Jhuri owned a pair of oxen named Heera and Moti. They were tall, handsome, and hard-working animals.
Heera and Moti were very good friends. The two of them were very different, as
best friends often are. Moti was rather aggressive and hot-tempered while Heera
was tolerant and wise.
They had spent so much time together that they had grown as close to one another as brothers.
Sitting side by side, they would talk without saying a word. Their adventures are the stuff of legend.

A) Discussion Points
1. This is an excerpt from a story by Munshi Prem Chand, a very famous writer of Hindi stories. Do some research on Munshi Prem Chand and write a few lines about him.
2. Read the story of Heera and Moti. It is also known as “The Story of a Pair of
Oxen”. In your own words, retell one of their adventures.
3. Are there any animals kept by people in your neighbourhood? Are they treated well?
4. Do you like animals? Which ones are your favourites, and why?

B) A writer expresses ideas or gives information in writing.
An author is a person who writes a novel, a short story, a poem, an essay, etc.
A novelist writes ____.
A poet writes ____.
A journalist writes ____.
A playwright writes ____.
Gulzar is a ____.
A cartoonist is an artist who draws ____.
The art of taking photographs is _____.

C) Poem The Jungle Family

Monkeys can jump and climb trees
Giraffes are tall and they eat leaves.
Parrots are colourful and they can fly,
Elephants can’t, but would love to try.
Turtles are green and they can swim,
Cheetahs can run and they always win.
Zebras look like horses, but they are black and white,
Hippos are big and snore at night.

D) Add two lines of your own. Make one about tigers and the other about deer.
The lines do not have to rhyme.

E) Click on the link below if you would like to watch the story of Heera and Moti in Hindi.

Revised July 2020

Audio courtesy Tara Kriplani: