The Little Girl Summary Class 9 English Beehive Chapter 3

Key Points of the Story

• Kezia feared her father due to his strict and authoritative nature.
• She stuttered only in her father's presence, showing her nervousness around him.
• Kezia's father followed a strict routine, demanding tasks from her.
• Kezia made a pin cushion for her father’s birthday but mistakenly used important papers, upsetting him.
• Her father punished her for the mistake, leaving her emotionally hurt.
• Kezia observed Mr. Macdonald, a joyful father, and realized different parenting styles exist.
• During a nightmare, her father comforted her, changing her perception of him.
• Kezia understood her father’s hard work and began appreciating his love and care.
• The story emphasizes empathy, evolving parental relationships, and familial bonds.

Detailed Summary

The chapter tells the story of Kezia, a young girl who lives in awe and fear of her strict and authoritarian father. Her daily interactions with him are filled with tension, as she perceives him as a distant and unapproachable figure. His loud commands, stern expressions, and rigid discipline make her anxious, causing her to stutter in his presence. This fear contrasts sharply with her perception of her loving grandmother, who encourages her to understand her father better.

The little girl always found Mother reading and Father stretched out on the sofa.

Kezia’s relationship with her father takes a turning point when she decides to make him a birthday gift—a pin-cushion. In her innocent attempt, she uses pieces of paper to stuff the cushion, unknowingly tearing up an important speech that her father had written. This mistake angers her father, and she is punished with a beating, reinforcing her fear of him. She questions why fathers are so harsh and longs for a gentler parental figure, comparing her father to their neighbor, Mr. Macdonald, who is playful and affectionate with his children.
However, her perspective changes when her mother falls ill, and Kezia is left alone with her father. One night, during a frightening nightmare, her father comes to comfort her. He soothes her fears, takes her to his room, and stays by her side until she falls asleep. In this moment of vulnerability, Kezia sees a new side of her father—someone who is tired from work, loving in his own way, and in need of care and understanding.

Let's Revise: How does Kezia’s perception of her father change over time, and what incident leads to this change?

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Ans: Kezia initially sees her father as strict and unapproachable, which frightens her. This fear deepens when he punishes her for accidentally tearing his speech. However, her view changes when he comforts her during a nightmare while her mother is ill. She then realises he is caring in his own way and simply tired from work.

The little girl saw through a gap the Macdonalds playing ‘tag’ in the evening.

This realization transforms her feelings for her father from fear to empathy and affection. She recognizes that while he may not express his love openly like others, his actions show his deep concern for her. The story highlights the complexities of familial relationships, the importance of understanding one another, and the journey of overcoming fear to build a bond of love and trust.

Theme/Message

The story highlights the complex yet deep bond between parents and their children. Katherine Mansfield conveys that while children often perceive their parents’ strictness as unfair, this sternness stems from love and concern. As children grow older, they come to understand that their parents’ actions were meant to guide and protect them. Beneath the strict demeanor of parents lies a heart full of love, care, and sacrifices for their children.

Let's Revise: What message does the story convey about the relationship between children and their parents?

View Answer  

Ans: The story conveys that parents' strictness is often misunderstood by children as harshness. Kezia initially fears her father, but later realises his sternness hides deep love and care. The narrative highlights that understanding and empathy can reveal the true affection behind a parent’s actions, showing the emotional depth in familial bonds.

Difficult Words

• A figure to be feared: A person who inspires fear.
• Glad sense of relief: A feeling of relaxation and comfort.
• Fainter and fainter: Gradually becoming weaker or less noticeable.
• Slip down: To move quietly or unwillingly downward.
• Stutter: To speak with pauses or repetitions due to nervousness or fear.
• Wretched: Extremely unhappy or miserable.
• On the brink of suicide: Close to taking one’s own life.
• Snoring: The noise made by some people while sleeping.
• Gravely: Seriously or solemnly.
• Laboriously: With great effort or difficulty.
• Wandered into: Entered a place by chance or unintentionally.
• Scraps: Small, leftover pieces of cloth, paper, etc.
• Hue and Cry: A loud public protest or outcry.
• The damned thing: An expression of anger or frustration toward something.
• Clung: Held onto something tightly.
• Snuggled: Got into a warm, comfortable position close to someone or something.
• Tucked up: Nicely covered and settled in bed.
• Butcher: A person who cuts and sells meat.