“The Chair” is a story about a boy named Mario who believes that he has many friends. His grandfather, however, thinks that many of them may only be companions or partners.
To help Mario discover who his real friends are, his grandfather gives him a strange invisible chair. Mario takes the chair to school and tries to sit on it. He repeatedly falls, and while some classmates laugh at him, three of his friends Guneet, Asma and Deepa try to help him.
Through this experience, Mario learns that true friends are those who care for us and help us when we are in difficulty.
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Let Us Do These Activities Before We Read
1. Words Related to Friendship
The textbook asks students to find eight words related to friendship in the word grid.
Possible answers:
- Laughter
- Helpful
- Hope
- Loyal
- Loving
- Supportive
- Caring
- Sharing
These words describe positive qualities or experiences associated with friendship.
2. Complete the Words
The textbook asks us to complete words that have meanings related to friend/friends.
Answers
(i) A person with whom you do activities together:
Partner
(ii) An informal word for friends:
Buddies
(iii) A person who you spend a lot of time with:
Companion
(iv) Children who are in the same class as you at school:
Classmates
3. What do you call a friend in your own language?
Model Answer:
In Hindi, a friend can be called मित्र (Mitra) or दोस्त (Dost).
Students may write the word used in their own language.
Let Us Read – The Chair
Short Summary
Mario was a boy who loved having many friends. He often showed off about how friendly he was with everyone at school.
His grandfather challenged him to a bet of fruit chaat. He told Mario that many of the people he called friends were probably just companions or partners.
Mario accepted the challenge and asked his grandfather for help. His grandfather brought an invisible chair from the attic and told Mario that if he could sit on it at school, the magic would help him identify his real friends.
Mario took the chair to school and asked his classmates to form a circle. When he tried to sit on the invisible chair, he fell several times. Some classmates laughed at him. Mario did not give up.
Eventually, Mario managed to sit in mid-air. He discovered that Guneet, Asma and Deepa were holding him up so that he would not fall. The other classmates who had laughed at him had not helped him.
Mario finally understood what his grandfather wanted to teach him: real friends care about us and help us during difficult times. He won the bet and later celebrated with his three friends and his grandfather.
Let Us Discuss – Page 61
1. Mario was very proud of having so many friends. State whether True or False.
Answer: True
Mario often showed off and talked about how many friends he had at school.
2. What did the grandfather take from the attic?
Answer:
Mario's grandfather took an invisible chair from the attic.
3. Will Mario face any challenges?
Answer:
Yes. Mario will face the challenge of trying to sit on an invisible chair because he cannot see where the chair is.
4. Will Mario be able to use the magic?
Answer:
Yes. Mario eventually manages to sit on the invisible chair, but the real purpose of the “magic” is to help him discover who his true friends are.
Let Us Discuss – Page 64
1. Mario successfully sat on the invisible chair on his first attempt. True or False?
Answer: False
Mario fell several times before he finally managed to sit on the invisible chair.
2. Mario's grandfather challenged him to a bet of ________.
Answer:
fruit chaat
3. Match the characters with their action.
Guneet, Asma and Deepa
Answer:
(i) held Mario up, so he wouldn't fall
They supported Mario when he finally sat on the invisible chair.
Other classmates
Answer:
(ii) made fun of Mario's attempts
They laughed when Mario repeatedly fell.
Let Us Think and Reflect
I. Read the following lines and answer the questions
1. “Take it. It's a very special chair…”
(i) Fill in the blanks
The chair is __________ and __________.
Answer:
The chair is special and invisible.
The grandfather specifically describes it as a special chair and explains that it cannot be seen.
(ii) Why was it tricky to sit on the chair?
Answer:
It was tricky because the chair was invisible, so Mario could not see where the seat was. He therefore had difficulty sitting on it and repeatedly fell.
(iii) Why does Mario's grandfather call the chair ‘special’?
Answer:
The chair is special because it helps Mario discover who his real friends are. It is not merely a chair; it becomes a clever test of friendship.
2. “Wait, wait, just a slight technical problem…”
(i) Mario says there was a technical problem because __________.
Answer:
Mario said there was a technical problem because he could not see the invisible chair and therefore kept missing the seat and falling down.
(ii) Mario's friends were very caring and helpful. True or False?
Answer: True
Guneet, Asma and Deepa helped Mario by holding him up so that he would not fall.
III. Choose the correct option
Mario wouldn't give up. This shows he is:
- a. strong-willed
- b. supportive
- c. loving
- d. hard-working
Answer: a. strong-willed
Mario kept trying despite repeatedly falling. This shows that he was strong-willed and determined.
II. Answer the Following Questions
1. What was the bet about?
Answer:
Mario's grandfather bet him a plate of fruit chaat that Mario did not have as many true friends as he thought. He believed that many of Mario's schoolmates were only companions or partners.
2. What happened when Mario sat on the chair for the first time?
Answer:
Mario tried to sit on the invisible chair but could not see it properly. He missed the seat and fell on his backside. His classmates laughed at him. He tried several more times and continued to fall before finally succeeding.
