The-little-girl–Class-9–English–Summary–questions-and-answers–CBSE-NCERT
SUMMARY OF THE LITTLE GIRL
“The Little Girl” by Katherine Mansfield is a touching story about a young girl, Kezia, who is terrified of her strict father. She feels he is unkind, authoritative, and never shows affection. Her grandmother encourages her to understand her father better.
One day, Kezia plans to surprise her father with a birthday gift by stitching a pin-cushion, but unknowingly she stuffs it with papers that contained her father’s important speech. This makes him very angry, and he punishes her harshly, increasing her fear.
However, her perception changes one night when her mother is away and the cook is busy. Kezia has a nightmare and cries out in fear. Her father takes her in his arms, comforts her, and puts her to sleep beside him. At that moment, she realizes her father’s love, though unexpressed, is deep and genuine.
Moral: Parents may seem strict, but they care deeply. Children should try to understand their parents’ unspoken love and emotions.
GLOSSARY
Yawning – opening mouth wide while tired
Laboriously – with great effort
Stutter – to speak with difficulty, often repeating sounds
Timid – shy, lacking courage
Gravely – seriously
Horrid – very unpleasant or nasty
Nightmare – frightening dream
Wretched – very unhappy, miserable
Terrifying – extremely frightening
Soothing – calming, comforting
Slip down – to lie down quietly
Clung – held tightly
Stern – strict, serious
Overwrought – upset, nervous
Consequence – result of an action
Stammered – spoke with pauses due to nervousness
Comforted – gave emotional support
Speech – formal talk written for an occasion
Forgiving – showing kindness despite mistakes
Misunderstood – not correctly understood
SHORT QUESTION & ANSWERS
Q1. Who is the little girl in the story and what is her name?
Ans. The little girl is Kezia. She is a sensitive child who feels lonely and afraid of her father because of his strict and harsh behavior. However, by the end of the story, she realizes that her father actually loves her deeply.
Q2. How did Kezia feel about her father at the beginning of the story?
Ans. Kezia was very scared of her father. She thought of him as a figure of authority, strict and unkind. She avoided him as much as possible and stammered when speaking to him. She never felt close or affectionate towards him in the beginning.
Q3. What did Kezia’s grandmother encourage her to do for her father?
Ans. Kezia’s grandmother encouraged her to express love towards her father. She suggested that Kezia should make a gift—a pin-cushion—for his birthday to show affection. She hoped this would help Kezia overcome her fear and strengthen their relationship.
Q4. What gift did Kezia prepare for her father’s birthday?
Ans. Kezia decided to make a pin-cushion for her father’s birthday. She stitched it using a piece of yellow silk. To stuff it, she mistakenly used papers that contained her father’s important speech, which led to trouble for her later.
Q5. What mistake did Kezia make while preparing the gift?
Ans. While making the pin-cushion, Kezia unknowingly filled it with papers lying on her father’s desk. Unfortunately, those papers contained his important speech for the Port Authority. This mistake made her father very angry, and she was severely punished.
Q6. How did Kezia’s father react when he found out about the destroyed speech?
Ans. Kezia’s father was extremely angry when he discovered that his important speech had been torn up and stuffed into the pin-cushion. Without listening to her explanation, he punished Kezia harshly by beating her hands with a ruler, which frightened her further.
Q7. How did Kezia feel after her father punished her?
Ans. After being punished, Kezia felt hurt, misunderstood, and more terrified of her father. She saw him as cruel and unkind. The punishment made her cry bitterly, and she clung to her grandmother, feeling that her father was unfair and did not love her.
Q8. What happened one night when Kezia’s mother was away?
Ans. One night, when Kezia’s mother was at the hospital and the cook was busy, Kezia had to sleep alone. She got frightened by a horrible nightmare and woke up crying. This incident led to a change in her perception of her father.
Q9. What nightmare did Kezia see?
Ans. In her nightmare, Kezia saw a butcher with a knife and a huge rope. The terrifying dream made her scream in fear. It was a recurring nightmare, and usually her grandmother comforted her, but that night her father came to her rescue.
Q10. How did Kezia’s father comfort her after the nightmare?
Ans. Hearing Kezia’s screams, her father came to her room, took her in his arms, and soothed her. He made her feel safe by allowing her to sleep next to him. His gentle care made Kezia realize that he truly loved her.
