Little Women Novel: (Part 2)- The Christmas Presents: This part is explained with vocabulary and summary. Question and answers are also given here. Click here for all the parts of the novel and Notes.
Part 2- The Christmas Presents
Vocabulary:
| Word/Phrase | English Meaning | Hindi Meaning |
|---|---|---|
| Stocking | A long sock hung by the fireplace for gifts | क्रिसमस उपहार के लिए लटकाई जाने वाली लंबी मोजा |
| Encouraging words | Words that give support or motivation | प्रोत्साहन देने वाले शब्द |
| Received love and obedience | Was loved and respected, followed with care (other sisters loved and obeyed what she said) | प्रेम और आज्ञाकारिता प्राप्त की, मेग की बातों का सम्मान ओर पालन किया गया। |
| Goodness only knows | Only God knows (used when something is uncertain) | भगवान ही जानें (जब कुछ अनिश्चित हो) |
| Came a-begging | Arrived asking for help or food | मदद या भोजन मांगते हुए आया |
| Eagerness | A strong desire or enthusiasm | उत्सुकता |
| Trump | Someone outstanding or admirable | एक उत्कृष्ट या प्रशंसनीय व्यक्ति |
| Unison | Together as one, in perfect agreement | एक स्वर में, एक साथ |
| Huddled | Gathered closely together, especially in a small space | ठंड से बचने के लिए पास-पास बैठना या खड़ा होना |
| Sumptuous | Rich and luxurious | बहुत शानदार और विलासपूर्ण |
| Set off | Began a journey or started moving | यात्रा शुरू की |
| Overwhelmed | Overcome with strong emotion | भावनाओं से अभिभूत |
| Trooped back | Returned together in a group | एक साथ लौटे |
| Cot | A simple, small bed | चारपाई या खाट |
| Sprawl | To lie or sit with arms and legs spread out awkwardly | फैलकर बैठना या लेटना |
| Bonbons | Small candies with sweet fillings | छोटे मीठे भराई वाले टॉफी |
| Hothouse flower | A flower grown in a controlled environment like a greenhouse | ग्रीनहाउस में उगाया गया फूल |
| Wistfully | With a feeling of longing or sadness | उदासी या तरस के साथ |
Explanation:
On Christmas morning, Jo wakes up expecting stockings filled with presents but instead finds a book under her pillow. It is a Bible, given to her by her mother. Each of the sisters receives a different colored Bible, and Meg, being the eldest and most responsible, tells them they should read the Bible every day. This shows that Mrs. March wants her daughters to be strong and good people, especially during hard times.
When they go to thank their mother for the gifts, they find out she has gone to help a poor woman named Mrs. Hummel, who has many children and no food. The girls are initially disappointed because they were excited about their big Christmas breakfast, but they decide to give the food to the poor family as a Christmas present. The girls feel very happy after helping the family and return home to a simple breakfast of bread and milk, feeling more satisfied than if they had eaten a big meal.
Later, the girls give their mother the Christmas presents they had planned: Jo gives slippers, Beth gives handkerchiefs, Amy gives cologne, and Meg gives gloves. Mrs. March is touched and proudly wears all of the gifts at once.
The day continues with the girls performing a play they had prepared, but there are some funny accidents. Meg trips on her dress and falls off the ladder, and Amy’s fainting scene doesn’t go as planned. Despite the mishaps, everyone enjoys the play.
At dinner, the girls are surprised by a luxurious meal with all kinds of delicious food, sent by their neighbor, Mr. Laurence. He heard about the girls’ kindness to the poor family and wanted to reward them. Though they don’t know Mr. Laurence well, they are thankful for his generosity and think of their father, who is away at war and probably not having such a merry Christmas.
Summary:
On Christmas morning, the March sisters receive Bibles from their mother and are reminded to read from them daily. When they learn that a poor family is in need, they give up their Christmas breakfast to help them. Although they were initially disappointed, they feel much happier after their act of kindness. Later, they give their mother the presents they had saved up for. The girls also put on a play, which has some funny mishaps but is enjoyed by all. At dinner, they are surprised by a feast sent by their neighbor, Mr. Laurence, who appreciated their generosity to the poor.
Answers to Questions:
Q.1. What gifts did the girls receive from their mother?
Ans: The girls received Bibles of different colours from their mother as Christmas gifts.
Q.2. What did Meg tell her sisters to do?
Ans: Meg told her sisters to read the Bible every day as their mother wished.
Q.3. Why could the girls not find their mother?
Ans: Their mother had gone to help a poor woman with many children who were in need.
Q.4. Why had Amy gone out?
Ans: Amy went out to exchange her small bottle of cologne for a bigger one because she wanted to be less selfish.
Q.5. Which suggestion of Mrs. March disappointed the girls and why?
Ans: Mrs. March suggested they give their Christmas breakfast to a poor family, which disappointed the girls because they had been looking forward to the delicious meal.
Q.6. Describe the condition of the poor family.
Ans: The poor family was in a terrible condition. They had no warm clothes, no food, and all the children were huddled together in one bed.
Q.7. What made the four girls happier than other people?
Ans: The girls felt happier than others because they had given their breakfast to the poor family, which made them feel good about helping those in need.
Q.8. How did Mrs. March accept her daughters’ gifts?
Ans: Mrs. March was very touched and immediately used all the gifts: she wore Jo’s slippers, put Beth’s handkerchief in her pocket, sprayed Amy’s cologne, and wore Meg’s gloves.
Q.9. Which two unfortunate incidents occurred during and after the play?
Ans: During the play, Meg tripped on her dress and fell off the ladder, and after the play, the cot where the audience was sitting collapsed.
Q.10. What surprise awaited the girls during dinner?
Ans: The girls were surprised by a fancy dinner with ice-cream, cakes, fruits, and candies sent by Mr. Laurence, their neighbour.
Q.11. Why did the old gentleman send the goodies?
Ans: Mr. Laurence sent the goodies because he heard about how the girls gave up their Christmas breakfast for a poor family, and he was impressed by their kindness.
Q.12. Write three sentences about the young boy who brought the flowers.
Ans: The young boy was Mr. Laurence’s grandson. He brought the flowers to the March house while they were performing their play. He seemed sad because he was not having any fun and had no one to share Christmas with.
Language Practice:
Fill in the blanks with suitable prepositions:
A. That young man is harsh nature.
B. A guest has been living the family for long.
C. The small boy put his hand the table to pat his pet.
D. Never laugh a stammering person.
E. When the lady became emotional she had tears ___ her eyes.
Answer:
A. That young man is harsh by nature.
B. A guest has been living with the family for long.
C. The small boy put his hand on the table to pat his pet.
D. Never laugh at a stammering person.
E. When the lady became emotional she had tears in her eyes.
