CBSE Class 8 It So Happened NCERT Solutions: The Selfish Giant

Reviewed by NCERT Help Editorial Team · Updated on 29 Jul 2026

NCERT Solutions PDF Class 8 PDF

CBSE Class 8 It So Happened, Chapter 3, 'The Selfish Giant,' unfolds a touching narrative exploring themes of selfishness, transformation, and the impact of love and forgiveness. The story centers on a giant who selfishly guards his garden, inadvertently causing eternal winter. As students engage with the NCERT Solutions, they will uncover the symbolic representation of seasons, the giant's journey from selfishness to remorse, and his significant encounter with a child. These solutions meticulously analyze the plot, character development, and underlying messages, making the story relatable and thought-provoking for young readers. They aim to illuminate the moral lessons within the tale, sharpen reading comprehension, and boost analytical abilities, ultimately preparing students for assessments by offering clear, structured insights into the story's deeper meanings.

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Quick info

Board	CBSE
Class	Class 8
Subject	It So Happened
Session	2026
Language	English
Type	NCERT Solutions
Chapter	3. The Selfish Giant

Chapter summary

NCERT Solutions for Class 8 It So Happened, Chapter 3, 'The Selfish Giant,' focuses on analyzing the narrative of a giant who selfishly guards his garden, causing it to remain in perpetual winter. The solutions cover comprehension checks, exploring themes of selfishness, the impact of seasons, the giant's transformation, and his encounters with children, particularly a special child bearing the wounds of love. Students will learn to interpret the story's symbolism and moral lessons.

Learning outcomes

Understand the meaning of selfishness and its consequences.
Analyze the symbolism of seasons in the story.
Identify the character development of the Giant.
Interpret the significance of the little boy's wounds.
Explain the theme of love and forgiveness in the narrative.
Improve reading comprehension skills through story analysis.

Topics covered

Paper topics

The Selfish Giant's character
Symbolism of seasons (Winter and Spring)
Consequences of selfishness
The Giant's transformation
The role of children in the garden
The special little boy
Wounds of love
Forgiveness and redemption
Moral lessons from the story

Important topics

Symbolism of seasons
The Giant's selfishness and transformation
The significance of the little boy
Themes of love and forgiveness

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Questions and Solutions

Comprehension Check - Q1

Why is the Giant called selfish?

Solution: The Giant is called selfish because he prevented the children from playing in his beautiful garden. After realizing how much he enjoyed his garden, he built a high wall around it and put up a notice board warning trespassers, thus denying the children their source of joy.

Comprehension Check - Q2

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 the cases?

Solution: In the first instance, when the children exclaim, "How happy we are here!", they are referring to the Giant's garden during the time they were allowed to play there. It was a place of great joy and fun for them. In the second instance, when they say, "How happy we were there!", they are reminiscing about the same garden, but now with a sense of longing and sadness, as the Giant has forbidden them from playing there anymore.

Comprehension Check - Q3 (i)

When spring came, it was still winter in the garden. What does winter stand for or indicate here?

Solution: Here, winter does not just refer to the season but symbolizes a state of sadness, lifelessness, and desolation. It indicates an environment devoid of joy, growth, and happiness. The prolonged winter in the Giant's garden reflects the Giant's own cold heart and his selfish nature, which prevented the natural beauty and happiness (symbolized by spring) from entering.

Comprehension Check - Q3 (i) - Story of Winter

Winter has been presented like a story with its own characters and their activities. Describe the story in your own words.

Solution: The story of winter in the Giant's garden is one of unwelcome guests. Snow covered the grass with its white blanket, Frost painted the trees with icy patterns, the North Wind roared and howled, and Hail rattled noisily. These elements of nature were happy to stay because the Giant's selfishness had kept spring away. They enjoyed their reign of cold and destruction in the garden, making it a bleak and joyless place.

Comprehension Check - Q3 (ii)

When spring came, the birds did not sing as there were no children. The trees too did not blossom. At a particular instance, a flower put its head out from the grass. However, when it saw the notice board put up by the giant, it felt sad and sorry for the children, got back inside the grass, and went off to sleep. On the other hand, snow and frost were very happy. While the snow covered the grass, the frost fell on all the trees. They invited the North Wind to stay with them, and later even the Hail was asked to visit. The Hail rattled the roof of the castle everyday until some of it started breaking, and then it ran round the garden again and again as fast as it could.

Solution: This passage describes the impact of the Giant's selfishness on the garden. Even when spring arrived elsewhere, the Giant's garden remained in a state of winter because the children, who brought life and joy, were absent. The birds were silent, and the trees refused to bloom. A single flower that dared to peek out quickly retreated upon seeing the Giant's forbidding notice board. Meanwhile, the elements of winter – Snow, Frost, North Wind, and Hail – rejoiced in the garden's desolation, actively participating in its bleakness and destruction.

Comprehension Check - Q4

Was the Giant happy or sad over the state of the garden?

