THE TREE THAT NEVER STOPPED GIVING CLASS 8 ENGLISH LESSON 4

The story “The Tree That Never Stopped Giving” revolves around a large, old mango tree and a boy who spent his childhood playing near it. The tree loved the boy and selflessly gave everything it had to fulfil the boy’s needs as he grew up.

Childhood: The boy played near the tree, made crowns from its leaves, and enjoyed its company. The tree was happy to see the boy happy.
Adulthood: As the boy grew, his visits became infrequent. Whenever he returned, it was to ask the tree for help. The tree selflessly gave:
- Mangoes to help the boy earn money for his wedding.
- Branches to build a house.
- Its trunk to make a boat for the boy’s travels.
Old Age: The boy eventually became an old man and returned to the tree, which was now reduced to a stump. Despite this, the tree offered him a place to rest.

The story reflects the themes of selflessness, unconditional love, and gratitude, showcasing how the tree found happiness in giving, despite being exploited by the boy.

20 Multiple Choice Questions (MCQs) with Answers

1. What did the boy do near the mango tree during his childhood?

A) Climbed the tree
B) Made a crown of leaves
C) Played king of the forest
D) All of the above
Answer: D) All of the above

2. Why did the boy stop coming to the tree as he grew up?

A) He moved to another village
B) He became busy with his life
C) He didn’t like the tree anymore
D) The tree was cut down
Answer: B) He became busy with his life

3. What did the boy ask for when he wanted to get married?

A) A House
B) Mangoes
C) Money
D) A crown
Answer: C) Money

4. How did the tree help the boy to get married?

A) Gave him mangoes to sell
B) Gave him wood to sell
C) Gave him money
D) Gave him fruits for a feast
Answer: A) Gave him mangoes to sell

5. What did the boy build using the tree’s branches?

A) A swing
B) A boat
C) A House
D) A chair
Answer: C) A House

6. How did the tree feel after losing its branches?

A) Happy
B) Lonely and sad
C) Angry
D) Indifferent
Answer: B) Lonely and sad

7. What did the boy ask for after needing a house?

A) A boat
B) More mangoes
C) Shade
D) Money
Answer: A) A boat

8. What did the tree offer for the boy to make a boat?

A) Its branches
B) Its trunk
C) Its roots
D) Its leaves
Answer: B) Its trunk

9. Did the boy ever thank the tree?

A) Yes, often
B) Only once
C) No
D) Only at the end
Answer: C) No

10. Why did the boy return as an old man?

A) To ask for forgiveness
B) To rest on the stump
C) To plant another tree
D) To apologize to the tree
Answer: B) To rest on the stump

11. What did the tree become in the end?

A) A boat
B) A stump
C) A log
D) A branchless tree
Answer: B) A stump

12. Why was the tree happy in the end?

A) The boy returned
B) The boy apologized
C) The boy rested on his stump
D) The boy planted another tree
Answer: C) The boy rested on his stump

13. What lesson does the story teach?

A) Trees are only for human use
B) Gratitude is unnecessary
C) Selfless giving and love bring happiness
D) Exploitation is a part of life
Answer: C) Selfless giving and love bring happiness

14. What did the boy use the mangoes for?

A) To eat
B) To make juice
C) To sell for money
D) To plant new trees
Answer: C) To sell for money

15. What part of the tree was left in the end?

A) Trunk and branches
B) Only the trunk
C) Only the stump
D) Nothing was left
Answer: C) Only the stump

16. What does the tree symbolize in the story?

A) Human selfishness
B) Nature’s generosity and selflessness
C) Materialism
D) Laziness
Answer: B) Nature’s generosity and selflessness

17. How did the boy feel when he sat on the stump?

A) Grateful
B) Regretful
C) Happy
D) Both A and C
Answer: D) Both A and C

18. What genre is this story?

A) Fantasy
B) Fable
C) Non-fiction
D) Historical fiction
Answer: B) Fable

19. Who is the author of the original story?

A) Shel Silverstein
B) Roald Dahl
C) Aesop
D) Ruskin Bond
Answer: A) Shel Silverstein

20. What is the main theme of the story?

A) Greed leads to destruction
B) Gratitude and selfishness
C) Unconditional love and sacrifice
D) The life cycle of a tree
Answer: C) Unconditional love and sacrifice

Reading Comprehension

A. Tick the correct answer:

1. The boy made a crown:

(a) of the tree’s bark

(b) of the tree’s leaves

(d) of the tree’s stump.

2. every day, the boy spent hours:

(a) near the big and tall mango tree

(b) near the large and huge mango tree

(d) near the long and huge mango tree.

3. The boy stripped the tree of every single mango and:

(a) sold them to get married

(b) sold them to make a house

(d) sold them to buy a car.

4. The boy who came back after a lapse of time was:

(a) very sad and worried

(b) injured and defeated

(d) very bad-tempered.

5. The boy came back :

(a) playing and singing

(b) happy and satisfied

(d) running and dancing.

6. Finally, the boy became :

(a) young and handsome man

(b) a thoughtful person

(d) a generous old man.

7. The boy sat down in the warm sunshine on:

(a) grassy ground

(b) the tree stump

(d) the branch of the tree.

Ans, 1 (b), 2. (c), 3. (a), 4. (a), 5. (c), 6. (c) 7. (b).

B. Read the lesson again and make a list of the problems of the boy and solutions provided by the tree. An example is done for you:

Problems	Solutions
The boy needed money	The tree gave the Boy fruit to sell.
The boy needed a house	The tree gave its branches
The boy needed a boat	The tree gave its trunk
The boy grew old and tired	The tree offered its stump to rest

C. Answer the following questions:

1. Make a list of the things that help a tree to live.

Ans. The following things help a tree to live :

(i) Water, (ii) Air. (iii) Soil, (iv) Sunlight।

2. List all the things the boy said he needed.

Ans. The boy said that he needed the following things :

(i) Money

(ii) House

(iii) Boat

3. The boy looked sullen and complaining. Why?

Ans. The boy was looking sullen and complaining because he needed a house.

4. What happened at Inst?

Ans. In the end, the boy grew old and tired and the tree was reduced to a stump.

5. How did the boy spend his time?

Ans. The boy spent his time sitting down in the warm sunshine on the tree stump.

6. Who was more loving the boy or the tree? Why?

Ans. The tree was more loving than the boy because it sacrificed everything to keep the boy happy.