The Tinkling Bells: NCERT Class 4 English Story (Santoor Chapter 2)

etmantra3 Nov 20264 min read

Every child has wanted something badly and had to wait for it. In this gentle story, Chinna's wish for a pair of bells for his pet goat turns into a lesson about honesty that children remember.

Open now: the CALP Class 4 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 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 4, unit “My Land”. Chapter 2.

What your child learns

Why honesty matters, even with small things
Comparing with -er and -est (tall, taller, tallest)
Words for good values: honest, kind, fair, truth
Telling the story in the right order

What the story is about

Chinna is a bright boy in Class 4 who loves his pet kid (baby goat), Tara. On his way home from school, he sees shiny tinkling bells at Chacha's shop. They cost ten rupees, but when he reaches into his pocket, the money his Dadaji gave him is missing. Sad, he goes home, and his mother Kamala comforts him and promises to give him money for the bells.

At the market, Kamala buys two pineapples, and the fruit seller gives Chinna ten rupees extra by mistake. Chinna wants to keep it for the bells and chocolates. His mother asks him how he felt when he lost his own money, and Chinna understands. He returns the money, and the fruit seller praises his honesty. Kamala then buys him the bells, and Chinna ties them around Tara's neck.

New words, with Hindi meanings

tinkling: making a soft, ringing sound (हिंदी: छनछनाती)
shiny: bright and smooth (हिंदी: चमकीला)
politely: in a kind and respectful way (हिंदी: विनम्रता से)
consoled: made someone feel better when sad (हिंदी: दिलासा दिया)
mischievous: a little naughty (हिंदी: शरारती)
whispered: spoke very softly (हिंदी: फुसफुसाया)
honest: one who tells the truth and does not take what is not theirs (हिंदी: ईमानदार)
praised: said good things about someone (हिंदी: तारीफ़ की)

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.

Why was Chinna sad when he walked home from Chacha's shop?
What mistake did the fruit seller make?
Why did Chinna return the extra money?
Have you ever found something that was not yours? What did you do?

Answers for parents

He found that his money was missing, so he could not buy the bells.
He gave Chinna ten rupees extra as change.
His mother reminded him how sad he felt when he lost money. He knew the fruit seller would feel the same.
For example: I found a pencil box in class and gave it to my teacher.

Grammar corner: Comparing with -er and -est

When we compare two people or things, we add -er to the describing word and use 'than'. When we compare one with a whole group, we add -est and use 'the'.

Tara is smaller than the big goat next door.
The pineapple was bigger than the mango.
Chinna's bells were the shiniest bells in Chacha's shop.

Practice at home

Fill in the blank: An apple is small___ than a pineapple.
Fill in the blank: Chinna was the fast___ runner in his class.
Make a sentence with the word 'honest'.

Answers: 1. smaller · 2. fastest · 3. For example: Chinna was honest and returned the extra money.

Try this

Play 'Shopkeeper'. Set up a pretend shop with a few things from home and paper money. One person buys and the other gives change. Once in a while, give extra change on purpose and see if the buyer notices and returns it.

Tip for parents

Tell the story in Hindi first, then ask, 'Chinna ne paise kyon lautaye?' Let your child answer in Hindi, then help them say, 'Chinna was honest.' Praise every attempt, even if the English is mixed with Hindi.

Questions parents ask

What is the moral of The Tinkling Bells?

We should be honest. Keeping money that is not ours is wrong, even if it came to us by mistake.

Who are the characters in The Tinkling Bells?

Chinna, his mother Kamala, his pet kid Tara, Chacha the shopkeeper and the fruit seller.

Is The Tinkling Bells in the new NCERT book?

Yes. It is Chapter 2 in NCERT's new Santoor book for Class 4.

Learn every Class 4 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 writing practice. ₹1,299 for the whole year.

See the free lessons and enrol →