Introduction
'The Little Girl' by Katherine Mansfield is a touching story that reflects the journey of a young girl named Kezia. Her feelings towards her father evolve from fear to love and understanding, showing how sometimes our perceptions of others change as we grow older. The story touches on themes of family, fear, and affection.
Summary in English (Part 1):
In the first part of 'The Little Girl,' Kezia is portrayed as a young girl who fears her father. He is strict, and his authoritative presence intimidates her. Kezia only interacts with her father in a formal manner and struggles to please him. Her mother is sick, and her grandmother advises her to get to know her father better. Kezia tries to make a pin-cushion for his birthday but accidentally uses his important papers, leading to punishment from her father. This deepens her fear of him.
Summary in English (Part 2):
In the second part of the story, Kezia’s perspective begins to shift. When her mother is hospitalized, and she is left in the care of her father, she experiences a nightmare and seeks comfort. To her surprise, her father takes care of her and provides warmth and safety. Kezia realizes that her father is not as harsh as she thought. In fact, he is a caring and loving man who works hard for his family. This revelation changes her view of him, and she starts seeing her father with more understanding and affection.
Summary in Hindi (Part 1):
'The Little Girl' कहानी के पहले भाग में, केजिया एक छोटी लड़की है जो अपने पिता से डरती है। उसके पिता बहुत सख्त हैं, और उनकी उपस्थिति से वह बहुत घबराती है। उसकी माँ बीमार है, और उसकी दादी उसे सलाह देती है कि वह अपने पिता को बेहतर तरीके से समझे। केजिया अपने पिता के जन्मदिन के लिए एक पिन-कुशन बनाती है, लेकिन गलती से उसके पिता के महत्वपूर्ण दस्तावेजों का उपयोग कर लेती है, जिसके कारण उसे सजा मिलती है। इससे उसका डर और भी बढ़ जाता है।
Summary in Hindi (Part 2):
कहानी के दूसरे भाग में, केजिया के दृष्टिकोण में बदलाव आता है। जब उसकी माँ अस्पताल में भर्ती होती है और उसे उसके पिता की देखरेख में छोड़ दिया जाता है, तो उसे एक बुरा सपना आता है और वह डर जाती है। उसके पिता उसे प्यार और सुरक्षा प्रदान करते हैं, जिससे केजिया को एहसास होता है कि उसके पिता वास्तव में उसे बहुत प्यार करते हैं। धीरे-धीरे उसका डर खत्म हो जाता है, और वह अपने पिता को और अच्छे से समझने लगती है।
Thinking about the Text: Page 38
I. Match the emotions in Column A with the items in Column B
- fear or terror
- glad sense of relief
- a “funny” feeling, perhaps of understanding
(iii) father comes home
(vi) father comforts her and falls asleep
(vii) father stretched out on the sofa, snoring
II. Answer the following questions in one or two sentences
1. Why was Kezia afraid of her father?
Kezia was afraid of her father because he was strict, authoritarian, and his presence was intimidating to her. He always seemed stern and unapproachable.
2. Who were the people in Kezia’s family?
Kezia's family consisted of her father, mother, and grandmother.
3. What was Kezia’s father’s routine
(i) Before going to his office?
Before going to his office, Kezia’s father usually gave her a kiss before leaving the house.
(ii) After coming back from his office?
After coming back from his office, he would ask for the newspaper and tea.
(iii) On Sundays?
On Sundays, Kezia’s father would relax and spend time in the garden, often sleeping on the sofa.
4. In what ways did Kezia’s grandmother encourage her to get to know her father better?
Kezia’s grandmother encouraged her to talk to her father and suggested making a pin-cushion for his birthday to help strengthen their bond.
III. Answer the following questions in two or three paragraphs
1. Kezia’s efforts to please her father resulted in displeasing him very much. How did this happen?
Kezia wanted to make a gift for her father’s birthday to please him. She decided to make a pin-cushion, but in the process, she accidentally used some important papers belonging to her father to stuff the cushion. When her father discovered this, he was furious and scolded her severely. Instead of receiving appreciation for her efforts, Kezia was reprimanded. This left her more fearful of her father, and her well-meaning gesture backfired, causing even more distance between them.
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?
