BSEB • Class 6 • English • Ch 2
Estimated Time: 45 Mins
Study Progress: In Progress
How the Dog Found Himself a New Master! & The Kite
Chapter 2 of the Bihar Board Class 6 English curriculum presents two complementary literary masterworks from the foundational textbook Honeysuckle: the classic narrative fable 'How the Dog Found Himself a New Master!' and Harry Behn's celebrated kinetic poem 'The Kite'. Together, these selections provide young scholars across Bihar with a profound inquiry into the themes of mutual loyalty, the evolutionary transition from wild chaos to civilized security, and the exhilarating beauty of natural forces harnessed through human creativity.
Part 1: Comprehensive Narrative Analysis of 'How the Dog Found Himself a New Master!'
The prose story takes the form of an explanatory origin myth or pourquois tale—a traditional folklore genre designed to explain how an animal acquired its modern traits or domestic relationships. In prehistoric times, dogs were wild animals that lived exactly like wolves, roaming dense woodlands without any masters. However, one individual dog was deeply dissatisfied with this solitary, perilous existence. He grew weary of spending every waking hour hunting for scarce food while constantly living in mortal terror of stronger predators.
Driven by an astute instinct for survival, the dog conceived a brilliant strategic resolution: he would seek out the single most powerful creature on the face of the earth, take up service under him, and pledge lifelong obedience in exchange for permanent nourishment and physical protection. Thus commenced an evolutionary audition across four hierarchical stages of power:
The Kinsman Audition (The Wolf): The dog initially approaches his fierce, wild kinsman—a massive wolf. The wolf eagerly agrees to accept the dog as his companion. However, as they walk through the forest, the wolf suddenly sniffs the air, trembles with panic, and hides behind a dense thicket of bushes. When the bewildered dog inquires about his fear, the wolf confesses that a big bear is prowling nearby and might eat them both up. Realizing that the wolf is subordinate to a stronger beast, the dog promptly resigns from his service.
The Forest Titan Audition (The Bear): Recognizing the bear's superior physical strength, the dog approaches the lumbering giant and offers his loyal service. The bear readily accepts and proposes hunting a herd of cows so they may both feast to their fill. Yet, just as they approach the grazing cattle, a terrifying roar echoes through the valley. The cows stampede in all directions with their tails held high in absolute terror. The bear hastily retreats behind a tree and scampers deeper into the forest, admitting that the Lion is the undisputed monarch of the jungle, fearing none. Concluding that the bear is compromised by fear, the dog bids him farewell.
The Sovereign Monarch Audition (The Lion): The dog next presents himself before the Lion, the universally acknowledged king of beasts. The lion graciously accepts the dog into his royal service. For a long, prosperous period, the dog enjoys unprecedented safety, abundant food, and high prestige; no woodland predator dares to insult or harass him. However, during a stroll along a narrow cliff path, the lion suddenly stops, emits a thunderous roar, strikes the bedrock furiously with his paw, and whispers caution to the dog: he has caught the unmistakable scent of a Man approaching. The lion warns that they must flee immediately or face mortal peril.
The Ultimate Apex Master (Man): Having witnessed the mighty lion tremble before an unseen presence, the dog reaches his definitive epiphany: Man, though physically fragile and devoid of claws or fangs, is the undisputed master of all earthly creatures through intellect, tools, and moral authority. The dog bids the lion goodbye, approaches Man, and binds his destiny to humanity forever. From that ancient epoch to the present day, the dog serves man with unwavering fidelity, acknowledging no other earthly master.
Part 2: Poetic Appreciation of 'The Kite' by Harry Behn
The prose narrative is paired with Harry Behn's vibrant 24-line lyric poem 'The Kite'. With rhythmic precision and energetic diction, the poet captures the visual and tactile exhilaration of launching a brand-new paper kite into a crystal-clear, azure sky.
The poem unfolds across three distinct emotional and kinetic movements:
The Glorious Ascent: A new kite looks dazzlingly bright against the blue sky. It dives, dips, and snaps its tail with crisp sonic energy, before riding upward on air currents like a majestic ship sailing over ocean swells with only a single canvas sail.
The Crest of the Wind: As the wind surges into a powerful gust, the kite pulls taut against its string and climbs to the very crest of the sky. Yet, this airborne glory is transient; the moment the wind subsides, the kite appears to rest quietly in mid-air. When the guiding twine goes slack, the young boy on the ground winds it back upon the reel and runs swiftly across the field until a fresh breeze fills its paper wings once more.
The Ragged Fall: The poem concludes with a poignant aesthetic warning. While a soaring kite is an emblem of airborne freedom, there is nothing more pitiful and ragged than a kite whose string has snapped, leaving it to flap helplessly as a torn wreck caught in the high branches of a tree.
Through this dual curriculum, Bihar Board Class 6 students master core grammatical principles, including collective nouns (a pack of wolves, a herd of cows, a pride of lions), motion verbs, vivid similes, and phrasal verbs, while absorbing enduring life values of loyalty, discernment, and perseverance.
