Free Bihar Board Class 8 English Reader Chapter 3 Solutions are available here. You will get written answers for all questions asked in chapter 3 – “The Selfish Giant”, from the English Reader book – It So Happened.
Oscar Wilde’s story is about a giant who doesn’t let children play in his beautiful garden. Because of this, winter stays in his garden all year round and spring never comes. One day the giant realizes his mistake and allows children to play again. The garden becomes beautiful once more because the children bring happiness with them. This story teaches us that sharing and kindness make us happy, while being selfish makes us sad.
Bihar Board Class 8 English Reader Chapter 3 Solutions
Contents
| Chapter | 3. The Selfish Giant |
| Subject | English Reader (It So Happened) |
| Class | 8th |
| Board | Bihar Board |
COMPREHENSION CHECK
From Page No 20
1. Why is the Giant called selfish?
Ans: The Giant is called selfish because he didn’t want anyone to enjoy his beautiful garden. He was rude and stopped the children from playing in it. To keep them out, he built a high wall around the garden and put up a notice board with a warning that said, “Trespassers will be punished.” He only cared about himself and didn’t share his garden with others.
2. 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?
Ans: In both cases, the children are talking about the Giant’s garden. When they said, “How happy we are here!” they were playing joyfully in the garden with their friends, enjoying its beauty. Later, when they said, “How happy we were there!” they were sadly remembering those fun times after the Giant stopped them from entering the garden.
3. (i) When spring came, it was still winter in the garden. What does winter stand for or indicate here?
Ans: Winter in the garden stands for sadness, loneliness, and lifelessness. It shows that the garden was cold and empty without the children’s laughter and play. The trees didn’t bloom, the birds didn’t sing, and the flowers didn’t grow, making the garden feel dead and gloomy, just like winter.
(ii) Winter has been presented like a story with its own characters and their activities. Describe the story in your own words.
Ans: When spring came to the world, the Giant’s garden stayed stuck in winter. The trees didn’t bloom, and the birds didn’t sing because the children weren’t there to bring joy. Instead, Snow and Frost were happy to stay. Snow covered the grass with a white blanket, and Frost painted the trees with silver. They invited the North Wind to join them, and it roared through the garden. Later, Hail came too, rattling on the castle roof and racing around the garden, keeping it cold and harsh.
4. Was the Giant happy or sad over the state of the garden?
Ans: The Giant was sad about his garden. It was stuck in winter, with snow, frost, and cold winds, while spring bloomed everywhere else. He felt upset and confused, wondering why spring never came to his garden, making it look dull and lifeless.
5. What effect did the linnet’s song have over Hail and the North Wind?
Ans: When the Giant let the children play in his garden again, spring returned, and a linnet started singing a sweet song. This beautiful melody made the Hail stop rattling and the North Wind stop roaring. They both left the garden, letting warmth and life come back.
COMPREHENSION CHECK
From Page No 24
1. (i) The Giant saw a most wonderful sight. What did he see?
Ans: The Giant saw the children sneak into his garden through a small hole. They climbed the trees, and the garden came alive again. The trees burst into bloom, birds sang happily, and flowers popped up from the grass. The garden became bright and beautiful once more, filling the Giant with joy.
(ii) What did he realise on seeing it?
Ans: The Giant realised that his garden stayed in winter because he had been selfish and kept the children out. He understood that the children’s joy and play brought spring to his garden. He felt sorry for being so unkind and decided to change his ways.
2. Why was it still winter in one corner of the garden?
Ans: One corner of the garden was still winter because a little boy couldn’t climb the tree there. The tree was too tall, and the boy was too small to reach its branches. This kept the North Wind, Frost, and Snow lingering in that corner, stopping spring from coming.
3. Describe the first meeting of the little boy and the Giant.
Ans: The first meeting happened under a tree in the garden’s corner, still covered in frost and snow. The little boy was crying because he couldn’t reach the tree’s branches. The Giant, now kind, gently lifted the boy and placed him on the tree. At once, the tree bloomed with flowers, and birds came to sing, making the moment special.
4. Describe their second meeting after a long interval.
Ans: Years later, on a cold winter morning, the Giant saw the same little boy in the farthest corner of his garden. The tree above the boy was covered in lovely white blossoms, even in winter. The Giant was overjoyed to see him but grew angry when he noticed nail marks on the boy’s hands and feet, thinking someone had hurt him. The boy calmly said, “These are the wounds of Love.” He then invited the Giant to his garden, which was paradise, filling the Giant’s heart with peace.
5. The Giant lay dead, all covered with white blossoms. What does this sentence indicate about the once selfish Giant?
Ans: This sentence shows that the Giant had changed from being selfish to kind and loving. The white blossoms covering him symbolize peace and goodness. Because he learned to share his garden and love others, especially the little boy, he was blessed with a peaceful end and went to paradise.
EXERCISE
Discuss the following topics in groups.
1. The little child’s hands and feet had marks of nails. Who does the child remind you of? Give a reason for your answer.
Ans: The little child reminds me of Jesus Christ. The nail marks on his hands and feet are like the wounds Jesus got when he was crucified on the cross for the sake of humanity. The child called them “wounds of Love,” just as Jesus’ sacrifice was an act of love to save people from their sins.
2. Is there something like this garden near where you live? Would you like one (without the Giant perhaps) and why? What would you do to keep it in good shape?
Ans: There’s no garden like this near my home, but I’d love to have one. It would be a fun and beautiful place for everyone to play, relax, and enjoy nature. To keep it in good shape, I’d sweep away fallen leaves, water the plants, and ask a gardener to trim the trees and bushes. I’d also make sure no one litters and pick up any garbage to keep the garden clean and tidy.
