The story “Princess September” Textbook questions & Answers are given here in post. Intext-questions are also given with answers. You can click here to study notes based on this lesson “Princess September”. So, now, get into beautifully and comprehensively crafted solutions to textbook questions.
Intext- Comprehension Check Questions
Part 1. Page: 38
1. How many daughters did the royal couple have?
Ans. The royal couple had many daughters.
2. Why were they named after the months of the year?
Ans. The King decided to name his daughters after the months of the year to simplify the Queen’s task of remembering so many names.
3. The King had a peculiar habit. What was it? Why is it called peculiar?
Ans. The King’s peculiar habit was giving gifts instead of receiving them on his birthday. It is considered peculiar because it deviates from the more common practice of receiving gifts on one’s birthday.
4. (i) What was Princess September’s reaction to the loss of her parrot?
Ans. Princess September burst into tears upon finding her parrot dead at the bottom of its cage.
(ii) What was her mother’s reaction to it?
Ans. The Queen considered Princess September’s grief over the parrot’s death as “stuff and nonsense” and instructed her to go to bed without supper.
(iii) What do the reactions indicate about the nature and temperament of each?
Ans. Princess September’s reaction suggests that she is emotionally attached to her pet and is deeply affected by its loss. The Queen’s reaction, on the other hand, indicates a dismissive attitude toward the princess’s feelings, possibly portraying a lack of understanding or empathy.
5. What pulled the Princess out of her gloom?
Ans. A little bird entered Princess September’s room and sang a beautiful song about the King’s garden, lifting her spirits and alleviating her sorrow.
6. How did the Maids of Honour come to know that the Princess and the bird had become intimate friends?
Ans. The Maids of Honour informed the Queen about Princess September’s grief over the dead parrot, indicating that they were aware of the close relationship between the princess and the bird.
7. The new bird was full of new songs, but the old parrots always repeated themselves. What did they say?
Ans. The old parrots could only say “God save the king” and “Pretty Polly,” while the new bird sang a variety of beautiful songs about the surroundings.
8. What is the King’s opinion about his Councillors? Why did he form that opinion?
Ans. The King expresses dissatisfaction with his Councillors, stating that they say the same thing in seven different ways, and it never means anything in any way they say it. This indicates that the King finds his Councillors repetitive and ineffective in their communication.
9. (i) The eight Princesses made an offer to Princess September. What was it?
Ans. The eight Princesses offered to buy Princess September a lovely green and yellow parrot with the money they pooled together.
(ii) Why, in your view, did they do it?
Ans. The Princesses likely made this offer to console Princess September for the loss of her previous parrot and to provide her with a new pet. It reflects a gesture of sisterly care and empathy.
10. What did the sisters advise the Princess to do about her bird?
Ans. The sisters advised Princess September to immediately put the bird in a cage if he returns, emphasizing the importance of ensuring the bird’s presence and safety. They were concerned about the bird freely flying in and out.
Part 2. Page: 43
1. In the following sentence elaborate the parts given in bold. Under the circumstances it was a very unfortunate remark:
Ans. The phrase “Under the circumstances, it was a very unfortunate remark” suggests that the remark made by the little bird, given the context or situation, was particularly ill-timed or inappropriate. The circumstances surrounding the remark likely involved the emotional state of Princess September, who had just lost her parrot and was grieving.
In such a sensitive moment, the little bird’s comment may have unintentionally added to the distress or exacerbated the situation. The choice of words emphasizes the inappropriateness of the remark, taking into account the prevailing conditions and emotions at that specific moment.
It was unfortunate for the bird also as he was put into a cage.
2. (i) What did Princess September do to ensure the safety of her pet?
Ans. Princess September put the bird in a golden cage to ensure his safety.
(ii) How did the bird react to it?
Ans. The bird was surprised when Princess September put him in the cage. Initially, he could think of nothing to say.
3. Why did the bird refuse to be taken out in her cage?
Ans. The bird refused to be taken out in the cage because he believed he could not sing unless he was free, and without singing, he felt he would die.
4. (i) What persuaded Princess September to give the bird his freedom again?
Ans. The bird’s refusal to eat and sing, along with his apparent unhappiness in the cage, persuaded Princess September to give him his freedom.
(ii) How did the bird react to it?
Ans. The bird expressed gratitude and promised to return, singing the loveliest songs. He flew away into the blue sky.
5. Princess September kept her window open day and night.
(i) How did it help the bird?
