A Journey to the Magical Mountains — Class 4 English (CBSE)
From the current Class 4 English Santoor textbook, Unit 4: Up High, Chapter 11. An adventure up the Himalayas, full of wonder and love for nature.
1. Chapter at a glance
- Text type: An adventure story.
- Main characters: Minam and her grandfather (once a Sherpa).
- Main theme: Adventure, discovery, and loving and protecting nature.
- What to notice while reading: The new sights Minam meets on the way up.
2. The Story
Minam was a young girl who lived in a small village at the foot of the Himalayas. She loved hearing mountain stories from her grandfather, who had once been a Sherpa.
One sunny morning, her grandfather took her on a special journey to the mountains. Excited, Minam packed rotis with achaar, two water bottles, and her favourite fruit — apples.
On the way, she enjoyed the fresh air, flowers, birds, and tall trees. They stopped beside a clear river for lunch, then climbed higher. Minam saw yaks, and then — for the first time — snow! Together they built a little snowman and laughed with joy.
At the top of a hill, Minam saw the mighty peaks of the Himalayas, including Mount Everest. On the way back, they heard the sweet sound of a santoor and watched mountain goats climbing the rocks. Minam promised her grandfather that she would take care of the mountains and share their magic with everyone — showing she had learned to respect and protect nature.
3. Summary
Minam, a girl from a Himalayan village, goes on a journey up the mountains with her grandfather, a former Sherpa. She packs food and sets off, enjoying the fresh air, flowers, and birds. They lunch by a river, climb higher, and Minam sees yaks and her first snow, building a snowman. At the top she sees the Himalayan peaks and Mount Everest. On the way back she hears a santoor and sees mountain goats. She promises to protect the mountains. The story celebrates adventure, discovery, and love for nature.
4. Theme and values
- Adventure and discovery — exploring new places.
- Love for nature — enjoying the mountains, animals, and snow.
- Respect and responsibility — promising to protect the mountains.
- Bond with elders — sharing the journey with grandfather.
5. New words and meanings
| Word | Meaning |
|---|---|
| Sherpa | a mountain guide of the Himalayan region |
| yak | a long-haired animal of the high mountains |
| peak | the pointed top of a mountain |
| achaar | Indian pickle |
| santoor | a string instrument played with light hammers |
6. Let Us Think (comprehension)
-
Where did Minam live, and who took her to the mountains? At the foot of the Himalayas; her grandfather, a former Sherpa, took her.
-
What did Minam pack for the journey? Rotis with achaar, two water bottles, and apples.
-
What did Minam see for the first time on the journey? Snow — and she built a snowman.
-
Which great peak did Minam see from the top? Mount Everest, among the Himalayan peaks.
-
What did Minam promise her grandfather? To take care of the mountains and share their magic with everyone.
7. Language and grammar practice
Naming words (nouns) from nature
From the story: mountain, river, snow, yak, tree, peak. Add two more nature words.
Past tense
| Now | Before (past) |
|---|---|
| pack | packed |
| see | saw |
| build | built |
| hear | heard |
8. Writing and speaking practice
- Writing: Write 5–6 lines about a journey or trip you enjoyed.
- Speaking: Describe three things Minam saw, in order, on her way up.
9. Common mistakes
- Mistake: Saying Minam climbed alone. Fix: She went with her grandfather, a former Sherpa.
- Mistake: Forgetting her promise. Fix: She promised to take care of the mountains and share their magic.
- Mistake: One-word answers for how/why questions. Fix: Use a full sentence with because.
10. Practice set
- Where did Minam live, and who took her to the mountains?
- What did she pack for the journey?
- What did she see for the first time?
- Which peak did she see from the top?
- Write the past tense of pack, see, and build.
- Write 5–6 lines about a trip you enjoyed.
11. Answer key
- At the foot of the Himalayas; her grandfather (a former Sherpa).
- Rotis with achaar, two water bottles, and apples.
- Snow — and she built a snowman.
- Mount Everest.
- packed, saw, built.
- Answers will vary — check for the place, sights, and feelings.
12. Fun activity
My Mountain Journey
Draw Minam's journey as a path. Along it, mark four things she saw (river, yaks, snow, Everest).
13. Quick revision
- Unit 4: Up High · Chapter 11 · an adventure story.
- Minam journeys up the Himalayas with her Sherpa grandfather.
- She sees yaks, her first snow, and Mount Everest.
- She promises to protect the mountains.
- Theme: adventure, discovery, and love for nature.
Unit 4: Up High
This chapter is part of Unit 4: Up High. The three chapters in this unit are:
- Chapter 10: The Swing — a poem about swinging high
- Chapter 11: A Journey to the Magical Mountains — a story about a mountain adventure
- Chapter 12: Maheshwar — about the Maheshwar Fort and Queen Ahilya Bai
