3. The Little Girl
BEFORE YOU READ
Do you feel you know your parents better now, than when you were much younger? Perhaps you now understand the reasons for some of their actions that used to upset you earlier.
This story about a little girl whose feelings for her father change from fear to understanding will probably find an echo in every home.
1. To the little girl he was a figure to be feared and avoided. Every morning before going to work he came into her room and gave her a casual kiss, to which she responded with "Goodbye, Father". And oh, there was a glad sense of relief when she heard the noise of the carriage growing fainter and fainter down the long road!
In the evening when he came home she stood near the staircase and heard his loud voice in the hall. "Bring my tea into the drawing-room... Hasn't the paper come yet? Mother, go and see if my paper's out there and bring me my slippers."
2. "Kezia," Mother would call to her, "if you're a good girl you can come down and take off father's boots." Slowly the girl would slip down the stairs, more slowly still across the hall, and push open the drawing-room door.
By that time he had his spectacles on and looked at her over them in a way that was terrifying to the little girl.
"Well, Kezia, hurry up and pull off these boots and take them outside. Have you been a good girl today?"
"I d-d-don't know, Father."
"You d-d-don't know? If you stutter like that Mother will have to take you to the doctor."
3. She never stuttered with other people had quite given it up but only with Father, because then she was trying so hard to say the words properly.
"What's the matter? What are you looking so wretched about? Mother, I wish you taught this child not to appear on the brink of suicide... Here, Kezia, carry my teacup back to the table carefully."
He was so big his hands and his neck, especially his mouth when he yawned. Thinking about him alone was like thinking about a giant.
4. On Sunday afternoons Grandmother sent her down to the drawing-room to have a "nice talk with Father and Mother". But the little girl always found Mother reading and Father stretched out on the sofa, his handkerchief on his face, his feet on one of the best cushions, sleeping soundly and snoring.
She sat on a stool, gravely watched him until he woke and stretched, and asked the time looked at her. then
"Don't stare so, Kezia. You look like a little brown owl."
One day, when she was kept indoors with a cold, her grandmother told her that father's birthday was next week, and suggested she should make him a pin-cushion for a gift out of a beautiful piece of yellow silk.
5. Laboriously, with a double cotton, the little girl stitched three sides. But what to fill it with? That was the question. The grandmother was out in the garden, and she wandered into Mother's bedroom to look for scraps. On the bed-table she discovered a great many sheets of fine paper, gathered them up, tore them into tiny pieces, and stuffed her case, then sewed up the fourth side.
That night there was a hue and cry in the house. Father's great speech for the Port Authority had been lost. Rooms were searched; servants questioned. Finally Mother came into Kezia's room.
"Kezia, I suppose you didn't see some papers on a table in our room?"
"Oh yes," she said, "I tore them up for my surprise."
"What!" screamed Mother. "Come straight down to the dining-room this instant."
6. And she was dragged down to where Father was pacing to and fro, hands behind his back.
"Well?" he said sharply.
Mother explained.
He stopped and stared at the child.
"Did you do that?"
"N-n-no", she whispered.
"Mother, go up to her room and fetch down the damned thing see that the child's put to bed this instant."
7. Crying too much to explain, she lay in the shadowed room watching the evening light make a sad little pattern on the floor.
Then Father came into the room with a ruler in his hands.
"I am going to beat you for this," he said.
"Oh, no, no", she screamed, hiding under the bedclothes.
He pulled them aside.
"Sit up," he ordered, "and hold out your hands. You must be taught once and for all not to touch what does not belong to you."
"But it was for your b-b-birthday."
Down came the ruler on her little, pink palms. Hours later, when Grandmother had wrapped her in a shawl and rocked her in the rocking-chair, the child clung to her soft body.
8. "What did God make fathers for?" she sobbed.
"Here's a clean hanky, darling. Blow your nose. Go to sleep, pet; you'll forget all about it in the morning. I tried to explain to Father but he was too upset to listen tonight."
But the child never forgot. Next time she saw him she quickly put both hands behind her back and a red colour flew into her cheeks.
