8. The Magic Brush of Dreams  – Textbook Solutions

by

Let us do (Page 122).                                                   I. Work in pairs. Discuss the following questions. Share your answers with your classmates and teacher.
1. Mention a magical object that you would like to have. Give a reason for your choice. 
2. What would you draw for yourself if you had a magic paintbrush? Why?
3. Would you use the magic paintbrush to draw for someone else? If yes, why? If not, why not?
Ans: 
1. I would like a magic pencil because it could write correct answers for my homework, helping me learn faster.
2. I would draw a flying bike to travel anywhere quickly and have fun exploring new places.
3.  Yes, I would draw food and clothes for poor people to help them live better, like Gopi did in the poem.
II. Work in pairs. Discuss instances of acts of kindness that you have heard, read, or experienced. Share your answers with your classmates and teacher.


Ans: Example: My friend shared her lunch with a classmate who forgot theirs, showing kindness by helping someone in need.
III. Work in pairs and guess the meanings of the words given below and draw pictures depicting their meanings. Share with your classmates and teacher 

Now, arrange these words into different categories as given below.          

Things:     ……………………………………………………….. ……………………………………………………….. 

Actions: ……………………………………………………….. ………………………………………………………..          

Emotions:     ……………………………………………………….. ………………………………………………………..
Ans: Things: paintbrush, twig, fortress, bows, drawing
Actions: winding, feast
Emotions: joy, fear, cold

Let us discuss (Page 127)I. Arrange the events in order of occurrence in the poem. The last one has been marked for you. Share your answers with your classmates and teacher.Ans:II. Fill in the blanks by choosing the correct answer from the box given below.

The tone of the poem shifts throughout, reflecting the different moods of the story. Initially, the tone is 1. _________________ as Gopi uses herimagination to draw in the sand, and later when the Zamindar enters the story, the tone shifts to one of 2. _________________. In the final partof the poem, the tone becomes 3. _________________ as Gopi escapes, theZamindar is defeated, and the villagers rejoice.
Ans: The tone of the poem shifts throughout, reflecting the different moods of the story. Initially, the tone is playful and innocent as Gopi uses her imagination to draw in the sand, and later when the Zamindar enters the story, the tone shifts to one of threatening and commanding. In the final part of the poem, the tone
becomes triumphant and celebratoryas Gopi escapes, the Zamindar is defeated, and the villagers rejoice.

(Note: “threatening and commanding” was inferred as the box was incomplete.)

III. Fill in the blanks by choosing the correct option from within the brackets.
1. The poem mostly follows a simple rhyme scheme, _________________, which adds a rhythmic flow. (ABCB, ABBA, ABAB)   
2. This poem belongs to the _________________ poetry genre, which tells astory through verse. (descriptive, narrative or ballad, free style)
Ans: 1. The poem mostly follows a simple rhyme scheme, which adds a rhythmic flow: ABCB (e.g., “hand/sand” and “Gopi/hush” rhyme in the first stanza).
2. This poem belongs to the poetry genre, which tells a story through verse: narrative or ballad.

IV. Give examples from the poem for the following explanations.
1. The poem is rich in imagery, creating clear pictures in the reader’s mind. For example, ___________________.
2. What is the effect of repetition in the line—‘On you, and you and you!’?
Ans:  1. The poem is rich in imagery, creating clear pictures in the reader’s mind. For example: “She paints a mighty river wide, Its currents fast and deep” (vividly describes a wide, rushing river).
2. The effect of repetition in the line “On you, and you and you!” is: It emphasises Gopi’s threat to the Zamindar and his men, making it sound serious and directed at each person.

V. Match the phrases from the poem in Column 1 with what they symbolise in Column 2.Ans:

VI. Identify whether the following statement is true or false.
While Gopi uses the magic brush to help others, the Zamindar wants to use it for personal gain. This contrast drives the moral of the story.
Ans:  True.