Q11. Why did Kezia feel safe with her father after the nightmare?
Ans. Kezia felt safe with her father because he held her close, comforted her, and made her feel protected. She realized that although he seemed strict, he had a warm, caring side. This moment made her overcome her fear and feel affection for him.
Q12. What change occurred in Kezia’s feelings towards her father at the end?
Ans. At the end, Kezia understood her father better. She realized he loved her, though he was not expressive. His comfort after her nightmare made her see him as a protector rather than a frightening figure. Her fear turned into love and respect.
Q13. Why was Kezia’s father often harsh with her?
Ans. Kezia’s father was a busy man, often tired after work. He believed in discipline and did not openly express affection. His stern nature made him appear harsh, but he did not intend to hurt Kezia—he only wanted her to grow up disciplined.
Q14. How did Kezia’s grandmother help her bond with her father?
Ans. Kezia’s grandmother encouraged her to prepare a birthday gift for her father, hoping it would bring them closer. She also comforted Kezia whenever she was scared. Although the pin-cushion plan failed, her grandmother always tried to reduce the distance between them.
Q15. What does the story teach us about parental love?
Ans. The story teaches that parental love is sometimes hidden under strictness. Parents may not always show affection openly, but their love is deep and genuine. Children must try to understand their parents’ emotions instead of judging them only by their strictness.
Q16. How did Kezia usually behave in front of her father?
Ans. Kezia became very nervous and stammered when speaking to her father. She avoided him and felt tense in his presence. She thought of him as a distant, frightening figure and never felt comfortable expressing herself in front of him.
Q17. What work did Kezia’s father do at home every evening?
Ans. Every evening, Kezia’s father would come home tired from the office, demand tea, and read the newspaper. He expected complete silence and rest. His strict routine created an atmosphere of fear in the house, especially for Kezia.
Q18. Why was Kezia terrified when her father called her?
Ans. Kezia was terrified when her father called her because she always expected scolding or punishment. She never felt warmth in his tone. His strict voice and commanding personality made her nervous, so she stammered while answering.
Q19. Why did Kezia think her father was cruel?
Ans. Kezia thought her father was cruel because he never showed affection and often scolded or punished her. The incident of beating her for tearing the speech made her believe he was heartless. She failed to understand his love until later.
Q20. What role does the nightmare play in the story?
Ans. The nightmare is the turning point in the story. It makes Kezia cry out in fear, and her father’s loving response shows his caring nature. This incident changes Kezia’s perception and helps her realize that her father truly loves her.
Q21. Why did Kezia’s father punish her for tearing papers?
Ans. Kezia’s father punished her because she unknowingly destroyed his important speech by tearing the papers. Although she was innocent, her father, being strict and short-tempered, lost control and punished her without listening to her side.
Q22. How did Kezia feel about her grandmother?
Ans. Kezia felt very close to her grandmother. She shared her fears and sorrows with her. The grandmother comforted her during nightmares and guided her in making the birthday gift. She was Kezia’s only source of emotional support at home.
Q23. What does Kezia’s stammering reveal about her personality?
Ans. Kezia’s stammering reveals her lack of confidence and fear in front of her father. It shows she was nervous, timid, and under pressure when speaking to him. Her stammer disappeared when she felt safe and comfortable with others, especially her grandmother.
Q24. Why did Kezia compare her father to a giant?
Ans. Kezia compared her father to a giant because of his tall and strong personality. To her, he seemed overpowering, frightening, and unapproachable. His stern attitude made him look like a giant who had no gentleness or warmth.
Q25. How did Kezia’s father spend his Sundays?
Ans. On Sundays, Kezia’s father rested in the drawing room, stretched out on the sofa, with a handkerchief covering his face and feet. He demanded complete silence and relaxation, which made Kezia feel more distant and disconnected from him.
Q26. What was the importance of the pin-cushion episode?
Ans. The pin-cushion episode highlighted the communication gap between Kezia and her father. Her innocent effort to express love turned into a disaster. It also reflected her father’s lack of patience and harshness, which made her fear him more deeply.
Q27. Why did Kezia wonder at the end, “What a big heart her father had”?
Ans. Kezia realized her father’s love when he comforted her during the nightmare. His care made her understand that beneath his strict appearance was a loving father. She admired his kindness in that moment and thought he had a big, loving heart.
