Class 6 English Notes Chapter 3 (The Shepherd’s Treasure) – A Pact with the Sun Book

Detailed Notes with MCQs of Chapter 3 from your 'A Pact with the Sun' book - 'The Shepherd’s Treasure'. This Iranian folk tale is simple yet profound, offering valuable lessons often tested in various examinations. Pay close attention to the details.

Chapter 3: The Shepherd’s Treasure - Detailed Notes

1. Introduction:
This story is an Iranian folk tale set in a village in Iran. It revolves around a poor, uneducated shepherd whose wisdom and humility eventually lead him to prominence, despite facing jealousy and false accusations.

2. The Shepherd:

• Background: Lived in a village in Iran. Extremely poor, owned no cottage, lived in a cave. Never went to school, hence uneducated (couldn't read or write).
• Qualities:
  • Wise: Despite being uneducated, he understood people's sorrows and troubles and helped them face their problems with courage and common sense.
  • Kind and Helpful: Known for his sympathy, compassion, and willingness to help others.
  • Humble and Simple: Remained grounded even after gaining power and position. Didn't forget his roots.
  • Hospitable: Welcomed travellers (including the disguised King) warmly, sharing his meagre meal.
  • Honest and Upright: Governed justly and fairly, earning the love of the common people. Never sought personal gain.
  • Fearless: Faced the King and his accusers calmly and truthfully.

3. The King:

• Character: Wise ruler, keen observer of character, valued honesty and wisdom over status or education. Disguised himself to understand the ground reality and test people. Fair and just in his judgment.
• Actions:
  • Heard about the shepherd's wisdom and decided to meet him.
  • Visited the shepherd disguised as a common traveller. Stayed a night in the shepherd's cave.
  • Was deeply impressed by the shepherd's wisdom, kindness, and hospitality.
  • Appointed the shepherd as the governor of a small district.
  • Later, summoned the shepherd when other governors complained against him.
  • Listened patiently to the shepherd's explanation about the iron chest.
  • Recognized the shepherd's humility and honesty.
  • Rewarded the shepherd by making him the governor of a much bigger province.

4. Plot Summary:

• A poor shepherd in Iran, though uneducated, becomes famous for his wisdom and helpful nature.
• The King hears about him and visits him in disguise. He is impressed by the shepherd's hospitality and wise conversation.
• The King reveals his identity and appoints the wise shepherd as the governor of a small district.
• The shepherd governs wisely and kindly, becoming popular among the people.
• Other governors become jealous of his fame and low origins. They start spreading rumours.
• They accuse the shepherd of dishonesty, claiming he secretly carries treasure collected illicitly from the people in an iron chest. They poison the King's ears.
• The King, though initially trusting the shepherd, summons him to his palace to answer the accusations. The shepherd is ordered to bring the iron chest he always carries.
• The shepherd arrives, riding his camel, with the iron chest placed securely behind him.
• In the crowded court, the jealous governors mock the shepherd. The King sternly asks him to reveal the contents of the chest.
• The shepherd calmly opens the chest. To everyone's surprise (especially the accusers'), it contains only an old, worn-out blanket.
• The shepherd explains that the blanket is his oldest friend and his only real treasure. He would carry it always, ready to return to his old life with just the blanket if the King ever took away his position or robes of honour. It reminded him of his humble beginnings and kept him grounded.
• The King is extremely pleased with the shepherd's humility, wisdom, and honesty. He understands the baselessness of the accusations.
• He dismisses the jealous governors in embarrassment and promotes the shepherd, making him the governor of a much larger province.

5. Themes:

• Wisdom over Education: True wisdom comes from understanding, empathy, and common sense, not just formal schooling.
• Humility: Staying grounded and remembering one's roots, even after achieving success, is a great virtue.
• Honesty and Integrity: Being truthful and upright earns respect and trust, ultimately triumphing over deceit.
• Jealousy: Envy can lead people to make false accusations and try to harm others.
• True Wealth: The story highlights that true treasure lies not in material possessions but in character, integrity, and simple things (like the shepherd's blanket symbolizing his identity and past).
• Good Governance: Fairness, kindness, wisdom, and honesty are essential qualities for a good ruler/administrator.

