Here is a detailed version of the answers to the questions from the poem “A Legend of the Northland” by Phoebe Cary, based on the NCERT guidelines:
Thinking about the Poem
I. Answer the following questions:
1. Which country or countries do you think “the Northland” refers to?
Answer:
“The Northland” most likely refers to the cold, northern regions of the world, such as countries in Scandinavia (like Norway, Sweden, Finland) or Russia, which experience long winters and harsh climates. The reference to snow and the cold environment suggests a northern, icy region.
2. What did Saint Peter ask the old lady for? What was the lady’s reaction?
Answer:
Saint Peter asked the old lady for food and shelter. He was cold and hungry, and he knocked on her door asking for a warm meal and a place to rest. The lady, however, was very selfish and refused to share even a small portion of her food, despite having enough for herself.
3. How did he punish her?
Answer:
Saint Peter punished the old lady by turning her into a bird, a woodpecker. The bird was condemned to spend the rest of her life pecking at trees, constantly searching for food, but never finding enough to satisfy her hunger. This punishment made her realize the consequences of her greed and selfishness.
4. How does the woodpecker get her food?
Answer:
The woodpecker gets her food by pecking at the bark of trees. However, she is always searching for food but never finds enough to eat, which reflects the old lady’s selfishness in life. The bird is always hungry and must continually search for small insects in the bark of trees.
5. Do you think that the old lady would have been so ungenerous if she had known who Saint Peter really was? What would she have done then?
Answer:
If the old lady had known that Saint Peter was a holy man, she would have likely shown generosity and kindness. She would have offered him food and shelter, realizing that he was a person of importance. The old lady’s punishment for being selfish and ungenerous would not have happened if she had shown kindness, understanding, and compassion.
6. Is this a true story? Which part of this poem do you feel is the most important?
Answer:
No, this is not a true story; it is a legend. Legends are traditional stories that often explain natural phenomena or convey moral lessons. The most important part of the poem is when Saint Peter punishes the old lady for her selfishness. This part of the poem teaches the lesson that greed and selfishness can lead to severe consequences.
7. What is a legend? Why is this poem called a legend?
Answer:
A legend is a traditional story that has been passed down through generations. It usually explains some aspect of the world, nature, or human behavior and often has a moral lesson. This poem is called a legend because it tells a fictional story about an old lady who is punished for her lack of generosity. The story is meant to teach a lesson about kindness, generosity, and the consequences of selfishness.
8. Write the story of A Legend of the Northland in about ten sentences.
Answer:
In the cold land of the North, Saint Peter, weary and hungry, knocked on the door of an old lady asking for food and shelter. The old lady, though she had enough food, refused to give him even a morsel of her meal. Angered by her selfishness, Saint Peter cursed her, transforming her into a woodpecker. As a woodpecker, the old lady was doomed to forever peck at trees in search of food, but never finding enough to eat. She would spend the rest of her days cold and hungry, just as she had made Saint Peter feel. The moral of the story is that greed and selfishness bring misfortune. The poem teaches that we should be generous and kind to others, especially those in need. The legend of the Northland has been passed down as a warning against selfishness. The punishment was severe, but it served as a lesson. The woodpecker still pecks at trees, symbolizing the consequences of greed.
II. Language Work
1. Let’s look at the words at the end of the second and fourth lines, viz., ‘snows’ and ‘clothes’, ‘true’ and ‘you’, ‘below’ and ‘know.’ We find that ‘snows’ rhymes with ‘clothes’, ‘true’ rhymes with ‘you’ and ‘below’ rhymes with ‘know.’ Find more such rhyming words.
Answer:
Here are some more examples of rhyming words:
- light and night
- cold and gold
- dear and near
- rain and train
- fall and all
- way and day
- heart and start
- bright and flight
These words follow the same rhyming pattern as those in the poem, where the end sounds of the words are similar.
2. Go to the local library or talk to older persons in your locality and find legends in your own language. Tell the class these legends.
Answer:
(This question requires you to find a local legend. You can visit a library or talk to elders in your community for help in finding a legend in your native language. Here’s an example to help guide you.)
Example Legend: The Legend of the Banyan Tree
In many parts of India, the Banyan tree is believed to have mystical powers. One legend says that the tree is a protector of the village, with its large roots and branches offering shelter and shade. According to the story, a group of travelers once sought refuge under a Banyan tree during a storm, and the tree protected them by keeping them dry and safe. Since then, people have revered the tree, believing that it brings blessings to those who care for it.
You can then narrate this local legend to your class and explain its significance in the culture of your region.
This concludes the corrected version of the NCERT solutions for “A Legend of the Northland”. If you have any further questions or need more clarifications, feel free to ask!
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