spare the rod 10th Class English - full story

 spare the rod 10th Class English - full story

Here is the full story of “Spare the Rod” – 10th Class English, written in simple and exam-friendly language, suitable for Bihar Board / CBSE-level students.

Spare the Rod – Full Story

Class: 10th English

Theme: Education, Discipline, Child Psychology

Introduction

The lesson “Spare the Rod” highlights the importance of kindness, understanding, and love in education instead of harsh punishment. The title comes from the old saying “Spare the rod and spoil the child”, but the story proves that love and patience are more powerful than the rod (stick).

The Story

The story is about a school teacher who believes that punishment is not the best way to teach children. In earlier times, teachers used to beat students to make them disciplined. But this teacher has a modern and humane view.

One day, a new student joins the class. The boy is silent, shy, and slow in studies. Other teachers think he is dull and lazy. Some even suggest that he should be punished to improve his performance.

However, the teacher does not agree with them. He observes the boy carefully and realizes that the child is afraid and mentally disturbed, not foolish. The teacher understands that fear blocks learning.

Instead of beating or scolding him, the teacher treats the boy with love, care, and encouragement. He talks to him gently and motivates him to participate in class activities. Slowly, the boy begins to gain confidence.

As days pass, the child shows remarkable improvement. He becomes attentive, active, and starts performing well in studies. His fear disappears, and his hidden abilities come out.

The teacher proves that punishment may force obedience, but it cannot create understanding. Love and sympathy help children grow mentally and emotionally.

Message of the Story

The story gives a strong message that:

• Corporal punishment is harmful
• Fear kills creativity and confidence
• Love, patience, and understanding make learning effective
• Teachers should guide students like parents

Moral / Central Idea

👉 “Education should be based on love, not fear.”

👉 “Spare the rod and save the child.”

Conclusion

“Spare the Rod” teaches us that true discipline comes from inner understanding, not from physical punishment. A good teacher shapes students’ future with kindness, not cruelty. The story strongly supports child-friendly education and respect for students’ emotions.

Below are Summary and Question–Answer (Short & Long) for “Spare the Rod” – 10th Class English, written in simple, exam-oriented language (useful for Bihar Board / CBSE).

Summary: Spare the Rod

The lesson “Spare the Rod” emphasizes that love and understanding are better tools of education than punishment. In the story, a teacher observes a shy and weak student who is considered dull by others. Instead of using punishment, the teacher chooses sympathy, patience, and encouragement. Gradually, the child overcomes fear, gains confidence, and shows improvement in studies and behavior. The story proves that fear hinders learning, while kindness helps children grow mentally and emotionally. The central idea is that true discipline comes from understanding, not from the rod.

Short Answer Questions

Q1. What does the title “Spare the Rod” mean?

Ans. It means avoiding physical punishment and using love and understanding to teach children.

Q2. Why was the student considered dull by others?

Ans. He was silent, shy, and slow in studies, so others misunderstood him as dull.

Q3. Why did the teacher avoid punishment?

Ans. The teacher believed that punishment creates fear and blocks learning.

Q4. How did the teacher help the child improve?

Ans. By showing kindness, encouragement, and personal attention.

Q5. What change came in the child?

Ans. He became confident, active, and improved in his studies.

Long Answer Questions

Q1. Describe the teacher’s attitude towards punishment in “Spare the Rod”.

Ans.

The teacher in “Spare the Rod” strongly opposes physical punishment. He believes that beating children creates fear, not understanding. According to him, education should develop confidence and character. He treats the weak student with patience and love, which brings positive changes. His attitude proves that kindness is more effective than strict punishment in education.

Q2. How does the story prove that love is better than punishment?

Ans.

The story shows that punishment fails to improve a frightened child, while love helps him grow. When the teacher encourages the shy boy instead of beating him, the child gains confidence and performs better. This proves that love removes fear and brings out hidden talents, making education meaningful.

Q3. What is the central message of the lesson “Spare the Rod”?

Ans.

The central message is that education should be child-friendly. Fear and punishment harm a child’s mental growth, while love and understanding help in overall development. Teachers should guide students with sympathy, not cruelty.

Very Short Answer (One-Line)

• Theme of the story: Kindness in education
• Main idea: Love is better than punishment
• Opposite of learning: Fear

Below are MCQs, One-Word / Definition Questions, and Question–Answer for “Spare the Rod” – 10th Class English, written in simple, exam-oriented language.

