A Merry Christmas Chapter Notes | English Class 4 ICSE PDF Download

Introduction

This chapter tells a heartwarming story about four sisters from the March family who live with their mother. Their father is away, serving as a priest during a war. The story happens on Christmas morning when the sisters, who don’t have much money for expensive gifts, show their kindness and love. It comes from a famous book called Little Women and teaches us about sharing and caring for others, even when we have little. The sisters’ good actions make their Christmas special and joyful.

Key Points

The story is set on Christmas morning with the March sisters: Meg, Jo, Beth, and Amy.

• Their father is away at war, and the family has little money.
• Each sister receives a colored book as a gift from their mother.
• Amy gives her cologne money to buy a bigger bottle for her mother.
• The sisters learn about a poor family nearby and decide to share their breakfast.
• They help the poor family by giving food and warmth, earning the name "angel children."
• The sisters feel happy despite eating only bread and milk later.

Explanation

The story begins on Christmas morning when Jo wakes up feeling a bit sad because there are no special gifts. However, she remembers her mother’s promise and finds a red book under her pillow. Her sisters, Meg, Beth, and Amy, also find books in green, white, and blue colors with kind words written by their mother. 

Meg suggests they start reading the books every morning to stay close to their habits, even though the war has distracted them. Jo and Meg read together, while Beth helps Amy with difficult words. Later, they plan to give gifts to their mother, including handkerchiefs Beth stitched and a perfume bottle from Amy. 

Amy surprises everyone by exchanging her small perfume for a larger one, using all her money, and says she wants to be less selfish. Meanwhile, their mother returns and shares that a poor family nearby is suffering with a sick baby and hungry children. Despite being hungry after waiting for breakfast, the sisters decide to give away their food. 

They pack their breakfast and visit the poor family, finding a cold, broken room with a sick mother, a crying baby, and hungry children huddled together. Hannah starts a fire using wood, Mrs. March comforts the mother and cares for the baby, and the sisters feed the children, treating them like hungry birds with laughter and care. 

The poor family calls them "angel children," which makes the sisters very happy. After helping, the sisters return home, eat bread and milk, and feel joyful despite their sacrifice.

Message

The chapter teaches us the importance of kindness and sharing. Even with little, the sisters help others in need, which brings them joy. It shows that giving to others can make us happier than keeping things for ourselves. The story teaches us to love and help others, especially when they are in need.

New Words with Meanings

• Goody: A small gift or treat.
• Crimson: A bright red color.
• Dove: A color, here meaning white.
• Cologne: A type of perfume.
• Initials: The first letters of a name and surname.
• Huddled: Crowded together for warmth.
• Wailing: Crying loudly.
• Cuddled: Curled up closely.
• Mitten: A type of glove.
• Contented: Feeling satisfied and happy.