Class 7 English Notes Chapter 3 (Gopal and the Hilsa Fish ; The Shed) – Honeycomb Book

Alright class, let's focus on Chapter 3 from your Honeycomb textbook. This chapter contains a fascinating story, 'Gopal and the Hilsa Fish', and a thoughtful poem, 'The Shed'. Both are important, not just for your class exams, but they also touch upon themes and vocabulary that can be useful for various government exam preparations focusing on comprehension and basic English skills.

Let's break down the chapter meticulously.

Chapter 3: Part 1 - Gopal and the Hilsa Fish (Prose - Comic Format)

1. Context and Theme:

• Setting: A kingdom during the Hilsa fish season. Hilsa is a popular fish, and during its season, it becomes the sole topic of conversation everywhere – in the market, among householders, and even in the royal court.
• Central Theme: The story primarily highlights wit, intelligence, and presence of mind. It shows how clever thinking can achieve seemingly impossible tasks. It also subtly comments on mass obsession and how easily people can be distracted.

2. Plot Summary:

• The Hilsa Craze: The story opens with everyone, from fishermen to commoners to courtiers, talking only about Hilsa fish – its price, size, etc.
• The King's Annoyance: The King becomes extremely irritated hearing constant talk about Hilsa, even in his palace. He loses his temper, especially when a courtier brings up the topic.
• The Challenge: Feeling helpless against the widespread Hilsa obsession, the King challenges Gopal, known for his wisdom and wit, to buy a huge Hilsa fish and bring it to the palace without anyone talking to him or asking him about the fish on the way. This seems like an impossible task given the situation.
• Gopal's Acceptance & Strategy: Gopal confidently accepts the challenge. A few days later, he prepares to execute his plan. He half-shaves his face, smears ash on his body, and wears torn, ragged clothes. His wife is shocked and questions his appearance, thinking he has gone mad, but Gopal proceeds with his plan, carrying the large Hilsa fish.
• The Journey to the Palace: As Gopal walks towards the palace, people indeed notice him, but not the fish. They are completely distracted by his ridiculous appearance. They call him comical, mad, and mystic. No one pays any attention to the large Hilsa he is carrying.
• Reaching the Palace: The palace guards stop him, bewildered by his appearance. Gopal starts singing and dancing loudly, demanding to see the King.
• The Climax: The King hears the commotion and orders the man to be brought in. Inside the court, everyone recognizes Gopal but is stunned by his attire. The King demands an explanation for his absurd look.
• Gopal's Victory: Gopal calmly reminds the King about the challenge. He explains that his strange appearance successfully diverted everyone's attention – from the market to the palace gates, nobody asked him a single word about the Hilsa fish he was carrying.
• Resolution: The King bursts into laughter, recalling the challenge. He congratulates Gopal for achieving the impossible through his sheer intelligence and cleverness.

3. Characters:

• Gopal: The protagonist. A wise, clever, and witty courtier in the King's court. He uses his intelligence and understanding of human psychology to win the challenge.
• The King: Represents authority. Initially annoyed and impulsive, he challenges Gopal. Later, he shows appreciation for intelligence and accepts his own initial frustration was perhaps misplaced.
• Courtiers & Common People: Represent the general populace, easily swayed by trends (Hilsa obsession) and easily distracted by the unusual (Gopal's appearance).

4. Key Takeaways for Exams:

• Vocabulary: Courtier, majestic, challenge, accepted, ridiculous, disgracefully, smeared, rags, comical, mystic, madman, impossible task, congratulated.
• Comprehension Points: Why was the king angry? What was the challenge? How did Gopal prepare for the challenge? Why did people not notice the fish? What does the story tell about Gopal's character?
• Moral/Message: Intelligence triumphs over difficult situations. Understanding human nature (like distractibility) can be used strategically. Thinking 'outside the box' is key to solving unique problems.

Chapter 3: Part 2 - The Shed (Poem)

1. Poet: Frank Flynn

2. Theme:

• The poem explores childhood curiosity, imagination, and fear of the unknown. It depicts the internal conflict between the desire to explore a mysterious place and the apprehension associated with it, often fueled by others.