Q28. How is the theme of misunderstanding shown in the story?
Ans. The story shows misunderstanding between Kezia and her father. She mistakes his strictness for cruelty, while he fails to express affection. This communication gap makes her afraid of him until the final incident reveals his true love.
Q29. What lesson does Kezia learn by the end?
Ans. By the end, Kezia learns that her father truly loves her, even if he doesn’t openly show it. She understands that strictness does not mean lack of affection. This realization transforms her fear into love and respect for him.
Q30. How is Kezia’s relationship with her father different at the start and end of the story?
Ans. At the start, Kezia sees her father as strict, unkind, and frightening. She fears and avoids him. By the end, after he comforts her during her nightmare, she understands his love and feels safe with him, marking a warm transformation in their bond.
LONG QUESTION & ANSWERS
Q1. Describe Kezia’s relationship with her father at the beginning of the story.
Ans. At the beginning of the story, Kezia’s relationship with her father is full of fear and distance. She sees him as a strict and authoritative figure who never smiles or talks lovingly with her. Whenever he comes home, she becomes nervous and avoids him. Even when she has to answer his questions, she stammers and trembles. She compares him to a giant because of his tall, strict presence. Her father is shown as a busy man who spends little time with the family. This lack of communication makes Kezia believe that her father does not love her, and she develops a sense of dread in his presence.
Q2. How did Kezia prepare a birthday gift for her father?
Ans. To express her love for her father, Kezia’s grandmother advised her to prepare a gift. Kezia decided to make a pin-cushion for him. She took a piece of yellow silk and stitched it neatly with her little hands. However, she needed something to fill it with, so she went into her father’s study room and found some papers lying on his desk. Without knowing their importance, she tore them into small pieces and stuffed the pin-cushion. Unfortunately, those papers turned out to be her father’s important speech for the Port Authority. This innocent mistake brought serious consequences for Kezia and increased her fear of her father.
Q3. Why was Kezia punished by her father? How did she feel?
Ans. Kezia was punished by her father because she unknowingly tore up his important speech papers to stuff the pin-cushion she had made as his birthday gift. Her father, upon discovering this, became extremely angry and did not try to understand her innocence. Without listening to her explanation, he beat her little hands with a ruler. The punishment was harsh for a child, and Kezia felt deeply hurt, humiliated, and misunderstood. She clung to her grandmother, crying bitterly. This incident increased her fear of her father, and she thought of him as a cruel, unloving man. It created an emotional distance between them.
Q4. How did Kezia usually behave in front of her father?
Ans. Kezia’s behavior in front of her father was always marked by fear and nervousness. She avoided going near him and stammered whenever she spoke to him. Even simple questions like “What did you do today?” frightened her, and she could never answer properly. She felt uneasy in his presence, as though she was constantly being judged. To her, her father’s commanding tone and stern looks made him appear like a giant. Instead of feeling love and comfort, she felt suffocated and nervous. This behavior clearly showed the lack of bonding and emotional understanding between Kezia and her father.
Q5. What was Kezia’s nightmare? Why was she frightened?
Ans. Kezia often had a recurring nightmare that terrified her. In the dream, she saw a butcher carrying a large knife and a huge rope, approaching her with cruel intentions. This frightening vision made her scream out loudly in her sleep. Usually, her grandmother would rush to comfort her and put her back to sleep. However, one night when her grandmother was away and her mother was in the hospital, Kezia had to sleep alone. That night, when she saw the nightmare again, she cried out in fear. This situation became the turning point in the story, as her father came to comfort her.
Q6. What happened the night when Kezia’s mother was away?
Ans. One night, when Kezia’s mother was away at the hospital and the cook was busy, Kezia had to sleep alone. During the night, she experienced her recurring nightmare of a butcher with a knife, which frightened her badly. She screamed out in terror, expecting her grandmother to come, but instead, her father came to her rescue. He took her in his arms, comforted her, and carried her to his bed. He tucked her beside him, allowed her to snuggle close, and soothed her until she fell asleep. This incident changed Kezia’s perception of her father completely, showing his hidden tenderness and love.
Q7. How did Kezia’s father comfort her after the nightmare?
