CBSE Class 9 English Writing Skills Story Writing Worksheet

Question. You are Akshara/Arvind of Vivekananda Public School, Kanpur. Your teacher has asked you to write a short story for your school magazine ‘Louts’. Using the information given in the input below with your own details, write that report titled ‘Temper Control’ in about 150-200 words.
Answer. Temper Control
Once there was a boy whose nature was peevish. His father gave him a bag of nails and told him that every time he lost his temper, he must hammer a nail into the fence. The first day the boy had driven 37 nails into the fence. Over the next few weeks as he mastered the art of controlling his anger, the number of nails hammered daily, gradually dwindled down. He discovered it was easier to hold his temper than to drive those nails into the fence. Eventually the day came when the boy didn’t lose his temper at all. He told his father about it and the father suggested that the boy now pull out one nail for each day that he was able to hold his temper. The days passed and the young boy was finally able to tell his father that he removed all the nails. The father was waiting for this moment. He took hold of his son’s hand and led him to the fence. He said “you have done well, my son, but look at the holes in the fence. The fence will never be the same. When you utter words in anger, they leave an indelible impression on the mind of the listener.” You can hurt a man with a knife and draw it out. It won’t matter how many times you say I’m sorry, the wound is still there. Make sure you control your temper the next time you are tempted to say something you will regret later.

Question. You are Ashok/Anuradha, the student editor of your school magazine. You have to write a short story for the magazine titled, ‘The Pig and the Cow’. Using the information given in the input below alongwith your own details write that story in about 150-200 words.
Answer. The Pig and the Cow
A wealthy man complained to his fast friend: “People despise me. They say I’m selfish and stingy. And yet in my last will and testament I have donated all that I own to charitable cause.” He could not understand why the people of the world judged him so unfairly. His friend said: “Well, I hope the story of the cow and the pig may teach you a lesson.” The pig came to the cow and complained: “People always say that you are amiable and friendly. I know you are amicable and pacific, you do give them milk.
But they get much, much more from me. I provide them with ham, bacon and lard and they even bake my feet. But everyone despises me. To all of them, I am just a pig, a hog. I fail to understand the reason.” She was pained at the double standards used by the people of this world. The cow brooded over the question and replied thoughtfully: “Perhaps it’s because I give while I am still alive!”. The pig realised the difference and never complained again. People judge you on what you do when you are alive and not what you do after death.

Question. Mahesh wrote only a few lines and couldn’t complete the story he wanted to write. Taking help from the given input, and basing it on the beginning Mahesh made, develop the story in about 150-200 words.
A woodcutter was chopping down trees on the bank of a river. His hands were so much wet with his sweat that he lost his grip ...
Answer. Honesty Pays in the Long Run
A woodcutter was chopping down trees on the bank of a river. His hands were so much wet with his sweat that he lost his grip over the axe. It slipped away from his hands and fell down into the river. The poor man couldn’t even swim. He thought that his axe was lost forever. He was very sad at his misfortune and started sobbing and weeping. Suddenly there was a flash of light. The God of the Forests appeared before him. The woodcutter explained what had happened. He consoled him. “Don’t you worry. I’ll get back your axe for you”, said the God of Forests. Having said these words, he dived into the river. After a few moments he came out with an axe. It was made of gold. “Is this yours?” he asked. The woodcutter only said “No!”. A few seconds later he came out of the river with another axe. It was made of silver. “No, no, sir, this is not mine”, said the woodcutter. He dived again and came out with the third axe. The woodcutter cried loudly looking at the axe “Yes, yes, it’s mine—the woodcutter’s axe with an iron blade”. The God of Forests was impressed with the woodcutter’s honesty. “Keep all three of these axes as a present from me.” The God uttered these words and disappeared.

Question. Mohan wrote just a few lines but couldn’t develop the story he wanted to write.
Taking help from the input given below and the introductory lines written by Mohan, complete the story in 150-200 words.
The celebrated archer Guru Dronacharya taught the royal princes the finer points of archery. One day he wanted to test
Answer. An Accomplished Marksman
The celebrated archer Guru Dronacharya taught the royal princes the finer points of archery. One day he wanted to test the archery skill of his pupils. They came to a forest. The Guru chose a tree standing in the open. He placed a wooden bird on a bare branch of that tree. The princes were asked to stand 200 yards away and aim at their target one by one. They were to hit the head of the bird. Yudhisthir was asked to start the competition. He took his bow and looked at his target. “Can you see me?” asked Dronacharya. “Yes sir!” replied Yudhisthir. “Put down your bow”, asked the Guru. The disappointed prince retired from the contest. The same thing happened with all other princes. The same question was asked and all of them gave the same reply. Hence, all of them were asked to retire from the competition.
Finally, it was Arjuna’s turn. “Arjuna do you see me?” asked the Guru. “I see nothing but only my target, the head of the bird”, replied Arjuna. “Good, Arjuna, shoot now,” asked Dronacharya. Arjuna released the arrow aiming at his target. The arrow hit the head of the wooden bird. And finally, Arjuna was adjudged as the most accomplished marksman.

Question. Mohan/Mohini decided to write a story. But due to other pressing engagement, she couldn’t complete it. Using the information given below in the input along with the beginning Mohini made, complete the story in about 150-200 words.
Once a wise monkey lived on a big mango tree ...
Answer. Wisdom Saves
Once a wise monkey lived on a big mango tree on a river bank. Very near lived a crocodile in the river. They became intimate friends. Quite often the monkey gave ripe mangoes to his friend. One day the crocodile demanded some mangoes for his wife. She had never tasted mangoes in her life. The generous monkey picked a big ripe mango and gave it to the crocodile.
Mrs. Crocodile liked the delicious mango very much. She was very cunning and wicked. She thought of eating the monkey himself. “One who eats such sweet mangoes, his heart must be very sweet”, said she. The poor crocodile was upset. He told his wife clearly that he would never allow to get such a friend killed. But the wicked wife made the crocodile’s life really miserable. At last, he gave in. The next day he went to the mango tree. He invited the monkey to have lunch with them. He took the monkey on his back. When they were in the middle of the river, the crocodile revealed the truth. His wife actually wanted to eat his heart. The wise monkey was quiet for a moment. He hit upon a plan. He said, “I’ve left my heart hanging on the mango tree”. He wanted to go back and bring it. Soon they were under the tree. The monkey lost no time in climbing up on the topmost branch. He pointed to his heart and said, “My heart is inside me. Go away and never come near the mango tree again. It’s the end of our friendship”.