3. How was Mario able to find his real friends?
Answer:
Mario found his real friends when he finally managed to sit on the invisible chair. Guneet, Asma and Deepa supported him and held him up so that he would not fall. This showed Mario that they genuinely cared about him.
4. Do you think the magic chair test was good? Why?
Answer:
Yes, the magic chair test was a clever way for Mario to understand the difference between true friends and people who simply laughed at him. However, in real life, friendship should be understood through people's behaviour over time rather than through a single test.
5. What does ‘friends for life’ mean to you?
Answer:
“Friends for life” means friends who remain loyal and caring for a long time. They support one another during both happy and difficult situations.
6. Mention another way to find out who your real friends are.
Answer:
One way is to observe how people behave when we are facing difficulties. A true friend will support us, listen to us, help us and stay with us instead of making fun of us.
Let Us Learn
I. Divide the Words into Root Word and Suffix
The textbook gives these words: friendly, suddenly, talking, carrying, called and showed.
Answers
| Word | Root Word | Suffix |
|---|---|---|
| friendly | friend | -ly |
| suddenly | sudden | -ly |
| talking | talk | -ing |
| carrying | carry | -ing |
| called | call | -ed |
| showed | show | -ed |
What is a suffix?
A suffix is a group of letters added to the end of a root word to make a new word or change its form.
II. Match Root Words with Suitable Suffixes
The textbook asks students to combine root words with suffixes and create sentences.
Completed Answers
| Root Word | Suffix | New Word | Example Sentence |
|---|---|---|---|
| magic | -al | magical | The magician performed a magical act. |
| care | -ful | careful | We should be careful while crossing the road. |
| celebrate | -tion | celebration | We had a big celebration at school. |
| laugh | -ter | laughter | We heard the children's laughter. |
| wonder | -ed | wondered | I wondered where my friend had gone. |
| help | -ful | helpful | My friend is very helpful. |
| friend | -ship | friendship | Their friendship is very strong. |
| courage | -ous | courageous | The courageous boy helped the injured puppy. |
III. Describe Mario Using Adjectives
The textbook asks students to describe Mario using adjectives.
Model Answer
Mario was:
- brave
- determined
- strong-willed
- friendly
- confident
- curious
- persistent
- caring
Example sentence
Mario was a brave, determined and strong-willed boy who did not give up even after falling several times.
IV. Match Adjectives with Nouns
The textbook provides the following adjectives and nouns.
Model Answers
| Adjective | Noun | Phrase |
|---|---|---|
| brave | soldier | brave soldier |
| clever | plan | clever plan |
| tasty | peanuts | tasty peanuts |
| heavy | rain | heavy rain |
| slight | cold | slight cold |
| true | friends | true friends |
Sentences
- The brave soldier marched ahead.
- Grandfather made a clever plan.
- We ate tasty peanuts.
- There was heavy rain yesterday.
- I have a slight cold.
- True friends always help each other.
V. Complete the Paragraph with Adjective-Noun Pairings
Words given in the textbook include old book, magical adventures, happy boy, amazing stories, fantastic adventures, colourful creatures and old castles.
Answer
Once upon a time in a little village, a/an happy boy named Abhishek found a/an old book in the attic. He read amazing stories about fairy lands, colourful creatures and old castles. Abhishek’s eyes got big as he imagined these magical adventures. He told his friends about the stories, and they started to have their own fantastic adventures when they played together.
Answers in order:
- happy boy
- old book
- amazing stories
- colourful creatures
- old castles
- magical adventures
- fantastic adventures
Let Us Listen – Page 68
The listening activity is about Manu and her friend Monika. The transcript is provided on page 73 of the textbook.
Fill in the Blanks
1. Manu found it __________ when she took admission in the school.
Answer: difficult
2. Manu met __________ and was helped by her in many ways.
Answer: Monika
3. So, it was not so __________ for the new girl to adjust in the school.
Answer: difficult
4. Both friends experienced difficult and __________ moments together.
Answer: happy
5. Manu is __________ to Monika for making her life easy and finding a friend.
Answer: thankful
Final Answers
1. difficult
2. Monika
3. difficult
4. happy
5. thankful
The transcript explains that Monika guided Manu, introduced her to other students and shared her notes, making Manu comfortable at the new school.
Let Us Speak
The textbook asks students to choose four positive qualities they would like their friends to have and explain why. The qualities include loving, honest, kind, caring, loyal, polite, respectful, team-worker and understanding.
Model Answer
I would like my friend to be:
1. Honest
I feel my friend should be honest because I should be able to trust my friend.
2. Caring
I want my friend to be caring because a good friend should care about my feelings.
3. Loyal
I believe my friend should be loyal because a true friend should support me during difficult times.
4. Understanding
I want my friend to be understanding so that we can share our problems and feelings with each other.
Let Us Write – Page 69
Mario writes messages to his friends Deepa, Guneet and Asma. The textbook then asks students to complete his message to Guneet.
