Class 8 English (It So Happened) Chapter 7 Jalebis

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I. Chapter Summary:

The story “Jalebis” by Ahmad Nadeem Qasmi is a humorous yet thought-provoking tale of a young schoolboy who gets tempted by the sight of hot, delicious jalebis. Though he is a sincere and honest student, the boy ends up spending the school fees entrusted to him by his teacher on jalebis, thinking he can repay it later. However, things don’t go as planned. The story captures the emotions of guilt, fear, and faith as the boy anxiously waits for a miracle. Ultimately, it teaches the reader about the importance of self-discipline, honesty, and accountability. It also portrays how children perceive mistakes and their innocent ways of seeking forgiveness or resolution.

II. Key Concepts Covered:

ConceptExplanation
Temptation and Self-ControlThe boy’s urge to eat jalebis represents how hard it is to resist temptation.
Honesty and ResponsibilityThe boy was entrusted with school fees and violated the trust placed in him.
Guilt and ConscienceThe boy suffers from guilt, showing how conscience affects behavior.
Faith and HopeThe boy prays for help, showing belief in divine intervention.
Moral GrowthThe story depicts the boy’s emotional journey and learning through mistakes.

III. Important Questions:

(A) Multiple Choice Questions (1 Mark):

  1. Why did the boy want to spend the school fees?
    a) To buy toys
    b) To buy jalebis ✔️
    c) To pay for a movie
    d) To help his friend

  2. What made the boy feel guilty after eating the jalebis?
    a) He got scolded
    b) He lost the money
    c) He had spent the school fees ✔️
    d) He was caught by police

  3. What did the boy do after spending the money?
    a) Told his parents
    b) Ran away from home
    c) Prayed for a miracle ✔️
    d) Stole more money

  4. What lesson does the story teach us?
    a) Eating sweets is fun
    b) Money should be spent quickly
    c) We should always listen to friends
    d) We must not misuse money and should be honest ✔️

(B) Short Answer Questions (2/3 Marks):

  1. Why did the boy decide to spend the money even though he knew it was wrong? (PYQ 2021)

  2. How did the boy feel after eating the jalebis?

  3. What did the boy expect to happen the next day after praying?

  4. Describe the role of conscience in the story.

(C) Long Answer Questions (5 Marks):

  1. Narrate the sequence of events that led to the boy’s guilt and how he tried to resolve it. (PYQ 2020)

  2. The story is both humorous and meaningful. Explain with suitable examples.

  3. What moral lessons can children learn from Jalebis?

  4. Compare the character of the boy before and after the incident. How did he grow emotionally?

(D) HOTS (Higher Order Thinking Skills):

  1. If you were in the boy’s place, what would you have done differently?

  2. What does the story suggest about the value of trust and how easy it is to break it?

IV. Key Definitions & Concepts:

TermDefinitionExample
TemptationThe strong desire to do something, especially wrong or unwiseBoy tempted by jalebis despite knowing the risk
GuiltA feeling of responsibility for a wrongdoingThe boy felt guilty after spending the money
FaithTrust or belief, especially in divine powerThe boy prayed that coins would appear magically
ConscienceThe inner sense of right and wrongThe boy’s conscience made him worry
ResponsibilityBeing answerable for one’s actionsHandling school fees given by his teacher

V. Deleted Portions (CBSE 2025–2026):

No portions have been deleted from this chapter as per the rationalized NCERT textbooks.

VI. Chapter-Wise Marks Bifurcation (Estimated – CBSE 2025–2026):

Unit/ChapterEstimated MarksType of Questions Typically Asked
Jalebis6–8 MarksMCQs, Short Answers, Diary Entries, Value-Based Long Answers

VII. Previous Year Questions (PYQs):

YearQuestionMarks
2020How did the boy try to fix his mistake after spending the money?5 Marks
2021Why did the boy give in to temptation despite knowing it was wrong?3 Marks

VIII. Real-World Application Examples:

  • Spending Pocket Money Wisely: Just like the boy, students must be careful with money given for specific purposes.

  • Handling Guilt: Learning how to admit mistakes and take responsibility builds character.

  • Self-Control in Daily Life: Managing urges, whether it’s sweets or screen time, leads to better decision-making.

IX. Student Tips & Strategies for Success:

 Time Management:

  • Avoid last-minute reading. Divide the story into three parts and revise across three days.

  • Use visual storyboards to understand the sequence of events.

 Exam Preparation:

  • Practice writing short reflections like “What would I do?” for HOTS questions.

  • Learn and revise story morals using short bullet points.

 Stress Management:

  • Talk about mistakes instead of hiding them.

  • Engage in journaling or prayer (like the boy) to feel relaxed and regain focus.

X. Career Guidance & Exploration (Class-Specific):

For Classes 9–10:
Career PathHow It Relates to the Story
Writer / HumoristUsing life experiences to write funny yet deep stories
Psychologist / CounselorUnderstanding guilt, emotions, and child behavior
Financial AdvisorLearning the importance of responsible money usage from childhood
TeacherTeaching moral values along with academics

Encourage participation in short story writing, value-based discussions, or school plays based on real-life moral dilemmas.

XI. Important Notes:

  •  Always refer to the official CBSE website: https://cbseacademic.nic.in

  •  Mistakes are part of learning—what matters is how we respond to them.

  •  This chapter is ideal for moral discussion in classrooms; don’t just read—reflect!

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