Class 8 English Chapter 1 Question Answers - It So Happened

Q1: To earn respect you must give respect. How has September valued her relationship with the bird?
Ans: September was caring and loving towards her pets. She took care of emotions of the bird. Although she was influenced by her sisters but later she realized the value of life and freedom. It is necessary to give freedom to the loved ones. Care and attention is what one desire in a relationship. The one who showers love, get manifold in return, as does the princess. She was beautiful from inside and got married to a prince whereas her own sisters were jealous by nature and they had to suffer.

Q2: Nature offer bounties to everyone. How has its affected the bird?
Ans: The bird sings beautiful songs for the princess. He sang song inspired by beautiful things, of nature. Once he was stopped from moving about as he cages by the princess, he couldn’t sing. He became so quiet and laid down as if he was dead. The princess realized her mistake and set him free. She took the right decision and could prolong the bliss of listening to wonderful music. Thus nature offer its gifts to everyone.

Q3:
(i) What was Princess September’s reaction to the loss of her parrot?
(ii) What was her mother’s reaction to it?
(iii) What do the reactions indicate about the nature and temperament of each?
Ans:
(i) Princess September burst into a flood of tears at the loss of her parrot. She kept crying and nothing comforted her.
(ii) Her mother declared it as nonsense, and said that she should go to bed without any supper.
(iii) The Princess reaction indicates that she was a young, sensitive child. That is why she cried over the loss of her parrot. It was a very important thing for her. The loss of her parrot filled her with grief. Her mothers reactions indicates that she was little harsh. She did not understand her daughter’s grief and consoled her. She did not think that the dying of the parrot was in any way a significant incident to shed tears.

Q4: What is the king’s opinion about his councillors? Why did he form that opinion?
Ans: The king believed that his councillors were same like the parrots. They could say that same thing in seven different ways but it made no sense. This was similar to the way the parrots kept repeating ‘Pretty Polly’ in seven different languages.

Q5: How did the maids of honour come to know that the Princess and the bird had become intimate friends?
Ans: When the maids of honour brought in the Princess’ breakfast, the bird eat rice out of her hand, and have its bath in her saucer. This showed them that Princess and the bird had become intimate friends.