The Little Girl Class 9 Notes: CBSE English Beehive Chapter 3

About the Author

The author of Class 9 Chapter 3 The Little Girl Summary is Katherine Mansfield, a well-known New Zealand writer. She is famous for her short stories that often focus on ordinary people and their everyday lives. Katherine Mansfield had a talent for capturing emotions and details, making her stories relatable and touching. Her writing style is simple yet powerful, allowing readers to connect deeply with her characters and their experiences. Mansfield's works are still admired today for their insightful portrayal of human nature and relationships.

About the Story/Synopsis of the Story

The Little Girl is a story about a young girl named Kezia who is afraid of her strict father. She sees him as harsh and unfriendly. Kezia's opinion of his father changes when she falls ill, and her father takes care of her with great tenderness. This experience helps her realise that her father loves her deeply, even though he doesn't always show it gently. The story highlights the theme of misunderstanding and the bond between parents and children, showing how love and care can sometimes be hidden behind strictness.

Theme of the Story “The Little Girl”

The main theme of "The Little Girl" is the relationship between parents and children, focusing on how misunderstandings can create fear and distance. Kezia is initially afraid of her strict father, seeing him as unfriendly and stubborn. However, as the story progresses, she realises that her father's strict behaviour hides his deep love and care for her. The story shows that understanding and compassion can bridge gaps and strengthen family bonds. It emphasises that parents' strictness often comes from a place of love and concern for their children's well-being.

Character Sketches

Kezia: Kezia is a young girl who initially fears her father due to his strictness. She is sensitive and longs for her father's affection. Throughout the story, her perspective on her father changes as she begins to understand his true feelings and care for her.

Kezia's Father: Kezia's father appears strict and unfriendly, making Kezia afraid of him. However, he deeply loves his daughter and cares for her well-being. His sternness is a way of ensuring discipline, but he shows a softer side when Kezia needs comfort and protection.

Kezia's Mother: Kezia's mother is a supportive human who helps manage the household and takes care of Kezia. She is understanding and tries to bridge the gap between Kezia and her father.

Kezia's Grandmother: Kezia's grandmother is kind and caring. She helps Kezia understand her father better and see the love behind his strictness. She supports and comforts Kezia.

Class 9 English Chapter 3 Summary of The Little Girl

• The Little Girl, written by Katherine Mansfield, tells the story of a girl named Kezia who lives with her parents and grandmother. Kezia is very afraid of her father and tries to avoid him as much as possible. 

• She feels relieved when he leaves for work and shakes with fear whenever she is around him. Kezia thinks her father is rude and harsh, so she tries her best to stay away from him whenever he is at home.

• Kezia's grandmother often told her to try and understand her parents better. She encouraged Kezia to talk with her parents in the drawing room, but Kezia usually felt they were cold towards her. 

• One day, her grandmother suggested that Kezia make a pin cushion as a gift for her father’s upcoming birthday. Kezia worked hard, sewing three sides of the cushion and leaving one side open to fill it. She wondered what to use for stuffing and went to her mother’s bedroom to find some scraps. There, she found some fine sheets of paper, tore them into small pieces, stuffed the pin cushion with them, and then stitched the fourth side.

• Those papers were her father’s important speech for the Port Authority. When Kezia's mother found out that she had torn them, she immediately called Kezia to the drawing room. 

• Her father was very angry and didn't listen to her explanation. He punished her by hitting her with a ruler on her small, pink palms. Kezia cried a lot and couldn't understand why she was being punished for telling the truth and admitting her mistake. She felt very sad and silently wondered why fathers were like that.

• Later that evening, she saw Mr Macdonald playing happily with his children. This made her realise that not all fathers are the same. Some, like Mr. Macdonald, is kind and loving, while others, like her father, are strict and harsh.

• Kezia’s feelings towards her father changed after a while. One day, her mother suddenly felt sick and had to go to the hospital. Her grandmother went with her mother, leaving Kezia alone at home with only the cook, Alice. 

• Everything was fine during the day, but Kezia struggled to sleep at night. She had a terrifying dream about a thief with a knife and rope approaching her with a haunting smile, and she couldn't move. This nightmare woke her up, and when she opened her eyes, she saw her father standing beside her.

• Kezia's father took her to his bedroom and made a comfortable spot for her to sleep on his bed. He kindly allowed her to warm her feet against his legs. At that time, Kezia felt safe and comfortable with her father, realising he wasn't as strict as she had thought. She felt the fatherly love she had missed and understood that he cared for her in his way. 

• Kezia also understood that her father worked hard every day to support their family, which often made him tired and grumpy by evening, unable to play with her. From then on, Kezia cherished and cared for her father just as much as she did for her grandmother and mother.

Important Points of Class 9 English Chapter 3 The Little Girl

• The story is all about a little girl who is the narrator, her father who is strict and distant, and her grandmother who is caring and supportive.

• The characters in The Little Girl Notes PDF highlight the dynamics of family relationships and the importance of understanding and empathy.

• The little girl wants her father's approval and tries to impress him by walking to school through a forest with wolves.

• Her father remains distant and doesn't express affection.

• It showcases the girl's bravery in facing challenges to fulfil her father's expectations.

• The Little Girl Class 9 Summary teaches that while external approval is important, true happiness comes from within and from genuine relationships built on love and understanding.

Importance of English Chapter 3 The Little Girl Class 9 Notes

• Revision notes provide a summary of the chapter, saving time during revision by highlighting the main points.

• They highlight key themes and concepts, making it easier to understand and remember the importance of the chapter.

• It explores themes of parental expectations, courage, and the desire for approval.

• The story teaches us about perseverance, facing challenges, and the importance of family dynamics in shaping our identity and values.

• Summary of The Little Girl helps students to quickly review the important points before exams, ensuring students are well-prepared.

• The Little Girl Summary PDF covers the entire syllabus, ensuring that every topic is included and that the chapter is fully understood.

Tips for Learning the English Chapter 3 The Little Girl Class 9 Summary

• Focus on the personalities of the main characters—how they behave, what motivates them, and how they interact with each other.

• The themes and lessons are relevant to students' lives, encouraging reflection on their relationships and aspirations.

• Think about how cultural values and expectations influence the characters' actions and relationships in the story.

• Think about situations in your own life or the world around you that relate to the themes of courage, family dynamics, and seeking approval.

• Summarise key events and impacts of the Silk Road in your own words to improve learning

Conclusion

Vedantu’s CBSE Class 9 English Chapter 3 The Little Girl Summary PDF from the book Beehive, written by Katherine Mansfield tells the story of a young girl who struggles to earn her father's approval by bravely walking through a dangerous forest to reach school. For all her efforts, her father remains distant and unresponsive. The chapter highlights themes of courage, parental expectations, and the longing for acceptance. It shows how familial relationships can shape one's identity and aspirations. Ultimately, the story teaches us about perseverance and the importance of understanding and love within families. Students can explore more articles and resources about CBSE English to help them understand the syllabus better from Vedantu’s website.

Along with CBSE Class 9 Chapter 3 The Little Girl Notes and Summary, you can also refer to Class 9 The Little Girl NCERT Solutions.

Other Chapter-wise Revision Notes for Class 9 English (Beehive)

Important Study Materials for Class 9 English