6. Moral of the Story:
Humility, honesty, and wisdom are invaluable treasures that earn respect and lead to true success, far surpassing material wealth or formal education. Integrity always triumphs over jealousy and deceit.

7. Key Vocabulary:

• Humble: Having or showing a modest or low estimate of one's importance.
• Sympathy: Understanding between people; common feeling.
• Compassion: Sympathetic pity and concern for the sufferings or misfortunes of others.
• Hospitality: Friendly and generous reception and entertainment of guests, visitors, or strangers.
• Governor: An official appointed to govern a town or region.
• Province: A principal administrative division of a country or empire.
• Mocked: Teased or laughed at in a scornful or contemptuous manner.
• Summoned: Authoritatively called on (someone) to be present.
• Embarrassed: Feeling awkward, self-conscious, or ashamed.
• Astonished: Greatly surprised or impressed; amazed.
• Common sense: Good sense and sound judgment in practical matters.

Multiple Choice Questions (MCQs):

1. Where did the poor shepherd live?
   a) In a small cottage
   b) In a large palace
   c) In a cave
   d) In a rented room

2. Why was the shepherd famous, despite being poor and uneducated?
   a) For his singing ability
   b) For his wealth hidden somewhere
   c) For his wisdom, kindness, and helpful nature
   d) For his knowledge of farming

3. How did the King first meet the shepherd?
   a) He summoned the shepherd to his palace.
   b) He met him at a village fair.
   c) He visited the shepherd disguised as a traveller.
   d) The shepherd sought an audience with the King.

4. What quality of the shepherd most impressed the King during his first visit?
   a) The shepherd's physical strength
   b) The shepherd's knowledge of sheep
   c) The shepherd's hospitality and wise conversation
   d) The shepherd's ability to read and write

5. Why did the other governors become jealous of the shepherd?
   a) Because he was given a bigger palace.
   b) Because he was more educated than them.
   c) Because he was honest, wise, popular, and earned the King's favour.
   d) Because he owned more sheep than they did.

6. What did the jealous governors accuse the shepherd of carrying in his iron chest?
   a) Secret letters to enemies
   b) Part of the tax collected dishonestly
   c) Stolen jewels
   d) Magic potions

7. What was actually inside the iron chest when it was opened?
   a) Gold coins
   b) Important documents
   c) An old, worn-out blanket
   d) Nothing, it was empty

8. According to the shepherd, why did he always carry the iron chest?
   a) To store his food
   b) To keep his official papers safe
   c) Because the blanket inside was his oldest friend and only real treasure
   d) Because the King had ordered him to do so

9. How did the King react after hearing the shepherd's explanation about the blanket?
   a) He was angry and punished the shepherd.
   b) He was disappointed and dismissed the shepherd.
   c) He laughed at the shepherd's foolishness.
   d) He was pleased and promoted the shepherd to govern a bigger province.

10. What is the central message (moral) of 'The Shepherd’s Treasure'?
    a) Education is the most important thing in life.
    b) It is important to be rich to gain respect.
    c) Humility, honesty, and wisdom are the greatest treasures.
    d) One should always be suspicious of others.

Answers to MCQs:

1. c) In a cave
2. c) For his wisdom, kindness, and helpful nature
3. c) He visited the shepherd disguised as a traveller.
4. c) The shepherd's hospitality and wise conversation
5. c) Because he was honest, wise, popular, and earned the King's favour.
6. b) Part of the tax collected dishonestly
7. c) An old, worn-out blanket
8. c) Because the blanket inside was his oldest friend and only real treasure
9. d) He was pleased and promoted the shepherd to govern a bigger province.
10. c) Humility, honesty, and wisdom are the greatest treasures.

Study these notes carefully. Understand the shepherd's character, the King's role, the plot progression, and especially the underlying themes and moral. This will help you answer any question related to this chapter effectively. Good luck!