MCQs (Multiple Choice Questions)

1. The main theme of “Spare the Rod” is—

(a) Strict discipline

(b) Physical punishment

(c) Love and understanding in education

(d) Fear in school

👉 Answer: (c)

2. The teacher in the story believes that punishment—

(a) improves learning

(b) creates confidence

(c) creates fear

(d) makes students obedient

👉 Answer: (c)

3. The student in the story was considered dull because he was—

(a) naughty

(b) disobedient

(c) shy and silent

(d) aggressive

👉 Answer: (c)

4. What method did the teacher use to reform the child?

(a) Beating

(b) Scolding

(c) Love and encouragement

(d) Expulsion

👉 Answer: (c)

5. What happened to the child after receiving kindness?

(a) He ran away

(b) He became worse

(c) He improved and gained confidence

(d) He remained the same

👉 Answer: (c)

6. The word “rod” in the title refers to—

(a) a stick used for punishment

(b) a rule book

(c) discipline

(d) advice

👉 Answer: (a)

7. Fear in students results in—

(a) creativity

(b) better learning

(c) confusion and failure

(d) confidence

👉 Answer: (c)

8. The teacher represents—

(a) old education system

(b) modern humane education

(c) careless attitude

(d) strict discipline

👉 Answer: (b)

9. The story supports which type of education?

(a) Fear-based

(b) Punishment-based

(c) Child-friendly

(d) Exam-oriented

👉 Answer: (c)

10. The lesson teaches us that discipline should be based on—

(a) force

(b) fear

(c) love

(d) rules only

👉 Answer: (c)

One Word / Definition Questions

1. Rod – A stick used for physical punishment.

2. Discipline – Proper behavior and self-control.

3. Corporal punishment – Physical punishment given to students.

4. Sympathy – Feeling kindness and concern for others.

5. Encouragement – Support to increase confidence.

6. Fear – A feeling of being afraid.

7. Education – Process of learning and development.

8. Confidence – Belief in one’s ability.

9. Teacher – A person who guides and educates students.

10. Moral – Lesson taught by a story.

Question–Answer

Short Answer Questions

Q1. Why is punishment harmful to children?

Ans. Punishment creates fear and blocks learning and creativity.

Q2. How did the teacher treat the weak student?

Ans. He treated him with love, patience, and encouragement.

Q3. What change came in the student?

Ans. He gained confidence and improved in studies.

Q4. What does the teacher prove through his action?

Ans. Love is more powerful than punishment.

Long Answer Question

Q. Explain the message of the lesson “Spare the Rod”.

Ans.

The lesson “Spare the Rod” teaches that education should be based on love, not fear. Physical punishment harms a child’s mental growth, while kindness helps in overall development. A teacher should understand students’ problems and guide them with patience. True discipline comes from understanding, not from force.

Below are 50 Objective Important Questions from “Spare the Rod” – 10th Class English, prepared in MCQ format, simple language, and exam-oriented style.

Spare the Rod – 50 Objective Important Questions

1. The lesson “Spare the Rod” deals with—

(a) strict discipline

(b) love and understanding

(c) punishment

(d) fear

Ans: (b)

2. The word “rod” stands for—

(a) rule

(b) book

(c) stick

(d) reward

Ans: (c)

3. The main focus of the story is—

(a) teacher’s anger

(b) child psychology

(c) exams

(d) classroom rules

Ans: (b)

4. The teacher in the story believes punishment—

(a) improves learning

(b) creates fear

(c) builds confidence

(d) is necessary

Ans: (b)

5. The student was thought to be dull because he was—

(a) lazy

(b) disobedient

(c) shy and silent

(d) naughty

Ans: (c)

6. The teacher used which method to teach the child?

(a) Beating

(b) Fear

(c) Love

(d) Expulsion

Ans: (c)

7. Fear in students causes—

(a) success

(b) creativity

(c) failure

(d) discipline

Ans: (c)

8. The teacher represents—

(a) old system

(b) modern education

(c) strict nature

(d) careless attitude

Ans: (b)

9. The story supports—

(a) corporal punishment

(b) strict discipline

(c) child-friendly education

(d) exam pressure

Ans: (c)

10. The child improved due to—

(a) beating

(b) scolding

(c) encouragement

(d) fear

Ans: (c)

11. Corporal punishment means—

(a) mental pressure

(b) verbal warning

(c) physical punishment

(d) homework

Ans: (c)

12. The teacher believed children learn better in—

(a) fear

(b) freedom

(c) silence

(d) pressure

Ans: (b)

13. The story teaches that discipline should come from—

(a) force

(b) fear

(c) understanding

(d) rules

Ans: (c)

14. The child’s fear was removed by—

(a) punishment

(b) kindness

(c) threat

(d) strictness

Ans: (b)

15. The teacher’s behavior was—

(a) cruel

(b) careless

(c) sympathetic

(d) angry

Ans: (c)

