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Updated on 4 Nov 2025, 15:28 IST
NCERT Solutions for Class 8 English Chapter 6 – The Fight (It So Happened) provide clear, step-by-step question answers to all textbook exercises, fully aligned with the CBSE syllabus 2025–26. Written by Ruskin Bond, the chapter narrates how Ranji and Suraj move from confrontation to cooperation—rivals who become friends—set against a clear forest pool that turns from a battleground into a place of reconciliation.
This page covers exactly what students search for: “Class 8 English The Fight question answers PDF,” “The Fight Class 8 summary and word meanings,” and “extra questions with answers.” You’ll find a concise summary, detailed NCERT solutions, important word meanings, and extra Q&A—plus a free downloadable PDF—so you’re fully prepared for exams and quick revision. These solutions are part of our complete guide, where you can also download a Free PDF of all NCERT Solutions for Class 8 English.
Ranji, a lean, agile boy, had recently moved to Rajpur. On a sweltering summer day, he discovered a clear, inviting pool in the forest and enjoyed a swim. The next day he returned, only to find Suraj, an older, stronger boy, claiming the pool as his own. Despite Ranji’s friendly suggestion to swim together, Suraj insisted that the pool was “his”. The two boys clashed—Ranji calling himself “a Fighter” and Suraj “a Warrior”—and fought fiercely. Neither gained the upper hand. The next day Suraj challenged Ranji to swim across the pool; Ranji did so effortlessly, impressing Suraj, who asked to be taught diving. In return, Suraj offered to teach Ranji wrestling. Through mutual respect and cooperation the rivalry ended, and they became friends.
Ranji had only recently arrived at the semi-hill station of Rajpur. It was the height of summer, and school had not yet resumed. He wandered through the hills and forest, exploring alone wearing a vest and shorts, thus discovering a forest pool whose water was so clear that the smooth pebbles at its bottom could be seen, and it was fed by a small stream emerging from rock clusters. Unlike the muddy, sticky pools of his earlier home in the Rajputana desert, where buffaloes wallowed and women washed clothes, this pool was inviting. Ranji plunged in and, being lean and flexible, swam joyously.
The next day he returned and lay on smooth yellow rocks under the shade of sal trees. A tall, thick-set boy with a broad nose and reddish lips stood at a distance, observing him. The boy introduced himself as Suraj, declaring that the pool was his—he styled himself “the Warrior”. Ranji replied calmly that he was “the Fighter” and refused to leave. A verbal exchange escalated into a physical fight: slaps, grappling in water and mud, both becoming exhausted. They agreed to continue the fight the next day, but as Ranji went home his bruises revealed the previous day’s struggle.
Despite his body aching, the next morning Ranji went back. Suraj challenged him to swim across the pool, believing Ranji could not match his strength. Ranji dived and swam easily to the opposite bank. Suraj was impressed. He then asked Ranji to teach him how to dive; in return he would train Ranji in wrestling. The pool ceased to be a battleground; instead the two boys accepted cooperation, guarding the pool together as friends. The story thus demonstrates how confrontation based on pride can transform into respect and friendship.
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A newcomer to Rajpur, curious, lean and strong in swimming. He values his self-respect, refuses to be intimidated, and later displays generosity by helping Suraj.
Older, thicker, confident and initially domineering. He calls himself “the Warrior” and asserts ownership of the pool. His character arc moves from pride to respectful neighbour and friend.
Below are the NCERT textbook questions with detailed answers for The Fight from It So Happened.
Q1. In what way is the forest pool different from the one which Ranji knew in the Rajputana desert?
Ans: The forest pool was crystal-clear, with smooth pebbles visible at the bottom and water held by rocks that kept it cool. In contrast, the pools in the Rajputana desert were muddy, sticky, frequented by buffaloes, and used by women for washing. The forest pool felt clean, private and refreshing.
Q2. The other boy asked Ranji to “explain himself.”
(i) What did he expect Ranji to say?
(ii) Was he right or wrong to ask this question?
Ans: (i) He expected Ranji to apologise and leave the pool quietly, accepting that it belonged to him.
(ii) He was wrong to ask this because the pool was in a public forest and no one could claim ownership. Ranji had every right to swim there.
Q3. Between Ranji and the other boy, who is trying to start a quarrel? Give a reason for your answer.
