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Before We Read — The Cherry Tree

🎓 Class 8 English CBSE Theory Ch 4 — The Cherry Tree ⏱ ~31 min
🌐 Language: [gtranslate]

This MCQ module is based on: Before We Read — The Cherry Tree

[myaischool_lt_english_assessment grade_level="class_8" difficulty="basic"]

Before We Read — The Cherry Tree

Unit 4 | Environment | Ruskin Bond

Activity I — Growing a Plant

Question 1

Have you ever used a seed or a sapling to grow a plant? What kind of plant was it?

Question 2

What care did the plant need? Who helped you look after it?

Question 3

How did you feel when you saw the plant grow and thrive?

Activity II — Lucky Seeds

In the story, Grandfather says: "Nothing is lucky if you put it away. If you want luck, you must put it to some use."

Grandfather means that luck only becomes meaningful through action. A seed kept in a box remains just a seed. But a seed planted in the earth has the potential to become a tree. The same is true of any talent, opportunity, or blessing — it must be used to have value.

Activity III — Trees in Your Region

Think

Name two fruit trees that grow in your region. What conditions help them grow well?

Discuss

Why is it important to plant trees? List at least three reasons.

RB

About the Author — Ruskin Bond

Indian Author | Born 1934 | Mussoorie, Uttarakhand

Ruskin Bond is one of India's most beloved English-language writers, celebrated for his warm, gentle stories set in the Himalayan foothills — particularly around Mussoorie and Dehradun, where he has lived for most of his life. He has written over 500 short stories, essays, novels, and poems. His writing is known for its simplicity, deep affection for nature, and keen observation of everyday life. He received the Sahitya Akademi Award in 1992 and the Padma Bhushan in 2014. The Cherry Tree draws on Bond's own experience of growing up in the hills of Uttarakhand.

Plot Arc — The Cherry Tree

Click any point on the arc to read what happens at that stage of the story.

Exposition Rakesh plants the seed Rising Action Tree faces setbacks Climax First blossom appears! Falling Action Tree grows tall; bears fruit Resolution Rakesh wonders "Is this being God?"

Reading the Story — Part I: The Seed Is Planted

1 One afternoon, when Rakesh was six years old, he walked home from the Mussoorie market eating cherries — small, bright red, slightly sweet and slightly sour fruits that had arrived all the way from the Kashmir Valley. Imagery — the colours and tastes of the cherries are described vividly, drawing the reader into the scene immediately.
2 Rakesh lived with his grandfather on the edge of Mussoorie, just where the forest began. His parents lived in a village fifty miles away, where they farmed narrow hillside terraces of maize, rice, and barley. Because there was no school in the village, they had sent Rakesh to live with his grandfather as soon as he was old enough to attend school. By the time he walked home that day, only three cherries remained of the whole bunch.
3 "Have a cherry, Grandfather," he said the moment he spotted the old man in the garden. Grandfather accepted one; Rakesh quickly ate the other two. He rolled the last cherry seed around in his mouth for a long time, savouring its tang, before placing it carefully on his palm and studying it. "Are cherry seeds lucky?" he asked. "Of course," said Grandfather. "Then I'll keep it." "Nothing is lucky if you put it away," Grandfather replied. "If you want luck, you must put it to some use." "What can I do with a seed?" "Plant it."
4 Rakesh found a space and began digging in a flowerbed — but Grandfather redirected him to a shady corner where the earth was soft and yielding. Rakesh pressed the seed in with his thumb, then went off to play cricket and promptly forgot all about it. Symbolism — the act of pressing the seed into the earth with a child's thumb becomes the quiet beginning of a long, remarkable story.
5 Winter settled over the hills. A cold wind moaned through the deodar trees, the garden lay bare and dry. In the evenings, Grandfather and Rakesh huddled over a charcoal fire. Grandfather spun tales of people who became animals, ghosts in trees, jumping beans, and weeping stones — while Rakesh read the newspaper aloud, since his grandfather's eyes were growing weak. Imagery — the warmth of the fire and the storytelling create a picture of the bond between the old man and the boy.
6 They knew spring had arrived when wild ducks flew north again toward Siberia — their V-shaped formations streaming across the thin mountain air at dawn, their calls carrying clearly through the cold. One morning in the garden, Rakesh bent to pick up what he thought was a small twig — and found it was firmly rooted in the earth. He stared at it for a moment, then ran indoors shouting: "Dada, come and look! The cherry tree has come up!" Personification — the tree "comes up" as if responding to a call.

