The NCERT Class 8 It So Happend supplementary reader brings together eight captivating short stories that transform English learning into an unforgettable journey of imagination, empathy, and moral discovery for CBSE students.
Published by the National Council of Educational Research and Training, It So Happend serves as the official supplementary English reader for Class 8 students following the CBSE curriculum. Unlike the main textbook Honeydew, which combines prose, poetry, and grammar exercises, this supplementary reader focuses exclusively on short stories designed for extensive reading practice. The collection spans genres from humorous animal fables to poignant social commentaries, ensuring every student finds stories that resonate with their interests.
For the academic year 2025-26, the book retains its carefully curated selection of eight stories, each chosen for its literary merit, age-appropriateness, and potential to spark meaningful classroom discussions. Whether you are a student preparing for examinations, a parent supporting home learning, or a teacher planning engaging lesson activities, accessing these stories in PDF format makes study sessions more convenient and effective. You can explore more educational resources on the NCERT Books and Solutions PDF section of our website.
NCERT Class 8 It So Happend Chapter List and Download
The NCERT Class 8 It So Happend textbook comprises eight chapters, each presenting a distinct narrative style and thematic focus. Below you will find the complete chapter index with direct PDF download links for the 2025-26 edition. These PDFs are sourced from the official NCERT repository at NCERT.nic.in and are fully compliant with current CBSE guidelines.
Why This Matters: Having chapter-wise PDFs allows students to focus on individual stories during revision rather than scrolling through the entire book. This targeted approach is particularly useful during examination preparation when time management becomes critical.
Each chapter in the It So Happend supplementary reader has been designed to be self-contained, meaning students can read stories in any order based on their interest or examination schedule. However, the book is organised progressively, with earlier chapters featuring simpler vocabulary and shorter narratives.
Detailed Chapter Summaries and Themes
Understanding what each story offers helps students approach their reading with purpose. The following summaries provide an overview of the eight chapters in NCERT Class 8 It So Happend, highlighting key characters, plot points, and the moral lessons embedded within each narrative.
Chapter 1 – How the Camel Got His Hump: This delightful story by Rudyard Kipling uses humour and imagination to explain why camels have humps. Set at the beginning of the world, the tale follows a lazy camel who refuses to work while the horse, dog, and ox toil for man. A Djinn punishes the camel’s idleness by giving him a hump, teaching readers that laziness brings its own burdens. The story introduces students to Kipling’s distinctive narrative voice and the concept of pourquoi tales (stories explaining natural phenomena).
Chapter 2 – Children at Work presents a stark contrast to the opening tale’s fantasy. This socially conscious narrative follows Velu, an eleven-year-old boy who runs away from his abusive father and arrives in Chennai. Through Velu’s eyes, students witness the harsh realities of child labour and survival on city streets. The story sensitises young readers to issues of poverty, exploitation, and the importance of child rights—themes directly relevant to India’s ongoing social challenges.
Oscar Wilde’s timeless Chapter 3 – The Selfish Giant remains one of the most beloved stories in the collection. The narrative follows a giant who builds a wall to keep children out of his beautiful garden, only to discover that perpetual winter follows his selfishness. When the children return through a hole in the wall, spring arrives with them. The story carries powerful themes of redemption, generosity, and the innocence of childhood, making it excellent material for character analysis questions in CBSE examinations.
Important: The Selfish Giant is frequently featured in CBSE Class 8 English examinations. Students should pay close attention to the symbolism of seasons, the character transformation of the giant, and the allegorical elements that reference Christian themes of sacrifice and salvation.
Chapter 4 – The Treasure Within takes an entirely different approach as an interview-based piece. The chapter presents a conversation with Hafeez Contractor, one of India’s most successful architects, who reveals his struggles as a student who could not excel academically. This chapter carries a powerful message: academic performance does not define a person’s worth or potential. The interview format also provides students with exposure to a different literary form beyond traditional narrative prose.
Somerset Maugham’s Chapter 5 – Princess September transports readers to the royal court of Siam (present-day Thailand). The story follows a princess who receives a singing bird as a gift and must choose between caging it for her own pleasure or setting it free. The narrative explores themes of love, freedom, and the nature of true happiness. Students preparing for examinations should focus on the contrast between Princess September and her sisters, who cage their parrots and eventually lose their voices. If you are also preparing for senior classes, you might find our Biological Classification NCERT PDF – Class resources helpful for understanding nature-related concepts.
Chapter 6 – The Fight: Extracted from Ruskin Bond’s semi-autobiographical novel ‘The Room on the Roof’, this chapter narrates a confrontation between Ranji and another boy over a swimming pool in the hills. Rather than concluding with violence, the story shows how mutual respect emerges from the fight, leading to an unlikely friendship. The chapter teaches students about courage, sportsmanship, and the possibility of friendship emerging from conflict.
