"The Friend’s Prayer" is an emotional and heartfelt poem in Class 8 English Chapter 5 that expresses the author’s best wishes for someone who means a lot to him/her. The poem conveys the themes of love, hope, and good wishes through simple, meaningful lines and thus represents the value of friendship as a relationship in which individuals spend time together while also supporting one another with kindness, positivity, and love.
The NCERT Solutions provided here will help students understand the poem's ideas line by line and provide them with an opportunity to answer the questions correctly and fully. Practising these solutions can support vocabulary building and comprehension skills necessary for students to perform well on their assessments or exams.
The poem “A Friend’s Prayer” shows how a true friend wishes happiness and goodness for another. These NCERT Solutions for Class 6 English Chapter 5 explain the poem clearly and help students prepare for exams. Download the PDF for revision and practice to excel in your exams.
“A Friend’s Prayer” is a poem that teaches students about kindness, care, and the beauty of wishing well for others in life.
Key Lessons from the Poem:
I. Read the following sentences.
1. I wish my friend brings idli in her tiffin tomorrow.
2. I hope my friend and I win the race tomorrow.
3. May my friend get well soon.
Which of the three sentences 1-3 is closest to a prayer? Explain to your teacher and classmates.
Ans: Sentence (3) "May my friend get well soon." is closest to a prayer. Unlike the other sentences, which are more about personal desires or hopes for specific outcomes, this sentence reflects a genuine wish for the friend's health and happiness. This is a characteristic of prayer.
II. What would you pray for your friend? First speak about it and then write it down.
Ans:
Talk About It:
I would pray for my friend to succeed in studies and in life. I hope that they stay confident, work hard, and achieve everything they want to be successful in.
Write It Down:
I pray that my friend works hard and succeeds in studies and life. May they stay confident and achieve all the goals they dream of.
1. Read the poem silently. As you read, underline the parts of the poem that you agree with.
Ans: "Make no judgments from afar."
2. Now, share the details of your underlined parts of the poem in groups and explain why you liked those lines.
Ans: I emphasized this statement as it reminds me to not have an opinion about a person or situation without knowing them well. It is a reminder to be fair and understanding before forming a judgment.
3. Which line was underlined by most people in your group? Share it with your teacher.
Ans: “With special friends I feel I’m blessed, So let me give my very best.” This was a line that most people in our group were underlining, as it emphasizes our good fortune in having real friends. It inspires us as it motivates us to try to maintain and treasure those friendships.
I. Complete the summary of the poem by circling the correct highlighted words.
The poet says a prayer for/speech on friendship and friends. She wants that friendship should always be an important part of her complete life/ school days. She says that her friendship makes her feel brave/special. She wishes to do the best she can, for her friends. She wants to clap for/ listen to the wishes of her friends. As a good friend, she prays/imagines that she is able to make her friend's wishes come true. She wants her heart/mind to understand what a true friend is. She prays that she loves her friends as they are/when they are happy. She tells us that a true/correct friend accepts their friend for all their qualities.
Ans: The poet says a prayer for friendship and friends. She wants that friendship should always be an important part of her complete life. She says that her friendship makes her feel special. She wishes to do the best she can for her friends. She wants to listen to the wishes of her friends. As a good friend, she prays that she is able to make her friend's wishes come true. She wants her heart to understand what a true friend is. She prays that she loves her friends as they are. She tells us that a true friend accepts their friend for all their qualities.
II. Answer in one word only.
(a) How does the poet feel about special friends?
Ans: Blessed
(b) What does the poet use to realise what friends can be?
Ans: Heart
III. Read the following lines from the poem and answer the questions given below.
1. I want to do much more than share
The hopes and plans of friends who care;
I'll try all that a friend can do
To make their wishes come true.
(i) Complete the sentence with the most suitable option.
These lines tell us that the speaker is …...
A. clever B. caring C. curious D. calm
Ans: B. caring
(ii) How will the speaker make her friends' wishes come true? (by trying hard/by working a lot)
Ans: by trying hard
(iii) Fill in the blank with a suitable word.
My friends will feel …. if their wishes come true.
