Class 8 · English · New NCERT
Chapter 13: Feathered Friend
"Feathered Friend" opens Unit 5, Science and Curiosity, at about seventeen pages. It is by Arthur C. Clarke, and the preface says it explores companionship beyond human relationships through the story of a bird in space. Students read a science-fiction story, think about what living in a space station might be like and discuss friendship across species. It supports comprehension, imagination and vocabulary of space and technology, and links with the Science chapters on the skies and with the Class 7 English poem and chapter on adventure. Writing a short science-fiction scene is a lively extension.
This is chapter 13 of 15 in Poorvi, the Class 8 English textbook, in Unit 5, Science and Curiosity, and begins on page 205 of the printed 2026-27 book. It follows "Waiting for the Rain" and is followed by "Magnifying Glass".
The main skills practised in "Feathered Friend" are comprehension and expression. Children are encouraged to answer orally before writing, to retell or describe in their own words, and to use new words in sentences of their own. The book's sections (the Let us discuss, Let us think and reflect, Let us learn, Let us listen, Let us speak, Let us write and Let us explore activities) ask for different kinds of response, from reciting and speaking to drawing and writing, so that children with different strengths all find a way in. Phonological awareness, such as noticing rhyme and similar-sounding words, is practised along the way.
After the lesson on "Feathered Friend", children can make their own small page: a drawing, a few labelled words or a sentence of their own. Reading it aloud to a family member gives meaningful practice. Encourage questions and curiosity rather than correctness alone.
This overview is written from the 2026-27 textbook's Contents page, its preface and the chapter title, to help families and teachers prepare. Please read the chapter itself for exact content, activities and exercises.