1. Complete Mario's Message to Guneet
Correct Answer
Dear Guneet,
I am thankful to God to have you as a real friend for life. When everyone was laughing at me, Deepa, Asma and you showed me that you care for me. You are indeed a blessing in my life.
Best wishes,
Mario
2. Write Your Own Message to Your Best Friend
Model Answer
Dear Rahul,
I feel very lucky to have you as my best friend. You always help me whenever I face a difficult situation. I know that I can depend on you and share my feelings with you. Thank you for always caring for me and supporting me. I hope our friendship remains strong forever.
Best wishes,
Your best friend,
Aman
Let Us Explore – Page 70
1. Find More Stories About Friendship
The textbook asks students to find friendship stories from their state, other states or other countries.
Model Answer
Some well-known stories about friendship are:
- The Lion and the Mouse – teaches us that even a small friend can help a powerful friend.
- The Krishna and Sudama story – teaches us about lifelong friendship, loyalty and affection.
- The Tortoise and the Geese – teaches us about friendship and the importance of following good advice.
2. Acrostic Poem on FRIENDS
The textbook asks students to describe their friends using the letters of FRIENDS.
Model Answer
F – Friendly
R – Respectful
I – Intelligent
E – Encouraging
N – Nice
D – Dependable
S – Supportive
Another version
F – Faithful
R – Reliable
I – Inspiring
E – Empathetic
N – Noble
D – Dependable
S – Sincere
3. What Does Friendship Mean to Different Age Groups?
The textbook asks students to talk to people from four different age groups and compare their views on friendship.
Here is a model answer for the activity:
| Age Group | What friendship means |
|---|---|
| 50+ | Friendship means trust, companionship and being there for one another during difficult times. |
| 31–49 | Friendship means understanding, support and sharing responsibilities. |
| 20–30 | Friendship means spending time together, sharing interests and supporting each other's goals. |
| 12–19 | Friendship means having someone to talk to, play with, share secrets with and have fun with. |
Observation
People of different ages may describe friendship differently, but trust, care, support and companionship are common themes.
Chapter Summary
The Chair is a story about Mario, a boy who thinks he has many friends.
His grandfather challenges him to a bet of fruit chaat and tells him that many of the people he calls friends may only be companions. To help Mario discover his true friends, his grandfather gives him an invisible chair.
Mario takes the chair to school and attempts to sit on it. He falls repeatedly, and many classmates laugh at him. However, Guneet, Asma and Deepa help him and hold him up when he finally sits in mid-air.
Mario understands that these three children are his real friends because they care about him rather than laughing at his difficulty.
That evening, Mario and his three friends visit his grandfather. Mario wins the bet, and they enjoy fruit chaat together. From then on, the children use the magic-chair test on other occasions, and those who passed became friends for life.
Moral of the Story
A true friend is someone who cares for us, supports us and helps us in difficult times.
The story teaches us that having many acquaintances is not the same as having true friends. A real friend does not laugh at our difficulties; instead, they stand beside us and help us.
Important Questions for Exams
1. Who was Mario?
Answer:
Mario was a boy who loved having many friends and often showed off about them.
2. Who challenged Mario?
Answer:
His grandfather challenged him.
3. What was the bet?
Answer:
The bet was for fruit chaat.
4. What did Mario's grandfather give him?
Answer:
He gave Mario an invisible chair.
5. Why was the chair special?
Answer:
It helped Mario identify his true friends.
6. Who helped Mario?
Answer:
Guneet, Asma and Deepa helped Mario.
7. What did the other children do?
Answer:
Many of them laughed when Mario fell.
8. What quality did Mario show by not giving up?
Answer:
He showed that he was strong-willed and determined.
9. What did Mario learn?
Answer:
Mario learned that true friends are those who care for and support us, especially during difficult times.
10. What is the main message of the story?
Answer:
True friendship is shown through care, support, loyalty and kindness rather than by the number of friends we have.
Important Vocabulary
| Word | Meaning |
|---|---|
| Attic | A storage space just under the roof |
| Accepted | Agreed to |
| Readily | Without any problem |
| Showed off | Boasted |
| Invisible | Impossible to see |
| Determined | Firm in one's decision |
| Amazing | Very surprising |
| Experienced | Felt or went through something |
| Companion | A person who spends time with another |
| Partner | A person with whom one does activities |
| Buddies | Informal word for friends |
| Classmates | Children in the same class |
| Strong-willed | Determined and unwilling to give up |
The textbook itself defines terms such as attic, accepted, readily, showed off and invisible alongside the story.
Quick Revision
| Question | Answer |
|---|---|
| Chapter | The Chair |
| Unit | Friendship |
| Main character | Mario |
| Mario's grandfather | Challenges Mario |
| Bet | Fruit chaat |
| Special object | Invisible chair |
| True friends | Guneet, Asma and Deepa |
| Mario's quality | Strong-willed and determined |
| Main theme | True friendship |
| Moral | True friends care for and support us |
One-Line Moral
A true friend is one who stands by us when we face difficulties.
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