Story Writing for CBSE English Class 10

Study Material

Solved Examples

Question. You are Akshara/Arvind of Vivekananda Public School, Kanpur. Your teacher has asked you to write a short story for your school magazine ‘Louts’. Using the information given in the input below with your own details, write that report titled ‘Temper Control’ in about 150-200 words.
A boy — his nature peevish — father gave him a bag of nails — was to hammer a nail into fence when angry — first day 37 nails were hammered — a day came when he had complete control over his temper — father suggested pulling out the nails — removed all nails — father pointed out to holes left in the fence — anger leaves indelible impresison on mind — never lose your temper.

Ans.                                                                                           Temper Control
Once there was a boy whose nature was peevish. His father gave him a bag of nails and told him that every time he lost his temper, he must hammer a nail into the fence. The first day the boy had driven 37 nails into the fence. Over
the next few weeks as he mastered the art of controlling his anger, the number of nails hammered daily, gradually dwindled down. He discovered it was easier to hold his temper than to drive those nails into the fence. Eventually the day came when the boy didn’t lose his temper at all. He told his father about it and the father suggested that the boy now pull out one nail for each day that he was able to hold his temper. The days passed and the young boy was finally able to tell his father that he removed all the nails. The father was waiting for this moment. He took hold of his son’s hand and led him to the fence. He said “you have done well, my son, but look at the holes in the fence. The fence will never be the same. When you utter words in anger, they leave an indelible impression on the mind of the listener.” You can hurt a man with a knife and draw it out. It won’t matter how many times you say I’m sorry, the wound is still there. Make sure you control your temper the next time you are tempted to say something you will regret later.

Question. Mahesh wrote only a few lines and couldn’t complete the story he wanted to write. Taking help from the given input, and basing it on the beginning Mahesh made, develop the story in about 150-200 words.
A woodcutter was chopping down trees on the bank of a river. His hands were so much wet with his sweat that he lost his grip …

Axe fell down in river — couldn’t swim — unhappy at his misfortune and wept — God of Forests appeared — promised to get back his axe — dived — came out with an axe of gold — “not mine” — dived again — came out
with silver axe — “not mine” said woodcutter — dived again — came out with woodcutter’s axe — “this is my axe” — truly honest — rewarded all three axes to the woodcutter.

Ans.                                                                                 Honesty Pays in the Long Run
A woodcutter was chopping down trees on the bank of a river. His hands were so much wet with his sweat that he lost his grip over the axe. It slipped away from his hands and fell down into the river. The poor man couldn’t even swim.
He thought that his axe was lost forever. He was very sad at his misfortune and started sobbing and weeping. Suddenly there was a flash of light. The God of the Forests appeared before him. The woodcutter explained what had happened. He consoled him. “Don’t you worry. I’ll get back your axe for you”, said the God of Forests. Having said these words, he dived into the river. After a few moments he came out with an axe. It was made of gold. “Is this yours?” he asked. The
woodcutter only said “No!”. A few seconds later he came out of the river with another axe. It was made of silver. “No, no, sir, this is not mine”, said the woodcutter. He dived again and came out with the third axe. The woodcutter cried
loudly looking at the axe “Yes, yes, it’s mine—the woodcutter’s axe with an iron blade”. The God of Forests was impressed with the woodcutter’s honesty. “Keep all three of these axes as a present from me.” The God uttered these words and disappeared

Question. Mohan/Mohini decided to write a story. But due to other pressing engagement, she couldn’t complete it. Using the information given below in the input along with the beginning Mohini made, complete the story in about 150-200 words.
Once a wise monkey lived on a big mango tree …

Gave ripe mangoes to crocodile — took some for wife — she was wicked — wanted to eat the monkey itself — she invited monkey for dinner — crocodile didn’t cooperate — wife adamant — crocodile gave in — invited monkey for lunch — monkey on crocodile’s back — in the middle of the river — he disclosed wife’s plan — clever monkey told that heart hanging on the tree — back to the tree — climbed again — laughed — ‘heart is inside me’ friendship ended.

Ans.                                                                                              Wisdom Saves
Once a wise monkey lived on a big mango tree on a river bank. Very near lived a crocodile in the river. They became intimate friends. Quite often the monkey gave ripe mangoes to his friend. One day the crocodile demanded some mangoes for his wife. She had never tasted mangoes in her life. The generous monkey picked a big ripe mango and gave it to the crocodile.
Mrs. Crocodile liked the delicious mango very much. She was very cunning and wicked. She thought of eating the monkey himself. “One who eats such sweet mangoes, his heart must be very sweet”, said she. The poor crocodile was upset. He told his wife clearly that he would never allow to get such a friend killed. But the wicked wife made the crocodile’s life really miserable. At last, he gave in. The next day he went to the mango tree. He invited the monkey to have lunch with them. He took the monkey on his back. When they were in the middle of the river, the crocodile
revealed the truth. His wife actually wanted to eat his heart. The wise monkey was quiet for a moment. He hit upon a plan. He said, “I’ve left my heart hanging on the mango tree”. He wanted to go back and bring it. Soon they were under the tree. The monkey lost no time in climbing up on the topmost branch. He pointed to his heart and said, “My heart is inside me. Go away and never come near the mango tree again. It’s the end of our friendship”.