Living in Harmony — Class 3 EVS (CBSE)
From the current NCERT Our Wondrous World Grade 3 book, Unit 2: Life Around Us, Chapter 6. Humans, plants, and animals can live together happily when we care for one another.
1. Why this chapter matters
Living in harmony means living together with care and respect. This chapter helps children see that we depend on nature for many things and that caring for plants and animals is a shared responsibility.
2. Key ideas
- All living beings — people, animals, birds, insects, and plants — coexist and depend on each other.
- Animals can help plants grow; for example, birds and squirrels spread seeds so new plants can grow.
- We should care for nature by watering plants, feeding animals, and giving them safe homes.
- We should treat all creatures kindly — most animals do not harm us unless they feel threatened.
- Nature gives us food, medicine, clothing, and companionship, so we must give back by caring for it.
3. Let's understand
In the story of the mango tree, a boy named Shambhu learns that nature works together. When birds and squirrels eat fruit, they drop or carry the seeds, which grow into new trees. So animals help plants, and plants feed animals — they live in harmony.
We can join this harmony too. By watering plants, feeding birds, keeping water out for animals in summer, and making safe spaces for them, we care for living things. We also stay kind and calm around animals, because most animals harm only when they feel threatened.
Nature is generous — it gives us food, medicine, clothes, and the company of animals. The least we can do is give back by protecting plants and animals. Caring for nature is everyone's responsibility.
4. New words
| Word | Meaning |
|---|---|
| harmony | living together peacefully with care |
| coexist | to live together at the same time and place |
| disperse | to spread or scatter (like seeds) |
| threatened | feeling in danger |
| responsibility | a duty to take care of something |
5. Activity corner
Choose one way to care for nature this week. Write:
- What you will do (water a plant, feed birds, keep water for animals)
- Why it helps
- How it makes you feel to care for living things
6. Common mistakes
- Mistake: Thinking animals attack people for no reason. Fix: Most animals harm only when they feel threatened; stay calm and kind.
- Mistake: Thinking only adults must care for nature. Fix: Caring for nature is a shared responsibility — children can help too.
- Mistake: Forgetting that animals help plants. Fix: Birds and squirrels spread seeds, helping new plants grow.
7. Let Us Think
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What does "living in harmony" mean? Living together with care and respect for people, plants, and animals.
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How do birds and squirrels help plants? They spread seeds, which grow into new plants.
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Give two ways you can care for animals and plants. Water plants, feed birds, or keep out water for animals; give them safe homes.
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Do animals usually harm people? When might they? No; most animals harm only when they feel threatened.
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What does nature give us, and how can we give back? It gives food, medicine, clothing, and companionship; we give back by protecting plants and animals.
8. Answer key
- Living together with care and respect.
- By spreading seeds that grow into new plants.
- Watering plants, feeding birds, keeping water for animals.
- No; only when they feel threatened.
- Food, medicine, clothing, companionship; give back by caring for nature.
9. Quick revision
- Living in harmony means living together with care and respect.
- All living beings coexist and depend on each other.
- Birds and squirrels help plants by spreading seeds.
- Care for nature: water plants, feed animals, give safe homes.
- Nature gives us much; caring for it is everyone's responsibility.
Unit 2: Life Around Us
This chapter is part of Unit 2: Life Around Us. The three chapters in this unit are:
- Chapter 4: Getting to Know Plants
- Chapter 5: Plants and Animals Live Together
- Chapter 6: Living in Harmony
