Best Friends: NCERT Class 3 English Story (Santoor Chapter 3)

etmantra3 Nov 20264 min read

In this story, shapes talk and argue just like children do. Circle, Square, Triangle and Rectangle each think they are the best, until a wise star shows them a better way. Children learn shape names in English and a big lesson about working together.

Open now: the CALP Class 3 English course (Santoor)
Every chapter of Santoor, NCERT’s new book, with notes in English and Hindi, say-it-aloud practice with a score, grammar, speaking and first writing practice. ₹1,299 for the whole year, and “Start here” and the first chapter’s notes are free to try.
See the free lessons and enrol →

From NCERT’s new English book Santoor for Class 3, unit “Fun with Friends”. Chapter 3.

What your child learns

Names of shapes: circle, square, triangle, rectangle
Describing a shape by its sides and edges
Using 'a' and 'an' before naming words
Working together is better than fighting

What the story is about

Circle, Square, Triangle and Rectangle are four friends. One day they start a fight about who is the best. Circle says it is round with no sharp edges. Square says its four sides are all equal. Triangle talks about its three sides and the mountains children draw with it. Rectangle says it has two long sides and two short ones, and that biscuits and chocolates come in its shape.

They cannot decide, so they ask the first person they meet. This is a star, and she is wise. She tells them that friends should not fight, and that together they can make the most beautiful pictures and patterns. The shapes understand their mistake, promise never to fight again and stay best friends.

New words, with Hindi meanings

shape: the outline or form of a thing (हिंदी: आकार, आकृति)
edges: the outside lines or corners of something (हिंदी: किनारे)
equal: the same in size or amount (हिंदी: बराबर)
refused: said no (हिंदी: मना किया)
wise: able to think well and give good advice (हिंदी: समझदार, बुद्धिमान)
patterns: designs made by repeating lines or shapes (हिंदी: डिज़ाइन, नमूने)
realised: understood something suddenly (हिंदी: समझ गए)
wonders: amazing things (हिंदी: कमाल, अजूबे)

Talk about it

Ask these aloud after reading or watching. Let your child answer in English if they can, or mix in their home language. Both help.

Who were the four friends?
Why were the friends fighting?
What did the star tell them?
Name three things at home and say their shapes.

Answers for parents

The four friends were Circle, Square, Triangle and Rectangle.
Each one said that it was the best.
She told them not to fight, because together they could make beautiful pictures and patterns.
For example: The clock is a circle, the door is a rectangle and the roti is a circle too.

Grammar corner: Using 'a' and 'an'

We use 'a' before a naming word that begins with a consonant sound, like a star. We use 'an' before a word that begins with a vowel sound (a, e, i, o, u), like an egg.

A square has four equal sides.
The star had an idea.
Triangle drew a mountain and an umbrella.

Practice at home

Fill in 'a' or 'an': Circle saw ___ owl and ___ star.
Match the shape with its sides: triangle, square / four equal sides, three sides
Say aloud and finish: A rectangle has ___ sides.

Answers: 1. an owl, a star · 2. triangle - three sides; square - four equal sides · 3. four

Try this

Go on a shape hunt at home. Give your child one minute to find something round, something square, something with three sides and something long like a rectangle. For each one, your child says its English name, for example 'The plate is a circle.' Then use spoons, bangles or bottle caps to make a picture together, just as the star said the shapes could.

Tip for parents

Point to things at home and ask in Hindi: 'Yeh kis aakaar ka hai?' Let your child answer in Hindi first, gol or chaukor, and then say the English word together: circle, square. Mixing languages is fine, and every English shape name they try deserves praise.

Questions parents ask

What is the moral of Best Friends?

Friends should not fight about who is best. When we work together, we can make something more beautiful than we can alone.

Who are the characters in Best Friends?

The characters are four shapes, Circle, Square, Triangle and Rectangle, and a wise star.

Is Best Friends in the new NCERT book?

It is in NCERT's new Santoor book for Class 3. It is Chapter 3, in Unit 1, Fun with Friends.

Learn every Class 3 chapter with CALP

Every chapter of Santoor, NCERT’s new book, with notes in English and Hindi, say-it-aloud practice with a score, grammar, speaking and first writing practice. ₹1,299 for the whole year.

See the free lessons and enrol →