Short Answer Type Questions: The Little Girl

Q1. What was unusual about Kezia's stuttering?

Ans: Kezia's stuttering was unusual because she spoke fluently with every member of the household except her father. In his presence she found it hard to express herself and would stutter, which shows that her difficulty was linked to fear of him rather than a general speech problem.

Q3. Why was Kezia afraid of her father?

Ans: Kezia was afraid of her father's strictness and his terrifying, angry look. Instead of receiving warmth or reassurance she was often scolded and sometimes physically punished. His large, imposing size made him seem like a giant to her and increased her fear.

Q4. What was the morning routine of Kezia and her father?

Ans: Before leaving for his office, Kezia's father would go to her room and give her a quick kiss. Kezia would reply with "Goodbye, Father." Once he had gone she felt a sense of relief because his presence made her anxious.

Q5. What would Kezia's mother ask her to do when Father returned from the office?

Ans: When Father came home, Mother would ask Kezia to come downstairs and remove his boots and take them outside. Kezia was also told to place his teacup back on the table. These small tasks were part of her routine when he returned.

Q6. Why did Kezia go slowly towards the drawing room when the mother asked her to come downstairs?

Ans: Kezia walked slowly because she was frightened of her father. He was a dominating figure who scolded her and showed little affection, so she felt hesitant and anxious when she had to appear before him.

Q7. Which expressions on Kezia's face annoyed Father?

Ans: Aside from her stuttering, the looks of gloom and wretchedness on Kezia's face annoyed Father. He disliked any sign that she was unhappy or timid, and these expressions irritated him.

Q8. In what ways did Kezia's grandmother encourage her to get to know her parents better?

Ans: Kezia's grandmother wanted to strengthen the bond between Kezia and her parents. Every Sunday afternoon she urged Kezia to go to the drawing room and spend time talking to them. These gentle occasions were meant to help Kezia connect with and understand her parents more.

Q9. What was Kezia's father's routine on Sundays?

Ans: On Sundays Father would relax in the afternoon. He would lie stretched out on the sofa in the drawing room, cover his face with a handkerchief, rest his feet on the best cushion and fall into a deep sleep while snoring. Mother would meanwhile be absorbed in reading the newspaper.

Q10. What would Kezia do while her father slept on Sundays? What happened when he woke up?

Ans: Kezia would sit quietly on a stool and watch her father until he woke, stretched and asked the time. When he noticed her staring he would tell her not to stare, saying it made her look like a brown owl, and this reprimand made her feel embarrassed.

Q11. What did Grandmother ask Kezia to make and why?

Ans: Grandmother asked Kezia to make a pin-cushion from a pretty piece of yellow silk as a birthday present for her father. She hoped the handmade gift would surprise him and help Kezia show affection, bringing them a little closer.

Q12. What did Kezia make as a birthday gift for her father? How did she prepare it?

Ans: Kezia made a pin-cushion for her father's birthday. She stitched three sides neatly with double cotton thread. For stuffing she went into her mother's room, found some fine paper and tore it into small pieces to fill the cushion. Finally she sewed up the fourth side, completing the gift.

Q13. Why was there a hue and cry in Kezia's house at night before her father's birthday?

Ans: The house became noisy because Kezia had accidentally torn up some important papers - her father's speech for the Port Authority - which she had hidden inside the pin-cushion as part of her surprise. When the ruined speech was discovered, there was an uproar and she was taken to the dining room to face her angry father.

Q14. Why did Father come to Kezia's room with a ruler?

Ans: Father came to her room because he wanted to beat her with a ruler, as he believed she needed to be taught a lesson for touching things that did not belong to her.

Q15. Do you think Kezia was wrong in tearing the papers of her father? What does it show about her character?

Ans: Kezia was wrong to tear her father's papers because they were part of an important speech for the Port Authority. However, her action shows her innocence and immaturity; she did not understand the importance of the papers and only wished to make a pleasing gift for her father.

Q16. How and why did Grandmother comfort Kezia after her father hit her with a ruler?

Ans: After the punishment, her grandmother wrapped Kezia in a shawl and rocked her gently in a rocking chair. Kezia clung to her grandmother for comfort. Her grandmother gave her a clean handkerchief, spoke kindly and soothingly, and tried to calm her until she fell asleep, easing the child's pain and fear.

Q17. Why did Kezia ask, "What did God make fathers for?"

Ans: Kezia asked this question because she felt hurt by her father's strict and harsh treatment. She could not understand why a father would be so severe and thoughtless, and so she questioned the purpose of fathers in general.

Q18. Why did Grandmother tell Kezia that her father was too upset that night to listen to her?

Ans: Grandmother said this to help Kezia accept the situation without holding a lasting grudge. She wanted Kezia to understand that her father was too angry that night to hear explanations, and that it would be better to wait until feelings had calmed.

Q19. How did Father punish Kezia? What was the impact of this punishment?

Ans:

Father struck Kezia's small, pink palms with a ruler. The punishment was painful and left a deep impression on her; she never forgot it. Afterwards she would hide her hands behind her back and her cheeks would flush with fear whenever she saw him, showing how lasting the effect of the punishment was.

Q20. Who were Kezia's neighbours? What did she observe about them?

Ans: The Macdonalds were Kezia's neighbours. She observed that Mr Macdonald played joyfully with his children: he laughed when they sprayed him with the hose, ran with his little son Mao on his shoulders, and allowed his two daughters to cling to his coat pockets. He seemed warm and affectionate.

Q21. Kezia felt that Mr. Macdonald was a better father as compared to her own father. Why?

Ans: Kezia thought Mr Macdonald was a better father because he was cheerful and playful with his children. He showed affection and enjoyed being with them, whereas her own father was domineering and showed little warmth, which made Kezia feel unloved and afraid.

Q22. Why was Kezia left alone in the house with the cook, Alice?

Ans: One day Kezia's mother suddenly became ill and had to go to hospital. Grandmother went with her to help, so Kezia was left at home and the cook, Alice, was asked to look after her in the absence of the adults.

Q23. Why did Kezia suddenly grow afraid when Alice put her to bed?

Ans: When Alice put Kezia to bed she became afraid because she had to sleep alone that night. She told Alice she was scared of the darkness and often had nightmares. Normally her grandmother would take her into bed, but that comfort was not there that night.

Q24. What kind of dreams did Kezia usually have?

Ans: Kezia often had terrifying nightmares in which a butcher with a knife and a rope would approach her with a dreadful smile. She felt frozen with fear and cried out for her grandmother as the figure came nearer.

Q25. How did Father comfort the little girl, Kezia, when she got scared in her sleep?

Ans: When Kezia woke frightened, her father picked her up and carried her into his bed. He let her warm her feet against his legs and held her close. This made her feel secure and protected, and the darkness no longer frightened her while she was safe beside him.