Ans. After hearing Kezia’s cries during her nightmare, her father immediately came to her room. Instead of scolding her, he gently picked her up in his arms and carried her to his own bed. He put her beside him and encouraged her to snuggle close to him for warmth and safety. His presence made Kezia feel protected, and she soon fell asleep. For the first time, she experienced her father’s loving and caring side. His gentleness and concern comforted her so much that she realized her father had a big, kind heart, even though he rarely expressed it openly.
Q8. What change did Kezia notice in her father after the nightmare incident?
Ans. Before the nightmare incident, Kezia always thought of her father as cruel, harsh, and unloving. She never felt safe in his presence and feared his strictness. However, the night when she had a nightmare and her father comforted her by taking her in his arms, she saw a completely different side of him. She realized that her father, though stern in appearance, had a soft and caring heart. His protection made her feel secure. For the first time, she understood that her father’s love was deep, even though he did not openly show it. This changed her perception forever.
Q9. What was Kezia’s opinion about her father before and after the turning point?
Ans. Before the turning point, Kezia considered her father a harsh and unkind man. She was terrified of him and felt he was unfair, especially when he punished her for tearing his speech papers. She never felt warmth or affection from him. However, after the night of her nightmare, she saw her father’s caring nature. He comforted her, let her sleep beside him, and assured her safety. This gesture revealed his hidden love and tenderness. After this, Kezia’s fear turned into respect and love. She began to appreciate her father’s role as a protector and understood his unspoken emotions.
Q10. Why did Kezia compare her father to a giant?
Ans. Kezia compared her father to a giant because of his tall, broad figure and stern personality. His commanding voice and strict behavior made him seem larger than life to her. She was a timid and sensitive child, so his serious presence overwhelmed her. To her, he seemed distant, frightening, and unapproachable. She imagined him as a powerful figure who lacked tenderness. However, later she realized that this “giant” had a soft heart full of love and care. This comparison reflects how children sometimes exaggerate their parents’ authority, seeing them as intimidating figures instead of affectionate guardians.
Q11. What lesson does the story teach us about parental love?
Ans. The story teaches us that parental love is not always expressed openly. Some parents, like Kezia’s father, may appear stern, strict, or even harsh, but deep inside, they love their children sincerely. Their love is often shown through actions rather than words. Children should try to understand their parents’ unspoken emotions and recognize the sacrifices they make. Similarly, parents must realize that children crave affection and warmth along with discipline. The story beautifully highlights that love exists even behind strictness and that understanding between parents and children can bridge emotional gaps.
Q12. How does Katherine Mansfield portray the theme of misunderstanding in the story?
Ans. Katherine Mansfield effectively portrays misunderstanding through Kezia’s relationship with her father. Kezia misinterprets her father’s strict and serious nature as cruelty. She feels he does not love her, especially after he punishes her for tearing the speech papers. On the other hand, her father never shows affection openly, which widens the emotional gap. However, when he comforts her during her nightmare, she realizes he truly loves her. This change in perception shows that Kezia had misunderstood him all along. The story highlights how lack of communication and expression leads to misunderstanding in families, especially between children and parents.
Q13. How did Kezia’s grandmother try to bring her closer to her father?
Ans. Kezia’s grandmother understood the distance between Kezia and her father. She always comforted the child and encouraged her to overcome her fear. To help improve their bond, she suggested that Kezia should prepare a gift for her father’s birthday. This way, Kezia could express her love in a thoughtful manner. Although the plan failed because of the torn speech papers, her grandmother’s intentions were sincere. She always tried to reduce the gap by reminding Kezia that her father worked hard for the family. Her role shows the importance of elders in strengthening family relationships and guiding children to understand parental love.
Q14. Why did Kezia think her father was unkind and cruel? Was she correct?
Ans. Kezia thought her father was unkind because he never smiled, played, or spoke affectionately with her. He punished her severely when she tore his speech papers, which made her feel he was cruel and heartless. From a child’s perspective, his strictness seemed like a lack of love. However, Kezia was not entirely correct. Her father was indeed strict, but he was not cruel. He cared deeply for her but did not know how to express it. The night of the nightmare revealed his softer side. This shows that children often misunderstand strictness as cruelty without realizing the hidden affection behind it.
Q15. How does the pin-cushion incident reflect the gap between Kezia and her father?
