CBSE Class 9 English Poem 5: A Legend of the Northland NCERT Solutions
This is a summary of the NCERT Solutions for CBSE Class 9 English Poem 5, 'A Legend of the Northland'. The solutions offer a comprehensive guide to understanding the poem's narrative, focusing on the story of Saint Peter and the famously greedy old woman. Students will find detailed answers to various question types, including extract-based, short answer, and long answer questions. These explanations explore the poem's central themes, such as the consequences of greed, the concept of punishment, and the characteristics that define a legend. The aim is to provide clear, accessible explanations that boost students' comprehension and support their exam preparation and revision for this particular poem.
Quick info
| Board | CBSE |
|---|---|
| Class | Class 9 |
| Subject | English |
| Session | 2026 |
| Language | English |
| Type | NCERT Solutions |
| Chapter | 5. A Legend Of The Northland Poem |
Chapter summary
NCERT Solutions for 'A Legend of the Northland' (Poem) for Class 9 English. This chapter focuses on understanding a legend, its characters like Saint Peter and the greedy old woman, and the moral lesson conveyed through their interaction. The solutions cover extract-based, short, and long answer questions, explaining the story's events, the woman's punishment, and the characteristics of a legend.
Learning outcomes
- Understand the narrative and characters of 'A Legend of the Northland'.
- Analyze the themes of greed and its consequences.
- Identify and explain the characteristics of a legend.
- Answer comprehension questions based on poem extracts.
- Articulate the moral lesson presented in the poem.
Topics covered
Paper topics
- The Legend of the Northland Poem Summary
- Saint Peter's Encounter
- The Greedy Old Woman
- Punishment and Transformation
- Analysis of the Poem
- Character Sketch: Saint Peter
- Character Sketch: The Old Woman
- Themes in the Poem
- Understanding Legends
- Poetic Devices
- Extract Based Questions
- Short Answer Questions
Important topics
- The story of Saint Peter and the greedy woman
- The woman's transformation into a woodpecker
- The moral lesson about greed
- Identifying Saint Peter's actions and motivations
- Understanding the nature of a legend
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Questions and Solutions
Extract Based Questions (3 marks)
Read the extract given below and answer the questions that follow:
Q. 1. He came to the door of a cottage In travelling round the earth Where a little woman was making cakes And baking them on the hearth
(i) Who does "he" refer to in the first line?
(ii) What request did "he" make to the woman?
(iii) Was the little woman rewarded or punished? Why?
Solution:
(i) In the first line, "he" refers to Saint Peter, who was travelling across the earth.
(ii) Saint Peter requested the woman to give him a cake from her baking batch.
(iii) The little woman was punished. This was because she was extremely stingy and selfish, refusing to share even a single cake with a hungry traveller.
Q. 2. He came to the door of a cottage In travelling round the earth Where a little woman was making cakes And baking them on the hearth.
(i) What was Saint Peter doing?
(ii) What was the little woman making?
(iii) What is a hearth? (Board Term 1, 2012, ELI-022)
Solution:
(i) Saint Peter was travelling around the earth when he arrived at the cottage.
(ii) The little woman was busy making and baking cakes on her hearth.
(iii) A hearth is the floor of a fireplace, typically made of stone or brick, where a fire is lit for warmth or cooking.
Q.3. Then Saint Peter grew angry For he was hungry and faint ', And surely such a woman Was enough to provoke a saint
(i) Why was Saint Peter about to faint?
(ii) How did the woman provoke Saint Peter?
(iii) What is the rhyming scheme of the given stanza?
Solution:
(i) Saint Peter was about to faint because he was extremely hungry and weak from fasting and his long travels.
(ii) The woman provoked Saint Peter by her extreme stinginess; she refused to give him even a small cake despite his desperate need.
(iii) The rhyming scheme of the given stanza is abcb. (angry - a, faint - b, woman - c, saint - b)
Q.4. He came to the door of a cottage In travelling round the earth Where a little woman was making cakes And baking them on the hearth.
(i) What was Saint Peter doing?
(ii) What was the little woman making?
(iii) What is a hearth? (Board Term 1, 2012, ELI-022)
Solution:
(i) Saint Peter was travelling around the earth when he reached the cottage.
(ii) The little woman was making and baking cakes on her hearth.
