Class 8 English Notes Chapter 1 (How the Camel got his hump) – It so Happend Book

Alright class, let's focus on Chapter 1 from your 'It So Happened' book, "How the Camel got his Hump." This is a fascinating little story, a fable really, written by Rudyard Kipling. For your exam preparation, you need to understand the characters, the sequence of events, the underlying message, and some key vocabulary.

Chapter 1: How the Camel got his Hump - Detailed Notes

1. Introduction & Setting:

• The story is set "in the beginning," when the world was new and animals were just starting to work for Man.
• The primary location is the "Howling Desert," a desolate place where the lazy Camel chose to live.

2. Characters:

• The Camel: The protagonist, initially hump-less. He is exceedingly lazy, refusing to work. He lives in the middle of the Howling Desert, eating sticks, thorns, tamarisks, milkweed, and prickles. His only response to anyone is the dismissive word "Humph!"
• The Man: Represents authority and the organizer of work. He assigns tasks to the animals.
• The Dog: One of the working animals. His job is to "fetch and carry" sticks. He complains about the Camel's laziness.
• The Horse: Another working animal. He wears a saddle and his job is to "trot." He also complains about the Camel.
• The Ox: The third working animal. He wears a yoke and his job is to "plough." He too complains about the Camel.
• The Djinn of All Deserts: A powerful magical being, the spirit in charge of all deserts. He travels in a cloud of dust. He listens to the animals' complaints and deals with the Camel's laziness. He is the one who gives the Camel his hump.

3. Plot Summary:

• Initial Situation: While other animals (Dog, Horse, Ox) started working for Man, the Camel lived idly in the desert, refusing any work and just saying "Humph!"
• Complaints: The Dog (on Monday morning), the Horse (later), and the Ox (later still) individually approach the Camel, asking him to join them in working. The Camel dismisses each of them with a "Humph!"
• Reporting to the Man: The Dog, Horse, and Ox report the Camel's refusal to work to the Man at the end of the day.
• Man's Decision: The Man expresses sympathy but states he cannot force the Camel. To compensate for the lost work, he tells the Dog, Horse, and Ox that they must work double-time.
• The Animals' Reaction: The three animals are very angry. They hold a 'panchayat' (meeting) at the edge of the desert to discuss the situation. The Camel arrives, chews cud, laughs at them, and says "Humph!" before leaving.
• Arrival of the Djinn: The Djinn of All Deserts arrives, rolling in a cloud of dust. The Horse complains to the Djinn about the Camel ("an animal with a long neck and long legs") who hasn't done any work since Monday morning.
• Djinn's Investigation: The Djinn assures them he will deal with the Camel ("humph him"). He finds the Camel admiring his reflection in a pool of water.
• Confrontation: The Djinn asks the Camel about his idleness. The Camel, looking at his reflection, replies "Humph!"
• The Consequence: The Djinn warns the Camel that his repeated "Humph!" is causing trouble. When the Camel says "Humph!" yet again, his back starts "puffing up and puffing up" into a great big hump.
• Explanation of the Hump: The Djinn explains that the hump is the Camel's own "humph" brought upon himself. He clarifies its purpose: because the Camel missed three days of work, he can now live off his hump and work for three days continuously without eating.
• The Order: The Djinn orders the Camel to come out of the desert, go to the three working animals, and behave.
• Conclusion: The Camel goes to join the others, wearing his hump. The story ends by stating that the Camel still has his hump (which he now calls 'hump' not 'humph' to avoid hurting his feelings) and has never yet caught up with the three days he missed at the beginning of the world, nor has he learned how to behave properly.

4. Themes:

• Laziness/Idleness: The story strongly criticizes laziness. The Camel's refusal to participate leads to a permanent physical consequence.
• Importance of Work/Responsibility: It highlights the value of contributing and doing one's share of work. The Dog, Horse, and Ox represent diligence.
• Consequences of Actions (or Inaction): The Camel directly faces the result of his stubborn refusal to work. The hump is a physical manifestation of his idleness.
• Origin Story (Fable): Like many "Just So Stories," it provides a imaginative, non-scientific explanation for a natural feature – the camel's hump.

5. Key Vocabulary:

• Humph: An exclamation expressing doubt, dissatisfaction, or boredom. The Camel's signature sound.
• Howling Desert: Descriptive name emphasizing the desolate, empty nature of the desert.
• Fetch and Carry: The Dog's task – retrieving and bringing things.
• Trot: The Horse's gait/task.
• Plough: The Ox's task – turning over soil.
• Yoke: A wooden bar fitted across the necks of animals like oxen to attach them to a plough or cart.
• Panchayat: Traditionally, a village council in India; used humorously here for the animals' meeting.
• Djinn: (Also spelled Jinn) A spirit in Arabian folklore, often possessing magical powers.
• Remonstrate: To make a forceful protest or complaint. (The Djinn remonstrated with the Camel).
• Puffing up: Swelling or expanding rapidly.

Remember: This story uses personification (giving human qualities like speech and laziness to animals) and humor to convey its message about the importance of work.

Multiple Choice Questions (MCQs):

1. In the beginning, where did the lazy Camel choose to live?
   a) Near a river
   b) In the Man's stable
   c) In the middle of a Howling Desert
   d) On a high mountain

2. What single word did the Camel repeatedly say when asked to work?
   a) "No!"
   b) "Later!"
   c) "Humph!"
   d) "Why?"

3. Which three animals complained to the Man about the Camel's laziness?
   a) Dog, Cat, Goat
   b) Horse, Sheep, Cow
   c) Dog, Horse, Ox
   d) Elephant, Monkey, Lion

4. Who was the magical being in charge of All Deserts?
   a) The Man
   b) The Djinn
   c) An Angel
   d) A Wizard

5. What task was assigned to the Horse by the Man?
   a) To fetch and carry
   b) To plough the fields
   c) To trot with a saddle
   d) To guard the house

6. Why were the Dog, Horse, and Ox angry and held a panchayat?
   a) Because the Man scolded them.
   b) Because the Camel laughed at them.
   c) Because they had to work double-time due to the Camel's laziness.
   d) Because the Djinn ignored their complaints.

7. What suddenly appeared on the Camel's back as a consequence of his laziness?
   a) A saddle
   b) A large hump
   c) Wings
   d) A yoke

8. According to the Djinn, what was the advantage of the Camel's hump?
   a) It made him look more beautiful.
   b) It allowed him to run faster.
   c) It helped him carry heavy loads easily.
   d) It allowed him to work for three days without eating.

9. What does the word 'Djinn' refer to in the story?
   a) A type of camel
   b) A desert plant
   c) A magical spirit
   d) A tool for ploughing

10. What is the main moral or lesson conveyed by this story?
    a) Deserts are dangerous places.
    b) Animals should obey humans without question.
    c) Laziness leads to negative consequences.
    d) Magic can solve all problems.

Answer Key for MCQs:

1. c) In the middle of a Howling Desert
2. c) "Humph!"
3. c) Dog, Horse, Ox
4. b) The Djinn
5. c) To trot with a saddle
6. c) Because they had to work double-time due to the Camel's laziness.
7. b) A large hump
8. d) It allowed him to work for three days without eating.
9. c) A magical spirit
10. c) Laziness leads to negative consequences.

Study these notes carefully. Understand the sequence, the role of each character, and the final outcome. Good luck with your preparation!