the snakes secret lesson 1
DESCRIPTION
This is an English language lesson for the students of Std VI of the CBSE scheme of syllabus. This fiction is a really good reading material. This slide show is dedicated to my students at Navabharath Model School at Kakkanvchery and my students at Navabharat Central School, ValakkandyTRANSCRIPT
Lesson 1
The Snake’s Secret
Detailed Discussion On the lesson with meanings of tough words, exercise work
outs, questions and answers
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Navabharath Model SchoolKakkanchery
Lesson 1
The Snake’s Secret
Detailed Discussion On the lesson with meanings of tough words, exercise
work outs, questions and [email protected]
Connect
This section is intended to help you establish a clear connection with the topic being discussed in the
Connect
When you hear the word ‘secret’ what do you feel?How would you feel if someone found out your secret?
Establish a clear connection with the topic of the lesson by thinking on these lines
When you hear the word ‘secret’ what do you feel?How would you feel if someone found out your
secret?
When you hear the word ‘secret’ what do you feel?
Perhaps you may hold something as secret; you will never tell it to anyone.
Secret
Some facts which one person or a small group of persons only know, most others don’t know.
Such facts are called secrets.
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Secret
For example:
The secret formula of Coca ColaThe secret technology Cryogenic Rockets
Some activities you do when you are alone and won’t tell anyone else.
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How would you feel if someone found out your secret?
Secret of your success- you’ll feel proud;Secret deed you’ve done- you’ll feel ashamed.
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By thinking on the factor secret
We’ll establish a connection with the main point discussed in this lesson- The Snake’s Secret
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Reflect
The word reflect means: Think seriously upon,
Peruse deeply,Engage yourself in a contemplative exploration on the subject
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Reflect
If you are to share your secret with someone, who would that person be?
Why would you share it with him?
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If you are to share your secret with someone, who would that person be?
Your mother, father, brother, sister, teacher, closest friend, a stranger, no one?
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Why would you share it with him?
You believe him the most,You believe he can give you a help, He’ll never tell anyone else about it,
He should know about it, He is an expert in the topic.
Imagine
Imagine means:
Think creativelyUse your problem solving abilities
Think innovativelyThink constructively
so that you can achieve a better understanding of the topic.
Connect, Reflect, Imagine
Are the three tools
You have to use to have a better understandingof the lesson being discussed.
It’s an activity oriented learning exercise.
Word Bank(please don’t confuse it with the world bank)
Distressed: unhappy; upsetWee: very small, (wee hours of the day)
Wily: cunning, cleverly (an act with a malicious intention)
Entrusted: trusted someone with an important job (ringing the first bell denoting the start of the working hours is being entrusted with the peon of our school)
Succulent: juicy and deliciousCoil: wrap around, cover, twirl around
This is the story of a mythical bird from heaven; Holowaka, who is sent
by God with a secret for men and women on Earth.
Is he able to keep the secret?Read on and find out.
After God created men and women, He discovered that as they grew old
they suffered a great deal of discomfort
Not only did their bones grow weak and hair turn grey, they also lost the
strength to work and defend themselves. God was greatly
distressed by this and decided to help mankind remain young, strong
and healthy.
So, He called Holowaka, his messenger, and said, “Holowaka, I want you to fly to Earth with my
message to mankind.
Tell them, when they find themselves growing old, all they
have to do is slip out of their skin and they will be young again.
But remember to talk to no one on your way. If other creatures learn this secret, it will be theirs alone.
So Holowaka promised not to speak to anyone or stop for anything on the way and set flight to Earth. He flew for days and days and finally
reached Earth.
By this time, Holowakas wings were aching and his stomach was
rumbling with hunger. “If I can’t get a wee morsel to eat, then I can go on for some more time” he said to
himself.
But he couldn’t find any food. When he was almost faint with hunger, he smelt meat. He went in search of it
and found a snake feasting on a dead antelope.
Holowaka was delighted at the sight of food. “Will you be kind enough to share the meat with me; dear
snake,” he asked meekly.
But the snake was a wily old creature. He knew Holowaka was
the messenger carrying an important secret that God had
entrusted him with.
And he also knew that the secret would be only for men’s ears. Now if the snake hated any creature, it
was man.
