NCERT Solutions for Class 9 English Beehive Chapter 3 – The Little Girl

Who is the little girl in the story?
Answer: The little girl is Kezia, a young child who initially fears her strict father, but later realises his love and care for her.

Why was Kezia afraid of her father?
Answer: Kezia was scared of her father’s harsh tone, serious face, and lack of emotional warmth, which made her feel uneasy and distant.

How did Kezia’s father treat her?
Answer: He treated her with discipline, expecting obedience and perfection, which made Kezia feel intimidated and unloved at first.

What incident changed Kezia’s perception of her father?
Answer: When her mother was ill, and Kezia had a nightmare, her father comforted her, showing his gentle and loving side.

What does the story say about parent-child relationships?
Answer: It reflects that strict parents may still be loving, and children often misunderstand them until they see their true emotions.

How did Kezia try to impress her father?
Answer: She prepared a birthday gift by stitching a cushion. Unfortunately, she used important papers by mistake, which led to punishment.

Why did Kezia’s father punish her?
Answer: He punished her for tearing his speech papers while making a gift. Though she meant well, her father didn’t understand initially.

What role did Kezia’s grandmother play?
Answer: Her grandmother was supportive and kind. She encouraged Kezia to interact with her father and helped her try to build a connection.

What is the theme of the story?
Answer: The story explores fear, misunderstanding, love, and the evolving relationship between a child and her parents, especially with a strict father.

What lesson does Kezia learn in the end?
Answer: She realises that her father, though strict, has a soft heart and deeply cares for her, especially when he comforts her.

How does the author create sympathy for Kezia?
Answer: By showing her loneliness, fear, and efforts to connect with her father, the author makes readers feel empathetic toward her situation.

Why did Kezia prefer her grandmother’s company?
Answer: Her grandmother gave her warmth, care, and listened to her. Unlike her father, she made Kezia feel safe and understood.

What does Kezia’s dream signify?
Answer: The nightmare symbolised her insecurity and fear. Her father comforting her after the dream revealed his true affection.

What moral values does the story teach?
Answer: It teaches empathy, understanding, and that we should not judge people solely by their outward behaviour; even strict people can love deeply.

How is the story relevant to real life?
Answer: Many children misunderstand strict parents. The story reminds us that behind their strictness may lie deep love and concern.

How does the story portray childhood fear?
Answer: It portrays how children can be scared by stern faces and loud voices, even if the adult’s intentions are not harmful.

How does the title “The Little Girl” reflect the story?
Answer: The title focuses on Kezia’s perspective, her feelings, fears, and emotional growth as she better understands her father.

What made Kezia’s father appear frightening?
Answer: His seriousness, silence, and formal way of speaking made him seem distant and unapproachable to the little girl.

Why did Kezia feel guilty after tearing the papers?
Answer: She had no intention of harming him and felt ashamed and scared after being punished for a mistake she made unknowingly.

What shows that Kezia wanted to connect with her father?
Answer: Despite being scared, she tried to make a gift, talk to him when suggested by her grandmother, and wanted his approval.

Describe the ending of the story.
Answer: The story ends on a heartwarming note, where Kezia sees her father’s softness and realises he loves her, despite being strict.

Why is communication important in families, as shown in the story?
Answer: The story shows that lack of open conversation can lead to misunderstanding between parents and children, causing fear instead of love.

How does Kezia’s attitude toward her father change?
Answer: At first scared and distant, Kezia finally sees her father as caring and protective, leading to emotional closeness.

What made Kezia realise her mistake about her father?
Answer: When he carried her gently, tucked her into bed, and stayed with her during her nightmare, she saw his real love.

Summarise the main idea of the story.
Answer: The story shows a child’s journey from fear to understanding, realising that even the strictest parents may be the most loving at heart.