THE SELFISH GIANT

Comprehension Check--I1. Why is the Giant called selfish ? • The Giant is called selfish because he did not

allow the children to play in his beautiful and lovely garden. He declared that whatever is his, belongs only to him. He built a high wall around his garden to prevent children entering it.

2. On the occasion the children said : “How happy we are here !” Later they said : “How happy we were there !” What are they referring to in both the cases ?

• In both the cases they are referring to the beautiful and lovely garden. It gave the children immense pleasure. Earlier they could enjoy it but now they have only the sweet memories of that beautiful place.

3.i. When the spring came, it was still winter in the garden. What does stand for or indicate here ?

• Winter indicates the garden was not in bloom.3.ii. Winter has been presented like a story with its own

characters and their activities. Describe the story in your own words ?

• During winter only two things were happy – snow and frost. They covered the grass with white cloak and painted the trees silver. They invited North Wind who roared whole day. Then Hail was invited who rattled on the roof whole day and broke the slates.

4. Was the Giant happy or sad over the state of the garden ?

• The Giant was not happy over the state of the garden. He was puzzled as to why the Spring was so late in coming.

5. What effect did the linnet’s song have over Hail and the North Wind ?

• Hail stopped dancing on the garden and North Wind stopped roaring when they heared the linnet’s song.

Comprehension Check--II1.i. “The Giant saw a most wonderful sight.” What did he

see ?• The Giant saw that children had crept inside the

garden through a hole in the wall and were sitting on the trees. The trees were so happy to see them back that they had covered themselves with blossoms. The birds were singing sweet notes. Finally spring had arrived.

1.i. What did he realize on seeing it ?• He realized that he had done a great wrong by not

allowing the children to play in his garden and he had been very selfish.

2. Why was it still winter in one corner of the garden ?• It was still winter in one corner of the garden because a

little boy was crying there bitterly. He could not climb the tree. The tree had bent his branches but still the little boy was not able to reach them.

3. Describe the first meeting of the little boy and the Giant ?

• The little boy and the Giant met for the first time in the Giant’s garden. The Giant put him gently on the tree. This made the little boy very happy.

4. Describe their second meeting after a long interval.• On a winter morning the Giant saw a tree in his garden with of

white blossoms. The little boy was standing under it. He went running to him. He was angry when he saw wounds on his palms and feet. The little boy told him that these are the wounds of love. He said that he would take him to his garden which is a paradise.

5. The Giant lay dead, all covered with white blossoms. What does this sentence indicate about the once selfish Giant?

• It indicates that the Giant was not selfish any more. He had become very large hearted and kind. He had been rewarded for his noble deeds.

Exercise 1. The little child’s hands and feet had marks of nails. Why does

the child remind you of ? Give a reason for your answer.• The child reminds us of Christ because he also suffered for

the welfare of humanity. Christ was also wounded at the same places on his body for serving humanity. Christ also called it the wounds of love.

2. Is there something like this garden near your where you live ? Would you like one (without the Giant perhaps) and why ? What would you do to keep it in good shape ?

• Yes, there is a beautiful garden near my house with flowers and trees. Garden should definitely be without the Giant because the Giant will never allow us to play in it. I would put a gardener in it to keep it in good shape.

Pictures

AJAY GOUTHAM

VIII - D

ROLL NO - 30

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