For as soon as man saw a snake, even a harmless one that was
crawling along thinking about its own affairs, he would take a stick
and beat it to death.
The snake had lost many a loved one in such a manner. So the snake sucked on a succulent piece of flesh and asked Holowaka; “what will you
give me in return.”
Holowaka looked around helplessly. What could he give the snake? Then
he thought of his tail which was long and colourful like a rainbow.
He said; “I can give a feather from my tail.” The snake snorted and
said, “what would I do with a feather from your tail? Wear it on my head? I want something else.”
“I can teach you to fly,” Holowaka offered. “Pah,” the snake spat. “No thank you, I’m happy being on the
ground.”
Poor Holowaka could no longer bear the hunger. So he thought
hard and as he sat wondered, he felt that with every passing moment
he would die of hunger.
Then he was overcome by a tearing rage at God. “How could he send
me on a mission without providing enough food to eat on the way?
All this is His fault,” he said himself and having comforted thus, he
cleared his throat and said in a low voice, snake, listen, I am entrusted
with a great secret.
This will change the life of mankind, but now I am prepared to tell you
the secret in exchange of food.’
The snake stared at the bird and then, unable to hide his curiosity,
hissed, ‘Go on tell me…’
But Holowaka was clever enough to realize the snake might trick him. “You have to believe me and I will tell you the secret only after I have
eaten.
The snake said “ come to me. You will eat, but I will coil you in my
clutches so that you don’t fly away after you’ve eaten.
When he had eaten as much as his belly could hold, Holowaka said, ‘God said to me to tell man that when they felt weak and old, all
that they had to do was to slip out of their skin…”
The snake was eager to see if the secret worked for him too. Slowly
and carefully the snake slipped out of his skin and became youthful
again.
Meanwhile when Holowaka felt the coils of the snake loosen
around him, he seized his chance and quickly escaped to Heaven.
Since the snake had heard God’s secret first, the secret has
remained with snakes and from then on, when they feel
themselves growing old, they just slip out of their skins and become
young once again.Anitha Nair
Consolidate
Answer the following questions
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1. What plight of people worried God?
As human beings grew old they became weak and tired, they suffered a great deal of discomfort.
This was the poor plight of human beings that worried God.
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2. What work did God entrust Holowaka with? What
instructi on did God give him?
God entrusted Holowaka with the task of delivering a secret to retain health and happiness to the mankind. God
instructed him not to stop anywhere or tell anyone else, because the first person who hear the secret only will
have the power of using it. babu
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What happened by the time Holowaka reached Earth?
Holowaka flew days in and days out, and when he reached earth finally, his wings were aching, his
stomach was rumbling with hunger. He felt that he could not move any further without eating something.
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4. Where did he fi nd food?
When he was about to faint with hunger he smelt meat. He saw a snake feasting on a dead antelope.
This is where and how Holowaka found food.
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5. Why did the snake want something in return for food?
The snake was a wily old creature. He already knew that Holowaka was the messenger of God to earth and he carried an important secret. That’s why he
wanted something in return for food.
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6. Was God able to provide a soluti on for old age to human
beings?
He was not able to give a solution for old age and associated worries to human beings, because it was
confided to the snakes by Holowaka- his messenger to earth on his way to meet human beings.
7. Read the following questi ons and answer the questi ons.
“This will change the life of mankind, but now I am prepared to tell you the secret in exchange for food”
a). Who says this to whom?
These words were spoken by Holowaka, the messenger of God to earth to the snake when they
met each other on Holowaka’s arrival to [email protected]
b). What is the secret?
When one grows old, weak and distressed they have to slip off their skin so that they will
become young [email protected]
c). Why would it change the life of mankind?
Man will never have to grow old, weak or distressed. So it’s a change from present sorrowful condition of
d). Did the speaker do the right thing by telling the
secret?
No, the speaker didn’t obey God, but the fact remains that if he had not got anything to eat at least by then
he would have died [email protected]
Think and Answer
This section is to help the students to think independently and come out with an answer. So it will impart the power of imagination and free thinking to
them. [email protected]
1. Which of the creatures that God created was He fond of the
most? How do we know this?
Human beings believe God likes them the most. Since he sent His messenger to Earth to help the human
race we can believe so.