Ans: happy
2. Let me use my heart to see,
To realise what friends can be,
And make no judgements from afar,
But love my friends the way they are.
(i) The speaker says that feelings are important to understand friendship. Which line tells us this?
Ans: "Let me use my heart to see, / To realise what friends can be"
(ii) Complete the sentence with the most suitable option. These lines tell us that the speaker is …..
A. helpful B. thoughtful C. cheerful D. hopeful
Ans: B. Thoughtful
(iii) Fill in the blank with one word.
The speaker does not wish to make any ….. She cares for them just as they are.
Ans: Judgements
IV. Give one reason why we can say that this poem is a prayer.
Ans: The speaker expresses heartfelt wishes for the well-being and happiness of her friends, showing deep care and concern for them. Hence, we can say that the poem is a prayer.
V. Why does the Speaker “Want to Do More” for Her Friend?
Ans: The speaker highly values their friendship and wishes to actively contribute to their happiness and fulfilment by making their wishes come true. This way, she wants to do more for her friend.
VI. Does the Speaker know about the wishes of her friend?
Ans. Yes, the speaker expresses a strong desire to make her friend’s wishes come true, which implies she is aware of what her friend hopes for and needs.
VII. Do You Pray for Your Friend? What Do You Wish For? Discuss
Ans. "Yes, I pray for my friend to always be happy and healthy. I pray for their success in their studies and life, and for their dreams to come true."
I. The poet says, 'With special friends I feel I'm blessed'.
Select the words that are similar to the meaning of being blessed, from those given below.
Ans: grateful, thankful
II. Good friends have a lot of qualities. Let us list some.
loyal, he.. ..f..l, k.. .. d, c .. .. ing,ho .. .. .. t
Ans:
Now, fill in the blanks with the words you just listed above.
1. My friend is always …. to me even when I make a mistake.
2. My friend shares things with me. She is very ….
3. My friend is …. because he always supports me.
4. My friend never lies. She is an …. person.
5. My friend and I believe in …. for each other.
Ans:
1. My friend is always kind to me even when I make a mistake.
2. My friend shares things with me. She is very caring.
3. My friend is helpful because he always supports me.
4. My friend never lies. She is an honest person.
5. My friend and I believe in loyalty for each other.
III. Think of any three of your friends. Write three sentences on why you like each one of them.
Ans:
I. You will listen to a talk about some outdoor activities that two friends spend their time doing. As you listen, answer the given question in one or two word(s) only. (refer to page 72 for transcript)
1. What do the two friends purchase and use on the park bench?
Ans: A book
II. You will once again listen to the talk about some outdoor activities of the two friends. As you listen, circle the pictures that show these activities.
Ans:
In pairs, act the role of friends speaking to each other. Speak about the following situations:
2. Create a new situation and have another conversation
Describe how your friendship with your friend started.
Give a title to your paragraph.
Ans:
Title: Friendship on the Playground
When I met Arjun last year, it was at our school's annual Sports Day on the playground. We were put on the same relay race team; we were, therefore, practicing together. While practicing, we found out that we both loved running and outdoor games. Working as teammates helped us to build trust and cooperation. After the race, we spent a lot of time together; playing football and cheering each other on. What started out as teamwork at sports day soon turned into a very strong and long-lasting friendship.
I. There are many quotations about friendship. Read the ones given below.
"A friend in need is a friend indeed."
"My best friend is the one who brings out the best in me."
1. What do you think is the meaning of these quotations? Share it with your teacher.
Ans: "A friend in need is a friend indeed." This quote showcases a true friend as someone who supports and helps you during difficulties. They are there for you when you need assistance or encouragement, not only just during the happy times.
"My best friend is the one who brings out the best in me." : This implies that best friends inspire you to achieve your goals and support you in becoming the best you can be.
2. Think of an experience in your life with your friend that suits this quotation. Share it with your friends.
Ans: There was a day when I left my lunch at home and I was extremely hungry. My friend Arjun noticed and immediately shared his food with me without hesitation. We sat together and enjoyed the meal. His kindness and willingness to share with me made me feel cared for and happy. This experience showed me that Arjun is a true friend who is always kind and thoughtful and ready to lend a hand.
(Session 2026 - 27)