9. The Macdonalds lived next door. They had five children. Looking through a gap in the fence the little girl saw them playing 'tag' in the evening. The father with the baby, Mao, on his shoulders, two little girls hanging on to his coat pockets ran round and round the flower-beds, shaking with laughter. Once she saw the boys turn the hose on him-and he tried to catch them laughing all the time.
Then it was she decided there were different sorts of fathers.
Suddenly, one day, Mother became ill, and she and Grandmother went to hospital.
The little girl was left alone in the house with Alice, the cook. That was all right in the daytime. but while Alice was putting her to bed she grew suddenly afraid.
10. "What'll I do if I have a nightmare?" she asked. "I often have nightmares and then Grannie takes
me into her bed-I can't stay in the dark-it all gets 'whispery'…"
"You just go to sleep, child," said Alice, pulling off her socks, "and don't you scream and wake your poor Pa."
But the same old nightmare came the butcher with a knife and a rope, who came nearer and nearer, smiling that dreadful smile, while she could not move, could only stand still, crying out, "Grandma! Grandma!" She woke shivering to see Father beside her bed, a candle in his hand.
"What's the matter?" he said.
11. "Oh, a butcher a knife I want Grannie." He blew out the candle, bent down and caught up the child in his arms, carrying her along the passage to the big bedroom. A newspaper was on the bed a half-smoked cigar was near his reading-lamp. He put away the paper, threw the cigar into the fireplace, then carefully tucked up the child. He lay down beside her. Half asleep still, still with the butcher's smile all about her it seemed, she crept close to him, snuggled her head under his arm, held tightly to his shirt.
Then the dark did not matter; she lay still.
"Here, rub your feet against my legs and get them warm," said Father.
12. Tired out, he slept before the little girl. A funny feeling came over her. Poor Father, not so big, after all and with no one to look after him. He was harder than Grandmother, but it was a nice hardness. And every day he had to work and was too tired to be a Mr Macdonald... She had torn up all his beautiful writing... She stirred suddenly, and sighed.
"What's the matter?" asked her father. "Another dream?"
"Oh," said the little girl, "my head's on your heart. I can hear it going. What a big heart you've got, Father dear."
a figure to be feared: a person to be feared
slip down: come down quietly and unwillingly
given it up: stopped doing it
wretched: unhappy on the brink of suicide, about to commit suicide
laboriously: with a lot of effort or difficulty
wandered into: went into, by chance
scraps: small pieces. of cloth or paper, etc. that are not needed
hue and cry: angry protest
tag a children's game of catching one another
nightmare: a bad dream
tucked up: covered up nicely in bed
snuggled: moved into a warm, comfortable position, close to another person
I. Given below are some emotions that Kezia felt. Match the emotions in Column A with the items in Column B.
A |
B |
1. fear or terror |
(i) father comes into her room to give her a goodbye kiss |
2. glad sense of relief |
(ii) noise of the carriage grows fainter |
3. a “funny” feeling, perhaps of understanding |
(iii) father comes home |
|
(iv) speaking to father |
|
(v) going to bed when alone at home |
|
(vi) father comforts her and falls asleep |
|
(vii) father stretched out on the sofa, snoring |
Answer:
1. Fear or terror |
(iv) Speaking to father |
2. Glad sense of relief |
(ii) Noise of the carriage grows fainter |
3. A “funny” feeling, perhaps of understanding |
(vi) Father comforts her and falls asleep |
II. Answer the following questions in one or two sentences.
1. Why was Kezia afraid of her father?
Answer: Kezia was afraid of her father because he was a figure to be feared, his presence was commanding, and he often spoke to her in a stern manner, which made her nervous and stutter.
2. Who were the people in Kezia’s family?
Answer: The people in Kezia’s family were her father, mother, and grandmother.
3. What was Kezia’s father’s routine:
(i) Before going to his office?
Answer: Before going to his office, Kezia’s father came into her room and gave her a casual kiss.