Let us think and reflect (Page 128)

I. Read the given extracts and answer the questions that follow.
1. But on a stone there sits a man, 
A brush is in his hand. He looks around. 
He calls to Gopi. “Come here!” he whispers. 
“Hush! We mustn’t let the village know 
About this magic brush.” 
He slips the brush into her hand
And tells her to be sure,
“Paint not for the wealthy ones,
But only for the poor.”
(i) Fill in the blank by selecting the correct option from those given in the brackets. 
The man is whispering and telling Gopi to keep the brush a secretreflects his _______________________ (careful and secretive/ magical and delightful) nature. 
(ii) What is the significance of the man slipping the brush into Gopi’s hand? 
(iii) Complete the following sentence with a suitable reason.          The most likely reason the man instructs Gopi to ‘Paint not for wealthy ones but only for the poor’ is because he_______________________.
(iv) Select the most appropriate title for the extract from the two given below. 
    A.     The Magic Brush’s Secret 
    B.     Gopi’s Special Gift
Ans:

(i) The man is whispering and telling Gopi to keep the brush a secret reflects his careful and secretive nature.
(ii) The significance of the man slipping the brush into Gopi’s hand is: It shows he trusts Gopi to use the magic brush responsibly for good purposes.
(iii) The most likely reason the man instructs Gopi to “Paint not for wealthy ones but only for the poor” is because he wants to help those who need it most, not those who are already rich.
(iv) The most appropriate title for the extract is: A. The Magic Brush’s Secret (focuses on the secrecy and the brush’s magic).

2.    And soon the news spreads far and wide, 
Through forests, fields, and plains, 
Until the Zamindar himself 
Hears of these magic gains. 
“I order you to paint for me, 
A fortress tall and grand. 
Paint treasures, jewels, and riches rare, 
Enough to rule this land.”    
 (i) Complete the following sentence with the correct reason.          
The news of Gopi’s magic brush spreads ‘through forests, fields, and plains’ because of its _______________________.     
(ii) Why does the poet refer to things painted by Gopi’s paintbrush as‘magic gains’?
(iii) Which of the following statements given below is false? Rectify the false statement.    
A.     Gopi’s magic brush draws the attention of the powerful Zamindar.     
B.     The Zamindar requests Gopi to paint a grand fortress and jewels.     
(iv)  What does the Zamindar’s demand for a grand fortress and jewels reveal about his character?

Ans:

(i) The news of Gopi’s magic brush spreads through forests, fields, and plains because of its amazing ability to create real objects from paintings.
(ii) The poet refers to things painted by Gopi’s paintbrush as “magic gains” because they become real, useful items that benefit the villagers.
(iii) Which of the following statements is false? B. The Zamindar requests Gopi to paint a grand fortress and jewels. Rectified: The Zamindar orders Gopi to paint a grand fortress and jewels.
(iv) The Zamindar’s demand for a grand fortress and jewels reveals about his character that he is greedy and wants power and wealth.

II. Answer the following questions.

  1. Explain why Gopi made the right decision by refusing to paint for the Zamindar.    
  2. Gopi threatens to draw a beast to scare away the Zamindar. Justify her action. How would you have dealt with the situation differently? 
  3. What is the significance of Gopi celebrating with the villagers at the end of the poem? 
  4. Compare Gopi’s use of the magic brush to how the Zamindar would have used it. 
  5. What can be inferred about Gopi’s character based on her refusal to follow the Zamindar’s orders? 
  6. Justify the appropriateness of the title of the poem. 
  7. If you had the magic brush, how would you use it in today’s world?

Ans:

  1. She followed the man’s rule to help only the poor, not the greedy, showing her kindness and fairness.
  2. Her action was justified to protect herself and stop the chase. I might have painted a tall wall to block the Zamindar safely.
  3. It shows her victory over the Zamindar and her joy in helping the villagers with a feast.
  4. Gopi painted useful things like food and clothes for the poor, while the Zamindar wanted riches and a fortress for himself.
  5. She is brave, honest, and cares about helping others.
  6. “The Magic Brush of Dreams” fits because the brush creates real objects from Gopi’s paintings, fulfilling the villagers’ dreams.
  7.  I would paint food, homes, and schools for people in need to make their lives better.

Let us learn (Page 130)

I. The verb ‘draw’ has different meanings in different contexts. Match the sentences in Column 1 with their appropriate meanings in Column 2.Ans:  

II. Fill in the crossword. Clues have been given below. You will find the words in the poem
Ans: 

Across

  1. GALLOP
  2. WHIZ
  3. WHISPER
  4. PLUCK
  5. WEALTHY
  6. SEIZE

Down

  1. ESCAPES
  2. MIGHTY
  3. ROAR
  4. CONFORM
  5. STREAMED
  6. VICTORY

III. There are certain expressions that convey a sudden feeling or reaction. They can be used to express a variety of emotions and thoughts.
Example: … he whispers. “Hush!”          
(‘Hush’ denotes the act of silencing someone) 
Now, match the expressions in Column 1 with what emotions or reactions they convey, in Column 2.Now, create sentences using any five expressions from Column 1.
Ans:

Let us listen (Page 132)

I. You will listen to five speakers speak about a magical power they wish for. As you listen, match statements 1–7 with speakers (i)–(v). There are two statements you do not need. 