3. Summary and Analysis:

• Stanza 1: Describes the location and condition of the shed – at the bottom of the garden, with a spider's web across the door, rusty hinges that creak in the wind. The speaker lies in bed listening to this sound.
• Stanza 2: Focuses on a dusty, old window with three cracked panes. The speaker often feels someone is staring from the window and wants to peek inside one day.
• Stanza 3: Introduces the speaker's brother, who discourages exploration by saying there's a ghost in the shed hiding under the rotten floorboards. He threatens that the ghost might chop off the speaker's head if they dare enter. This is likely a lie to keep the shed for himself.
• Stanza 4: The speaker acknowledges the brother's lies (knows there isn't really a ghost, no one staring, no strange noises except the wind on hinges). Despite knowing this rationally, the speaker still feels hesitant. They resolve to go into the shed "soon," but qualifies it with "not just yet," showing the lingering fear or procrastination.

4. Poetic Devices & Imagery:

• Imagery: Vivid descriptions appealing to sight (spider's web, dusty window, cracked panes) and sound (creaking hinges). These create an atmosphere of neglect, mystery, and slight spookiness.
• Rhyme Scheme: Generally simple and accessible (e.g., AABB in stanzas 2, 3, 4; ABCB in stanza 1).
• Tone: Curious, slightly fearful, hesitant, yet determined.

5. Key Takeaways for Exams:

• Vocabulary: Shed, bottom (of the garden), spider's web, hinges, rusty, creak, dusty, cracked panes, staring, peek, ghost, rotten floorboards, chop off (head), dare, lie, not just yet.
• Comprehension Points: Where is the shed? What does it look like? What sounds come from it? What does the speaker's brother say about the shed? Does the speaker believe the brother? What is the speaker's final decision?
• Message: Explores the common childhood experience of facing fears associated with unknown places. Highlights the conflict between rational thought and irrational fear. Touches upon sibling rivalry/manipulation.

Multiple Choice Questions (MCQs):

1. In 'Gopal and the Hilsa Fish', why was everyone talking about Hilsa?
   a) It was very expensive.
   b) It was the Hilsa season.
   c) The King ordered everyone to talk about it.
   d) Gopal told them to talk about it.

2. What challenge did the King give Gopal?
   a) To catch the biggest Hilsa fish.
   b) To stop people from talking about Hilsa.
   c) To bring a Hilsa to the palace without anyone asking about it.
   d) To cook Hilsa for the entire court.

3. How did Gopal change his appearance to win the challenge?
   a) He wore royal clothes.
   b) He painted his face blue.
   c) He half-shaved, smeared ash, and wore rags.
   d) He pretended to be a fisherman.

4. Why did no one ask Gopal about the fish he was carrying?
   a) The fish was too small to notice.
   b) They were scared of Gopal.
   c) They were completely distracted by his ridiculous appearance.
   d) Gopal hid the fish under his rags.

5. What character trait of Gopal is primarily highlighted in the story?
   a) His physical strength
   b) His loyalty to the King
   c) His anger management
   d) His intelligence and wit

6. In the poem 'The Shed', where is the shed located?
   a) On the rooftop
   b) Next to the house
   c) At the bottom of the garden
   d) Inside the forest

7. According to the speaker in 'The Shed', what is hanging on the door?
   a) A rusty lock
   b) A spider's web
   c) A 'Keep Out' sign
   d) A broken handle

8. What does the speaker's brother claim is inside the shed?
   a) Hidden treasure
   b) Old tools
   c) A ghost
   d) Spiders and snakes

9. What does the speaker intend to do about the shed?
   a) Tell the brother to clean it.
   b) Ask the parents to demolish it.
   c) Go inside it one day soon.
   d) Never go near it again.

10. The phrase "But not just yet..." at the end of the poem 'The Shed' suggests the speaker feels:
    a) Angry
    b) Bored
    c) Confident
    d) Hesitant or slightly fearful

Answer Key for MCQs:

1. b
2. c
3. c
4. c
5. d
6. c
7. b
8. c
9. c
10. d

Study these notes carefully. Understand the plot, characters, themes, and key vocabulary from both the story and the poem. This will build a strong foundation. Good luck!