Class 9 English Chapter 1 Question Answers - A Legend of the Northland

Q1. What is a legend? Why is this called a legend?

Ans: A legend is an ancient story that may not be entirely true, often recounting a famous event or person. These tales typically convey a moral lesson. This poem is called a legend because it narrates an old story from the Northland about a greedy woman who angered Saint Peter. As a result of her greed, she was transformed into a woodpecker. The poet even mentions, "I don’t believe it is true," highlighting the tale's mythical nature.

Q2. Why does the poet say that the hours of the day are few?

Ans: The poet describes the Northland as a cold, snow-covered place near the North Pole. In this region, the days are shorter and the nights are longer, leading to very few hours of daylight.

Q3. ‘And the children look like bears’ cubs.’ What have the children been compared to? Why?

Ans: The children are compared to bear cubs because they wear furry clothes to stay warm in the Northland’s cold climate, resembling young bears.

Q4. What does the poet tell us about the story she is about to narrate? Why does she want to tell the tale?

Ans: The poet shares that she will narrate a strange tale from the Northland. Although she acknowledges that the story may not be true, she feels compelled to tell it because it offers a valuable lesson in generosity. Her goal is for readers to learn from this narrative.

Q5. Who came to the woman’s house, and what did he ask for?

Ans: Saint Peter, while travelling the world, arrived at the woman's cottage. He was weary and hungry after a long day. Noticing her baking cakes, he asked her for a piece of cake.

Q6. Why was Saint Peter tired and hungry?

Ans: Saint Peter was one of Jesus Christ's apostles who travelled extensively to spread his teachings. During his journeys, he often faced a lack of food and water, which left him feeling tired and hungry. Additionally, he sometimes observed fasts, further contributing to his exhaustion.

Q7. What did Saint Peter ask the woman for? What was the woman’s reaction?

Ans: Saint Peter asked the woman for a cake from her store. However, she was greedy and unwilling to share. The woman attempted to bake a smaller cake each time, but even when the cake was as thin as a wafer, she still thought it was too large to give away. Ultimately, she placed it on her shelf instead of offering it to Saint Peter.

Q8. Explain: ‘And surely such a woman was enough to provoke a saint.’ Who was the lady, and how did she provoke the saint?

Ans: The woman, who was baking cakes when Saint Peter visited, was both mean and greedy. Despite noticing that the visitor was tired and hungry, she refused to offer him any food. She kept making smaller and smaller cakes until she created one as thin as a wafer, yet she could not bear to part with it. The old lady's refusal to help the hungry saint angered him, leading him to curse her.

Q9. Why did Saint Peter curse the woman? What did he turn her into?

Ans: Saint Peter cursed the woman for being miserly and selfish. He believed she did not deserve to live in a human form and enjoy the comforts of food, shelter, and warmth. As a punishment, he transformed her into a woodpecker, forcing her to build her nest like a bird and spend her days boring into hard, dry wood to find her meagre food.

Q10. Describe the theme of the poem ‘A Legend of the Northland’.

Ans: The poem’s theme is the consequence of greed and the value of generosity. It shows how a selfish woman’s refusal to share with Saint Peter leads to her transformation into a woodpecker, emphasising that selfishness brings hardship while generosity is virtuous.

Q11. What is a ballad? Is this poem a ballad?

Ans: A ballad is a type of song that tells a story through short stanzas. Ballads are part of folk culture and are traditionally passed down orally from one generation to the next. The poem ‘A Legend of the Northland’ qualifies as a ballad because it narrates the tale of a selfish old woman and has been shared through the ages, as indicated by the line, “They tell them a curious story.”

Q12. What do you learn about the woman in the poem?

Ans: The woman in the poem is greedy and selfish. Despite having a large supply of cakes, she refuses to share even a small one with a tired and hungry traveller.

Q13. What do you learn about Saint Peter in the poem?

Ans: Saint Peter travels the land, sharing the message of God. During his journey, he often faces hunger and thirst, as he sometimes lacks food and water. He also observes fasts, which leave him feeling tired and weak. Despite being a saint, he becomes angry with a woman who refuses to share her food. In his frustration, he curses her, transforming her into a woodpecker. Though a saint, he too was provoked, reminding us that even holy figures have human emotions.