The Little Girl — Practice

Question 1

Why did Kezia tear up her father's papers?

Accepted Answer

She needed paper to stuff a pin-cushion she was making as a birthday gift for him and used his papers, not realising they were an important speech.

✦ Answer: to stuff a pin-cushion gift.

Question 2

Whom was Kezia most comfortable with at the start?

Accepted Answer

Her gentle mother and grandmother.

✦ Answer: her mother and grandmother.

Question 3

What happened to Kezia's mother that left her alone at night?

Accepted Answer

Her mother fell ill and was taken to hospital, and the grandmother went too.

✦ Answer: the mother was hospitalised.

Question 4

How did Kezia's feelings towards her father change?

Accepted Answer

Step 1 — At first she feared him as a stern, fault-finding giant.

Step 2 — After he comforted her during her nightmare, she saw his tiredness and love and stopped fearing him.

✦ Answer: from fear to love and understanding.

Question 5

Why does Kezia conclude her father is not as harsh as she thought?

Accepted Answer

Step 1 — He came to comfort her at night and let her sleep beside him.

Step 2 — She realised he works hard all day and has no one to care for him, so his sternness is not unkindness.

✦ Answer: she sees his hard work and hidden tenderness.

Question 6

What does the story teach about parent–child relationships?

Accepted Answer

Step 1 — Distance and lack of communication can breed fear.

Step 2 — Beneath a strict manner there is often deep love; understanding heals the gap.

✦ Answer: communication and empathy reveal the love behind strictness.

Question 7

Was the father right to punish Kezia for tearing his papers? Discuss.

Accepted Answer

Step 1 — His anger is understandable — it was an important speech destroyed.

Step 2 — But the harsh punishment increased her fear and widened the distance; a gentler word would have taught her without frightening her.

Step 3 — The story suggests understanding works better than fear.

✦ Answer: the anger was natural, but harshness was not the best response; understanding is.

Question 8

How does the author show that the father loved Kezia despite his sternness?

Accepted Answer

Step 1 — He keeps her gift (the pin-cushion) and works hard for the family.

Step 2 — On the frightening night he comes himself, takes her into his bed and warms her feet.

Step 3 — These quiet acts reveal genuine, if undemonstrative, love.

✦ Answer: through his comforting actions on the night of the nightmare.

Practice — The Little Girl