Solution: The Giant was unhappy and perplexed by the state of his garden. He could not understand why spring was so late in arriving and why his garden remained cold and barren while the rest of the country was experiencing the warmth and beauty of the season.

Q5

What effect did the linnet's song have over Hail and the North Wind?

Solution: The linnet's song had a calming effect on the destructive elements of winter. When the linnet sang its cheerful melody, the Hail stopped its noisy dancing, and the North Wind ceased its fierce roaring. This suggests that the presence of life and joy, even in a small form, could temporarily subdue the harshness of the perpetual winter.

Q6 (i)

The Giant saw a most wonderful sight. What did he see?

Solution: The Giant witnessed a truly magical sight. He saw that the children had found a way back into his garden through a small hole in the wall. They were joyfully sitting on the branches of the trees, and each tree was covered in beautiful blossoms, as if they were delighted to have the children back. Birds were flying and singing merrily, and the flowers and grass seemed to be laughing with happiness.

Q6 (ii)

What did he realise on seeing it?

Solution: Upon witnessing this wonderful sight, the Giant realized the reason for the perpetual winter in his garden. He understood that spring had not come because he had selfishly prevented the children from playing there. He recognized his own selfishness and the negative impact it had on the garden's ability to experience joy and life.

Q7

Why was it still winter in one corner of the garden?

Solution: In one specific corner of the garden, winter persisted because a small boy was standing there, unable to reach the branches of a tree that was covered in frost and snow. The North Wind continued to blow fiercely above this tree. This corner remained frozen and lifeless because the Giant's selfishness had prevented this particular child from experiencing the joy of spring and reaching the tree.

Q8

Describe the first meeting of the little boy and the Giant.

Solution: The Giant first encountered the little boy standing beneath the tree that was still covered in frost and snow. Moved by compassion, the Giant gently lifted the boy and placed him on the tree's branches. Instantly, the tree burst into bloom, birds began to sing on its boughs, and the boy, filled with happiness, stretched his arms around the Giant's neck and kissed him. This act marked the beginning of the Giant's transformation.

Q9

Describe their second meeting after a long interval.

Solution: After a long time, during a winter morning, the Giant discovered the same little boy standing under a tree in the farthest corner of his garden. This tree was now covered with beautiful white blossoms and hung with golden and silver fruit. Overjoyed, the Giant approached the child, but then noticed the imprints of nails on the boy's palms and feet. Angered, the Giant demanded to know who had wounded him, vowing to take revenge. The child calmly explained that these were 'wounds of love.' Kneeling in awe, the Giant asked the boy's identity. The child smiled and revealed his true nature, signifying a profound spiritual encounter for the Giant.

Common mistakes

Confusing the literal meaning of winter with its symbolic representation.
Underestimating the impact of the Giant's actions on the garden and himself.
Misinterpreting the identity and role of the little boy.
Failing to grasp the connection between the Giant's selfishness and the perpetual winter.

Revision tips

Reread the story, paying close attention to the descriptions of the garden in different seasons.
Discuss the Giant's transformation and the reasons behind it with classmates.
Summarize the main events and the moral of the story in your own words.
Focus on understanding the symbolic meaning of the winter and spring in the garden.
Consider the Giant's feelings before and after his encounter with the children and the special boy.

Practice MCQs

Q1. Why was the Giant initially called selfish?

Q2. What did the perpetual winter in the Giant's garden symbolize?

Q3. Which natural elements were happy to stay during winter in the Giant's garden?

Q4. What sight made the Giant realize his mistake?

Q5. What did the wounds on the little boy's hands and feet signify?

Frequently asked questions

What is the main theme of 'The Selfish Giant'?

The main theme of 'The Selfish Giant' is about the negative impact of selfishness and the transformative power of love, forgiveness, and compassion. It shows how sharing and kindness can bring joy and life back into desolate situations.

Why is the Giant called selfish in Chapter 3 of 'It So Happened'?

The Giant is called selfish because he drove the children out of his garden, which he had previously allowed them to play in, and built a high wall around it to prevent anyone from entering.

What does the perpetual winter in the Giant's garden represent?

The perpetual winter in the Giant's garden represents the Giant's own cold, unloving heart and the desolate state of his life due to his selfishness. It symbolizes a lack of joy, growth, and life.

How does the Giant change throughout the story?

Initially, the Giant is selfish and angry. After realizing the consequences of his actions and encountering a special child, he becomes remorseful, kind, and loving, eventually finding peace and redemption.

Who is the little boy in the farthest corner of the garden?

The little boy is a special child, implied to be Christ, who bears the wounds of love on his hands and feet. He represents divine love and forgiveness, and his presence brings true spring back to the garden.

How do these NCERT Solutions help Class 8 students?

These solutions provide clear, detailed answers to comprehension questions, helping students understand the story's plot, characters, symbolism, and moral lessons, which is crucial for their exams and overall comprehension development.

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