What Is the Main Message of Chandni by Ruskin Bond?
Theme
The story depicts the longing for freedom. The lead character in the story hosts his goats because they become the food of other animals while liberating themselves. The story, in particular, is of a brave goat whose name was Chandni. She longed for her freedom. She overcame her fears and fought back the mighty wolf.
Summary of Chandni an Alien Hand Chapter 7 English
Abbu Khan, the main character of the story, lived in Almora. He was old and alone. To have companions he always kept a few goats as pets. He safeguarded his goats and gave funny names to them like Kalua, Moongia or Gujri. He took goats for grazing in the morning and tied them up at night. He talked to them as one talks to one’s children. He brought them juiciest grass and grain’s yet they preferred leaving his hut. He treated the goats with so much affection, yet he failed to stop them from running away. The hill breed goats loved their freedom and so whenever they got a chance they would run away to the hills but were killed by an old wolf who lived in the hills.
Abbu Khan was so caring that he was not ready to accept their ill fate. He was sad that he could not stop the goats from going to the hills and being killed by the wolf. One day he decided that he wouldn’t keep goats anymore but he felt lonely and missed having pets, so he bought a young and pretty goat. He hoped the goat would be adapted to live with him and never want to go to the hills. He named her as Chandni because it was a white as snow with little horn and gleaming eyes. Abbu narrated her stories of all his previous pets and Chandni listened to them with keen interest.
Abbu Khan believed that Chandni would never leave him as they had lived together for seven years. Just opposite to his belief, Chandni wanted to free herself. She was mesmerized by the beauty of the hills bathing in sunlight. She hated the rope she was tied to. She stopped eating grass and slowly became weak. She stopped listening to Abbu’s stories. Slowly she lost her appetite. Chandni yearned to go to the hills. One day Chandni spoke her heart to Abbu. He was shattered when he heard that she wanted to leave him and go to the hills. He warned her about a dangerous wolf but she was ready to face and fight the wolf with her horns. Abbu wanted her to be safe but when she was undeterred, he got angry at the goat. He pushed her into a small hut and closed the door but forgot to close the window. Despite all convincing, Chandni escaped through the window the same night.
Chandni was elated by seeing the hills. It seemed to her as the tall grass, the flowers, and the wind was welcoming her. She compared the bounties of nature with Abbu’s prison. She was the happiest goat in the world. She also refused to join the herd of wild goats who offered themselves. Chandni wanted to enjoy her freedom alone. The dusk arrived and there was darkness around. Then she heard glinting noise. She was afraid of the presence of a wolf. Then came the conflict in her mind whether to go back to Abbu Khan or fight with her fears. She said to herself that death is an open field that was far better than life in a small hut. The scary wolf appeared before Chandni. She did not leave her battle and was ready to fight like a true soldier. Even though she was weak before the mighty wolf, she decided to fight back with all her strength. The fight went on till dawn. Both of them were bathed in a pool of blood. Being ferocious it was considered that the wolf won the fight and a wise old bird declared with confidence that Chandni won the fight. Chandni was the winner.
FAQs on Chandni Summary: Full Story, Themes & Moral Lesson
1. What is the central theme of the story 'Chandni' from the Class 7 English syllabus?
The central theme of the story 'Chandni' is the inherent and universal desire for freedom. It explores the idea that liberty is more precious than a life of comfortable confinement. Chandni, the protagonist, chooses to face the dangers of the hills rather than live safely in Abbu Khan's compound, highlighting that the spirit's yearning for freedom cannot be suppressed by care or affection alone.
2. What moral lesson does the story 'Chandni' aim to teach students?
The primary moral lesson from 'Chandni' is that freedom is worth fighting and even dying for. It conveys that a short, dignified life of liberty is more meaningful than a long, safe life in captivity. Chandni's courageous struggle against the wolf teaches that true victory lies in standing firm for one's principles, regardless of the outcome.
3. What do the hills and the wolf symbolise in the story?
In the story 'Chandni', the symbols are crucial to understanding its deeper meaning:
- The hills symbolise freedom, adventure, and the natural world. They represent the beautiful but challenging ideal that Chandni longs for.
- The wolf symbolises the harsh realities and dangers that often accompany the pursuit of freedom. It is the price one might have to pay for choosing liberty over safety.
4. What are the key character traits of Chandni?
Chandni is a pretty, young goat with an affectionate nature, but her defining characteristic is her unbreakable spirit and immense love for freedom. She is brave, determined, and firm in her convictions. Despite her physical weakness compared to the wolf, she displays remarkable courage by choosing to fight for her independence rather than surrendering to her fate without a struggle.
5. How does Abbu Khan's love for Chandni contrast with her own desire for freedom?
This contrast is central to the story's conflict. Abbu Khan's love is possessive and protective; he believes providing safety, food, and shelter is the ultimate form of care. However, Chandni's desire for freedom is an instinctive and non-negotiable need for autonomy. This shows that true love must respect an individual's need for liberty, as Chandni values her independence far more than the material comforts and security he offers.
6. Why is Chandni declared the 'winner' by the wise old bird, even though she is killed by the wolf?
The wise old bird declares Chandni the winner because she achieved a moral victory. Although she lost the physical fight, she won in spirit. She faced the wolf with tremendous courage and fought for her freedom until her last breath instead of fleeing. Her victory was not in survival, but in her brave defiance and her refusal to die a coward's death, making her the true champion of her own life.
7. What is the importance of Chandni's decision to not join the herd of wild goats in the hills?
Chandni’s refusal to join the wild goat herd is significant because it shows she sought true, individual freedom, not just an escape from Abbu Khan's hut. She wanted to experience the hills and her liberty on her own terms. Joining another group might have meant submitting to new rules or a different leader, which would have been another form of confinement for her fiercely independent spirit.
8. What is the significance of Abbu Khan's past experiences with his other goats in the story?
Abbu Khan's past experiences are significant as they establish his character's motivation and deep-seated fear. All his previous goats also ran away to the hills and were killed by the wolf. This recurring tragedy makes him overly protective and anxious about losing Chandni. It explains why he misunderstands the goats' profound yearning for freedom, viewing it as mere foolishness rather than the powerful, natural instinct it is.
