NCERT Class 8 English It So Happend: Chapter 5 — Princess September
This chapter from NCERT Class 8 English, 'It So Happend', introduces Princess September, the youngest of the King of Siam's many daughters. On the King's birthday, each princess receives a green parrot in a golden cage. Princess September's parrot dies unexpectedly, leaving her heartbroken. While crying in her room, a small bird enters and sings a beautiful song, captivating the princess and making her forget her sorrow and hunger. The chapter highlights the contrast between the princesses' prized possessions and the simple beauty of nature, setting the stage for Princess September's unique bond with the singing bird. This narrative explores themes of loss, comfort, and the unexpected joys found in nature, aiding students in understanding character development and narrative progression.
Quick info
| Board | CBSE / NCERT |
|---|---|
| Class | Class 8 |
| Subject | English |
| Book | It So Happend |
| Chapter | Chapter 5 — Princess September |
| Language | English |
| PDF type | NCERT Textbook |
| Session | CBSE 2026 |
| Reading time | 3 minutes |
| Word count | 453 |
Learning outcomes
- Understand the introduction of Princess September and her family.
- Identify the significance of the parrot as a gift and its subsequent death.
- Recognize the role of the singing bird as a source of comfort.
- Analyze the contrast between material possessions and natural beauty.
- Develop comprehension skills for narrative texts.
Vocabulary
| Word | Meaning |
|---|---|
| numerous | very many |
| peculiar | strange or odd; unusual |
| handy | immediately available |
| Oriental | of the east |
| Maids of Honour | women attending the Princess |
| flood of tears | crying a lot |
| comforted | made someone feel less distressed |
| stuff and nonsense | unimportant or foolish talk |
| hop | move with quick, light steps |
| glided | moved smoothly and continuously |
| reflected | shown or reflected in a mirror or other surface |
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Practice questions
- How many daughters did the King and Queen of Siam have? Answer: They had many daughters.
- What gift did the King give his daughters one year on his birthday? Answer: He gave each of his daughters a green parrot in a golden cage.
- What happened to Princess September's parrot? Answer: It was found lying dead at the bottom of its golden cage.
- Who comforted Princess September after her parrot died? Answer: Her Maids of Honour tried to comfort her, and later a little bird sang to her.
- What did the little bird sing about? Answer: The bird sang about the lake in the King's garden, the willow trees, and the goldfish.
Frequently asked questions
What is the name of the book and chapter?
The book is 'It So Happend' and the chapter is 'Princess September', Chapter 5.
Who is the main character introduced in this chapter?
The main character introduced is Princess September, the youngest daughter of the King and Queen of Siam.
What unusual habit did the King of Siam have?
Instead of receiving gifts on his birthday, the King of Siam gave them.
What happened to Princess September's parrot?
Princess September's parrot died.
What brought comfort to Princess September after her parrot's death?
A little bird hopped into her room and sang a beautiful song, which comforted her.
What does 'Siam' refer to today?
Siam refers to Thailand today.
Related resources
Important topics
Topics covered
NCERT Class 8 English — It So Happend — Chapter 5 — Princess September. Verified by NCERT Help Editorial Team. Reviewed on 29 Jul 2026. Last updated 10 Aug 2026.