Ans: It was the other boy, Suraj, who tried to start the quarrel. He spoke rudely, challenged Ranji for using the pool, and called himself “the Warrior.” Ranji initially tried to be friendly but Suraj’s aggressive attitude turned the conversation into a fight.
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Q4. “You fight well,” said the other boy, praising Ranji after the first fight. What does this show about his character?
Ans: It shows that Suraj, though proud and competitive, also possesses sportsmanship and honesty. He can recognise courage and strength in others, even his opponent. This marks the beginning of mutual respect between the two boys.
Q5. Why did Ranji refuse to leave the pool when Suraj asked him to?
Ans: Ranji refused to leave because he believed the pool belonged to everyone and not to any single person. He did not like being ordered around by a stranger and felt that leaving would mean accepting defeat without reason.
Q6. What made Ranji angry enough to fight?
Ans: Suraj’s rude tone and constant claims that the pool was his own provoked Ranji. When Suraj called him a “skinny boy” and threatened to throw him out, Ranji’s self-respect was hurt and he fought back to defend his dignity.
Q7. How did the fight between the two boys begin and end?
Ans: The fight began with an argument over who had the right to swim in the pool. Angry words turned into a physical fight in which both boys hit and pushed each other until they were exhausted. It ended with neither winning and both deciding to continue the next day. Later, their fight eventually turned into friendship when Suraj admired Ranji’s swimming skill.
Q8. Why did Ranji feel like “a real fighter” after the fight even though he was injured and tired?
Ans: Ranji felt like a fighter because he had defended himself bravely against a stronger boy. Though his body ached, he had not run away or shown fear. His courage and determination gave him a sense of pride and self-respect.
Q9. Why did the two boys decide to meet again the next day?
Ans: Neither boy wanted to admit defeat. Both believed the fight was unfinished and wanted to prove their strength. They agreed to return the next day to decide who was truly stronger.
Q10. What feeling does this section of the story leave with the reader?
Ans: It leaves a sense of curiosity and anticipation. The reader feels excited to see what will happen when the two boys meet again and whether their conflict will end in victory, defeat, or understanding. It also shows how quickly ego and pride can create unnecessary fights between equals.
| NCERT Solutions for Class 8 English | |
| NCERT Solutions for Chapter 3 – The Selfish Giant | NCERT Solutions Chapter 5 – The Summit Within |
Q1. Why does Ranji accept the swimming-across-the-pool challenge though he is weak and sore?
Ans: Ranji accepts the challenge because he fears that refusing would mean surrendering his right to use the pool forever. Though his muscles ache from the previous day’s fight, his pride as a “fighter” pushes him to prove his courage and determination. His action shows he values self-respect over comfort.
Q2. How did the fight change the relationship between the two boys?
Ans: The fight began with anger and pride, but it slowly created mutual respect. When Suraj saw Ranji’s exceptional swimming and diving skills, he realised Ranji’s strength was different from his own. Instead of fighting again, they decided to exchange their skills — Ranji would teach diving, and Suraj would teach wrestling. This marked the beginning of friendship.
Q3. What did Ranji and Suraj learn from each other at the end of the story?
Ans: Ranji taught Suraj how to dive gracefully, showing him that confidence and technique can outweigh brute strength. Suraj, in return, offered to train Ranji in wrestling, teaching him physical discipline and body balance. Both boys learned the value of sharing knowledge and respecting each other’s talents.
Q4. Why does Suraj call Ranji his “friend” in the end?
Ans: Suraj calls Ranji his friend because he admires Ranji’s skill, honesty, and courage. The earlier hostility vanishes when he realises that Ranji is not his enemy but someone who can help him learn. Their shared experience in the pool transforms anger into mutual respect and bonding.
Q5. What qualities of Ranji impressed Suraj the most?
Ans: Suraj was impressed by Ranji’s smooth, effortless swimming and his ability to dive without fear. Ranji’s determination to stand his ground even when tired and hurt made Suraj realise his courage. Suraj valued Ranji’s confidence, coolness, and skill more than physical power.
Q6. What is the significance of the pool in the story?
Ans: The pool acts as the central setting where the conflict and transformation occur. At first, it is a battleground for pride; later, it becomes a place of understanding, where both boys learn to cooperate. The pool symbolises growth, friendship, and equality between Ranji and Suraj.
