence: Grandmother paced anxiously up and down the veranda.

e. friendly (page 65)

Antonym: threatening

Sentence: Grandmother gave Grandfather a threatening look.

f. humble (page 66)

Antonym: vain

Sentence: Grandfather joked that the python had become vain after admiring its reflection.

GRAMMAR TIME

Comparison of Adjectives

1. Fill in the blanks.

a. I am a good athlete.

My mother is a better athlete than I am.

My sister is the best athlete in our family.

b. This book is interesting.

That book is more interesting than this one.

This is the most interesting book I have ever read.

c. These roses are lovely.

I have seen roses lovelier than these.

These are the loveliest roses I have ever seen.

Interchange of the Degrees of Comparison

2. Rewrite the following sentences according to the instructions given after each. Make necessary changes but do not change the meaning of the sentence.

a. Australia is not as large as Africa. (Use 'larger than')

Answer: Africa is larger than Australia.

b. No other English playwright is as great as Shakespeare. (Use 'the greatest')

Answer: Shakespeare is the greatest English playwright.

c. The ant is the most hardworking insect. (Use 'as hardworking as')

Answer: No other insect is as hardworking as the ant.

d. The Eiffel Tower is the most famous monument in France. (Use 'as famous as')

Answer: No other monument in France is as famous as the Eiffel Tower.

e. Few other statues in the world are as old as the Sphinx. (Use 'older than')

Answer: The Sphinx is older than most other statues in the world.

f. Monaco is one of the smallest countries in the world. (Use 'as small as')

Answer: Very few countries in the world are as small as Monaco.

PUNCTUATION

Colon

1. Read the sentences given below and introduce colons in the correct places. Make other changes wherever necessary.

a. I have to get the following from the farmer's market in the next town—vegetables, fruits, some pulses and some fish.

Answer: I have to get the following from the farmer's market in the next town: vegetables, fruits, some pulses and some fish.

b. The newspaper had an important headline today. It said 'A New and Interesting Excavation by the Archaeology Department of the Government'.

Answer: The newspaper had an important headline today. It said: 'A New and Interesting Excavation by the Archaeology Department of the Government.'

c. The coach shouted, 'Get it, Skipper!'

Answer: The coach shouted: 'Get it, Skipper!'

d. The film review committee now includes the following people as its members—the president of the club, an ace director from within the industry, the famous producer, A. K. Chhibri and the famous actress from yesteryears, Shantibala.

Answer: The film review committee now includes the following people as its members: the president of the club, an ace director from within the industry, the famous producer, A. K. Chhibri, and the famous actress from yesteryears, Shantibala.

e. Alexander Graham Bell said, 'Before anything else, preparation is the key to success.'

Answer: Alexander Graham Bell said: 'Before anything else, preparation is the key to success.'

f. Captain It is luck that you yourself were saved.

Viola O my poor brother! and so lucky may he be.

Captain True, madam: and, to comfort you with chance,

Assure yourself, after our ship did split,

I saw him stay afloat on the waves

So long as I could see.

Answer: Captain: It is luck that you yourself were saved.

Viola: O my poor brother! And so lucky may he be.

Captain: True, madam; and, to comfort you with chance, assure yourself, after our ship did split, I saw him stay afloat on the waves so long as I could see.

g. There are three pedals in a car the clutch for changing gears, the accelerator for controlling speed, and the brake for stopping the vehicle.

Answer: There are three pedals in a car: the clutch for changing gears, the accelerator for controlling speed, and the brake for stopping the vehicle.

WRITE WELL

Writing an informal letter

1. You went on a week-long visit to your uncle and aunt who live in a different city. They have several pets. Write a letter to your friend describing your experiences during the visit.

Answer:

24, Lake View Road

Kolkata – 700001

15 July 2026

Dear Riya,

I hope you are doing well. I have just returned from a wonderful week-long visit to my uncle and aunt's house in Bengaluru, and I could not wait to tell you about my experience.

The most exciting part of my visit was spending time with their pets. They have two playful dogs, a friendly cat, colourful parrots, a pair of rabbits and even a small aquarium filled with beautiful fish. Every morning, I helped feed the pets and clean their shelters. The dogs loved playing fetch with me in the garden, while the rabbits happily munched on fresh carrots and cabbage leaves.

My aunt taught me how to care for animals by giving them proper food, clean water and plenty of love. I also learnt that pets need regular exercise and medical check-ups to stay healthy. Watching the parrots imitate our voices was great fun, and the fish looked beautiful as they swam gracefully in the aquarium.

The visit taught me to be patient, responsible and kind towards animals. I now understand how much joy pets bring to a family. It was one of the happiest weeks of my life, and I hope you can visit them with me during the next vacation.

Please write back soon and tell me how you spent your holidays.

Yours lovingly,

Ananya

LISTEN AND SPEAK WELL

✅ LISTEN & SPEAK (Answer idea)

Pictures identified:

Garden (flowers)

Dining table

Door

Chair (rocking chair)

Window

Correct Logical Order (Answer):

Window

Garden

Door

Chair

Dining table

Explanation (simple):

First, you see outside through the window

Then you notice the garden

Then you go to the door

Then you sit on the chair

Finally, you move to the table

2. Work in pairs to gather information and write a short report about an endangered animal or bird. Then present the report before the class. You could use the following points for your report.

the present status of the chosen animal/bird

the number of the species left in the world

the threats to its existence

the actions being taken by individuals, governments and other organizations to save the chosen animal/bird

Do you think the remedial action is sufficient? Suggest any measures that you think may help conservation efforts.

Answer:

The Bengal Tiger – An Endangered Animal

The Bengal Tiger is one of the most magnificent wild animals found mainly in India, Bangladesh, Nepal and Bhutan. According to the International Union for Conservation of Nature (IUCN), it is listed as an Endangered species. Although tiger numbers have improved in recent years due to conservation efforts, they still face many threats.

The major threats to the Bengal tiger include habitat loss, deforestation, poaching for its skin and body parts, and conflicts with humans. As forests shrink, tigers often come into contact with villages, leading to dangerous situations for both humans and animals.

Governments and wildlife organizations have taken several important steps to protect tigers. National parks and tiger reserves have been established, anti-poaching laws have been strengthened, and awareness campaigns encourage people to protect wildlife. Programmes such as Project Tiger have played a significant role in increasing the tiger population.

Although these measures have shown positive results, more needs to be done. Forests should be protected from illegal cutting, stricter action should be taken against poachers, and local communities should be encouraged to participate in wildlife conservation. Schools can also spread awareness about the importance of protecting endangered species.

Saving the Bengal tiger is essential because it helps maintain the balance of nature. By protecting tigers, we also protect forests and countless other living creatures that depend on the same habitat.