Stop and Think

Q1. Why did Grandfather say the cherry seed was lucky only if it was planted?
Grandfather believed that luck — or any potential — has value only when it is put to use. A seed kept in a pocket remains inert. Only when planted does it become something greater. This is Ruskin Bond's gentle way of teaching that growth requires effort and commitment.
Q2. What details in Part I tell us about Rakesh's family background and why he lives with his grandfather?
Rakesh's parents are hill farmers who grow maize, rice, and barley on narrow terraced fields in a remote village with no school. Because education is important to them, they sent Rakesh to live with his grandfather in Mussoorie, where schools are available. This shows the sacrifices families make for their children's education.

Reading the Story — Part II: The Tree That Would Not Give Up

7 The cherry seedling was about four inches high. Grandfather and Rakesh peered at it together — Grandfather nearly doubled over, Rakesh crouching on his haunches. "Yes, it's a cherry tree," confirmed Grandfather. "Water it now and then." Rakesh dashed indoors, returned with a bucket of water, and soaked the ground — until Grandfather cautioned, "Don't drown it!" Rakesh gave it a gentle sprinkling instead, and circled its base with small pebbles. "What are the pebbles for?" asked Grandfather. "For privacy," said Rakesh. Imagery
8 The monsoon came early that year. Rakesh waded to school in a raincoat and sandals. Ferns burst from tree trunks, strange lilies appeared in the long grass, mist curled up through the valleys. The cherry tree grew quickly in the monsoon season — shooting up to about two feet — when a goat wandered into the garden and stripped it of every leaf. Only the main stem and two bare branches remained. "Never mind," said Grandfather, seeing Rakesh's distress. "Cherry trees are tough."
9 Toward the end of the rains, fresh leaves reappeared. Then a woman who was cutting grass on the hillside swung her scythe carelessly through the undergrowth without looking and cut the cherry tree clean in two. Grandfather scolded the woman, but the damage was done. "Maybe it will die now," said Rakesh. "Maybe," said Grandfather — but the cherry tree had no intention of dying. By the following summer it had sent up several new shoots with fresh green leaves. Personification — "the cherry tree had no intention of dying."
10 Rakesh had grown too. He was eight now, sturdy and curly-haired — with what Grandfather called "blackberry eyes." One monsoon he went home to his village to help his parents with planting and ploughing. He returned thinner but stronger, and found the cherry tree had grown another foot, now reaching up to his chest. Even when it rained, he would sometimes water the tree. He wanted it to know that he was there. Symbolism — watering the tree in the rain is Rakesh's way of expressing love and connection.
11 A bright green praying mantis appeared on a branch one morning, peering at Rakesh with bulging eyes. He let it stay — the cherry tree's first visitor. A hairy caterpillar arrived next and began eating the leaves; Rakesh removed it and dropped it on dry leaves nearby, saying: "Come back when you are a butterfly." Winter came hard. The tree bent under the weight of snow. Field mice sheltered in the cottage roof. The road from the valley was blocked and the newspaper stopped arriving — making Grandfather quite cross, so that even his stories began to have unhappy endings. Imagery
12 In February it was Rakesh's birthday — he was nine, and the tree was four, but almost as tall as Rakesh. One morning, as the winter sun finally came out warm and clear, Grandfather came into the garden, stopped in front of the cherry tree, and then called out sharply: "Rakesh! Come and look! Come quickly before it falls!" When Rakesh came running, Grandfather and he gazed at the tree as though it had performed a miracle. At the end of a branch hung a single pale pink blossom. Symbolism — the first blossom is the story's emotional peak — a miracle of persistence.

Stop and Think

Q3. The cherry tree faced three major setbacks. Name them and explain how each was overcome.
(1) A goat ate all the leaves — the tree survived because cherry trees are tough and grew new leaves toward the end of the monsoon. (2) A woman cut the tree in two with a scythe — the tree survived by sending up new shoots from the stump. (3) Heavy winter snow bent the tree — the tree endured and bloomed the following February.
Q4. Why does Rakesh water the tree even when it is already raining?
Rakesh waters the tree in the rain not because it needs water, but because he wants to feel connected to it — to let it know that he is present and cares. This act of apparently unnecessary tending reflects Rakesh's deep emotional bond with the tree he planted, which has become part of his identity.

