NCERT Solutions for Class 9 English Beehive - Poem - A legend of Northland

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Q1. Which country or countries do you think “the Northland” refers to?
Ans: The Northland likely refers to very cold areas in the northern part of the world. This includes Greenland, the northern regions of Russia, Canada, and Norway. These regions are known for their severe, icy climates.

Q2. What did Saint Peter ask the old lady for? What was the lady’s reaction?
Ans: Saint Peter asked the old lady for one of her baked cakes to satisfy his hunger. In response, the lady tried to make him a small cake but found it difficult to part with it. She first baked a tiny cake, yet thought it was too large to give away. Next, she kneaded an even smaller cake, but it still appeared too big. Finally, she rolled a tiny scrap of dough into a wafer-thin cake, but she still couldn't bring herself to give it to him. She reasoned that her cakes, which seemed small when she ate them, were too large to share.

Q3. How did he punish her?
Ans: He punished the lady by transforming her into a woodpecker. In this new form, she had to build her home like birds do, spend all day boring into hard, dry wood, and gather only a scant amount of food. As a result, she now lives in the trees, constantly searching for food.

Q4. How does the woodpecker get her food?
Ans: The woodpecker gets her food by boring holes into trees to find insects and larvae hidden within the wood. She uses her strong beak to create openings, allowing her to access food that is not visible on the surface.

Q5. Do you think that the old lady would have been so ungenerous if she had known who Saint Peter was? What would she have done then?
Ans: No, the old lady would not have been so ungenerous if she had known who Saint Peter was. Instead, she would have attempted to please him by offering her cakes and likely given him a larger one to satisfy her own desires. Her actions would have shown a wish to gain his favour, contrasting with her initial selfishness.

Q6. Is this a true story? Which part of this poem do you feel is the most important? [Old NCERT]
Ans: No, this is not a true story; it is a legend. The most important part of the poem is when the old lady is transformed into a woodpecker. This moment highlights the consequences of her actions and teaches us the value of generosity and charity.

Q7. What is a legend? Why is this poem called a legend?
Ans: A legend is a traditional story from the past that many people believe, although its truth cannot be confirmed. These tales often include a moral lesson and are frequently shared with children. In the poem, the poet expresses doubt about the story's truth. It is titled a legend because it highlights the significance of generosity towards others.

Q8. Write the story of ‘A Legend of the Northland’ in about ten sentences.
Ans: Once, Saint Peter visited an old lady's cottage, feeling hungry after fasting. She was baking cakes and he asked her for one. However, she was too selfish to share, believing each cake was too large to give away. After several attempts, she finally made a wafer-thin cake but still refused to part with it. Angered by her actions, Saint Peter declared that she was too selfish to remain human. He punished her by transforming her into a woodpecker, forcing her to find food by boring into trees. Her clothes burned away, leaving only her scarlet cap as she flew out through the chimney. To this day, she lives in the woods, where country schoolboys often see her. She spends her time boring for food, a reminder of her past greed.

Q9. Let’s look at the words at the end of the second and fourth lines, viz., ‘snows’ and ‘clothes’, true’ and ‘you’, ‘below’ and ‘know’. We find that ‘snows’ rhymes with ‘clothes’, ‘true’ rhymes with ‘you’ and ‘below’ rhymes with ‘know’. 
Ans: The rhyming words include:

• Few and through
• Earth and hearth
• Done and one
• Lay and away
• One and done
• Flat and that
• Myself and shelf
• Faint and saint
• Form and warm
• Food and wood
• Word and bird
• Same and flame
• Wood and food

Q10. Go to the local library or talk to older persons in your locality and find legends in your language. Tell the class these legends. 
Ans: Echo was a nymph who loved to talk and always wanted the last word. One day, she rudely spoke to the great Juno, who punished her by taking away her voice. From then on, Echo could only repeat the last words she heard, much like a parrot. Ashamed, she hid in the forest. In the same forest lived Narcissus, a young man with golden hair and blue eyes, which were rare in Greece. While hiding, Echo admired him from afar. One day, Narcissus called out, “Who’s here?” Echo replied, “Here,” and stepped out to meet him. However, Narcissus was surprised to see a stranger and quickly walked away. After this encounter, Echo never showed herself again and eventually faded away, becoming just a voice. This voice could be heard for many years in the forests and mountains, especially in caves. Hunters often heard it, sometimes mimicking their dogs or repeating their last words, creating a haunting and lonely atmosphere.