Ans: Please refer to the transcript.

Let us speak (Page 133)

I. Intonation is the rise and fall of the pitch of tone while speaking.
The ‘falling’ tone is the fall in the pitch of the voice from a high level to a low level. It is marked [ ]. The falling tone is generally used in imperative sentences. Such sentences are used in speech for different communicative purposes— to express a command or an instruction, to ask for a favour or to give a warning.          
Read the following sentences from the text with the falling tone.
Ans: Practice reading with a falling tone (voice goes from high to low):
– Come here!
– Seize this magic brush.
– Paint my fortress tall.
– Go and fetch some rice.

II. Work in pairs. Take turns to make requests for the following formal and informal situations.Ans:

Formal Requests:
1. Would you mind if we had a class picnic, Ma’am?
2. Do you think you could add an extra sports period, since we missed it last week?
3. Would it be possible to include me in the inter-school event, Sir?

Informal Requests:
1. Can you help me with my project, please?
2. Mom, do you mind if I join a dance class?
3. Hey, can you come over this weekend?

Let us write (Page 134)

I. An Imaginative essay is a type of creative writing where the writers use their imagination. An imaginative essay can be based on real-life events, observation, or experiences. It is usually a descriptive piece or a personal reflection. Read the sample of an imaginative essay.

II. Complete the given checklist based on your observations and understanding of what an imaginative essay includes. Share the answers with your classmates and teacher.
Ans:

1. Title – A relevant title: Yes, “My Life as EcoFlash” is catchy and relevant.

2. Introduction

– Captivating opening sentence: Yes, introduces Meenu as a superhero.

– Clear statement of the setting, situation, or main idea: Yes, describes Meenu’s dual life.

– Establishes the tone: Yes, playful and adventurous.

– Introduces the narrator briefly: Yes, Meenu as EcoFlash.

3. Setting and Context

– Description of the setting: Yes, neighborhood and school.

– Clear time frame: Yes, present day.

– Brief explanation of imaginative elements: Yes, plant-growing powers.

4. Characters

– Main character introduced with unique traits: Yes, Meenu as EcoFlash.

– Supporting characters briefly described: Yes, brother and friends.

5. Central Idea

– Clear focus on a single powerful idea: Yes, protecting the environment.

– Logical flow of events: Yes, describes daily life and a key event.

6. Language and Style

– Use of sensory details: Yes, mentions muddy shoes and blooming flowers.

– Creative metaphors or similes: Yes, compares powers to a wave of the hand.

7. Resolution

– Key turning point or moment of realisation: Yes, brother almost reveals secret.

– Resolution of the main idea: Yes, continues mission.

– Clear takeaway message: Yes, small changes make a difference.

8. Conclusion

– Ends on a reflective note: Yes, feels proud of clean streets.

– Summarises the main message: Yes, emphasises environmental care.

III. Write an imaginative essay on any one of the following.

  1. Imagine you were a scarf that flew away from a clothesline. Describe the places you travelled to and how you came back. Also, write about what you thought was the most valuable experience.  
  2. Imagine you stumbled upon a magical book in the library. The book transported you to a different period. Describe your experience and an important learning

Ans:

A Magical Book’s Adventure
One rainy afternoon, I found a dusty book in the school library titled “Time’s Door.” Its cover glowed faintly, and when I opened it, a light pulled me in! Suddenly, I was in ancient India, surrounded by bustling markets and colourful clothes. I saw merchants selling spices and heard musicians playing sitars. It was like a dream, but real!

I met a kind boy named Arjun, who showed me his village. We explored a grand palace with tall pillars and ate sweet jalebis. But I noticed people were sad because a drought had dried their fields. Using the book’s magic, I wrote a new page about rain clouds. Soon, gentle rain fell, and the villagers cheered as crops grew again.

Suddenly, the book glowed, pulling me back to the library. I was back in 2025, but the adventure taught me something important. Helping others, even in small ways, can bring happiness. I’ll never forget my journey through time and the lesson that kindness matters.