THE TINY TEACHER 

~Summary~

-by Gill Vaisey 

The smallest and wisest insect is undoubtedly “ants“. People used to grow ants as pets to learn their behavioural activities. The most common type of ants are the red and black ants. Ants live in anthills which consists of separate chambers for queen ants, grubs, worker ants, and soldier ants. There are separate nurseries, reserved quarters, storehouses and barracks for various purposes within an anthill. Ants live and work together in harmony; they have a peaceful life.

The life cycle of an ant starts from the queen ant laying eggs, then the grub or larva comes out. After 2-3 weeks, it becomes cocoons, and it breaks after 3 weeks, then ants are born! Beetles, greenflies and other breeds of ants also share the anthills. Humans should learn hard work, discipline, care, loyalty and sincerity from these tiny teachers called ants.

~Conclusion~

This interesting account of the lives of the ants is fascinating and inspiring. Though small in size, these creatures are not only wise and disciplined, but also have a shared sense of work and responsibility. Ants are indeed the tiny teachers whose lives teach lessons of hard work, duty, cleanliness and peaceful coexistence.

NCERT SOLUTIONS

Questions (Page No. 3)

(Comprehension Check – I)

Question 1. The story of an ant’s life sounds almost untrue.

The italicized phrase means

  1. highly exaggerated.
  2. too remarkable to be true.
  3. not based on facts.

Answer:

  1. highly exaggerated.

Question 2. Complete the following sentences.

  1. An ant is the smallest, _______________________________________.
  2. We know a number of facts about an ant’s life because _______________________.

Answer:

  1. An ant is the smallest, commonest and wisest insect we have seen.
  2. We know a number of facts about an ant’s life because there are people who have kept ants as pets and have watched them closely.

Question 3. In what ways is an ant’s life peaceful?

Answer: An ant’s life is peaceful because all of them do their work bravely, honestly and intelligently. They do not interfere in each other’s work.

Questions (Page No. 5)

(Comprehension Check – II)

Question 1. How long does it take for a grub to become a complete ant?

Answer: It takes two to three weeks for the grub to transform into cocoon and then another three weeks to convert into a complete ant.

Question 2. Why do the worker ants carry the grubs about?

Answer: The worker ants carry the grubs about daily for exercise, airing and sunshine.

Question 3. What jobs are new ants trained for?

Answer: New ants are trained by the old ants on the jobs of workers, cleaners, soldiers, builders, etc.

Question 4. Name some other creatures that live in anthills.

Answer: Other creatures that live in anthills are beetles and greenfly.

Question 5. Mention three things we can learn from the ‘tiny teacher’. Give reasons for choosing these items.

Answer: Three things that we can learn from the ‘tiny teacher’ are hard work, cleanliness, loyalty and care for the young ones.

Questions (Page No. 5-6)

(Exercise)

Question 1. Discuss the following topics in groups.

  1. What problems are you likely to face if you keep ants as pets?
  2. When a group of bees finds nectar, it informs other bees of its location, quantity, etc. through dancing. Can you guess what ants communicate to their fellow ants by touching one another’s feelers?

Answer:

  1. There might be several problems if we keep ants as pets. They spoil food and eatables. They bite. They won’t listen to our orders.
  2. Ants communicate about food newly found by them to their fellow ants by touching one another’s feelers.

Question 2. Complete the following poem with words from the box below. Then recite the poem.

Soldiers live in barracks

And birds in _________,

Much like a snake that rests

In a _________. No horse is able

To sleep except in a _________.

And a dog lives well,

Mind you, only in a _________.

To say ‘hi’ to an ant, if you will,

You may have to climb an _________.

Hole, kennel, nests, anthill, stable

Answer:

Soldiers live in barracks

And birds in nests,

Much like a snake that rests

In a hole. No horse is able

To sleep except in a stable.

And a dog lives well,

Mind you, only in a kennel.

To say ‘hi’ to an ant, if you will,

You may have to climb an anthill.