Reading the Story — Part III: The Tree Grows Taller Than Grandfather

13 The following year brought more blossoms. Then, suddenly — as if making up for lost time — the tree shot up past Rakesh's height, past Grandfather's height. It grew taller than Grandfather, who was older than some of the oak trees in the forest. Bees came to feed on the nectar in the blossoms; small birds pecked at the flowers and broke them off — but the tree kept blossoming right through spring, and there were always more flowers than birds. Imagery
14 That summer the tree produced its first small cherries. Rakesh tasted one and spat it out — too sour. "They'll be better next year," said Grandfather. But the birds loved them — especially the bulbuls and scarlet minivets, which flitted in and out of the foliage, feasting on the fruit. On a drowsy warm afternoon, Rakesh found Grandfather reclining in a cane chair beneath the cherry tree. "There's just the right amount of shade here," Grandfather said. "And I like looking at the leaves." "They're pretty leaves," said Rakesh. "Always ready to dance, if there's a breeze."
15 After Grandfather went indoors, Rakesh lay down on the grass under the tree and gazed up through the leaves at the deep blue sky. Turning on his side, he could see the mountains striding away into the clouds. He lay there until the evening shadows crept across the garden and Grandfather came back to sit beside him. They waited in silence as the stars appeared and a nightjar began to call from the darkening forest below. The crickets and cicadas struck up their evening chorus. "There are so many trees in the forest," said Rakesh at last. "What's so special about this one? Why do we love it so much?" "We planted it ourselves," said Grandfather. "That's why it's special." "Just one small seed," said Rakesh — and touched the smooth bark with his hand, then pressed a finger to the tip of a leaf. "I wonder," he whispered. "Is this what it feels to be God?" Symbolism

Word Power — Key Vocabulary

stunted
adjective
Prevented from growing to the normal or expected size; restricted in development.
"The dry cold winds stunted the growth of most plants on the hillsides."
yielding
adjective / verb
Soft and giving way easily under pressure; also, producing a result or crop.
"He went to a corner where the earth was soft and yielding — he did not even need to dig."
tang
noun
A strong, sharp taste or flavour.
"He rolled the seed on his tongue until all the tang had gone."
scythe
noun
A tool with a long, curved blade attached to a long handle, used for cutting grass or crops.
"The woman's scythe swished through the undergrowth and cut the cherry tree in two."
flitted
verb (past)
Moved quickly and lightly from one place to another.
"Bulbuls and scarlet minivets flitted in and out of the foliage, feasting on the cherries."
gazed
verb (past)
Looked steadily and intently at something for a long time, especially in admiration or wonder.
"Rakesh and Grandfather gazed at the tree as though it had performed a miracle."
grumpy
adjective
Bad-tempered and irritable.
"For several days there was no newspaper, and this made Grandfather quite grumpy."
outskirts
noun (plural)
The outer areas of a town or city, away from the centre.
"Rakesh lived with his grandfather on the outskirts of Mussoorie, just where the forest began."

Comprehension Exercises

A — Arrange Events in Order

The correct order of events is given below. Match each event to its position in the story.

L1 Place these events in correct sequence: (a) First blossom appears (b) Goat eats all leaves (c) Rakesh plants the seed (d) Woman cuts tree in two (e) Rakesh buys cherries in Mussoorie
Correct order: (e) → (c) → (b) → (d) → (a) — Rakesh buys cherries → plants the seed → goat strips the leaves → woman cuts the tree → first blossom appears in February.