Q7. What message does Ruskin Bond convey through this story?
Ans: Ruskin Bond conveys that real strength lies in understanding and respect, not in fighting. Ego and pride create conflict, but friendship and mutual learning build character. The story highlights how two boys, through sportsmanship, turn rivalry into brotherhood.
Q8. How does the story “The Fight” reflect the theme of childhood innocence?
Ans: The story captures the impulsive emotions and innocence of childhood. Both boys fight fiercely over a trivial issue yet forget the conflict when they discover each other’s talents. Their quick shift from anger to friendship shows the pure, forgiving nature of children.
Q9. Why did Ranji not run away after being challenged by Suraj the next day?
Ans: Ranji did not run away because he wanted to face the challenge bravely. Running away would mean admitting defeat, which his pride and inner strength would not allow. His decision to stand firm earned Suraj’s respect.
Q10. What can students learn from Ranji and Suraj’s friendship?
Ans: Students learn that differences and fights can be resolved through communication and respect. Cooperation and willingness to learn from others help in building strong relationships. The story encourages humility, empathy, and team spirit.
Model Paragraph for Speaking:
“I once discovered a quiet pool in a forest, exactly like Ranji did in the story. The water was cool and clear, offering relief from the summer heat. As I swam, I realised how such a simple place can become much more—a meeting ground of pride, challenge and eventually friendship.”
Model Writing:
In the story The Fight, Ranji meets Suraj when he stumbles upon a forest pool. Suraj, assuming dominance, demands control of the pool and calls himself “the Warrior”. Ranji, new to the place but confident in his swimming ability, refuses to back down and calls himself “the Fighter”. Their battle physically and mentally challenges both. However, when Suraj sees Ranji’s diving skill, he offers friendship and learning. Ranji agrees to teach diving, and Suraj promises to teach wrestling—thus turning combat into cooperation. This transformation emphasises that real strength lies not only in winning a fight, but in respecting and learning from one’s opponent. The message: pride may start conflict, but humility ends it.
Below is a list of important difficult words, phrases, and their meanings with example sentences from the story The Fight by Ruskin Bond, to help students strengthen vocabulary and understand the text better.
| Word / Phrase | Meaning | Example Sentence |
| interminably | endlessly, without seeming end | The summer dragged on interminably before the rains came. (Source: yaclass.in) |
| parched | extremely dry or hot | The parched ground cracked under the scorching sun. |
| translucency | clear enough to see through partially | The pool’s translucency allowed Ranji to view the pebbles beneath. (Source: successcds) |
| torrent | a strong, fast-moving stream of water | During the monsoon the stream would become a torrent cascading down the rocks. (Source: bhashalab.com) |
| hostile | showing opposition or dislike | The boy’s hostile gaze made Ranji uneasy. (Source: Study Path) |
| supple | flexible, able to move easily | His supple limbs allowed Ranji to glide through the water effortlessly. |
| bruised | injured by a blow without breaking the skin | Ranji’s arms were bruised after the long fight with Suraj. |
| challenger | someone who competes or defies another | Suraj was a strong challenger who refused to give up the pool. |
| exhausted | very tired or worn out | Both boys lay on the rocks completely exhausted after the fight. |
| determined | having made a firm decision; resolute | Ranji was determined to prove that he was a true fighter. |
| grapple | to struggle or wrestle closely with someone | The boys began to grapple in the water until both were breathless. |
| domineering | asserting one’s will over others in an arrogant way | Suraj’s domineering attitude made Ranji angry. |
| trickling | flowing slowly in a thin stream | A trickling stream fed the cool pool between the rocks. |
| defiance | open resistance; bold disobedience | Ranji’s defiance showed that he would not be ordered out of the pool. |
| mutual | shared by two or more people | Their mutual respect grew when they started teaching each other. |
| confrontation | a face-to-face conflict or argument | The story begins with a confrontation between Ranji and Suraj. |
| cooperation | working together toward a common goal | Their friendship was built on cooperation, not competition. |
| reconciliation | the act of making peace after conflict | The reconciliation between the boys turned enemies into friends. |
| ego | a person’s sense of self-importance | The fight started because of their wounded ego and pride. |
| humility | the quality of being humble and modest | Through friendship, both boys learned the value of humility. |
Q1. Why did Ranji feel uneasy the next day after the first fight?
