How the Dog Found Himself a New Master — AP Board Class 6 English
'The dog was tired of being his own master. He wanted a master who was STRONGER than anyone else.'
1. About the Chapter
'How the Dog Found Himself a New Master' is an ancient folk tale that explains WHY dogs became DOMESTICATED animals — loyal companions to humans. A dog, tired of being his own master, sets out to find the STRONGEST being in the world. His journey takes him from the wolf to the bear to the lion — and finally to MAN. Each animal admits someone else is stronger. The dog learns that STRENGTH alone is not what matters — LOYALTY and COMPANIONSHIP are also important.
Why This Story Matters for AP Board Students
- A CLASSIC folk tale found in many cultures
- Simple repetitive structure — EASY to remember
- Teaches about the DOG-HUMAN bond — every child loves dogs
- 'The dog's journey mirrors our own search for belonging'
- Connects to Indian context: dogs in Indian villages and mythology (Bhairava's dog, Yudhishthira's dog)
2. About the Author
This is a FOLK TALE — no single author. It has been passed down through GENERATIONS in various cultures (Indian, Greek, African). The version in the NCERT syllabus is adapted for young readers.
Folk Tale Tradition
- Folk tales teach MORAL lessons through ANIMALS
- Animals represent HUMAN traits (the wolf = fear, the bear = strength, the lion = pride)
- 'The story explains something about the natural world — why dogs live with humans'
3. Characters
| Character | Role | Significance |
|---|---|---|
| The Dog | A free dog seeking a stronger master | Represents LOYALTY and the desire for belonging |
| The Wolf | The dog's first choice | Admits the bear is stronger — runs away |
| The Bear | The second choice | Admits the lion is stronger — runs away |
| The Lion | The third choice | Admits MAN is stronger — retreats from a man |
| Man | The final master | The dog realises MAN is the STRONGEST |
4. Detailed Summary
Part 1: The Dog's Dissatisfaction
The dog is FREE. He lives in the forest. He hunts for his own food. He protects himself.
But he is NOT happy. 'I am TIRED of being my own master,' he thinks. 'I want a master who is STRONGER than anyone in the world.'
Part 2: Meeting the Wolf
The dog meets a WOLF. The wolf looks strong and fierce.
'Will you be my master?' asks the dog.
'Yes!' says the wolf.
But one night, the wolf hears a BEAR roaring. The wolf RUNS AWAY in fear.
'My master is AFRAID of the bear,' thinks the dog. 'I must find someone STRONGER.'
Part 3: Meeting the Bear
The dog approaches the BEAR. The bear looks MASSIVE and powerful.
'Will you be my master?' asks the dog.
'Yes!' growls the bear.
But one evening, the bear sees a LION. The bear RUNS AWAY.
'Even the mighty bear fears the lion,' thinks the dog. 'I must find a STRONGER master.'
Part 4: Meeting the Lion
The dog goes to the LION. The lion ROARS. He is the KING of the forest.
'Will you be my master?' asks the dog.
'Of course!' roars the lion.
But one day, the lion sees a MAN walking through the forest. The lion TURNS and FLEES.
'Even the king of the forest is afraid of MAN?' wonders the dog.
Part 5: Meeting Man
The dog approaches the MAN.
'You are the strongest of all,' says the dog. 'The wolf, the bear, and the lion — all fear you. Will YOU be my master?'
The man smiles. 'Yes. And I will protect you.'
The dog is FINALLY happy. He has found the strongest master — MAN. From that day, dogs have been MAN'S BEST FRIEND.
5. Themes
The Search for Belonging
The dog wants a MASTER — someone to belong to. This reflects the human need for CONNECTION.
Strength is Relative
Everyone thinks someone else is STRONGER. The wolf fears the bear. The bear fears the lion. The lion fears man.
The Dog-Human Bond
The story 'explains' why dogs and humans live together. It is a story of TRUST and LOYALTY.
Power and Humility
True STRENGTH does not need to prove itself. The man does not roar or fight — yet all animals fear him.
