CBSE NCERT Solution for class 8 English Chapter 3 The Selfish Giant

Comprehension Check 1

1. Why is the Giant called selfish?
   Answer: The Giant is called selfish because he did not allow the children to play in his beautiful garden. He put up a high wall and a notice board warning them to stay out, wanting the garden only for himself.
2. On one occasion the children said: “How happy we are here!” Later they said: “How happy we were there!” What are they referring to in both cases?
   Answer: In the first case, the children express their happiness while playing in the Giant’s garden. Later, after the Giant builds the wall and they can no longer enter, they look back fondly and remember how happy they were in the garden.
3. (i) When spring came, it was still winter in the garden. What does winter stand for or indicate here?
   Answer: Winter here stands for barrenness and unhappiness, symbolizing the lifeless and cold atmosphere in the garden after the Giant’s selfishness drove the children away.(ii) Winter has been presented like a story with its own characters and their activities. Describe the story in your own words.
   Answer: In the story, characters like Frost, Snow, Hail, and the North Wind represent winter. When the Giant kept the children out, these characters took over the garden. Snow covered the ground, Frost painted the trees silver, and the North Wind and Hail made the garden bleak and cold. They stayed because there was no warmth or joy from the children.
4. Was the Giant happy or sad over the state of the garden?
   Answer: The Giant was sad over the state of the garden. He couldn’t understand why spring had not come to his garden, and he felt lonely and unhappy with its lifeless, wintry appearance.
5. What effect did the linnet’s song have over Hail and the North Wind?
   Answer: The linnet’s song symbolized the return of warmth and joy. It drove away Hail and the North Wind, allowing spring to return to the garden as the children came back.

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Comprehension Check 2

1. (i) The Giant saw a most wonderful sight. What did he see?
   Answer: The Giant saw that spring had finally arrived in his garden as the children returned to play. Flowers bloomed, trees blossomed, and there was warmth and color all around, with a little child in each tree.(ii) What did he realize on seeing it?
   Answer: The Giant realized that his selfishness had kept spring away and that the children brought beauty and joy to his garden. He understood the importance of sharing and decided to let them play freely.
2. Why was it still winter in one corner of the garden?
   Answer: It was still winter in one corner of the garden because a small boy could not climb up into a tree. Since he was unable to experience the warmth and joy like the other children, winter continued to linger in that spot.
3. Describe the first meeting of the little boy and the Giant.
   Answer: The first time the Giant saw the little boy, he was struggling to climb a tree in the corner of the garden. The Giant’s heart melted when he saw him and decided to help him by lifting him up. This act of kindness changed the Giant, and he became compassionate and loving.
4. Describe their second meeting after a long interval.
   Answer: After many years, the Giant saw the little boy once again in the garden. The boy had wounds on his hands and feet, which reminded the Giant of the story of Jesus. When the Giant asked who had hurt him, the boy smiled and told him that those were wounds of love and took the Giant to Paradise.
5. The Giant lay dead, all covered with white blossoms. What does this sentence indicate about the once selfish Giant?
   Answer: This sentence shows that the Giant had transformed from being selfish to kind and compassionate. His heart had blossomed with love and generosity, symbolized by the white blossoms covering him at his death, representing peace, purity, and redemption.

Exercise Questions

1. The little child’s hands and feet had marks of nails. Who does the child remind you of? Give a reason for your Answer.

Ans: The child’s hands and feet were covered with marks of nails. The image reminded us of the crucifixion of Jesus Christ. When he was crucified on the cross, nails were dug into his palms when he sacrificed himself for humanity. This act freed the humans from the sins they committed. Hence the child told the Giant that these marks were actually wounds of love.

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

Ans: No there isn’t anything like the garden near where I live. Yes, I would like to have one since it would provide an exceptionally beautiful place to relax and play for everyone living nearby. We could keep the place clean by regularly brooming it to remove the dead leaves and taking help from a gardener to trim the leaves and keep them in proper shape. We can pick up the garbage which will keep the place neat and tidy.

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