The Little Girl Class 9 Chapter 1 NCERT Solution ||Beehive||

The Little Girl Chapter 3 English NCERT Solution ||Beehive|| Class 9

Thinking about the Text (Page 38)

II. Answer the following questions in one or two sentences:

1. Why was Kezia afraid of her father?
Answer : Kezia was afraid of her father because he was very strict and often spoke to her harshly. 
 
2. Who were the people in Kezia’s family?
Answer : Kezia’s family consisted of her father, mother, and grandmother.
 
3. What was Kezia’s father’s routine (i) before going to his office? (ii) after coming back from his office? (iii) on Sundays?
Answer : Kezia’s father’s routine was quite structured:
  1. Before going to his office: He would come into Kezia’s room to give her a casual kiss before leaving for work.
  2. After coming back from his office: He would ask for tea, the newspaper, and his slippers. He also expected Kezia to help him take off his boots.
  3. On Sundays: He would relax by stretching out on the sofa, covering his face with a handkerchief, putting his feet on a cushion, and sleeping soundly.

4. In what ways did Kezia’s grandmother encourage her to get to know her father better?
Answer : Kezia’s grandmother encouraged her to get to know her father better by suggesting she make a gift for him, encouraging her to interact with him more, and providing comfort and support to boost her confidence.

III. Discuss these questions in class with your teacher and then write down your answers in two or three paragraphs each.

1. Kezia’s efforts to please her father resulted in displeasing him very much. How did this happen?
Answer : Kezia’s attempt to please her father by making a pin-cushion for his birthday went wrong when she unknowingly used important documents to stuff it. These papers were crucial to her father, and when he discovered they were missing, he was furious. He scolded Kezia harshly, which deeply upset her and made her even more fearful of him. Her well-intentioned effort to make him happy ended up causing significant displeasure instead.
 
2. Kezia decides that there are “different kinds of fathers”. What kind of father was Mr Macdonald, and how was he different from Kezia’s father?
Answer : Kezia observed that there are “different kinds of fathers” when she compared her own father to Mr. Macdonald, their next-door neighbor. Mr. Macdonald was a loving, gentle, and forgiving father who always had a smile on his face. He was often seen playing joyfully with his children, treating them in a friendly and affectionate manner. His interactions with his children were filled with laughter and warmth, creating a happy and relaxed atmosphere at home.

In contrast, Kezia’s father was strict, authoritative, and often harsh. He maintained a disciplined and formal demeanor, rarely showing affection or engaging in playful activities with Kezia. His stern approach and tendency to find faults made Kezia feel intimidated and fearful. Unlike Mr. Macdonald, who created a nurturing environment, Kezia’s father was perceived as hard-hearted and unapproachable.

This stark difference in parenting styles led Kezia to realize that not all fathers are the same. While Mr. Macdonald’s children felt loved and secure, Kezia often felt scared and anxious around her father. This realization highlighted the impact of different parenting approaches on a child’s emotional well-being and sense of security.

3. How does Kezia begin to see her father as a human being who needs her sympathy?

Answer : Kezia begins to see her father as a human being who needs her sympathy after a significant event that changes her perspective. One night, Kezia has a nightmare and wakes up screaming. Her father, who usually seems distant and stern, comes to her room to comfort her. He picks her up, takes her to his room, and soothes her until she falls asleep again. This act of kindness and care is a stark contrast to his usual behavior, and it surprises Kezia.

As she lies in her father’s arms, she notices how tired and weary he looks. She realizes that he works hard all day and comes home exhausted. This moment of vulnerability helps Kezia understand that her father is not just a strict and authoritative figure, but also a human being with his own struggles and needs. She begins to see that his sternness might be a result of his fatigue and the pressures he faces at work.

This experience softens Kezia’s feelings towards her father. She starts to empathize with him, recognizing that he, too, needs love and understanding. The incident helps bridge the emotional gap between them, and Kezia begins to appreciate the efforts her father makes, even if he doesn’t always express his love in a gentle manner.

This shift in perspective is crucial for Kezia’s emotional growth. It teaches her the importance of empathy and understanding in relationships, and helps her see her father in a more compassionate light.

Thinking about the Language (Page 38)

I. Look at the following sentence.


Question 1.
Use an appropriate word from the synonyms given above in the following sentences. Clues are given in brackets.

  1. She was ………. by the news of her brother’s wedding, (very pleased)
  2. I was ………. to be invited to the party. (extremely pleased and excited about)
  3. She was ………. at the birth of her granddaughter, (extremely happy)
  4. The coach was ……….. with his performance, (satisfied about)
  5. She was very …………. with her results. (happy about something that has happened)

Answer:

  1. thrilled
  2. delighted
  3. overjoyed
  4. pleased
  5. happy.

2. Study the use of the word big in the following sentence:
He was so big—his hands and his
neck, especially his mouth…
Here, big means large in size.

Now, consult a dictionary and find out the meaning of big in the following sentences. The first one has been done for you.

  1. You are a big girl now. older
  2. Today you are going to take the biggest decision of your career …….
  3. Their project is full of big ideas …….
  4. Cricket is a big game in our country……..
  5. I am a big fan of Lata Mangeshkar……..
  6. You have to cook a bit more as my friend is a big eater ……..
  7. What a big heart you’ve got, Father dear ……..

Answers:

  1. most important
  2. great
  3. very popular
  4. great
  5. great
  6. very affectionate/large-hearted.