Mr. Macdonald, Kezia’s neighbor, was a kind, loving, and playful father. He spent time with his children, playing and laughing with them, which was a sharp contrast to Kezia’s father, who was strict and rarely showed affection. Kezia admired how Mr. Macdonald interacted with his children and realized that not all fathers were as distant and authoritarian as her own father.
3. How does Kezia begin to see her father as a human being who needs her sympathy?
After a frightening night when Kezia had a nightmare, her father comforted her, and she realized that he wasn’t as terrifying as she had thought. She saw a different side of him—a vulnerable man who worked hard and showed tenderness when she needed him. This moment made her see that her father wasn’t a cold figure but someone who loved and cared for her, even if he didn’t express it openly. This new understanding changed her perception, and she began to sympathize with him, realizing he was just like any other human with feelings.
Thinking about Language: Page 38
I. Synonyms
1. Use an appropriate word from the synonyms given above in the following sentences.
(i) She was -- by the news of her brother’s wedding. (very pleased)
She was delighted by the news of her brother’s wedding.
(ii) I was -- to be invited to the party. (extremely pleased and excited about)
I was thrilled to be invited to the party.
(iii) She was -- at the birth of her granddaughter. (extremely happy)
She was overjoyed at the birth of her granddaughter.
(iv) The coach was -- with his performance. (satisfied about)
The coach was pleased with his performance.
(v) She was very -- with her results. (happy about something that has happened)
She was very glad with her results.
II. Different meanings of "big"
2. Find the meaning of "big" in the following sentences:
(i) You are a big girl now.
--older--
(ii) Today you are going to take the biggest decision of your career.
--most important--
(iii) Their project is full of big ideas.
--ambitious--
(iv) Cricket is a big game in our country.
--popular--
(v) I am a big fan of Lata Mangeskar.
--devoted--
(vi) You have to cook a bit more as my friend is a big eater.
--eats a lot--
(vii) What a big heart you’ve got, Father dear.
--kind and generous--
III. Verbs of Reporting
1. Underline the verbs of reporting in the following sentences.
(i) He says he will enjoy the ride.
says
(ii) Father mentioned that he was going on a holiday.
mentioned
(iii) No one told us that the shop was closed.
told
(iv) He answered that the price would go up.
answered
(v) I wondered why he was screaming.
wondered
(vi) Ben told her to wake him up.
told
(vii) Ratan apologised for coming late to the party.
apologised
2. Fill in the blanks with appropriate verbs of reporting:
(i) “I am not afraid,” -- the woman.
remarked The woman
(ii) “Leave me alone,” my mother --.
My mother shouted.
(iii) The children -- that the roads were crowded and noisy.
The children were complaining.
(iv) “Perhaps he isn’t a bad sort of a chap after all,” -- the master.
The master remarked.
(v) “Let’s go and look at the school ground,” -- the sports teacher.
The sports teacher suggested.
(vi) The traffic police -- all the passers-by to keep off the road.
The traffic police ordered.
Speaking
1. This story is not an Indian story. But do you think there are fathers, mothers, and grandmothers like the ones portrayed in the story in our own country?
Discuss how similar familial roles are in India compared to the story. Are Indian fathers usually strict or affectionate? How do mothers and grandmothers in Indian households compare to the nurturing figures in the story?
2. Was Kezia’s father right to punish her? What kind of a person was he?
Use words like "undemonstrative," "loving," "strict," "hard-working," "responsible," "unkind," "disciplinarian," "short-tempered," "affectionate," "caring," and "indifferent" to describe Kezia's father. Discuss whether his punishment of Kezia was justified and whether it helped her grow or damaged their relationship.
Writing
Reflect on your own childhood experiences in relation to Kezia's story. Were your parents strict or lenient? Have you noticed any changes in their behavior as you grew older? Share personal anecdotes about how your relationship with your parents has evolved. Discuss who has become more understanding in the relationship—your parents or yourself—and what steps you would like to take to strengthen mutual understanding.
Consider the following points while writing:
- Compare your childhood experiences with Kezia's.
- Describe how your perception of your parents has changed over time.
- Mention any changes in your parents' behavior towards you.
- Discuss who has shown more understanding, and what efforts you would make to improve your relationship.
Write in about 150–200 words, discussing these issues from your personal perspective.