Ans. The pin-cushion incident highlights the lack of communication between Kezia and her father. With innocent intentions, she tried to make a pin-cushion as a birthday gift for him. Not knowing the importance of the papers on his desk, she tore them for stuffing. Instead of appreciating her effort or explaining calmly, her father punished her harshly. This reaction frightened Kezia further and widened the emotional distance. If there had been better communication, her father would have understood her innocence. The incident symbolizes how misunderstandings and lack of affection can create barriers between children and parents, making the relationship distant.
Q16. Explain how Kezia’s perception of her father changes by the end of the story.
Ans. At first, Kezia views her father as a strict and heartless figure who only knows how to scold and punish. She is terrified of him and feels lonely in his presence. However, the incident of the nightmare becomes a turning point. Her father takes her in his arms, comforts her, and allows her to sleep beside him. This small but powerful gesture makes her realize that her father loves her deeply, though he never expresses it openly. Her fear slowly turns into love and respect. By the end, Kezia sees her father as a protector with a “big heart.”
Q17. How does the story emphasize the importance of communication in families?
Ans. The story strongly emphasizes that communication is essential in building healthy family relationships. Kezia feared her father because he never spoke to her affectionately or explained his actions. His strictness created distance instead of closeness. Similarly, Kezia could not express her love for her father, which led to misunderstandings like the pin-cushion incident. If both had communicated more openly, she would not have seen him as cruel. The turning point of the nightmare shows how a single act of communication—her father’s comforting gesture—changed everything. This reflects that affection and communication bridge emotional gaps between parents and children.
Q18. Do you think Kezia’s father was justified in punishing her for the torn papers? Why/Why not?
Ans. Kezia’s father was not fully justified in punishing her. Although the torn papers were important, he should have realized that Kezia was a child and had acted innocently. She wanted to prepare a birthday gift for him, not destroy his work. Punishing her harshly with a ruler only made her fearful and distant. A better approach would have been to calmly explain the importance of those papers and guide her not to repeat the mistake. Parents must discipline with understanding, not anger. The punishment widened the emotional gap, proving that strictness without explanation can harm parent-child relationships.
Q19. How does Mansfield use the nightmare as a symbol in the story?
Ans. The nightmare in the story is more than just a bad dream. It symbolizes Kezia’s fear, loneliness, and emotional insecurity in her relationship with her father. The butcher with a knife represents her deep subconscious fear of punishment and harshness. When her father comforts her during the nightmare, the symbol shifts. It now represents protection, safety, and affection. This transformation highlights the turning point in her relationship with her father. Mansfield uses the nightmare cleverly as a symbol to show how fear can be replaced with love when a child feels truly understood and protected by a parent.
Q20. What role does discipline play in the story? Was Kezia’s father right in being strict?
Ans. Discipline plays a central role in the story. Kezia’s father believed in being strict and authoritative, thinking that it was the best way to raise children. However, his approach made Kezia more afraid than respectful. While discipline is important for a child’s growth, it must be balanced with warmth and affection. Kezia’s father’s harsh punishment created emotional distance. His lack of open communication led Kezia to believe he was cruel. The story shows that strictness without love can harm children emotionally. True discipline should be firm but also nurturing, helping children learn while still feeling loved and secure.
Q21. Compare Kezia’s feelings towards her father before and after the birthday gift incident.
Ans. Before the birthday gift incident, Kezia was already afraid of her father but still hoped to win his love. She decided to make a pin-cushion as a birthday present, believing it might make him happy. However, when she unknowingly tore up his speech papers for stuffing, her father punished her harshly. After this, her feelings turned into deep resentment and fear. She thought of him as cruel and heartless. The incident widened the emotional distance between them. This contrast shows how a child’s innocent efforts, if misunderstood, can damage trust and affection in parent-child relationships.
Q22. How does the story highlight the difference between appearance and reality in human behavior?
Ans. The story highlights that appearance and reality in human behavior can be very different. Kezia’s father appeared strict, harsh, and unloving. His tall figure and stern behavior made him seem like a giant, frightening his daughter. However, the reality was different—behind his strictness was a loving father who cared deeply for his child. This truth was revealed when he comforted her during her nightmare, showing his protective and affectionate side. Similarly, Kezia appeared to him as fearful and timid, but in reality, she loved him and wanted to please him. The story teaches us not to judge love only by appearances.