6. Literary Devices
Repetition
The pattern 'The dog went to X. X said yes. But X was afraid of Y.' repeats three times — makes the story RHYTHMIC and MEMORABLE.
Personification
Animals TALK and THINK like humans. This makes the story ENGAGING for children.
Cumulative Structure
Each event builds on the PREVIOUS one, leading to the FINAL discovery.
Folk Tale Formula
A classic 'why' story — explains WHY dogs live with humans.
7. Vocabulary / New Words
| Word | Meaning |
|---|---|
| Master | Owner, one who controls or protects |
| Fierce | Frightening, ready to attack |
| Roaring | Making a deep, loud sound (like a lion) |
| Mighty | Very strong and powerful |
| Retreat | To move back, run away |
| Loyal | Faithful, committed |
| Domestication | The process of taming wild animals |
8. Important Quotes
| Situation | Quote | Meaning |
|---|---|---|
| The dog's dissatisfaction | 'I am tired of being my own master.' | The dog WANTS to serve someone |
| After the wolf runs | 'My master is afraid of the bear.' | The dog judges by ACTIONS, not words |
| After the lion flees | 'Even the lion is afraid of MAN.' | Man is the STRONGEST without fighting |
| The dog's final realisation | 'Man is the strongest of all.' | The journey ends — lesson learned |
9. Short Answer Questions (2-3 marks each)
1. Why was the dog unhappy at the beginning? The dog was tired of being his own master. He wanted someone stronger to serve.
2. Whom did the dog choose as his first master? The dog first chose the WOLF as his master.
3. Why did the dog leave the wolf? The wolf was afraid of the BEAR. The dog wanted a master who was afraid of NO ONE.
4. Why did the bear run away from the lion? The bear was afraid of the lion because the lion is the KING of the forest.
5. Why did the lion run away from the man? The lion knew that MAN is the STRONGEST creature on earth — even stronger than the lion.
6. Who became the dog's final master? MAN became the dog's final and permanent master.
7. What is the moral of the story? The strongest creature is MAN, and dogs are loyal to humans.
10. Long Answer Questions (6-8 marks each)
1. Trace the dog's journey in search of a master. What did he learn? The dog started his journey because he wanted a strong master. He went to the WOLF — but the wolf feared the BEAR. He went to the bear — but the bear feared the LION. He went to the lion — but the lion feared MAN. Finally, the dog chose MAN as his master. The dog learned that STRENGTH is RELATIVE and that the TRUE strength is MAN's intelligence and courage.
2. Why is the dog called 'man's best friend'? Use examples from the story. The story explains that the dog CHOSE man as his master freely. Unlike the wolf, bear, or lion — who were forced by fear — the dog WILLINGLY chose man. This voluntary bond became the foundation of the dog-human relationship. In Indian villages too, dogs are loyal guardians who stay with their human families.
3. 'Everyone has someone stronger than them.' Discuss with reference to the story. The wolf was strong but feared the bear. The bear was strong but feared the lion. The lion was strong but feared man. The chain shows that NO ONE is the strongest in EVERY way. True strength includes HUMILITY and WISDOM — which man represents.
4. What does the story tell us about ANIMAL NATURE and HUMANS? Wild animals act on INSTINCT — they fight or flee based on fear. But man thinks, plans, and reasons. Man's strength is not in muscle but in MIND. The dog recognised this: man's true power is INTELLIGENCE.
11. AP Board Context
- AP Board exam questions often ask students to put the events in sequential ORDER.
- Compare and contrast: Dogs in Indian villages (stray dogs) vs the concept of a 'master' in the story.
- Vocabulary: Telugu equivalents for 'loyal,' 'fierce,' 'master' can be discussed.
- Activity: Draw a FLOWCHART of the dog's journey — wolf → bear → lion → man.
- Writing task: 'Write a paragraph about your PET or a stray dog you know.'
12. Fun Activity
'The dog's search continues!' Write a ONE-PARAGRAPH continuation where the dog discovers something else about man — maybe man's kindness, cooking, or ability to build houses. What does the dog like most about living with humans?