2. Why was Holowaka told not to speak to anyone on the way?
The secret Holowaka is carrying is useful only to the first person who hears it from him. This was why he
was asked not to speak anyone else.
3. If the snake had not slipped out of its skin what would have
happened to Holowaka?
He may not understand whether the secret works or not. Snake slipped out of its skin and became young
again, so Holowaka was convinced of its efficacy.
4. Write a brief character sketch of the snake. (Keep in mind his
feelings towards man)?
Human beings whenever they see a snake will take a stick and beet it to death even if it’s a really harmless one. So snake hated the whole mankind. The snake is a wily old creature. He would
expect something in return to each help he does to others.
4. Was Holowaka reliable?
Apparently he is not. Even then he has done it because he couldn’t bear the hunger any longer and he was going to die starving. So he wanted food very
badly, he tried many other offers to the snake, but the snake was not agreeing to it.
6. Was Holowaka simple or intelligent? Why do you think so?
Holowaka was simple, he has fell to the wily nature of the snake. He was very much hungry and his wings
ached. So we cannot say that he was cunning.
Create
Listen to some sentences read out from the story in different ways. Listen carefully and say what
tone/mood they indicate. As the sentences are read out, write the correct sentence number against each
option.
Mockery
What would I do with your tail, wear it on my head?
“Pah, No thank you, I’ll be happy being on the ground.”
Persuasion
Will you be kind enough to share the meat with me, dear snake?“Go on, tell me” [email protected]
Suggesti on
“Come to me, you’ll eat , but I will have to coil you in my clutches so that you won’t fly away
after you’ve eaten”
Complaint
Holowaka laments, he has not been provided food to eat on his way to Earth.
Talk Time
Holowaka returns to Heaven and breaks the news of his failure to deliver God’s message to the mankind. God is very angry; He starts shouting at Holowaka. Holowaka, on his part blames God for not providing him with food. And the argument continues.
One of you will play Holowaka and another will play God. Enact this scene for your class. Make it as interesting as possible.
Phrases f rom the lesson T ick on the correct meaning of the phrase.
Faint with hunger:See something faint
Feeling faint because of intense hungerFeeling full
Rumbl ing with hunger
Sound of rumbling of thunderFeeling very angry
feeling very hungry
F i l l in the b lanks
1. As winter approaches birds set flight to tropical lands2. He never interferes in other people’s work. He likes minding his own. 3. By the time we reached the mountain peak we’re faint with hunger
4. When the boys lost the match the coach was in a tearing rage5. The children came into the house after the mach with their stomach rumbling
with hunger
Answers
1. set flight to2. minding his own. 3. faint with hunger4. tearing rage5. rumbling with hunger
Language Ladder
Some passages are given in the following slides. Write it down neatly in your note books. Underline the
following parts of speeches as [email protected]
Instructi ons:
Nouns in Red
Adjectives in blue
Verbs in green
Adverbs in yellow
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The Passage 1
‘God sent me to tell man that when they felt weak and old, all that they had to do was to slip out of their
skin…’ The snake was eager to see if the secret worked for him too. He slipped out of his skin and
became youthful again. Meanwhile. When Holowaka felt the coils of the snake loosen around him, he seized his chance and quickly escaped to heaven.
Answer Key
‘God sent me to tell man that when they felt weak and old, all that they had to do was to slip out of their skin…’ The snake was eager to see if the secret worked for him too. He slipped out of his skin and became youthful again. Meanwhile, when
Holowaka felt the coils of the snake loosen around him, he seized his chance and quickly escaped to heaven.
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The Passage 2
People collect different things. Some are particular in what they collect. It could be old idols, locks, stamps,
posters, letters or greeting cards. One old lady collected bags- bags of all kinds, from small bags to
large ones.
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Answer Key
People collect different things. Some are particular in what they collect. It could be old idols, locks, stamps,
posters, letters or greeting cards. One old lady collected bags- bags of all kinds, from small bags to
large ones.
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Auxiliary Verbs
They are also called helping verbs; are used along with the main verb to form tenses and to express
certain situations. The most common auxiliary verbs are: be, have and do.