Q23. What role does the theme of love and care play in the story?
Ans. Love and care form the heart of the story. At first, Kezia does not feel loved by her father, as he always appears strict and punishes her without understanding her innocence. She craves affection, which she receives from her grandmother. However, when her father comforts her during the nightmare, she realizes his hidden care. His act of protection shows that love may not always be expressed in words but through actions. The story beautifully conveys that even if parents do not openly show affection, their love and concern remain strong, forming the foundation of family relationships.
Q24. What was Kezia’s father’s daily routine and how did it affect his relationship with her?
Ans. Kezia’s father had a busy routine. He went to work early in the morning and returned late in the evening, tired from his job. On returning home, he expected comfort—his tea, his slippers, and silence around him. He rarely spent time interacting with his daughter. This routine made him emotionally unavailable for Kezia, who only saw his strict, commanding side. As a result, she feared him and felt unloved. His absence in her daily life contributed to the gap in their relationship. The story suggests that parents’ busy schedules should not prevent them from giving time and affection to their children.
Q25. How does Katherine Mansfield show the innocence of childhood in the story?
Ans. Mansfield highlights childhood innocence through Kezia’s actions and thoughts. Kezia sincerely wanted to gift her father something special, so she made a pin-cushion. Not realizing the value of the papers on his desk, she tore them for stuffing, which led to her punishment. This mistake was purely innocent, showing how children act without understanding consequences. Her fear of her father, comparing him to a giant, also reflects her childlike imagination. Moreover, her recurring nightmare symbolizes her fragile emotions. Mansfield beautifully captures how children often misinterpret adult behavior due to their innocence and sensitivity.
Q26. What is the significance of the story’s ending?
Ans. The ending of the story is highly significant as it brings a transformation in Kezia’s perception of her father. When she has a nightmare, instead of scolding her, her father comforts her lovingly. He carries her to his bed, tucks her in, and allows her to snuggle close to him. This tender moment shows his true love and concern, which had been hidden behind his stern exterior. For Kezia, this incident becomes an eye-opener—she realizes that her father has a “big heart” and genuinely loves her. The ending conveys the message that love is not always spoken but felt through actions.
Q27. Do you think Kezia’s fear of her father was natural? Why?
Ans. Yes, Kezia’s fear of her father was natural because she was a small, sensitive child and her father was extremely strict. He never played with her, rarely smiled, and always asked questions in a commanding tone. His punishment during the birthday gift incident deepened her fear. From a child’s perspective, such behavior easily appears harsh and unloving. Children often judge love based on warmth and tenderness, which Kezia rarely received from him. So, her fear was a natural reaction to his sternness. However, as she grew older and experienced his caring side, this fear gradually transformed into love and respect.
Q28. What message does Katherine Mansfield convey about parenting?
Ans. Mansfield conveys that parenting should balance discipline with affection. Strictness without warmth creates fear rather than respect in children. Kezia’s father believed in discipline but failed to express love openly, which made his daughter feel neglected and unloved. Only when he comforted her during her nightmare did she recognize his hidden affection. The story suggests that parents must show care, spend time with their children, and communicate openly, so children feel secure. True parenting lies not only in providing for children but also in giving them love, comfort, and emotional support.
Q29. How is the story relevant to today’s families?
Ans. The story remains relevant today because many families still face emotional gaps between parents and children due to busy lifestyles. Like Kezia’s father, modern parents often focus more on work and responsibilities, leaving little time to bond with their children. As a result, children may feel neglected and misunderstood. The story reminds us that children need not only financial security but also emotional support and affection. Its message is timeless—that love must be expressed along with discipline, and communication is vital for strong family relationships. In today’s fast-paced world, its lesson is more important than ever.
Q30. What is the central theme of “The Little Girl”?
Ans. The central theme of “The Little Girl” is the misunderstood relationship between parents and children. It shows how children often perceive strictness as cruelty, failing to see the love hidden behind discipline. Kezia fears her father because of his sternness and punishment, but later realizes that he loves her deeply when he comforts her during her nightmare. The story also highlights the need for communication, warmth, and understanding in families. It conveys that parental love may not always be expressed through words but through actions of care and protection. Ultimately, the story celebrates love within the family bond.