16. The lesson highlights the importance of—

(a) marks

(b) rules

(c) love

(d) silence

Ans: (c)

17. The student’s silence showed—

(a) intelligence

(b) fear

(c) pride

(d) anger

Ans: (b)

18. Learning becomes difficult when there is—

(a) love

(b) support

(c) fear

(d) guidance

Ans: (c)

19. The teacher treated the student like—

(a) an enemy

(b) a criminal

(c) a child

(d) a failure

Ans: (c)

20. The moral of the story is—

(a) beat children

(b) fear improves learning

(c) love reforms children

(d) punishment is necessary

Ans: (c)

21. The teacher first did what to understand the child?

(a) punished him

(b) ignored him

(c) observed him

(d) scolded him

Ans: (c)

22. Education should develop—

(a) fear

(b) confidence

(c) pressure

(d) punishment

Ans: (b)

23. The child became active because—

(a) of fear

(b) of love

(c) of punishment

(d) of rules

Ans: (b)

24. The story criticizes—

(a) exams

(b) homework

(c) corporal punishment

(d) teachers

Ans: (c)

25. The teacher’s success came from—

(a) strictness

(b) patience

(c) anger

(d) force

Ans: (b)

26. Fear affects a child’s—

(a) body

(b) growth

(c) mind

(d) strength

Ans: (c)

27. The story encourages teachers to be—

(a) strict

(b) cruel

(c) understanding

(d) careless

Ans: (c)

28. The child’s improvement proves—

(a) punishment works

(b) fear is good

(c) love works

(d) silence is best

Ans: (c)

29. A good teacher is one who—

(a) beats students

(b) understands them

(c) scares them

(d) ignores them

Ans: (b)

30. The lesson is mainly about—

(a) exams

(b) school rules

(c) education values

(d) discipline only

Ans: (c)

31. The word “spare” means—

(a) use

(b) avoid

(c) break

(d) throw

Ans: (b)

32. The rod symbolizes—

(a) love

(b) care

(c) punishment

(d) guidance

Ans: (c)

33. Fear makes a child—

(a) confident

(b) intelligent

(c) nervous

(d) brave

Ans: (c)

34. The teacher showed—

(a) anger

(b) sympathy

(c) jealousy

(d) pride

Ans: (b)

35. The story supports—

(a) physical force

(b) mental pressure

(c) emotional support

(d) strict rules

Ans: (c)

36. The child’s talent came out due to—

(a) love

(b) fear

(c) punishment

(d) silence

Ans: (a)

37. The best tool of education is—

(a) stick

(b) book

(c) love

(d) exam

Ans: (c)

38. The lesson is useful for—

(a) teachers only

(b) parents only

(c) students only

(d) all

Ans: (d)

39. The teacher’s method was—

(a) traditional

(b) modern

(c) cruel

(d) careless

Ans: (b)

40. The story ends with—

(a) punishment

(b) failure

(c) success

(d) fear

Ans: (c)

41. Fear kills—

(a) discipline

(b) creativity

(c) silence

(d) rules

Ans: (b)

42. Love builds—

(a) fear

(b) anger

(c) confidence

(d) silence

Ans: (c)

43. The student was weak because of—

(a) illness

(b) fear

(c) laziness

(d) pride

Ans: (b)

44. The story suggests teachers should act like—

(a) police

(b) parents

(c) judges

(d) soldiers

Ans: (b)

45. True discipline comes from—

(a) punishment

(b) fear

(c) understanding

(d) force

Ans: (c)

46. The lesson rejects—

(a) love

(b) guidance

(c) corporal punishment

(d) kindness

Ans: (c)

47. The child’s silence was a sign of—

(a) intelligence

(b) fear

(c) pride

(d) anger

Ans: (b)

48. The teacher’s approach was—

(a) negative

(b) violent

(c) positive

(d) careless

Ans: (c)

49. The story teaches moral values of—

(a) cruelty

(b) anger

(c) kindness

(d) fear

Ans: (c)

50. The best message of the lesson is—

(a) Beat children

(b) Fear teaches discipline

(c) Love reforms children

(d) Punishment is necessary

Ans: (c)

Outro: Spare the Rod

In conclusion, the lesson “Spare the Rod” clearly teaches us that education should be based on love, patience, and understanding rather than fear and punishment. The story proves that physical punishment harms a child’s confidence and blocks learning, while kindness helps in bringing out hidden talents. A good teacher does not rule the classroom with a stick but wins the hearts of students through sympathy and encouragement. The positive change in the child shows that true discipline comes from inner realization, not from force. Thus, the lesson strongly supports a child-friendly and humane system of education, reminding us that when we spare the rod and use love, we help children grow into confident and responsible individuals.