(iii) A hearth is the floor of a fireplace, used for keeping a fire burning.
Q.5. And being faint with fasting For the day was almost done He asked her, from her store of cakes, To give him a single one. (i) Who is "He" in the extract? (ii) What did he ask her to*give him? (iii) Trace a word from the extract that means "weak". (Board Term 1, 2012, ELI-023)
Solution:
(i) "He" in the extract refers to Saint Peter.
(ii) He asked the woman to give him just one cake from the many she had baked.
(iii) The word from the extract that means "weak" is "faint".
Q.6. And being faint with fasting, For the day was almost done, He asked her, from her store of cakes, To give him a single one. (i) Who is "He" in the passage? (ii) Why was he fainting? (iii) What is meant by "the day was almost done"? (Board Term 1, 2012, ELI-024)
Solution:
(i) "He" in the passage refers to Saint Peter.
(ii) He was fainting because he had been fasting for a long time and was very hungry and weak.
(iii) "The day was almost done" means that the day was nearing its end; it was late in the afternoon or evening.
Short Answer Type Questions (2 marks each) (About 30-40 words each)
Q.1. Why does the poet say that the hours of the day are few?
Solution: The poet refers to the 'Northland', a region where the days are very short, especially during winter. Consequently, the hours of daylight are limited, making the day seem brief.
Q.2. Who came knocking at the door of the old woman? Why was he there?
Solution: Saint Peter came knocking at the door of the old woman's cottage. He was there because he was travelling and had become weak with hunger and fasting, seeking some food.
Q.3. Is this a true story? Which part of the poem do you think is really important?
Solution: This is not a true story but a legend, a tale passed down through generations. The most important part is the woman's extreme greed and Saint Peter's subsequent curse, which explains the origin of the woodpecker.
Q.4. Is this poem correct in being known as a legend? Explain.
Solution: Yes, the poem is correctly known as a legend. A legend is a traditional story, often based loosely on historical events or figures, but embellished with mythical or fantastical elements. This poem fits the description as it tells a story about Saint Peter and explains the origin of the woodpecker through a supernatural event.
Long Answer Type Questions (4 marks each)
Common mistakes
- Confusing a legend with a factual historical account.
- Misinterpreting the woman's actions and Saint Peter's reaction.
- Difficulty in explaining the concept of a 'hearth'.
- Not fully grasping the reason for the woman's punishment.
Revision tips
- Read the poem carefully to understand the story flow.
- Focus on the character traits of Saint Peter and the old woman.
- Understand why the story is classified as a legend.
- Practice answering questions on extracts to improve comprehension skills.
Practice MCQs
Q1. Who is the central figure who travels and encounters the old woman in 'A Legend of the Northland'?
Explanation: The poem explicitly states that 'he' refers to Saint Peter, who was travelling around the earth.
Q2. What was the old woman doing when Saint Peter arrived at her cottage?
Explanation: The extract mentions that the woman was 'making cakes And baking them on the hearth'.
Q3. Why did Saint Peter grow angry with the woman?
Explanation: Saint Peter was hungry and faint, and the woman's refusal to share her cakes provoked him.
Q4. What was the ultimate fate of the greedy old woman as described in the legend?
Explanation: The legend tells that Saint Peter cursed her, and she was transformed into a woodpecker, forever seeking food in trees.
Q5. What does the term 'hearth' refer to in the context of the poem?
Explanation: A hearth is the floor of a fireplace, often used for baking or warming the home.
Frequently asked questions
What is the main story of 'A Legend of the Northland'?
The poem tells the story of Saint Peter visiting a greedy old woman who refused to share her cakes. As punishment, she was transformed into a woodpecker.
Who is the main character besides the old woman?
The main character besides the old woman is Saint Peter, who is depicted as travelling and seeking food.
Why is the poem called 'A Legend of the Northland'?
It is called a legend because it is a semi-true story passed down through generations, explaining a phenomenon (why woodpeckers have red caps and live in trees) with mythical elements.
What is the moral of the poem?
The poem teaches a moral lesson about the sin of greed and the importance of kindness and sharing, especially with those in need.
How do these NCERT Solutions help Class 9 students?
These solutions provide clear, rewritten answers to all questions, helping students understand the poem's content, themes, and characters thoroughly for better exam preparation.
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