‘Toinette and the Elves’ is a children’s story by Susan Coolidge. Here you get a summary, question and answers of class 5 book Magnolia and chracter sketch of Toinette.
Summary
The story tells the tale of Toinette, a girl who encounters a mischievous elf named Thistle. Thistle gives Toinette fern seeds that grant invisibility. Toinette is thrilled at first, enjoying being unseen. However, she soon discovers the downsides. Her family barely notices she’s gone, and she realizes how unkind she’s been to her siblings in the past. This realization leads Toinette to vow to be a better person.
A year later, Thistle returns with more fern seeds. This time, Toinette hesitates but agrees. This time, being invisible allows her to witness her siblings’ genuine love and appreciation for her. The story ends with Toinette using her kindness to help the elves cook fern-seed soup, a task they can’t do themselves because of their fire-sensitive wings.
Through Toinette’s experience, the story shows the value of kindness and how even small actions can have a big impact on those around you. It also suggests that true happiness comes from connection with others, not from being unseen.
Comprehension
A. Tick (✔) the correct answers.
- To be invisible, Toinette had to
a. jump like a grasshopper and put on a cap.
b. put fern seeds in her shoes.
c. drink fern-seed soup. - When Toinette went near Mother, she neither moved nor turned her head because
a. Toinette was invisible.
b. Mother was busy.
c. Mother was upset with Toinette. - Mother often went to the door because
a. the children left the door open.
b. she was expecting guests.
“he was worried about Toinette. - The speaker says Toinette was not quite the same girl she had been before because
a. she was invisible.
b. she had become a nicer person.
c. she had met Thistle. - The elves could not make fern-seed soup because
a. they had given all the fern seeds to Toinette.
b. they did not know how to make it.
they were afraid that their wings would get scorched.
Answers:
b. put fern seeds in her shoes.
a. Toinette was invisible.
c. she was worried about Toinette.
b. she had become a nicer person.
c. they were afraid that their wings would get scorched.
B. Read these lines and answer the questions.
- “Do you still wish to be invisible?”
a. Who said this to whom?
b. Why does the speaker say these words?
c. What did the listener say? What did the speaker do? - Perhaps a wolf has eaten her up…”
a. Who said these words to whom?
b. What did the listener say?
C. How did it make Toinette feel?
3 But I can be better and kinder if I tried. And I will.”
a. Why does the speaker say these words?
b. What did the speaker do after this?
c. Do you think the speaker was successful? Give reasons. - “I don’t like fern seeds.”
a. Who said these words to whom?
b. Why did the speaker say these words?
c. What did the listener say? Say with reason if he was correct.
Answers:
- “Do you still wish to be invisible?”
- a. Thistle said this to Toinette.
- b. Thistle asks because he gave Toinette the fern seeds the night before, making her invisible. He wants to confirm if she still wants this power after experiencing it.
- c. Toinette likely said yes (or something similar), and Thistle then gave her the fern seeds.
- “Perhaps a wolf has eaten her up…”
- a. Pierre said this to Marc.
- b. Marc didn’t respond with much concern, instead saying he wanted Toinette’s room.
- c. This made Toinette feel sad. It highlighted how easily they seemed to move on without her.
- “But I can be better and kinder if I tried. And I will.”
- a. Toinette says this to herself.
- b. She realizes her invisibility revealed how unkind she had been to her siblings. So, she decides to change and be nicer.
- c. Yes, the speaker (Toinette) seems successful. The story tells us she became kinder and more patient, and the children loved her more.
- “I don’t like fern seeds.”
- a. Toinette said this to Thistle.
- b. Toinette doesn’t like the fern seeds because her first experience with invisibility made her realize how much her siblings cared for her, and being invisible made her feel lonely.
- c. Thistle was right. This year, the fern seeds led to a positive experience where she saw her siblings appreciate her kindness.
C. Think and answer.
- Was it a good idea for Toinette to be invisible the first time? Give reasons.
- After reading the text, say if you would like to be invisible or not?
Answers: Here we are giving more than one answer. Choose as per your choice:
Ans. Set 1
- No, it wasn’t a good idea for Toinette to be invisible the first time. Here’s why:
- She felt lonely and unappreciated. Being invisible made her realize her siblings barely noticed her absence and even seemed happy to take advantage (like Marc wanting her room).
- It highlighted her unkind behaviour. When she was invisible, she reflected on how she had treated her siblings poorly, making her feel remorseful.
- Whether you’d like to be invisible depends on your goals. Here are some things to consider:
- Advantages: It could be fun for pranks or exploring unseen.
- Disadvantages: It could be lonely, isolating, and make it difficult to connect with others.
- In Toinette’s case, invisibility backfired because it made her realize the importance of being seen and appreciated for who she was.
Ans. Set 2
1. Was it a good idea for Toinette to be invisible the first time? Give reasons.
- It wasn’t necessarily a good idea for Toinette to be invisible the first time because it led to feelings of loneliness and sadness. Being invisible caused her family to overlook her presence, and she realized the importance of being seen and appreciated by others. Additionally, Toinette’s invisibility initially made her behave rudely towards her siblings, causing misunderstandings and hurt feelings. However, the experience did teach her valuable lessons about kindness and empathy.
2. After reading the text, say if you would like to be invisible or not?
- After reading the text, I wouldn’t want to be invisible. The story shows that being unseen can lead to feelings of isolation and sadness, as experienced by Toinette. Being invisible can also cause misunderstandings and hurt feelings, as Toinette’s family members were worried and confused when they couldn’t see her. Instead, the story emphasizes the importance of being seen, valued, and appreciated by others.
Ans. Set 3 (Short Answers)
- No, it wasn’t a good idea for Toinette to be invisible the first time because it made her feel lonely and isolated from her family.
- After reading the text, I would not like to be invisible because the story shows that invisibility can lead to loneliness and difficulties in relationships.
Toinette: A Character Sketch
Initial Traits:
- Selfish: The story opens with Toinette showing little regard for her siblings’ feelings. We see this through her actions (slapping Marie, throwing Marc’s ball in the fire) and her thoughts (wishing a bear would eat Pierre).
- Impatient: Toinette speaks crossly to her siblings when they ask why she’s late.
- Imaginative: Toinette readily believes Thistle’s story about the invisibility cap and desires invisibility herself.
Transformation:
- Self-discovery: When invisible, Toinette is forced to confront how easily her family seems to move on without her. This introspection reveals her unkind behaviour.
- Regretful: Realizing her faults, Toinette feels remorse for her past actions.
- Determined: Toinette decides to change and become a kinder person.
Positive Growth:
- Kindness: After her experience, Toinette makes a conscious effort to be nicer to her siblings. The story mentions her becoming more patient as well.
- Appreciative: Toinette comes to appreciate the love and care of her family. This is evident in her joy at their affection when she’s invisible the second time.
- Helpful: The story ends with Toinette using her kindness to help the elves, showcasing her willingness to go above and beyond.
Overall: Toinette starts as a self-centred girl but undergoes a significant transformation. Through her experience with invisibility, she learns valuable lessons about kindness, selflessness, and the importance of family. The story portrays her as a character with the potential for growth, and by the end, she emerges as a more considerate and caring individual.
