The Fight

Chapter Summary

“The Fight” is a short story about two boys from various states. The story is written by Ruskin Bond, where at the end of the fight, the hate between them transformed to love.

One of him was Ranji who was a Rajput and another boy is Suraj who is a Punjabi. Ranji shifts his city and moves to a new place and in the new place; he discovers a pool inside a forest. The fine water of the pool attracts Ranji and he starts swimming. The next day while swimming, Ranji meets Suraj in the pool and Suraj interrupts him to swim in the pool. The fight starts when Suraj does not answer Ranji’s friendly manner in return. They start fighting to swim in the pool. Suraj throughs challenge Ranji to swim the next day in the pool. Further, on the next day, Ranji asks Suraj to teach swimming and the fight ends in a friendship.

In what way is the forest pool different from the one which Ranji knew in the Rajputana desert?

Ranji was a Rajput boy who has not seen a clean water pool before. He has known some pools that contain muddy water and used for washing clothes by women. The water in the forest pool was very clean and cold as it attracts Rajni to swim.

The other boy asked Ranji to ‘explain’ himself.

(i) What did he expect Ranji to say?

The other boy, Suraj was expecting an apology from Ranji for entering the pool without seeking his permission. He wanted to swim alone as usual and Ranji to leave the pool.

(ii) Was he, in your opinion, right or wrong to ask this question?

The pool was situated in the forest and it was open for all. The pool was neither a private property too. Suraj was wrong to think that Ranji needs his permission or invitation to enter the pool.

Between Ranji and the other boy, who is trying to start a quarrel?

The quarrel was initiated by the other boy who wanted Ranji to leave the pool and showed his anger as he believed that anyone need his permission to enter the pool. Ranji replied with friendly behaviour to Suraj. However, Suraj deliberately wanted to fight and he was addressed himself as a warrior (ncert, 2022). Ranji in return demand that he does not seek any permission to enter the pool and it is reflected as a fight between them.

Then we will have to continue the fight, said the other.

(i) What made him say that?

Ranji and the other body continue to quarrel and it makes a fight between them about the occupancy of the pool. Suraj feels that Ranji was not ready to leave the pool then they decided to continue the fight for the next day.

(ii) Did the fight continue? If not, why not?

Even with the bitter experience of the previous day, they did not continue to fight. Neither Ranji nor the other boy took the initiation to fight for the next day. Suraj become amazed to see Ranji dived into the water and swimming. They agree to teach swim and wrestling to each other and convert the fight into friendship.

What is it that Ranji finds difficult to explain at home?

Ranji finds it difficult to answer the reason behind the wounds and cuts on his face, arms, and legs. It was difficult for him to explain the fact about the fight he conducted with Suraj. His mother asked him to stay at home.

Ranji sees his adversary in the bazaar

Ranji saw his adversary in the bazaar, and he intended to avoid it by looked other sites of the market. He became so angry and felt to throw the bottle of lemonade at his adversary.

Ranji did not throw the bottle of lemonade at his adversary; rather he did nothing he thought to do while passing the other boy named Suraj at the market. He did not like to initiate any unnecessary fights with the other boy in the market. Moreover, Suraj did not say anything, however; he scowled back with similar ferocity.

Ranji is not at all eager for a second fight. Why does he go back to the pool, then?

Although Ranji was not ready to initiate a fight on the second day, unwillingly he leaves home. His mind was continuously thinking about the challenge has made on the previous day and he need to win the challenge to enter the pool and gain respect.

Who was the better swimmer? How do you know it?

Rajni was the better swimmer. Ranji was able to jump inside the pool to swim which made the other boy remain surprised. Ranji straightly dived into the pool and quickly appeared towards the end of the pool. Suraj was amazed at Ranji’s accomplishment and asked him about the swimming skill Rajni has. This incident made Suraj ask Rajni to teach him swimming is proof to Ranji was a better swimmer.

What surprises the warrior?

The incident of diving into the water by Rajni made Suraj was amazed. Ranji cam even swims underwater, crossed the pool quickly, as he encircled Suraj, and reached from behind. This incident amazed Suraj and he respected his developed swimming skills and performance of Ranji so much.

Adversaries that turn into good friends in a matter of minutes

Ranji and Suraj fight with each other on the first day of meeting in the pool. Suraj was surprised by the swimming skills performed by Ranji and he wanted to learn swimming from Ranji. This incident made friendship between the two.

What can be done to reach a mutually acceptable settlement?

No, fighting cannot resolve any conflict and it is not the appreciated way to resolve the differences between two. Opinions can differ between two persons or groups; however, fighting can get results as the solution. Even in the worst situation, one can initiate friendship and it can help in addressing the solution to the conflict. Peaceful resolution is also admirable in any situation.

FAQs

Q1. What are the differences between Ranji and Suraj?

Ans. Ranji is a Rajput body that has expertise in swimming and is not so violent in nature. Contradictorily, Suraj is a Panjabi boy who is arrogant in nature, but he does not know to swim like Ranjit.

Q2. What starts the fighting between the two boys?

Ans. The clean water of the pool in the forest excites Ranjit, he wants to swim in the water. However, Suraj thinks that anyone else needs to seek his permission before entering the pool, and this incident makes them involved in a quarrel. Later they start fighting about the occupancy of the pool for swimming.

Q3. What makes Suraj amazed and why he does not start fighting?

Ans. Ranji’s swimming skills and the way he swims under the water amaze Suraj. The desire of learning to swim skills like Ranji makes him initiate the friendship instead of fighting.