B — Cause and Effect

L2 What happened after a woman cut the cherry tree with her scythe?
Grandfather scolded the woman, but the damage could not be undone. Rakesh feared the tree would die. However, the cherry tree proved remarkably resilient — by summer it had sent up several new shoots with tender green leaves, demonstrating its tough survival instincts.
L2 Why did Rakesh let the praying mantis remain on the branch of the cherry tree?
Rakesh let the praying mantis stay because it was the cherry tree's first visitor — the first creature from the outside world to find shelter and interest on the tree. He saw its presence as a sign that the tree had become a real part of the natural world around it, and he was proud of that.
L4 What does Rakesh mean when he asks, "Is this what it feels to be God?" at the end of the story?
Rakesh is expressing a profound sense of wonder at the fact that from a single tiny seed — pressed into the earth by his own thumb — a living tree has grown, flowered, borne fruit, and given shade and joy to many creatures. He has experienced the extraordinary feeling of being the origin of something living and beautiful. His question is not boastful but deeply humbling — a child's way of grasping what it means to create life.
L5 How does the writer describe the relationship between Rakesh and his grandfather? What does the cherry tree have to do with their bond?
The relationship between Rakesh and Grandfather is one of deep mutual affection, wisdom, and shared experience. Grandfather guides Rakesh through advice (about the seed, about not drowning the plant, about tough cherry trees) while Rakesh provides energy, care, and connection. The cherry tree becomes the physical symbol of their bond — planted on Grandfather's advice, tended by Rakesh's hands, admired together in the final scene. The tree's growth mirrors Rakesh's own growing up.
L6 Imagine Rakesh reflects on watching a seed grow into a cherry tree. Write how he must have felt. (60–80 words)
Rakesh must have felt a deep, quiet pride — not the loud pride of winning a competition, but something gentler and longer-lasting. He had watched something small and fragile survive a goat, a blade, and a snowstorm. He had watered it in the rain, circled it with pebbles for privacy, and spoken to it without words. When the first blossom appeared, it felt like a reward not just for his effort, but for his faith in something living.

Extract-Based Questions (CBSE Format)

Extract 1

"Have a cherry, Grandfather," he said, as soon as he saw his grandfather in the garden. Grandfather took one cherry and Rakesh promptly ate the other two. He kept the last seed in his mouth for some time, rolling it round and round on his tongue until all the tang had gone. Then he placed the seed on the palm of his hand and studied it. "Are cherry seeds lucky?" asked Rakesh. "Of course." "Then I'll keep it." "Nothing is lucky if you put it away. If you want luck, you must put it to some use."
Q1.L2 What does Rakesh's action of rolling the cherry seed in his mouth most likely suggest?
It suggests Rakesh is thoughtful and playful — he is enjoying the moment, savouring the last taste of the cherry while also reflecting on the seed itself. He is not in a hurry; he is being fully present in a small, ordinary experience. Option D from the textbook — "thoughtful and feeling playful" — best captures this.
Q2.L4 What does Grandfather's advice reveal about his philosophy of luck and effort?
Grandfather believes that potential — whether a seed, a talent, or an opportunity — only becomes valuable through action. Luck is not passive; it must be activated. This reflects a deeply practical wisdom: that good fortune favours those who do something with what they are given, not those who merely hoard or preserve it.
Q3.L3 What does Rakesh's decision to plant the seed show about his relationship with his grandfather?
Rakesh's immediate compliance shows that he respects and trusts his grandfather's guidance. He does not argue or question — he simply acts on the advice. This willingness to learn from Grandfather defines their relationship as one built on love, trust, and the transmission of quiet wisdom from one generation to the next.
Q4.L1 Where had the cherries come from, and where did Rakesh live?
The cherries had come all the way from the Kashmir Valley. Rakesh lived with his grandfather on the outskirts of Mussoorie, in the Himalayan foothills of Uttarakhand.

Extract 2

Winter came early. The cherry tree bent low with the weight of snow. Field-mice sought shelter in the roof of the cottage. The road from the valley was blocked, and for several days there was no newspaper, and this made Grandfather quite grumpy. His stories began to have unhappy endings. In February it was Rakesh's birthday. He was nine — and the tree was four, but almost as tall as Rakesh.
Q5.L4 What can be inferred about the cherry tree's character from the phrase "bent low with the weight of snow"?
The image of the tree bending — but not breaking — under the weight of snow shows its resilience. It is flexible enough to survive enormous pressure, yet strong enough to spring back. This mirrors the story's central message: that living things endure setbacks not by being rigid but by bending and recovering.
Q6.L5 The comparison of Rakesh's age (9) with the cherry tree's age (4) is significant. What does it suggest?
The comparison highlights that both Rakesh and the tree are growing simultaneously — they are companions in growth. The tree, at four years old, is almost as tall as Rakesh at nine. This parallel suggests the tree's growth parallels Rakesh's own development: as Rakesh matures from a six-year-old who forgets about the seed to a nine-year-old who tends it with quiet devotion, the tree grows from a tiny seedling to an almost-human-height sapling.

