Prose 3: A Snake in the Grass
Original notes — ready Bihar Board — BSEB • Class 11 • English • Book: Rainbow Bhag-1 (Purani pustak — 2025 se pehle wali)
A Snake in the Grass — EG's own notes, in simple English
Book: Rainbow Bhag-1 (Purani pustak — 2025 se pehle wali) (BSEB, Class 11) | Prose 3 | Type: Prose | Author: R. K. Narayan
This page carries Educational Galaxy's own original notes — a theme-level summary in simple English, not a copy of the textbook. No official textbook PDF is given here.
Diagram (labels are printed on the image): People peeping at a snake from a doorway — a general funny picture of fear at a safe distance, not a book scene.
A quiet garden path — a general picture of the story's setting.
What the chapter is about
This is a funny story of a family that finds a snake in its garden and panics. Everyone has a different plan: some want to kill it, some want to run, and some give bold advice from a safe distance. The snake, meanwhile, quietly minds its own business.
The humour lies in human fear and show-off bravery. People act wise until danger is near them, and then they step back. The story gently laughs at us: fear makes small things look big, and brave talk is cheap when we are safe.
What you should learn
Fear grows in talk; calm sense and humour shrink it back to size.
Key Terms
- Panic — Sudden, uncontrolled fear.
- Bravado — Show-off bravery that is not real.
- Garden — Here, the family yard where the snake appears.
- Humour — The funny side of a serious-looking situation.
- Spectator — A person who watches instead of acting.
Remember
- A snake in the garden throws the whole family into panic.
- Everyone advises boldly but keeps a safe distance.
- The snake itself is calm and unconcerned.
- The story's humour comes from human fear, not from the snake.
- Brave talk is easy when danger is far away.
Exam Tip / Common Mistake
Common mistake: retelling the snake's movements only. The point is HUMAN behaviour — fear, advice and false bravery.
Chart / Table
| Point | Detail |
|---|---|
| The snake | Calm, quiet, minding its own business |
| The family | Panicky, noisy, full of plans |
| The advisers | Bold in words, careful in action |
| The humour | Fear making a small danger look huge |
Practice set (try on your own)
- What throws the family into panic?
Hint: Think about what is found in the garden. - Why is the family's advice funny?
Hint: Think about safe distance and brave words. - How does the snake behave through the story?
Hint: Think about calm versus noise. - What does the story say about fear?
Hint: Think about how fear enlarges small dangers. - Give one example of false bravery from daily life.
Hint: Think about people who advise but do not act.
Questions with Answers
- What is the story about?
It is a humorous story of a family that finds a snake in its garden and falls into panic, with everyone giving bold advice while keeping safely away. - Why is the story funny?
Because the snake is calm and harmless-looking while the humans are noisy, frightened and full of grand plans. The contrast creates the humour. - What does the story show about human nature?
It shows that fear makes us exaggerate danger, and that many people talk bravely only when they are personally safe. - What is the role of the spectators in the story?
They enjoy the excitement, give advice freely, and avoid all risk themselves — a gentle joke on human nature. - What is the message for readers?
Face a problem calmly and with sense. Panic and show-off talk only make a small trouble look big.
How to use this page: First read the summary, say the key terms in your own words, then try the practice set without looking. Finally check yourself with the questions and answers. Get your answers checked by your teacher or parents.