THE SECOND VOYAGE OF SINDBAD THE SAILOR

 NEW WORDS

1. Plumage

   • Meaning: The feathers of a bird.
   • Sentence: The peacock’s colourful plumage attracted everyone’s attention.

2. Lulled

   • Meaning: Calmed or soothed, often by a gentle sound or motion.
   • Sentence: The sound of the waves lulled him to sleep.

3. Voyage

   • Meaning: A long journey, especially by sea or in space.
   • Sentence: The sailors prepared for their voyage across the ocean.

4. Enormous

   • Meaning: Very large in size.
   • Sentence: The elephant looked enormous next to the tiny car.

5. Talon

   • Meaning: A sharp claw of a bird of prey.
   • Sentence: The eagle gripped the fish tightly with its talon.

6. Gigantic

   • Meaning: Extremely large.
   • Sentence: The gigantic statue could be seen from miles away.

7. Slaughtered

   • Meaning: Killed, usually in large numbers or for food.
   • Sentence: The farmers slaughtered the chickens for the festival feast.

8. Carcass

• Meaning: The dead body of an animal.
• Sentence: The vultures circled above the carcass of the deer.

Lesson 8: The Second Voyage of Sindbad the Sailor

Question answers

In-Text Questions

Comprehension 

A. 1. False 2. True 3. False 4. True; 5. True

B. 1. I descended from the tree and made my way towards the dome.

2. It was an enormous dome, white and shining.

3. A monstrous bird approached swiftly through the air.

4. I approached the great bird carefully.

C. 1. a. The strange structure was an enormous white and shining dome. It was a bird’s egg.

b. Sindbad had doubts about the weather because it was a clear summer day and the great black cloud looked out of place.

2. a. Sindbad was feeling anxious because he was walking through a valley filled with serpents.

b. The merchants had thrown it into the valley.

3. a. Sindbad said this to the merchant.

b. The merchant was worried because there were no diamonds sticking to the carcass.

D. Answer the questions.

1. How did Sindbad end up stranded on the island?
   Sindbad fell asleep on the uninhabited island while admiring the natural beauty. When he awoke, he realized the ship he had traveled on had already sailed away, leaving him stranded.

2. Do you think fate too favoured Sindbad? Give reasons.
   

   Yes, fate seemed to favor Sindbad. Despite being left alone on the island, he found the bird's egg, which led to an opportunity to escape. Similarly, the bird's flight brought him to the valley of diamonds, where he discovered the merchants' strategy to gather wealth and to escape eventually.

3. What did Sindbad discover when he entered the valley?
   

   Sindbad discovered that the valley was strewn with large diamonds but also inhabited by gigantic serpents. He later saw a carcass dropped into the valley, a strategy used by merchants to collect diamonds safely.

4. Draw a character-sketch of Sindbad.
   Sindbad was resourceful, brave, and quick-witted. He demonstrated courage by tying himself to the giant bird to escape the island. He showed intelligence and adaptability in using the merchants' strategy with the carcass to escape the diamond-strewn valley. Despite dangerous situations, he maintained his composure and found solutions.

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E. Think and Answer.

1. What does the story reveal from the portrayal of the merchants and their strategy with the carcass?
   

   The story reveals that the merchants were innovative and strategic thinkers. Their plan to use a carcass to attract vultures and collect diamonds indirectly reflects their ability to turn challenges into opportunities. It shows their adaptability in finding creative solutions to deal with the dangers posed by the serpents. Additionally, their willingness to take risks demonstrates their perseverance and determination to achieve their goals, even in hostile environments.

2. What would have happened to Sindbad if the bird had not picked up the carcass? Discuss.
   

   If the bird had not picked up the carcass, Sindbad might have remained stranded in the valley, surrounded by serpents. Without an alternative plan or external help, his survival and escape would have been uncertain, given the dangers and isolation of the valley.

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Critical Thinking.

3. Think about how luck or chance played a part in the story. How do these components affect the way the story turns out?
   
   The story reveals that the merchants were innovative and strategic thinkers. Their plan to use a carcass to attract vultures and collect diamonds indirectly reflects their ability to turn challenges into opportunities. It shows their adaptability in finding creative solutions to deal with the dangers posed by the serpents. Additionally, their willingness to take risks demonstrates their perseverance and determination to achieve their goals, even in hostile environments.

Extra Questions

1. Describe the place where Sindbad was stranded.

Sindbad was stranded on a beautiful but uninhabited island. It had ripe fruits hanging from trees, bright birds singing sweet songs, and rare flowers spreading fragrance in the air. Clear streams flowed gently across the land. The island was full of natural beauty and peace, but there were no human beings, which made it lonely and frightening.

2. What did Sindbad do after he realised that he was on an island?

After realising he was alone on the island, Sindbad became worried and ran here and there in search of help. He climbed a tall tree to look around but saw only sea and sky. While observing carefully, he noticed a large white object in the distance and decided to investigate it.

3. How did he escape from the island to the valley?

Sindbad discovered that the huge white dome was the egg of a giant bird called the rukh. He tied his turban around his waist and fastened the other end to the bird’s foot while it slept. When the bird flew away in the morning, it carried Sindbad through the air and landed in a valley.

4. What was the story that Sindbad remembered in the valley of snakes and diamonds?

Sindbad remembered a story about merchants who collected diamonds from a dangerous valley filled with serpents. They threw pieces of meat into the valley so that diamonds would stick to them. Giant birds carried the meat to the mountaintops, where merchants frightened the birds and collected the diamonds.

5. How did Sindbad escape from the valley?

Sindbad gathered as many diamonds as he could and tied them in his clothes. Then he tied himself to a carcass lying on the ground. A giant bird picked up the carcass and carried it to the mountain top. The merchants drove the bird away, and Sindbad safely escaped from the valley.

6. Why did Sindbad fall asleep? What was its consequence?

Sindbad fell asleep because the cool breeze and the soft sound of the flowing stream made him feel relaxed and sleepy. When he woke up, his ship had already sailed away, leaving him alone on the island. His short rest resulted in a dangerous and lonely adventure.

7. Describe how Sindbad took the aid of the rukh to escape from the island.

Sindbad cleverly used the giant bird, the rukh, to escape. After realising that the large white dome was its egg, he waited patiently. When the bird slept, he tied his turban around its foot. The next morning, the bird flew away, unknowingly carrying Sindbad to another place. He held tightly during the flight high above the sea and land. When the bird landed on a tableland, he quickly untied himself and moved away safely.

8. What qualities of Sindbad do you infer from the story?

Sindbad shows many admirable qualities in the story. He is brave and does not lose courage even when he is left alone on a deserted island. Instead of panicking, he stays calm and thinks wisely. He is intelligent and observant, as he carefully examines the white dome and realises it is the rukh’s egg. He is resourceful and cleverly uses his turban to tie himself to the bird’s foot and escape. In the diamond valley, he remembers the merchants’ trick and uses it to save himself. His patience, determination, and strong willpower help him survive every danger.

9. Explain the resourceful thinking of Sindbad with evidence from the story.

Sindbad showed resourceful thinking in many ways. He tied himself to the rukh’s foot to escape the island. Later, in the diamond valley, he remembered the merchants’ trick and tied himself to a carcass to be carried out by a bird. His smart ideas helped him survive dangerous situations successfully.