This unseen passage is designed for students of Classes 3, 4, 5, 6, 7, and 8 to improve reading comprehension, vocabulary, and critical thinking. Answers may vary based on each student’s understanding and interpretation, especially in creative and higher-order thinking questions.
The Fisherman’s Courage
In the serene backwaters of Alleppey, Kerala, lived a humble fisherman whose life revolved around the rhythm of the sea. Every morning, he set out in his small wooden boat, casting his nets and trusting the ocean to feed his family.
One fateful day, as he was deep in the waters, the sky darkened suddenly. The calm waves turned wild, and a fierce storm swept across the sea. His boat tossed violently, and before he could steer it to safety, a massive wave struck, hurling him into the raging waters.
When he regained consciousness, he found himself lying on the shore of an unknown island. His boat was shattered to pieces, and he had no idea where he was. There was no food, no fresh water, and no sign of human life. For a moment, despair gripped him—but he refused to give up.
Gathering his thoughts, the fisherman decided to do whatever he could to survive. He took off his shirt and tied it to a tall coconut tree, hoping it would serve as a flag visible from afar. Then he collected dry branches and waited patiently for nightfall. When darkness descended, he lit a fire, praying that the smoke and flames would be seen by someone passing by.
His hope was not in vain. Far away, the captain of a large ship noticed the faint glow of fire rising from a distant island. Curious and cautious, the ship changed its course. As it drew closer, the crew spotted the makeshift flag fluttering atop the coconut tree. They realized someone was stranded and quickly sent a rescue team ashore.
The fisherman was saved. His courage, presence of mind, and patience had guided him through the darkest hour. He returned home safely, greeted by tears of joy and gratitude.
Moral:
Even in the face of great danger, never lose hope. Patience, courage, and clear thinking can turn even the worst situations into stories of survival.
A. Read the passage carefully and answer the following questions:
-
Where did the fisherman live?
-
What was his job?
-
What happened when he was fishing one day?
-
Where did the fisherman find himself when he woke up?
-
What did he use to make a flag?
-
How did he try to get help?
-
Who noticed the fire on the island?
-
What qualities helped the fisherman survive?
-
How did the story end?
-
What lesson do we learn from this story?
B. Short Answer Questions
-
Why did the fisherman light a fire at night?
-
What do you think the fisherman felt when he saw the ship?
-
What would you have done if you were in his place?
C. Vocabulary – Synonyms
Find synonyms (words with similar meanings) from the passage for the following:
-
Calm – __________
-
Wild – __________
-
Unknown – __________
-
Rescue – __________
-
Courage – __________
-
Darkness – __________
-
Huge – __________
-
Home – __________
D. Opposite Words (Antonyms)
-
Calm × __________
-
Hope × __________
-
Night × __________
-
Saved × __________
E. Fill in the Blanks
-
The fisherman lived in __________, Kerala.
-
A terrible __________ struck the sea.
-
He made a flag using his __________.
-
The ship’s captain saw the __________ from the island.
-
The fisherman returned home __________.
F. Think and Answer (Creative Questions)
-
What can we learn from the fisherman’s attitude in difficult times?
-
Why is it important not to lose hope during a crisis?
-
Can you think of a time when you showed patience or courage like the fisherman?
If you like this effort by the Busy Brains team, please follow us on Instagram.
Answer Key
A. Read the passage carefully and answer the following questions:
-
Where did the fisherman live?
He lived in the backwaters of Alleppey, Kerala. -
What was his job?
He was a fisherman. -
What happened when he was fishing one day?
A violent storm arose, overturning his boat and throwing him into the sea. -
Where did the fisherman find himself when he woke up?
He found himself on the shore of an unknown island. -
What did he use to make a flag?
He used his shirt to make a flag. -
How did he try to get help?
He tied his shirt to a tall coconut tree as a flag and lit a fire at night to signal for help. -
Who noticed the fire on the island?
The captain of a large ship noticed the fire. -
What qualities helped the fisherman survive?
His courage, patience, and presence of mind helped him survive. -
How did the story end?
The fisherman was rescued by a ship’s crew and returned home safely. -
What lesson do we learn from this story?
We learn that hope, courage, and patience can help us overcome even the toughest challenges.
B. Short Answer Questions
-
Why did the fisherman light a fire at night?
He lit a fire so that someone far away could see the light or smoke and come to rescue him. -
What do you think the fisherman felt when he saw the ship?
He must have felt immense relief, joy, and gratitude. -
What would you have done if you were in his place?
(Answers may vary.) Possible answer: I would have tried to stay calm, find food and water, and look for ways to signal for help—just like the fisherman did.
C. Vocabulary – Synonyms
-
Calm – Serene
-
Wild – Fierce
-
Unknown – Unfamiliar
-
Rescue – Save
-
Courage – Bravery
-
Darkness – Nightfall
-
Huge – Massive
-
Home – House / Shelter
If you like this effort by the Busy Brains team, please follow us on Instagram.
D. Opposite Words (Antonyms)
-
Calm × Wild
-
Hope × Despair
-
Night × Day
-
Saved × Lost
E. Fill in the Blanks
-
The fisherman lived in Alleppey, Kerala.
-
A terrible storm struck the sea.
-
He made a flag using his shirt.
-
The ship’s captain saw the fire from the island.
-
The fisherman returned home safely.
F. Think and Answer (Creative Questions)
-
What can we learn from the fisherman’s attitude in difficult times?
We learn that courage and clear thinking can help us survive any hardship. -
Why is it important not to lose hope during a crisis?
Because hope gives us strength to think positively and find solutions even in danger. -
Can you think of a time when you showed patience or courage like the fisherman?
(Students’ own answers may vary.) Example: “I stayed calm during a school emergency and helped others instead of panicking.”
If you like this effort by the Busy Brains team, please follow us on Instagram.