Chapter 7 – Jalebis by Ahmed Nadeem Qasmi is a humorous yet thought-provoking story about a young boy who spends his school fees on jalebis after hearing coins ‘talk’ to him. The ensuing panic as he tries to recover the money through prayer provides both comedy and moral instruction. This chapter resonates strongly with Indian students due to its cultural familiarity and the universal experience of childhood temptation. The story’s exploration of consequences, honesty, and the nature of divine intervention makes it ideal for discussions about ethics and decision-making.
The collection concludes with Chapter 8 – Ancient Education System of India, a factual piece that differs significantly from the preceding fictional narratives. This chapter describes the gurukul system, the role of gurus, the curriculum of ancient Indian education, and institutions like Nalanda and Takshashila. As a non-fiction piece, it requires students to engage with informational text comprehension skills rather than literary analysis. The chapter connects well with History and Social Science subjects, providing cross-curricular learning opportunities.
How to Use It So Happend for CBSE Examination Preparation
While NCERT Class 8 It So Happend is classified as a supplementary reader, questions from this book appear regularly in CBSE Class 8 English examinations. Understanding how to prepare effectively can significantly improve examination performance.
| Topic | Resource |
| Entire Book for Download (NCERT Official Link) | Download It So Happend Book |
| More NCERT Books in this Subject | English Subject Books in Class 8 |
| All books for Class 8 | All Class 8 NCERT Books |
The key to mastering the supplementary reader lies in understanding that CBSE examination questions typically test comprehension rather than memorisation. Students are rarely asked to reproduce story plots verbatim; instead, they must demonstrate understanding of character motivations, thematic elements, and the ability to draw inferences from the text. This approach aligns with the National Education Policy 2020’s emphasis on competency-based learning.
Why This Matters: Unlike questions from Honeydew, which may include grammar exercises and poem analysis, It So Happend questions focus purely on narrative comprehension. Practising answer writing for these stories develops the extended response skills students need for higher classes.
Teachers following the CBSE syllabus for 2025-26 often assign two to three stories per term, allowing sufficient time for in-depth discussions. Parents can support this learning by discussing story themes at home, asking children to narrate plots in their own words, and encouraging connections between story morals and real-life situations. Students preparing for competitive examinations in later classes can also benefit from the Amines NCERT PDF – Class 12 resources when they reach senior secondary level.
Literary Techniques and Vocabulary Development
One of the primary purposes of the It So Happend supplementary reader is to expose Class 8 students to diverse writing styles and literary techniques. Each story employs different narrative approaches, enriching students’ understanding of how authors craft compelling narratives.
Rudyard Kipling’s use of repetition and rhythm in ‘How the Camel Got His Hump’ creates a fable-like quality that makes the story memorable. Students encounter phrases like ‘Humph!’ repeated throughout, demonstrating how authors use sound patterns for effect. Oscar Wilde, in contrast, employs symbolism and allegory extensively in ‘The Selfish Giant’, where seasons represent emotional states and the mysterious child at the end carries clear religious symbolism.
Ruskin Bond’s excerpt from ‘The Room on the Roof’ showcases first-person narration with vivid sensory descriptions of the Indian landscape. Students reading this chapter gain exposure to how autobiographical fiction creates intimacy between narrator and reader. Meanwhile, ‘Jalebis’ demonstrates the use of internal monologue and the unreliable narrator concept, as readers must recognise that the coins did not actually speak to the protagonist.
Key Vocabulary Building Strategy: Each chapter in It So Happend introduces approximately 15-20 new vocabulary words. Students should maintain a dedicated notebook where they record new words, their meanings, and example sentences. This practice not only aids comprehension but also improves writing skills across all subjects.
The interview format in ‘The Treasure Within’ introduces students to journalistic writing conventions, including how questions are structured to elicit detailed responses. This exposure prepares students for the formal writing requirements they will encounter in higher classes. For those interested in exploring other state board resources, the 10th Tamil Book – Tamilnadu Samacheer offers additional regional literature.
Moral Values and Life Lessons from It So Happend
The NCERT Class 8 It So Happend collection deliberately includes stories carrying strong moral messages, aligning with the educational philosophy that literature should contribute to character development alongside language skills.
‘How the Camel Got His Hump’ teaches the consequences of laziness and shirking responsibility. ‘Children at Work’ develops social awareness and empathy for less fortunate members of society. ‘The Selfish Giant’ demonstrates how generosity transforms not just others but also oneself. These messages are not presented didactically but emerge naturally from engaging narratives.
‘The Treasure Within’ carries perhaps the most immediately relevant message for students: academic grades do not determine life success. Hafeez Contractor’s story of becoming a celebrated architect despite poor academic performance