(ii) After coming back from his office?
Answer: After coming back from his office, he would ask for his tea, slippers, and newspaper, and often spoke in a loud, commanding voice.
(iii) On Sundays?
Answer: On Sundays, Kezia’s father would sleep on the sofa in the drawing-room, with a handkerchief on his face and his feet on one of the best cushions.
4. In what ways did Kezia’s grandmother encourage her to get to know her father better?
Answer: Kezia’s grandmother encouraged her to get to know her father better by sending her down to the drawing-room on Sunday afternoons to have a "nice talk" with her parents, and by suggesting that she make a pin-cushion for his birthday.
III. Discuss these questions in class with your teacher and then write down your answers in two or three paragraphs each.
1. Kezia’s efforts to please her father resulted in displeasing him very much. How did this happen?
Answer: Kezia wanted to make something special for her father’s birthday, so she decided to create a pin-cushion as a gift. She worked hard to sew the cushion and, in her innocence, used pieces of paper she found in her mother’s room to stuff it. Unfortunately, those papers turned out to be her father's important speech for the Port Authority. When her father realized what she had done, he was extremely angry. Instead of appreciating her effort, he punished her severely, which made her very scared and upset. Her attempt to please him backfired because she unknowingly destroyed something valuable, which led to a misunderstanding and harsh punishment.
2. Kezia decides that there are “different kinds of fathers”. What kind of father was Mr. Macdonald, and how was he different from Kezia’s father?
Answer: Kezia observed her neighbor, Mr. Macdonald, playing joyfully with his children in the evenings. He was a fun-loving, gentle, and affectionate father who engaged with his children in a carefree manner. He played games with them, carried them on his shoulders, and laughed with them. In contrast, Kezia’s father was strict, stern, and distant. He did not spend time playing with her or showing affection, which made Kezia fear him. Mr. Macdonald's relationship with his children was warm and loving, while Kezia's father was more authoritative and demanding, making her feel uncomfortable and scared around him.
3. How does Kezia begin to see her father as a human being who needs her sympathy?
Answer: Kezia’s perception of her father changes when she has a nightmare and her father comforts her. When she wakes up terrified from her bad dream, her father comes to her room, carries her to his bed, and stays with her until she feels safe. For the first time, she feels close to him, noticing how tired he is and realizing that he works hard every day. As she snuggles up to him, she begins to understand that her father is not just a figure to be feared, but a human being who also needs love and care. This moment of vulnerability helps her see him in a new light, and she starts to feel sympathy and affection for him, recognizing that he is not as distant and unfeeling as she once thought.
I. Look at the following sentence.
There was a glad sense of relief when she heard the noise of the carriage growing fainter...
Here, glad means happy about something.
Glad, happy, pleased, delighted, thrilled and overjoyed are synonyms (words or expressions that have the same or nearly the same meaning.) However, they express happiness in certain ways.
Read the sentences below.
• She was glad when the meeting was over.
• The chief guest was pleased to announce the name of the winner.
1. Use an appropriate word from the synonyms given above in the following sentences. Clues are given in brackets.
(i) She was ______________ by the news of her brother’s wedding. (very pleased)
Answer: She was delighted by the news of her brother’s wedding.
(ii) I was ______________ to be invited to the party. (extremely pleased and excited about)
Answer: I was thrilled to be invited to the party.
(iii) She was ______________ at the birth of her granddaughter. (extremely happy)
Answer: She was overjoyed at the birth of her granddaughter.
(iv) The coach was ______________ with his performance. (satisfied about)
Answer: The coach was pleased with his performance.
(v) She was ______________ very with her results. (happy about something that has happened)
Answer: She was glad with her results.
2. Study the use of the word big in the following sentence.
He was so big — his hands and his neck, especially his mouth…
Here, big means large in size.
Now, consult a dictionary and find out the meaning of big in the following sentences. The first one has been done for you.
(i) You are a big girl now.
