Peter`s Coal-Mine Chapter Notes | English Class 4 ICSE PDF Download

Introduction

This chapter, "Peter's Coal-Mine," comes from the story "The Railway Children." It tells the story of three children, Roberta, Peter, and Phyllis, who live happily with their parents in London. One day, their father has to leave suddenly because of some important work, which changes their life. They move to a new house on a hill near a railway station called Three Chimneys. The chapter shows how the children explore their new surroundings and face a problem when they feel very cold. It also teaches them a lesson about doing the right thing.

Key Points

This story is about three children, Roberta, Peter, and Phyllis, whose lives change after their father leaves for work.

• The family moves to a house called Three Chimneys on a hill near a railway station.
• The children explore the railway station and see a large heap of coal with a white mark on it.
• Peter learns from the porter that the white mark shows how much coal is in the pile to prevent stealing.
• The family feels cold, but their mother says they cannot afford to buy coal for a fire.
• Peter makes a secret plan to take coal from the station’s heap to keep the family warm.
• The children use an old pram, called the Roman Chariot, to carry coal back home.
• The station master catches Peter taking coal and calls him a thief.
• The children explain they took the coal because they were cold and poor, and they didn’t think it was stealing.
• The station master forgives them but warns them not to steal again, teaching them about honesty.

Explanation

After their father leaves due to urgent work, the family moves to a house named Three Chimneys on top of a hill. The railway station is at the bottom, and the very next day, the children go down to explore it. They climb a wooden fence to watch trains and get excited when one passes by. While walking around, they notice a big pile of coal with a white line on it. 

Peter asks the porter about it and learns that the white mark helps track the coal amount to stop stealing. The mother often says they are poor now, but the children don’t feel it much because they still have food and nice clothes. One cold and wet day in June, the children shiver and ask their mother if they can light a fire. 

She refuses, explaining that coal is too expensive and suggests they play in the attic to stay warm. Peter thinks of a plan but doesn’t tell his sisters at first because he’s unsure if it’s right. Two days later, at twilight, he takes them to a hidden coal heap near the station. 

They use their old pram, which they call the Roman Chariot, to carry the heavy coal up the hill. This becomes a regular task for almost a week. The mother notices the coal lasts longer and wonders how, not knowing the children are bringing it. 

One night, the station master hides and catches Peter filling a bag with coal. He grabs Peter’s collar and calls him a thief. Peter insists he’s a coal-miner, not a thief, and says he took it from the middle of the heap, thinking it wasn’t stealing. Bobbie and Phyllis come out, admitting they helped and knew where the coal came from. The station master softens when he sees they are well-dressed children from Three Chimneys. 

He asks why they did it, and they explain about the cold and how they used to have fires at their old home. Feeling sorry for them, he decides to forgive them but warns that stealing is wrong, whether they call it mining or not. The children thank him happily and go back home.

Message

The chapter teaches us that it is wrong to take someone else's things, even if we need them. It shows how the children faced a problem and made a mistake by taking coal. The station master's kindness and warning help them understand the importance of honesty. It also tells us to think carefully before doing something and to ask for help if needed instead of doing wrong.

New Words with Meanings

• Coaly: Covered with coal.
• Porter: A person who carries luggage at a railway station.
• Attic: A space or room under the roof of a house.
• Afford: To have enough money to buy something.
• Shrugged: Raised one's shoulders to show no interest.
• Pram: A cart to carry babies; here, an old pram named Roman Chariot by the children.
• Ritual: A regular activity.
• Remarked: Said something.
• Giggled: Laughed quietly in a silly way.
• Dreadful: Causing great fear or shock.
• Brake van: A railway carriage where the guard controls the train brakes.
• Coal-miner: A person who works in a coal mine.
• Anxious: Worried.
• Spying: Keeping an eye on someone secretly.
• Flickering: Unsteady.
• Three Chimneys: The name of the house where the children stayed.
• Resentfully: With bitter feeling on being cheated or treated unfairly.
• Look over: To ignore.
• Enthusiasm: A feeling of excitement.