# A Snake Charmer’s Story

## Overview
This chapter shares the life story of Aryanath, a young boy from the Kalbeliya community, which has traditionally lived as snake-charmers. Through personal narratives and memories of his grandfather, students learn about their cultural practices, connection with snakes, use of herbal medicine, and the impact of new laws on their livelihood.

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## Key Topics Covered

### 1. Life of a Snake Charmer
- Aryanath, the narrator, belongs to the Kalbeliya community.
- He has the special skill of playing the **been**, a wind instrument used to make snakes "dance".
- His grandfather and father were also snake-charmers, skilled at catching snakes and making herbal medicines.

### 2. Traditional Knowledge and Herbal Remedies
- The community carried snakes in bamboo baskets and moved from village to village.
- Along with entertainment, they also provided **medicines from forest herbs**.
- They helped people bitten by snakes and taught others how to recognize poisonous species.

### 3. Changes in Law and Impact
- The government has now banned capturing wild animals, including snakes.
- This has made it difficult for snake-charmers to continue their traditional profession.
- Despite the ban, the Kalbeliyas never killed snakes for skin or money.

### 4. Cultural Heritage and Kalbeliya Dance
- Snakes are respected and even gifted in marriage among the Kalbeliyas.
- Their dance, **Kalbeliya**, mimics the graceful movements of snakes.
- Musical instruments used in their performances: **been, tumba, khanjiri, and dhol** (except dhol, all are made from dried gourds).

### 5. Message of Awareness and Coexistence
- Aryanath is encouraged to spread awareness about snakes.
- Teach children that snakes are not always dangerous.
- Snakes help farmers by eating rats that destroy crops.

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## New Terms and Simple Definitions

| Term | Definition |
|------------------|------------|
| Kalbeliya | A community known for snake-charming and dance |
| Been | A wind instrument used by snake-charmers |
| Snake-charmer | A person who entertains people by controlling snakes |
| Fang | A long, sharp tooth of a snake that can inject poison |
| Venomous | Something that has poison (like some snakes) |
| Herbal medicine | Natural medicine made from plants and herbs |
| Livelihood | A way of earning money to live |
| Law | Rules made by the government |
| Dhol | A drum-like musical instrument |
| Tumba/Khanjiri | Traditional instruments made from dried gourd |


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## 📝 Practice Questions

### 🟢 Easy (3 Questions)

**1. What is the name of the community Aryanath belongs to?**
**Answer:** Kalbeliya
**Explanation:** Aryanath mentions that his family has been snake-charmers for generations and they are known as Kalbeliyas.

**2. What instrument does Aryanath play to make snakes dance?**
**Answer:** Been
**Explanation:** Been is a wind instrument used by snake-charmers to control the movements of snakes.

**3. What do snakes eat that helps farmers?**
**Answer:** Rats
**Explanation:** Snakes eat rats, which protect the crops from being damaged by rodents.

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### 🟡 Medium (2 Questions)

**4. Why has the government made laws against catching wild animals like snakes?**
**Answer:** To protect animals from being killed or kept in poor conditions.
**Explanation:** The government introduced the law to stop animal cruelty and illegal trade of skins.

**5. What was kept in the tin box of snake-charmers?**
**Answer:** Medicines made from forest plants.
**Explanation:** The snake-charmers made herbal medicines and carried them in tin boxes to help people.

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### 🔴 Difficult (3 Questions)

**6. How did Aryanath’s grandfather identify the type of snake bite?**
**Answer:** By looking at the marks of the bite.
**Explanation:** He used his traditional knowledge to understand which snake had bitten a person and gave medicines accordingly.

**7. What does Aryanath's grandfather say about the respect Kalbeliyas have for snakes?**
**Answer:** They treat snakes as a treasure passed from one generation to another.
**Explanation:** He emphasizes that they never kill snakes and even gift them during marriages.

**8. What cultural art form is inspired by snakes in the Kalbeliya community?**
**Answer:** Kalbeliya Dance
**Explanation:** The dance includes movements that imitate the graceful motion of snakes.

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### 🔵 Very Difficult (2 Questions)

**9. What alternative future does Aryanath's grandfather suggest for him?**
**Answer:** Form a been party to entertain people and share knowledge about snakes.
**Explanation:** Since catching snakes is now banned, his grandfather advises using his musical talent and knowledge for awareness.

**10. What does the story teach us about the relationship between humans and animals?**
**Answer:** Humans should respect animals and live in harmony with them.
**Explanation:** The story shows that animals can be friends and helpers, and should not be harmed for profit or entertainment.

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