Answer: older
(ii) Today you are going to take the biggest decision of your career. ____________
Answer: most important
(iii) Their project is full of big ideas. ____________
Answer: important or ambitious
(iv) Cricket is a big game in our country. ____________
Answer: popular or significant
(v) I am a big fan of Lata Mangeskar. ____________
Answer: enthusiastic or devoted
(vi) You have to cook a bit more as my friend is a big eater. ____________
Answer: eats a lot
(vii) What a big heart you’ve got, Father dear. ____________
Answer: generous or kind
II. Verbs of Reporting
Study the following sentences.
• “What!” screamed Mother.
• “N-n-no”, she whispered.
• “Sit up,” he ordered.
The italicised words are verbs of reporting. We quote or report what someone has said or thought by using a reporting verb. Every reporting clause contains a reporting verb. For example:
• He promised to help in my project.
• “How are you doing?” Seema asked.
We use verbs of reporting to advise, order, report statements, thoughts, intentions, questions, requests, apologies, manner of speaking and so on.
1. Underline the verbs of reporting in the following sentences.
(i) He says he will enjoy the ride.
Answer: He says he will enjoy the ride.
(ii) Father mentioned that he was going on a holiday.
Answer: Father mentioned that he was going on a holiday.
(iii) No one told us that the shop was closed.
Answer: No one told us that the shop was closed.
(iv) He answered that the price would go up.
Answer: He answered that the price would go up.
(v) I wondered why he was screaming.
Answer: I wondered why he was screaming.
(vi) Ben told her to wake him up.
Answer: Ben told her to wake him up.
(vii) Ratan apologised for coming late to the party.
Answer: Ratan apologised for coming late to the party.
2. Some verbs of reporting are given in the box. Choose the appropriate verbs and fill in the blanks in the following sentences.
were, complaining, shouted, replied, remarked, ordered, suggested
(i) “I am not afraid,” __________ the woman.
Answer: “I am not afraid,” replied the woman.
(ii) “Leave me alone,” my mother __________ .
Answer: “Leave me alone,” my mother shouted.
(iii) The children __________ that the roads were crowded and noisy.
Answer: The children were complaining that the roads were crowded and noisy.
(iv) “Perhaps he isn’t a bad sort of a chap after all,” __________ the master.
Answer: “Perhaps he isn’t a bad sort of a chap after all,” remarked the master.
(v) “Let’s go and look at the school ground,” __________ the sports teacher.
Answer: “Let’s go and look at the school ground,” suggested the sports teacher.
(vi) The traffic police __________ all the passers-by to keep off the road.
Answer: The traffic police ordered all the passers-by to keep off the road.
Speaking
Form pairs or groups and discuss the following questions.
1. This story is not an Indian story. But do you think there are fathers, mothers and grandmothers like the ones portrayed in the story in our own country?
Answer:
Yes. In many families, fathers are often seen as authority figures who may seem strict or distant, while mothers and grandmothers tend to be more nurturing and caring. This dynamic is not unique to one culture and can be found in many Indian households as well.
2. Was Kezia’s father right to punish her? What kind of a person was he? You might find some of these words useful in describing him:
undemonstrative, loving, strict, hard-working, responsible, unkind, disciplinarian, short-tempered, affectionate, caring, indifferent
Answer:
Strict and Disciplinarian: Kezia's father can be described as strict and a disciplinarian, who believes in enforcing rules and teaching lessons, perhaps with the intent of making her understand the consequences of her actions.
Short-Tempered: He appears to be short-tempered, reacting harshly without fully understanding the situation. This can be seen in how he punishes Kezia without considering her intentions.
Undemonstrative but Caring: While he may not openly show his love, his actions later in the story—comforting her during her nightmare—reveal that he does care for her deeply. He might struggle with expressing his emotions in a gentle way.
Hard-Working and Responsible: Kezia’s father is portrayed as hard-working and responsible, likely under stress from his work, which might explain why he seems distant or harsh at times.
Affectionate Deep Down: Despite his strict demeanor, he shows a softer side when he comforts Kezia, indicating that he is affectionate and caring, though not always in an obvious way.