Ans: He was sore, bruised and his mother scolded him for going out. He also feared the promised continuation of the fight.
Q2. What underlying quality does Ranji’s diving show?
Ans: It shows his perseverance, self-belief, and the fact that physical size isn’t everything; skill and will matter too.
Q3. How is the forest pool symbolic in the story?
Ans: The pool is more than a swimming spot—it represents freedom, challenge, self-respect and eventually friendship; it transforms from battleground to shared sanctuary.
Q4. Write a 50-word answer: What does Suraj learn from Ranji?
Ans: Suraj learns humility, respect and the value of learning from someone else’s strength. He realises that real dominance doesn’t require fighting—it requires understanding and cooperation.
Why does the author title the story “The Fight”, even though it ends in friendship?
Ans: The title emphasises the initial clash which is central to the story—but the deeper fight is against ego, fear and ignorance. Its resolution points to the victory of friendship over conflict.
Q5. What is it that Ranji finds difficult to explain at home?
Ans. Ranji has several cuts and bruises on his face and arms. He finds it difficult to explain this at home.
Q6. Ranji sees his adversary in the bazaar.
i) What does he wish to do? ii) What does he actually do, and why?
Ans. At first he wants to turn away from him. Then he thought of hitting him. He actually stands on the ground and scowls at Suraj.
Q7. Ranjiis not at all eager for a second fight. Why does he go back to the pool, then?
Ans. Though Ranjiis not at all eager for a second fight, he goes back to the pool to gain self- respect. If he doesn’t go it is equal to accepting the defeat.
Q8. Who was better swimmer? How do you know it?
Ans. Ranji was the better swimmer. We know it from the way he swam across the river. Even Suraj was impressed by this.
Q9. What surprises the warrior?
Ans. Suraj, the warrior, was surprised by the diving skill of Ranji.
Q10. Now that they are at the pool, why don’t they continue the fight?
Ans. Suraj was surprised by the diving skill of Ranji. He wanted to learn it from Ranji. On the other hand, Ranji was willing to help Suraj. So they agreed to help each other and became friends.
Q11. Ranji’s superiority over the other boy is obvious in the following: physical strength, good diving, his being a fighter, sense of humour, swimming under water, making a good point, willingness to help underline the relevant phrases.
Ans. good diving, sense of humour, swimming under water, willingness to help
Q12. What according to you, makes the two adversaries turn into good friends in a matter of minutes? Explain it as you have understood it.
Ans. Suraj was surprised by the diving skill of Ranji. He wanted to learn it from Ranji. In return he promised to teach Ranji wrestling. On the other hand, Ranji was willing to help Suraj and was interested to become a strong wrestler. So they agreed to help each other and turned into good friends in a matter of minutes.
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The forest pool was clean, cold, and inviting. Ranji had known only sticky, muddy pools in Rajputana where buffaloes wallowed and women washed clothes.
(i) He expected Ranji to apologise for being in the pool without permission, to admit that he shouldn’t swim there.
(ii) He was wrong. The forest pool was not Suraj’s private property; anyone could use it. It was unfair to demand that Ranji leave.
Suraj is trying to start the quarrel. He claims exclusive ownership of the pool, demands Ranji leave, speaks in a hostile manner. Ranji tries to be friendly and does not provoke Suraj.
(i) Suraj said it because Ranji refused to back down or leave the pool after their fight. Ranji’s defiance meant Suraj could not establish dominance immediately.
(ii) No — the fight did not continue the next day in the same way. Both boys were tired, and they realized fighting was futile. Instead, they eventually made peace: Ranji would teach Suraj swimming and Suraj would teach Ranji wrestling.
Ranji had cuts and bruises on his face, arms, and legs from the fight. He finds it difficult to explain how he got those injuries. His mother notices them and insists he stay home for the remainder of the day.
Some people do this out of pride, ego, insecurity. They want recognition or control. In “The Fight”, Suraj insists the pool is his and wants to assert dominance. But the story shows that co-operation and respect are more valuable. Proving superiority leads to conflict, exhaustion, and no real winners. Better to collaborate and learn from one another.