Read the following sentences
•I am entrusted with a great secret.•He is coming got meet me•He has lost the car keys•Where do you stay?All the above sentences have two verbs. Am, is, has and do are auxiliary
verbs. And constructed, coming, lost and stay are the main verbs.
Auxiliary verbs can also be shortened. You have learnt that contractions use an apostrophe (‘) to indicate
missing letters. For e.g.:
Word ContractionI am I’mI have I’veYou are You’reHe is He’sI had I’dThey are They’reIt is It’s
Negative Contractions
When we make contractions using not, these are negative contractions, for e.g.:
•Holowaka didn’t trust the snake (did not)•He isn’t ready to listen to me (is not)•I haven’t finished this story yet (have not)
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Rewrite these sentences with negative contractions
1. We have not decided what gift to buy for mother,2. They had not cancelled the trip to Trichy last week.3. The snake was not ready to help Holowaka4. The children are not playing in the park5. It is not right to break promises
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Answers
1. We haven’t decided what gift to buy for mother,2. They hadn’t cancelled the trip to Trichy last week.3. The snake wasn’t ready to help Holowaka4. The children aren’t playing in the park5. It isn’t right to break promises
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Extend
Sometimes we rewrite a story or poem in brief, highlighting only the central idea and the main point of action. In order
to do this, we first write down the main idea of each paragraph using phrases/short sentences. We then put
these together in a paragraph form using suitable conjunctions and connectors.
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Rearrange the phrases and write them as complete sentences to form a paragraph that will tell us the
story of how snakes came to shed their skin
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Snake• Snake is eating an
antelope• That’s how snakes
came to shed their skin
• Holowaka eats and then tells the secret to the snake
Holowaka• Holowaka flies for
many days and is hungry and tired
• Wants snake to share the food but the snake wants to know the secret
• Holowaka escapes but secret remains with the snake
God• God unhappy with
people’s discomfort at their old age
• Calls Holowaka and gives him the message for the mankind
• Secret is to slip off the skin and be young again
Expanded
God becomes unhappy over the distress of mankind at their old age. He wanted to give humankind a solution for this problem. Calls Holowaka- His messenger and gives him a secret message meant for mankind. Secret is to
slip off their old skin and be young again. Holowaka flies for many days and reach earth hungry and tired. He smells meat and see a snake feasting on a dead antelope. Wants snake to share some food. The snake wants the secret in return. Holowaka eats the meat and tells the secret to the snake.
Holowaka goes back but the secret remains with the snakes
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Imagine you’re Holowaka. You are afraid to return to Heaven and face God. Write a letter of apology to God for not being able
to carry out His order.
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Most Revered Almighty,I hope you are doing well in heaven. I also am fine here on earth. I
reached earth comfortably. The journey was more or less comfortable. But we forgot one thing when we set out to earth. Neither did I remember nor did you remind me to carry some food for myself. While I reached earth I was really tired and hungry. My hunger was too severe since I had not eaten a thing for days together. I went out looking for some food and I saw a snake feasting on a dead antelope. I begged for some food, but he was not ready to oblige. I offered him many things but he was not ready to accept. He was adamant that I should part the secret with him. Finally I had to do it. I was under the impression that I can tell it to men too. But I came to know it won’t work, since the message was meant for the first person who hear it from me. I and sorry, really sorry. I promise you I won’t commit this kind of a mistake any more. Please forgive me.
Thanking you in anticipation of your blessing Yours faithfully
Holowaka
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Relate
Find information about the following and discuss it in your class. You could also write an article using the
information.
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Are all snakes poisonous?
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Are all snakes poisonous?
Whenever we see a snake we will get scared of it. We will immediately try to run away. Normally no snake will attack us. When hurt or frightened it
may, but never for no reason. All snakes are not poisonous. Water snake, rat snake, python and a lot other
such snakes are not poisonous. Anaconda the largest snake on earth also is not poisonous.
Please don’t fear snakes, please don’t hurt them. Let them also live a full life on this earth.
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Do all snakes bite?
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Do all snakes bite?
They may bite, but all are not poisonous. No snake will bite a man for no reason
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How do we help a person who has been bitten by a snake?