Ans. Keeping the window open allowed the little bird to come into Princess September’s room whenever he felt inclined, providing him with the freedom to visit.
(ii) How did it help the Princess herself?
Ans. It helped the Princess by fostering a continuous companionship with the little bird, contributing to her beauty and happiness.
6. The eight sisters kept their windows shut. How did it affect them?
Ans. The closed windows kept the eight sisters isolated and closed off from the world, contributing to their ugliness and disagreeable nature. They missed out on the positive influence that openness had on Princess September.
Textbook Exercise Questions
Discuss the following questions in small groups. Write their answers later.
1. Are the sisters unkind and cruel? Find evidence in the text to support your idea.
2. Which, to you, is the most important idea in this story, and why?
(i) importance of music
(ii) value of freedom
(iii) beauty of nature
Answers:
1. Are the sisters unkind and cruel? Find evidence in the text to support your idea.
The sisters in the story can be perceived as unkind and somewhat cruel based on their reactions to Princess September’s relationship with the little bird. Evidence to support this idea includes:
- Mocking Princess September when the little bird first flew away, expressing doubt that he would return.
- Advising Princess September to be firm even if the bird refused to eat, suggesting that if he died, it would serve him right and she would be well rid of him.
- The contrast in their fates at the end: while Princess September marries the King of Cambodia, the sisters are given away to the King’s Councillors with a pound of tea and a Siamese cat, implying a less desirable fate.
2. Which, to you, is the most important idea in this story, and why?
- (i) Importance of music: The little bird’s singing is a source of comfort and joy for Princess September. It brings emotional healing and plays a crucial role in their relationship. The significance of music is evident in the bird’s refusal to sing when confined, emphasizing the connection between music and freedom.
- (ii) Value of freedom: The theme of freedom is central to the story, particularly in the bird’s need to be free to sing and live. Princess September learns the importance of granting freedom out of love, and the story suggests that true happiness comes from allowing others to be free.
- (iii) Beauty of nature: Nature is depicted as beautiful through the little bird’s songs and Princess September’s connection with the outside world. The appreciation of nature is reflected in Princess September’s decision to keep her window open, allowing the bird to come and go freely.
Think it Over
- There are two ways to study butterflies: chase them with nets then inspect their dead bodies, or sit quietly in a garden and watch them dance among the flowers. •
- Freedom practises its own logic. It puts a bouquet of rights in your right hand and a basket of duties in your left hand. This is merely to help you walk straight. •
- To be free is to be disciplined. Who knew it better than a young enthusiast walking down the road swinging his arms wildly. When he accidentally hit an old gentleman on the tip of his nose, the man asked “What do you think you are doing?” “I’m sorry”, said the enthusiast, “but it’s a free country. I am swinging my arms.” “Remember,” advised the old man, “your freedom ends where my nose begins.”
Answers:
Reflections on the Given Text: This text prompts reflection on the nuanced relationship between freedom and responsibility, emphasizing the need for a balanced and respectful exercise of individual liberties within a community.
- Study of Butterflies:
- The text presents two contrasting approaches to studying butterflies:
- Active pursuit and capture (chasing with nets, inspecting dead bodies).
- Passive observation in a garden, appreciating their natural dance among flowers.
- This comparison suggests a broader reflection on different ways of interacting with and understanding nature.
- The text presents two contrasting approaches to studying butterflies:
- Freedom and Discipline:
- Freedom is depicted as having its own logic, offering both rights and duties.
- The metaphor of a bouquet of rights in one hand and a basket of duties in the other illustrates the need for balance and responsibility in exercising freedom.
- The idea that this balance helps one walk straight emphasizes the constructive aspect of freedom.
- Discipline and Freedom:
- The notion that to be free is to be disciplined is presented through a simple yet effective anecdote.
- The young enthusiast swinging his arms wildly represents the uninhibited expression of freedom.
- The accidental collision with the old man introduces a practical boundary to freedom – a reminder that one’s freedom should not infringe on others’ well-being.
- Limits to Freedom:
- The advice from the old man, “Your freedom ends where my nose begins,” encapsulates the idea of limits to freedom.
- It suggests that while individuals have the right to freedom, there are boundaries that prevent the infringement on others’ rights and well-being.
- Interplay Between Freedom and Responsibility:
- The text implies that true freedom is not anarchic but involves a conscious understanding of one’s rights and duties.
- The example of swinging arms freely is juxtaposed with the responsibility to avoid causing harm to others.