Grammar Workshop — Past Tenses

The Cherry Tree is written entirely in past tense. Study the three past tense forms used in the text.

Simple Past — completed action at a specific time
Rakesh was on his way home from school when he bought the cherries.
Past Progressive — ongoing action at a past moment
Rakesh was looking for Grandfather without finding him in any of his favourite places.
Past Perfect — action completed before another past action
Rakesh and Grandfather gazed at the tree as though it had performed a miracle.

Identify the Odd Word — Vocabulary Groups

From each group, identify the word that does NOT belong with the others.

plodded, galloped, scrambled, trudged → galloped (galloped is fast; the others are slow, heavy movements)
tender, delicate, soft, smooth → smooth (smooth refers to texture/surface; the others mean gently fragile)
stared, peered, pecked, gazed → pecked (pecked is a beak action; the others are ways of looking intently)
growing, blossoming, progressing, planting → planting (planting is an action you do to begin growth; the others describe stages of growth itself)

Sentence Transformation — Past Tenses

I _____ (sit) with my grandparents in the garden.
I was sitting with my grandparents in the garden. (Past Progressive)
As we _____ (talk), I _____ (realise) how much they _____ (impart) to me.
As we were talking, I realised how much they had imparted to me. (PP + SP + Past Perfect)

Writing Workshop — Article Writing

Your textbook introduces article writing in this unit. Practise by completing the given article about trees.

Article Format

Title:Placed at the top; captures the main idea
Byline:— By [Your Name and Class]
Para 1:Introduction — brief overview of the topic
Para 2:Facts and advantages; elaborate on the main idea
Para 3:Consequences of neglecting the topic; disadvantages
Para 4:Suggestions and call for action; end with hope
Word Limit:150–180 words

Writing Task — Trees: Our Lifeline

Complete the article using these words and phrases from your textbook:

Word Bank

absorb carbon dioxide
reduces pollution
climate control
Moreover, our planet
Additionally
would stop existing
ensures a better future
To conclude
If trees were not there
Trees — Our Lifeline
— By Anjali Sharma, Class 8B

Trees are essential for life on Earth. Without them, life as we know it would stop existing. They provide us with food, shelter, and medicine — making them truly our lifeline.

Trees absorb carbon dioxide and release oxygen, helping us breathe. This process also reduces pollution and keeps the environment clean. Moreover, our planet benefits from trees through climate control and prevention of soil erosion. Additionally, they give us fruits, nuts, and other foods that sustain millions of families.

If trees were not there, the air would be polluted and the earth would be barren, lacking food, shelter, and greenery. Our planet would lose the balance that makes life possible.

To conclude, trees are true friends. Protecting and planting trees ensures a better future for everyone on Earth. Every seed we plant today is a gift to tomorrow.
What is The Cherry Tree about in NCERT Class 8 English?
The Cherry Tree by Ruskin Bond is a story from NCERT Class 8 English Poorvi Unit 4 (Environment). It follows Rakesh, a six-year-old boy who plants a cherry seed on his grandfather's advice and watches it grow over several years — through goat attacks, a scythe cut, and heavy snow — until it finally blossoms and bears fruit. The story explores themes of patience, resilience, the bond between humans and nature, and the relationship between a boy and his grandfather.
What is the significance of the final line in The Cherry Tree?
Rakesh's final whisper — "Is this what it feels to be God?" — captures his awe at having created life. From one tiny seed pressed in with his thumb, an entire tree has grown, flowered, and given joy to birds, bees, and his grandfather. The question is not proud but wondering — a child's profound realisation of what it means to nurture something from nothing.
What grammar topics are covered in The Cherry Tree lesson?
The lesson covers the three Past Tenses: Simple Past, Past Progressive, and Past Perfect — with practice exercises. It also covers vocabulary work including identifying odd words in groups and taste words (sweet, sour, tangy, bitter, spicy), as well as antonyms of textual words.
Who is Ruskin Bond and why is he significant for Indian English literature?
Ruskin Bond (born 1934) is one of India's most celebrated English-language authors, known for his gentle, nature-filled stories set in the Himalayan hills. He has written over 500 stories and essays. He received the Sahitya Akademi Award (1992) and Padma Bhushan (2014). His work is taught widely in Indian schools because it captures the beauty of India's hills and the warmth of human relationships in simple, accessible English.
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