NCERT Solutions for Class 4 Chapter-11 Poem: Hiawatha
The story is about a boy, Hiawatha, who enjoys learning about the ways of the different animals in the jungle. He talked to all the animals and called the birds ‘Hiawatha’s chickens’, and the wild animals were called ‘Hiawatha’s Brothers’ by him
The NCERT solutions for this chapter helps the child to:
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The NCERT textbook Marigold questions are answered in a simple and engaging manner. We also have related ‘Learning Concepts’, and interactive worksheets with solutions. Our ‘Learning Beyond’ segment caters to all the probable questions that the child might think out of curiosity.
Download Chapter 11, Hiawatha in the PDF format for free.
Chapter 11: Hiawatha
Reading is Fun
Question 1: Who was Hiawatha?
Answer : Hiawatha was the red Indian boy.
Question 2: Who was Nokomis?
Answer : Nokomis was Hiawatha’s grandmother.
Question 3: What did he learn about birds?
Answer : Hiawatha learned the birds’ language. He knew all their secrets, like how they built their nests in the summer and where they hid in the winter.
Question 4: What secrets does he learn about the beasts?
Answer : Hiawatha learned their language and names. He knew how the beavers build their lodges, how the reindeer ran so swiftly, where the squirrels hid the acorns, and why the rabbit was so timid.
Let’s listen
Question 1: Whisper a secret in your partner’s ear the partner will, in turn, whisper his secret in your ear. Now talk about the secret aloud.
Answer :
I have seen a big brown cuckoo behind my house.
(Note: Students should attempt the above question on their own.)
Question 2: Form a circle and whisper a secret into the ear of the person on your
right. He in turn whispers into the ear of the person on the right. Pass
the secret on till it goes around the circle. The last person will tell the
secret aloud.
Is the secret the same as what the first child had whispered?
(Note: Students should attempt the above question on their own.)
Let’s talk
Do you think that--
Question 1(a): Hiawatha liked learning new languages?
Answer : Yes, Hiawatha liked learning new languages.
Question 1(b): Hiawatha called the birds ‘chicken’ and beasts ‘brothers’ ? What do you think this shows?
Answer : This shows that he was very close and friendly with them.
Question 1(c): Do birds have secrets?
Answer : Yes, birds do have their secrets.
Question 1(d): Do you know the secret language of animals? Tell the class about it.
Answer : No, I don’t know about the secret language of animals.
Say aloud
Question 1: Use words beginning with ‘h’ sound like—
hat, house, hen, hide, horse, heart, hand, etc.
Make a pair of words, one a ‘describing word’ and one a ‘naming
word’.
(Happy Hiawatha, hungry hippopotamus, high horse, heavy hand)
Answer :
hopeful heart
healthy horse
heavy head
happy home
hungry hamster
Question 2: Have you seen
![]() (a) A hippopotamus in a hat? | ![]() (b) A hen in a beehive? |
![]() (c) A hippopotamus in a hat? | ![]() (d) A horse drink honey? |
Answer :
(a) No, I have not seen a hippopotamus in a hat.
(b) No, A hen in a beehive.
(c) No, A hippopotamus in a hat.
(d) No, I have not seen a horse drink honey.
Let’s Share
Question 1:
Make a story of the poem and share it with your friends. You can
change Hiawatha’s name and give the name of your classmate.
Start the story which other children can continue.
You could begin like this –
Once upon a time, there was a boy called…
Answer : Once upon a time, there was a boy called Ajay who loved animals so much that he learned their language and talked to them. He understood them as he was intelligent enough to know their language. Ajay took great care of them, and they too loved Ajay.
Let’s write
Question 1: This is a park where children talk to different animals and birds. Write four sentences about the picture. Use capital letters where required, complete sentences, and punctuation.

Answer :
a) The boy is sitting with different birds and animals
b) There is a deer, squirrel, rabbit, duck, and bird along with the boy.
c) They look happy and cheerful together.
d) The boy is speaking with the bird.
(Note: Students should attempt the above question on their own.)
Question 2: Where do the following live?
a) Birds live in ____
b) Rabbits live in ____
c) Beavers live in ____
Answer :
a) nest
b) burrow
c) lodges
Question 3: Describe Hiawatha, his home, and his friends in ten lines.
Answer : Hiawatha is a red Indian boy who lives with his grandmother Nokomis in a wigwam. His grandmother taught him to love animals and their language. Hiawatha knows their language and secrets. All birds and animals were his friends. He called the birds ‘Hiawatha’s Chickens’ and beasts ‘Hiawatha’s Brothers’.
Question 4: What did Hiawatha love?
Answer : Hiawatha loves animals, and learning their language. He also loves things around him like stars, trees, etc.
Question 5: Match ‘A’ with ‘B’ and write the complete sentences below:
A | B |
Whenever Whoever Wherever | I go, I have friends. I am hungry, I eat. comes first, wins. |
Answer :
1) Whenever I am hungry, I eat.
2) Whoever comes first, wins.
3) Wherever I go, I have friends.
Question 6: Complete the following stories by using an appropriate word from the
box given below –
my, his, he, your |
“Stop! Give us all ____money”. Ram was very clever, he said “I will give ______money to the strongest of you”. On hearing this, the thieves started fighting amongst themselves. Ram slipped away quietly.

Answer :
Ram was a farmer. He wanted to sell his goats and sheep. So he went
to the market. There he sold all his animals to a rich man and got a lot
of money. When he was going back to his village, three thieves stopped
him. “Stop! Give us all your money”. Ram was very clever, he said “I
will give my money to the strongest of you”. On hearing this, the
thieves started fighting amongst themselves. Ram slipped away quietly.
Question 6 : B) Sitting on a tree a crow was enjoying a piece of bread. A hungry fox wanted to have that bread. ____said very sweetly, “Dear brother, I've heard that __________ voice is very sweet. Please sing a song for me.” The foolish crow opened ____________ beak and the piece of bread fell. The fox picked it up in _____________ mouth and ran away.

Answer :
Sitting on a tree a crow was enjoying a piece of bread. A hungry fox
wanted to have that bread. He said very sweetly, “Dear brother, I've
heard that your voice is very sweet. Please sing a song for me.” The
foolish crow opened his beak and the piece of bread fell. The fox picked
it up in his mouth and ran away.
Question 7 :
Some words have similar sounds, but different meanings.
Choose the correct word from the box and fill in the blanks.
(a) The bird sits on a . (bow, bough)
(b) The squirrel has a . (tail, tale)
(c) I have to leave at . (to, two)
(d) This sum is . (right, write)
(e) I can the bird's song. (hear, here)
(f) Do you a secret? (no, know)
(g) The King sits on the . (thrown, throne)
(h) He is our school . (principal, principle)
Answer :
(a) The bird sits on a bough. (bow, bough)
(b) The squirrel has a long tail. (tail, tale)
(c) I have to leave at two. (to, two)
(d) This sum is right. (right, write)
(e) I can hear the bird's song. (hear, here)
(f) Do you know a secret? (no, know)
(g) The King sits on the throne. (thrown, throne)
(h) He is our school principal. (principal, principle)