Class 9 English Beehive Chapter 3 Notes – The Little Girl | Nextoper

Introduction

Class 9 English Beehive Chapter 3 – The Little Girl by Katherine Mansfield is a touching story that explores the relationship between a strict father and his young daughter, Kezia. At first, Kezia fears her father, but later she realizes his deep love and care.

The story beautifully portrays how misunderstandings between parents and children can lead to fear and distance — until affection and empathy bridge the gap. Mansfield’s storytelling captures the innocence of childhood and the quiet warmth of parental love.

Summary of the Story

Kezia’s Fear of Her Father

Kezia was a little girl who lived with her mother, father, and grandmother. Her father was a hardworking man but seemed harsh and frightening to her. Every morning before going to work, he gave her a casual kiss, and in the evening, his loud voice echoed in the hall. She trembled when he called her name.

When her grandmother encouraged her to go and talk to him, Kezia felt nervous. Her father would ask,

“Well, Kezia, what did you do today?”
But she could not answer properly and stammered. He would mock her saying,
“Kezia, you’re a little brown owl.”

She wondered why her father always looked so big and strict, never smiling or playing like other fathers.

The Birthday Gift Incident

Kezia’s grandmother once suggested that she make a pincushion as a birthday gift for her father. Excited, Kezia stitched a small cushion with yellow silk and needed something to fill it. She found sheets of paper on her mother’s table, tore them up, and stuffed them inside.

Unfortunately, those papers contained her father’s important speech for the Port Authority. When he discovered this, he was furious. He called Kezia, and despite her frightened explanation, he punished her by hitting her hands with a ruler.

Kezia cried bitterly and whispered,

“What did God make fathers for?”
That night, she felt her father was the most cruel man in the world.

Kezia and the Macdonalds

Next door lived the Macdonald family, where the father played happily with his children every evening. He would laugh, turn the baby upside down, and roll with them on the grass.

Kezia watched them from her window and thought,

“There are different kinds of fathers.”
She wished her father were like Mr. Macdonald — kind, cheerful, and full of love.

The Night of Realization

One day, Kezia’s mother fell ill, and her grandmother went with her to the hospital. Kezia was left alone at home with the cook, Alice. At night, she had a nightmare about a butcher with a knife and woke up screaming.

Her father came rushing to her room. He picked her up gently, carried her to his bed, and lay down beside her. His presence made her feel safe and warm. She snuggled close and held tightly to him.

When she realized how tired he was from work, she whispered softly,

“You’ve got a big heart, Daddy dear.”

At that moment, Kezia understood that her father’s strictness hid his love. He was not cruel — just busy and worn out from the pressures of life.

Word Meanings from the Chapter

These words capture both the emotional tone and descriptive imagery of the story, helping students understand the text better.

Character Sketches

Kezia

• A shy, innocent, and sensitive little girl.

• Feared her father due to his strictness.

• Misunderstood his seriousness as anger.

• Later realizes his love when he comforts her.

• Represents every child who craves affection and understanding.

Father

• A hardworking, disciplined man who rarely showed emotions.

• Appeared strict and cold but was deeply loving.

• His fatigue made him less expressive.

• Truly cared for his daughter, shown when he comforted her at night.

Grandmother

• Kind, gentle, and wise.

• Loved Kezia dearly and tried to connect her with her father.

• Encouraged her to make the birthday gift that led to the turning point in the story.

Themes of the Story

• Parental Love and Misunderstanding
  The story highlights how children can misinterpret their parents’ discipline as a lack of affection.

• Emotional Growth
  Kezia’s fear transforms into understanding when she experiences her father’s tenderness.

• Family Bonds
  Despite differences, love and care bind families together.

• Childhood Innocence
  The story captures the world through a child’s eyes — full of imagination, fear, and growing awareness.

Important Lines and Meanings

“What did God make fathers for?”
➡️ Shows Kezia’s confusion and pain after being punished, reflecting her emotional turmoil.

“You’ve got a big heart, Daddy dear.”
➡️ Marks her realization that her father’s love was hidden behind his strictness.

“Kezia, you’re a little brown owl.”
➡️ A teasing remark that shows her father’s affection expressed in a playful but misunderstood way.

Moral of the Story

The story teaches that parents’ love is not always shown through softness. Sometimes, their care hides behind silence, discipline, or fatigue. Understanding and communication can bridge the emotional distance between parents and children.

It reminds students that parents’ hearts often speak in actions rather than words — love may not always smile, but it is always there.

Message for Students

• Try to understand your parents’ point of view; they may love you more than they show.

• Express your feelings — communication helps remove fear.

• Respect your parents’ hard work and recognize their silent sacrifices.

• Family is built on empathy, not just words.

About the Author – Katherine Mansfield

Katherine Mansfield (1888–1923) was born in New Zealand and became one of the most influential short story writers in English literature. Her works are known for their emotional depth, sensitivity, and realistic portrayal of human relationships.

Her stories, including The Little Girl, often focus on childhood, family bonds, and the subtle changes that lead to emotional growth.

Conclusion

The Little Girl is a timeless story of realization, love, and understanding. It shows how fear can transform into affection when we look deeper into the intentions behind someone’s actions.

Kezia’s journey from fear to love is every child’s journey toward maturity — learning that sometimes, love hides behind silence, and care appears as discipline.

The story gently reminds us to appreciate the quiet love of our parents and to see beyond their strictness. True love, after all, is not about words — it is about presence, protection, and understanding.

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