Mystery and Magic Class 8 English Chapter 3 CBSE Notes 2025-26

Chapter 3, "Mystery and Magic," from CBSE Class 8 English introduces students to two intriguing stories: "The Case of the Fifth Word" featuring Encyclopedia Brown, and "The Magic Brush of Dreams", a poem focused on kindness and imagination.

The unit begins by engaging students with activities such as solving crossword puzzles made from anagrams, and exploring multiple meanings of the word 'case', reflecting the layered nature of language and storytelling.

The Case of the Fifth Word – Main Storyline Encyclopedia Brown, whose real name is Leroy, is an eighth-grader known for his exceptional memory and logical thinking. His father is the Chief of Police in Idaville. Whenever Chief Brown encounters a tough mystery at work, he brings it home to discuss it during dinner. 

In this story, the case revolves around the death of Tim Nolan, who was once suspected in a major jewellery robbery, though never convicted due to lack of evidence.

Encyclopedia’s father recounts that five years earlier, the Diamond Mart was robbed of a million dollars’ worth of jewellery by two masked men. Tim Nolan and Daniel Davenport, both former inmates, were suspected but never charged. 

After Nolan’s death due to a heart condition, a will left his belongings, including his palm-tree nursery, to Davenport. A strange coded note clipped to Nolan’s will catches the attention of Chief Brown and Mrs. Brown, leading to the central mystery of the story.

The Anagram Activity and 'Case' Meanings Before the main story, students are asked to solve a crossword puzzle using anagrams—where words like "neat" and "a net" have the same letters rearranged. They are then taught to distinguish between different meanings of the word ‘case’ such as 'situation,' 'matter,' 'container,' and 'writing format', highlighting the importance of context in understanding language.

Unpacking the Mystery During their dinner discussion, Encyclopedia listens patiently as his parents discuss Nolan’s history and the unsolved robbery. The will and an attached cryptic note—listing the words "Nom Utes Sweden Hurts" under Davenport’s name and address—raise questions. 

Mrs. Brown tries to interpret the note using her knowledge of grammar and geography, but cannot decipher it. Encyclopedia, however, asks his father if there is a young fir tree in Nolan’s nursery, hinting that the words are a clue.

The clue is revealed to be a code. The four strange words ("Nom Utes Sweden Hurts") each represent the first five days of the week with “day” omitted from Monday (Nom), Tuesday (Utes), Wednesday (Sweden), and Thursday (Hurts). 

The fifth word is missing but, based on the pattern, would be "Fir" (for Friday). The stolen jewellery is discovered hidden under a fir tree in the garden, uncovering the mystery’s solution.

Comprehension and Critical Thinking Activities The story includes several reflective exercises, such as filling in blanks regarding Encyclopedia’s nickname, the family’s dinner routines, and why Chief Brown seeks Encyclopaedia's help. 

Thought-provoking questions ask whether Chief Brown needed his son's assistance and encourage students to explain their reasoning, supporting comprehension and critical analysis.

A direct explanation is given in a note at the end of the story. It tells how Nolan created a simple code based on the days of the week to pass on the location of the stolen jewellery without directly revealing it, demonstrating logical thinking and the importance of deductive reasoning.

The Magic Brush of Dreams – Poem Overview The second half of the unit presents "The Magic Brush of Dreams", a poetic story centered on Gopi, a young girl blessed with a magical paintbrush. 

The poem encourages students to reflect on the value of kindness and creativity. Before reading, students are prompted to imagine what magical object they would choose, what they would draw if their own paintbrush was magical, and discuss acts of kindness they know about.

Vocabulary is addressed by asking learners to guess and illustrate words such as ‘paintbrush’, ‘joy’, ‘fortress’, ‘feast’, ‘fear’, ‘winding’, ‘twig’, ‘bows’, ‘drawing’, and ‘cold’, thus building language skills and creative thinking.

Poem Summary and Analysis The poem narrates how Gopi uses her magical paintbrush not for personal gain, but to help others. She paints food for the hungry, warm shoes for the cold, and even homes for the homeless. 

In contrast, the Zamindar (landlord) desires the brush for selfish reasons, highlighting the theme that true happiness comes from generosity.

The poem’s rhyme scheme, use of repetition, and vivid imagery are emphasized in classroom exercises. Students are guided to identify examples, such as the repeated instructions Gopi receives, and phrases symbolizing hope and kindness. The poem is structured to evolve emotionally, reflecting the hardships and hope experienced by the characters.

Moral Contrast and Learning Outcomes Through comparison questions, students explore the differences between Gopi and the Zamindar, reinforcing the lesson that kindness and selflessness are rewarding, while greed often leads to disappointment. 

The poem ends on a positive note, showing how the magic brush fulfills the needs of the deserving through imagination and empathy.

In summary, Unit 3 of Class 8 English deepens students’ engagement with literature by combining logic, empathy, language skills, and creative activities. Students learn to decode clues, interpret poetic symbolism, and understand the deeper meanings behind actions and words in stories and poems.

• The story "The Case of the Fifth Word" develops reasoning and deduction skills using a clever code about days of the week.
• Vocabulary activities encourage word play through anagrams and exploring multiple meanings.
• "The Magic Brush of Dreams" poem teaches kindness and creative use of talent for the benefit of others.
• Comprehension and discussion questions promote critical thinking and empathy.
• Classroom activities support reading, speaking, and writing skill development.

By working through the stories and related exercises, students not only enjoy the uniqueness of mystery and magic in literature, but also grow their own abilities in analysis, language, and compassion.

CBSE Class 8 English Notes Chapter 3 – Mystery and Magic: Key Points for Quick Revision

These Class 8 English Chapter 3 revision notes cover all important events and activities from “Mystery and Magic,” helping you prepare for exams with ease. All major story clues, poetic morals, and vocabulary building exercises are included for quick review. Use these notes for last-minute prep or deeper understanding of the chapter's lessons.

Our CBSE Class 8 English Unit 3 notes are structured to boost comprehension, reasoning, and creativity. Every key topic, from story logic puzzles to the values of empathy in the poem, is organized for simple learning and reliable revision before your test.