All of us have to take a training on first aid measures. When a person is bitten by a snake we have to wash the site of bite with flowing
water. We have to use a toilet soap; preferably a carbolic soap to wash the wound or site of bite. Then mop it to dry and cover the
place with a tower or clean cloth. Never allow the person to walk, run or do any activity which requires physical exertion. Take him to a
hospital immediately.
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How do we help a person who has been bitten by a snake?
All of us have to take a training on first aid measures. When a person is bitten by a snake we have to wash the site of bite with flowing
water. We have to use a toilet soap; preferably a carbolic soap to wash the wound or site of bite. Then mop it to dry and cover the
place with a tower or clean cloth. Never allow the person to walk, run or do any activity which requires physical exertion. Take him to a
hospital immediately.
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Vocabulary
Mythical : myth·i·cal (mĭth ĭ-kəl) also ′ myth·ic (-ĭk)adj.1. Of or existing in myth: the mythical unicorn.2. Imaginary; fictitious.3. often mythic Of, relating to, or having the nature of a myth:
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Vocabulary
dis·tressed (dĭ-strĕst )′ adj.1. Suffering distress: the distressed parents of wayward youths.2. Damaged or previously used: distressed merchandise.3. Having been foreclosed and offered for sale, usually at a price below market value: distressed real estate.4. Intentionally marred or faded to convey an antique or used look: distressed furniture; distressed denim.
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Vocabulary
rum·ble (rŭm bəl)′ v. rum·bled, rum·bling, rum·blesv.intr.1. To make a deep, long, rolling sound.2. To move or proceed with a deep, long, rolling sound.3. Slang To engage in a gang fight.v.tr.1. To utter with a deep, long, rolling sound.2. To polish or mix (metal parts) in a tumbling box.n.1. A deep, long, rolling sound.2. A tumbling box.3. A luggage compartment or servant's seat in the rear of a carriage.4. Slanga. Pervasive, widespread expression of unrest or dissatisfaction.b. A gang fight. ba
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Vocabulary
wee (wē)adj. we·er, we·est1. Very small; tiny. See Synonyms at small.2. Very early: the wee hours of the morning.
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Vocabulary
mor·sel (môr səl)′ n.1. A small piece of food.2. A tasty delicacy; a tidbit.3. A small amount; a piece: a morsel of gossip.4. One that is delightful and extremely pleasing.
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Vocabulary
en·trust (ĕn-trŭst) also ′ in·trust (ĭn-)tr.v. en·trust·ed also in·trust·ed, en·trust·ing also in·trust·ing, en·trusts also in·trusts1. To give over (something) to another for care, protection, or performance: "He still has the aura of the priest to whom you would entrust your darkest secrets" (James Carroll).2. To give as a trust to (someone): entrusted his aides with the task.
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Vocabulary
con·sol·i·date (kən-sŏl ĭ-dāt′)′ v. con·sol·i·dat·ed, con·sol·i·dat·ing, con·sol·i·datesv.tr.1. To unite into one system or whole; combine: consolidated five separate agencies into a single department.2. To make strong or secure; strengthen: She consolidated her power during her first year in office.3. To make firm or coherent; form into a compact mass.v.intr.1. To become solidified or united.2. To join in a merger or union
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Vocabulary
rage (rāj)n.1.a. Violent, explosive anger. See Synonyms at anger.b. A fit of anger.2. Furious intensity, as of a storm or disease.3. A burning desire; a passion.4. A current, eagerly adopted fashion; a fad or craze: when torn jeans were all the rage.intr.v. raged, rag·ing, rag·es1. To speak or act in violent anger: raged at the mindless bureaucracy.2. To move with great violence or intensity: A storm raged through the mountains.3. To spread or prevail forcefully: ba
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Vocabulary
hiss (hĭs)n.1. A sharp sibilant sound similar to a sustained s.2. An expression of disapproval, contempt, or dissatisfaction conveyed by use of this sound.v. hissed, hiss·ing, hiss·esv.intr.To make a hiss: The audience booed and hissed. The teakettle hissed on the stove.v.tr.1. To utter with a hiss:2. To express (a negative view or reaction) by uttering a hiss: The audience hissed its displeasure.
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Hope you have understood the lesson very well
Go back and read the lesson once againThink about how well you could comprehend
THANK YOU
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