Class - VII [Raintree Coursebook Theme - 3: All You Need is Love] Chapter - 6: The Regimental Myna by Ruskin Bond

Story Analysis (Notebook Work)

Central Idea: The story explores the bond between soldiers and a myna, reflecting on companionship and loss. The most significant bond was between the grandfather and Myna.

Themes
1. Communication: Language as a bridge between species.
2. Freedom vs. Confinement: The struggle between captivity and the desire for freedom.
3. Companionship: Emotional connections between Myna and the regiment.
4. Loss and Grief: The profound impact of losing a beloved companion like a pet in the story.

Message: Deep connections with others, whether human or animal, can profoundly influence our lives and emotions.


Comprehension

A. 1. …it was their only source of enjoyment.

2. …he sat on Grandfather’s shoulders and flapped his wings with his beak open.

3. …he escaped and flew to the parade grounds when a mess orderly opened the storeroom to take

something.

4. …agreed on the condition that Dicky be made a serving member of the regiment.

5. …his entire regiment, including Grandfather, was going there on an expedition.

6. …dull, dejected and starving.

B. Reference to Context

 1. a. The General said these words.

 b. Dicky flew, sat atop General’s helmet and expelled his food onto the plumes.

 c. The use of the word ‘dickens’ is funny here because it is both the name of the bird and a way of

expressing great surprise.

2. a. The regiment was given orders to leave all their pets behind as they left for the Burma

expedition.

 b. Dicky did not want to stay back. He wanted to go to Burma with his regiment.

 c. Dicky followed the regiment and caught up with them on the third day after flying more than 300 kilometers.


C. Answer the questions in detail 

1. Yes, the relationship between Dicky and Grandfather was like that between a parent and child. Grandfather tamed Dicky at a very young age and had to feed Dicky from his own hands whenever he was hungry. Grandfather loved Dicky and when the Colonel was upset with Dicky, Grandfather was worried that he might be asked to get rid of Dicky, which he could not do. When Grandfather fell ill, Dicky was upset till he located Grandfather at the hospital. He kept Grandfather company in the hospital. Even when Grandfather went away to Burma, Dicky could not bear to stay without him. They shared a very loving relationship, just like a parent and child.

2. When the ship taking Grandfather back to England crossed Suez Canal, Dicky lost all his energy. He did not come up on deck or sit on the sails or on the bridge with the captain. This was very unlike Dicky. It got very cold after Suez Canal and this weather was not good for Dicky. He died after they 
passed Gibraltar.

3. The title ‘Regimental Myna’ refers to Dicky, the myna that was a member of Grandfather’s regiment
just like the other soldiers. This is a suitable name for the text as it expresses perfectly the relationship between Dicky and the regiment—they were like family. Dicky followed the regiment wherever they went—whether it was to the parade grounds or to Burma on an expedition. Even the Colonel had declared that Dicky be taken on as a serving member of the regiment. When Dicky died, he was buried with some military honours, just like a soldier of the regiment would have been.

D. Think and Answer

i. Dicky was the most loyal pet I ever knew.
ii. He followed me and the regiment to Burma and stayed with us through the entire expedition.
iii. He even followed me on the ship to England, though it would not be good for him to leave India. He was one of us, one of the regiment.

i. He attended all the parades and was with us on every occasion that brought us out of the barracks.
ii. He excitedly flew to join us during the General’s inspection though he was not supposed to.
iii. The Colonel took him on as a serving member of the regiment.
iv. He joined us on the expedition to Burma.
v. I played The Last Post when he died as I would have for any other member of the regiment. Everybody who knew Dicky loved him.

i. Dicky was not only my pet but that of my entire regiment.
ii. I could not bear the thought of losing him or locking him in a cage when the Colonel ordered I take him away.
iii. Even though the Colonel was mad at Dicky for disrupting the inspection, he was fond of him and let him stay as a member of the regiment!
iv. I played The Last Post when Dicky died to honour him. Dicky was a very funny bird to have around.

i. He would sit on my shoulders and flap his wings and open his beak to tell me he was hungry.
ii. Once, he flew excitedly to the General’s inspection, sat on the General’shelmet and expelled his
food between the plumes!
iii. He was very cheerful, excited little bird


Value Based Question
 In "The Regimental Myna," how does the bond between the narrator and the myna illustrate the values of companionship and empathy, highlighting the profound connections that enrich our lives?

 In "The Regimental Myna," the bond between the narrator and the myna illustrates companionship and empathy through their playful interactions and mutual care. This relationship highlights how connections with animals can bring joy, comfort, and a sense of belonging, emphasizing the importance of nurturing relationships in enriching our lives. The myna's antics evoke laughter and affection, reminding us that emotional ties, regardless of species, foster deeper understanding and appreciation of the world around us.

Grammar (To be done in textbook Raintree – Page – 69 to 71)

A. Complete these sentences with the correct forms of verbs given in the brackets.

2. Smiling 3. frightening 4. decided 5. taken 6. wearing; worn

B. Combine these sentences using infinitives

2. Nidhi went to the shop to buy bread and butter.
3. I am going to Dispur tomorrow to attend my cousin’s wedding.
4. He took out his lunchbox to share his lunch with the little boy.
5. She does not have any money to buy a biscuit.

C. 2. waiting 3. talking 5. travelling

Vocabulary

A. 1. Explode
2. plans for movements of the military forces during a battle
3. small group of soldiers
4. someone who has been a soldier in a war
5. someone who is hurt or killed in a war
6. anyone who is not a member of the military forces These words are used to talk about the military

B. 2. adventurous 3. believable 4. bookish 5. divisible 6. doubtful