CBSE Class 8 English It So Happened NCERT Solutions Chapter 5: Princess September

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NCERT Solutions PDF Class 8 PDF

This chapter, "Princess September," from the CBSE Class 8 English 'It So Happened' textbook, delves into a story of love, loss, and unexpected friendship. The NCERT Solutions provide a detailed breakdown of the narrative, focusing on the characters and their reactions. Students will explore the peculiar habits of the King, the emotional depth of Princess September, and the contrasting responses of her family to her distress. The solutions clarify the significance of the princess's bond with her pet and her subsequent encounter with a nightingale. These solutions are designed to help students grasp the nuances of the story, understand character motivations, and prepare effectively for their exams by offering clear explanations and insights into the text.

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Quick info

BoardCBSE
ClassClass 8
SubjectEnglish It So Happened
Session2026
LanguageEnglish
TypeNCERT Solutions
ChapterChapter 5

Chapter summary

Chapter 5 of the CBSE Class 8 English 'It So Happened' textbook, "Princess September," is explored through these NCERT Solutions. The solutions cover comprehension questions about the royal family, the naming of the princesses, the King's unique birthday tradition, and Princess September's profound grief over her parrot's death. They also analyze the reactions of the Queen and the princess herself, highlighting their distinct temperaments. The chapter's core themes of emotional sensitivity and the nature of true companionship are unpacked.

Learning outcomes

  • Understand the story of Princess September and her family.
  • Identify and explain the peculiar habits of the King.
  • Analyze the emotional reactions of Princess September and her mother.
  • Interpret the significance of the parrot's death and the arrival of the nightingale.
  • Describe the character traits of Princess September based on her actions.

Topics covered

Paper topics

  • The Royal Family and Princesses
  • Naming Conventions
  • The King's Peculiar Habit
  • Princess September's Parrot
  • Emotional Reactions to Loss
  • Character Analysis: Princess September
  • Character Analysis: The Queen
  • Themes of Sensitivity and Grief

Important topics

  • Princess September's emotional response to loss
  • The King's unique birthday tradition
  • Contrast between Princess September's and the Queen's reactions
  • Understanding character temperament through actions

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Questions and Solutions

Question 1

How many daughters did the royal couple have?
Solution: The royal couple, the King and Queen of Siam, had a total of nine daughters. These princesses were named after the twelve months of the year, reflecting the large size of the royal family.

Question 2

Why were they named after the months of the year?
Solution: The nine princesses were named after the months of the year because the Queen found it extremely difficult and confusing to remember the names of so many daughters if they had ordinary names. This naming convention provided a systematic way to identify them.

Question 3

The King had a peculiar habit. What was it? Why is it peculiar?
Solution: The King of Siam possessed a peculiar habit of giving gifts to other people on his birthday, instead of receiving presents himself. This habit is considered peculiar because, in most cultures and traditions, it is customary for the person celebrating their birthday to be the recipient of gifts as a gesture of goodwill and celebration.

Question 4 A

What was Princess September's reaction to the loss of her parrot?
Solution: Princess September was utterly heartbroken and devastated upon discovering her parrot dead in its golden cage. She immediately began to cry profusely, and none of the reassurances or comforts offered by her Maids of Honour could console her deep sadness.

Question 4 B

What was her Mother's reaction to it?
Solution: When the Maids of Honour were unable to comfort Princess September, they approached the Queen, her mother. The Queen reacted by dismissing her daughter's grief as "stuff and nonsense" and, as a form of punishment for her continued distress, ordered that the princess should go to bed without having her supper that evening.

Question 4 C

What do the reactions indicate about the nature and temperament of each?
Solution: Princess September's intense crying and inability to be comforted indicate that she is a very sensitive and emotional person who deeply valued her pet. Her reaction shows a strong capacity for affection and grief. In contrast, the Queen's reaction, calling the grief "stuff and nonsense" and denying supper, suggests a more pragmatic, perhaps less empathetic, or even stern temperament, prioritizing discipline over emotional expression.

Common mistakes

  • Confusing the King's peculiar habit with common birthday traditions.
  • Underestimating the emotional impact of the parrot's death on Princess September.
  • Misinterpreting the Queen's reaction as uncaring rather than practical.
  • Failing to connect the princess's sensitivity to her later interactions with the nightingale.

Revision tips

  • Reread the story focusing on Princess September's emotional journey.
  • Pay close attention to the descriptions of the King's habits and the Queen's reactions.
  • Discuss the character traits of Princess September with a study partner.
  • Summarize the main events of the chapter in your own words.
  • Use the provided solutions to clarify any doubts about the plot or characters.

Practice MCQs

Q1. How many daughters did the royal couple have in the story 'Princess September'?

Q2. Why did the Queen find it difficult to remember her daughters' names?

Q3. What was the King's peculiar habit mentioned in the chapter?

Q4. What was Princess September's immediate reaction to her parrot's death?

Q5. How did the Queen react to Princess September's distress over the parrot?

Frequently asked questions

What is Chapter 5 of CBSE Class 8 English 'It So Happened' about?

Chapter 5, 'Princess September,' tells the story of a young princess who is deeply affected by the death of her pet parrot and finds solace in an unexpected friendship.

Who are the main characters in Princess September?

The main characters are Princess September, her parents (the King and Queen of Siam), her eight sisters, and later, a nightingale.

What was unusual about the King of Siam?

The King of Siam had a peculiar habit of giving gifts to others on his birthday, rather than receiving them himself.

How did Princess September react to her parrot's death?

She was devastated and cried uncontrollably, finding no comfort from her maids or her mother's dismissive reaction.

How do these NCERT Solutions help students?

These solutions provide clear, rewritten answers to comprehension questions, helping students understand the story's plot, character motivations, and underlying themes for better exam preparation.

Important links

Content reviewed by the NCERT Help team. Editorial Team and update policy

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