NCERT Solutions for Class 8 English Supplementary Chapter 6 the Fight

Between both of them, the other boy was trying to start a quarrel. When Ranji saw him, he did not say anything. It was the other boy who asked Ranji to give clarification for himself. Ranji was ready to be friends with him, but was taken aback by the boy’s unfriendly tone. He even asked the boy to come and swim with him. However, the boy pointed out that it was his pool, and started a fight by calling himself a ‘warrior’.

In what way is the forest pool different from the one which Ranji knewin the Rajputana desert?
The forest pool was fresh, cold and appealing, whereas the Rajputana desert had tacky, mud-covered pools where buffaloes wallowed and women washed the clothes.

Question:
The other boy asked Ranji to ‘explain’ himself.
(i) What did he expect Ranji to say?
(ii) Was he, in your opinion, right or wrong to ask this?
Answer:
(i) He expected Ranji to make an apology to him and leave the pool immediately.
(ii) He was wrong to ask this because the pool was in the forest. It was not his private property.

Question:
Ranji’s superiority over the other boy is obvious in the following:
physical strength, good diving, his being a fighter, sense of humour, swimming under water, making a good point, willingness to help.
Underline the relevant phrases.
Answer:
physical strength, good diving, his being a fighter, sense of humour, swimming under water, making a good point, willingness to help.

Ranji found it difficult to explain the injuries he had got, the cuts and bruises which could be seen on his face, legs and arms. It was difficult to hide that he had been caught up in a fight with someone.

Question:
Then we will have to continue the fight, said the other.
(i) What made him say that?
(ii) Did the fight continue? If not, why not?
Answer:
(i) Even after a lot of fighting, Ranji refused to leave the pool but the other boy wanted to continue their fight.
(ii) No, the fight did not continue. When they decided to continue the fight, none of them took the initiative. Then, the other boy said that they would continue their fight the next day if Ranji had the guts to come back to the pool.

What, according to you, makes the two adversaries turn into good friends in a matter of minutes? Explain it as you have understood it.
The two adversaries accepted each other’s skills, which they lacked in themselves. When the other boy saw how well Ranji dived and swam underwater, he forgot their fight and asked him to teach him these skills. Ranji’s eagerness to help the other boy made their friendship achievable. On seeing Ranji’s thin body, the other boy promised him that he would help him to become a wrestler like him. As a result, in a matter of minutes, the adversaries became good friends.

Ranji left home on the second day reluctantly as he was not interested in another fight. His body was still paining badly. Yet he did not refuse taking up the challenge. To gain his respect, he had to confront his enemy. As long as he fought, he had a right to the pool in the forest.

Question:
Ranji sees his adversary in the bazaar.
(i) What does he wish to do?
(ii) What does he actually do, and why?
Answer:
(i) When Ranji saw his adversary in the bazaar, he wished he could turn away and look somewhere else. He wished he could throw the lemonade bottle at his enemy.
(ii) He actually stood at his place and scowled at the other boy. He did not throw the lemonade bottle because he was not interested in starting a fight in the bazaar.

Is fighting the only way of resolving differences of opinion? What else can be done to reach a mutually acceptable settlement?
No, fighting is not the right way to resolve differences of opinion. Any differences between thoughts of two individuals can be resolved through discussion calmly. Even if the difference of opinion continues, a mediator can help them better to resolve the conflict.

Ranji was the best swimmer. When the other boy made his fun and said that he will not be able to swim across the pool, Ranji dived straight into the water and surfaced at the other end. The boy was surprised to see that Ranji could dive so well and how he well he could swim underwater. He then asked Ranji to teach him both.

What surprises the warrior?
Suraj (the warrior) get surprised to see Ranji’s skill to swim under the water. She was swimming and diving professionally.

Now that they are at the pool, why don’t they continue the fight?
They do not continue to fight in the pool because they realise they have similar qualities. Instead of fighting, they talk about the like things and promise each other to help them get better at swimming. They became friends and developed good understanding.

Have you ever been in a serious fight only to realise later that it was unnecessary and futile? Share your experience/views with others frankly and honestly.
Yes, once or twice. I have got agitated during a local cricket match and had a serious argument along with fight with my friend. It was nothing else but some sort of misunderstanding. After such disputes, we remain annoyed for a fraction of time or even stop talking each other. But later on, we realise that we have been wrong, when the misunderstanding is removed.

Why do some of us find it necessary to prove that we are better than others? Will you be amused or annoyed to read the following sign at the back of the car in front of you?
I may be going slow but I am ahead of you.
Not only in human being, it the nature of all the living being to prove them better than other. There is nothing to be annoyed to see the success of other. It is better to say, show the success of life. Become better than others who sometimes feel jealousy from the success of others. I will enjoy the slogan written at the back of car and praise the imagination of writer.