A Legend of the Northland: Complete Guide

Explore the captivating poem A Legend of the Northland by Phoebe Cary, a part of the NCERT Class 9 English textbook Beehive. This guide provides a detailed summary, word meanings, themes, Q&A, and extract-based MCQs to enhance comprehension. Learn about the timeless legend that conveys moral lessons through poetic storytelling. Perfect for students and teachers alike!

Summary of A Legend of the Northland by Phoebe Cary

The poem A Legend of the Northland by Phoebe Cary narrates a moral tale set in the icy Northland, where days are short, nights long, and the people depend on reindeer and sledges to navigate snowy terrains. In this cold region, a curious legend is shared, offering both entertainment and a moral lesson.

The poem describes an incident when Saint Peter, exhausted from fasting and preaching, sought a simple meal from a miserly woman baking cakes in her humble cottage. Despite her ample resources, the woman’s selfishness prevailed. She baked progressively smaller cakes, yet each appeared too large for her to part with. Her greed and unwillingness to share enraged Saint Peter, who deemed her unworthy of human form and cursed her to live as a bird, a woodpecker.

Transformed, she flew out of her chimney with a scarlet cap still intact, but her clothes turned blackened by the flames. As a woodpecker, she now lives in the forest, tirelessly pecking wood to find her sustenance. The poem concludes by suggesting that children can still spot her in the trees, serving as a cautionary reminder about the consequences of selfishness.

This ballad, with its rhythmic flow and vivid imagery, conveys a powerful moral: generosity and compassion are virtues to cherish, while greed leads to undesirable consequences. The tale, though fanciful, leaves readers with an enduring lesson.

Word Meaning of A Legend of the Northland by Phoebe Cary

Words/Expressions	Meaning
Northland	A region in the far north with cold weather and long winters.
Harness	To attach or fasten an animal to something, like a sled.
Sledges	A vehicle or cart used for travelling on snow.
Curious	Strange or unusual.
Faint	Weak or tired due to hunger or exhaustion.
Hearth	The floor or area in front of a fireplace, used for cooking in olden days.
Kneaded	Pressed and shaped dough with hands to prepare it for baking.
Wafer	A very thin, flat biscuit or cake.
Provoked	Made someone angry or annoyed.
Selfish	Caring only about one’s own needs or interests.
Scanty	Very little; not enough.
Boring	Making holes in something with effort.
Scar	A mark left after something is damaged or burned.
Chimney	A pipe or opening through which smoke leaves a house.
Legend	A traditional story passed down through generations, often with a moral.

Theme of A Legend of the Northland by Phoebe Cary

The poem A Legend of the Northland by Phoebe Cary explores multiple themes that provide moral and ethical lessons.

1. Selfishness and Its Consequences
   The central theme of the poem is the detrimental impact of selfishness. The woman’s refusal to share even a small cake with Saint Peter, despite her ability to do so, highlights how greed can consume individuals. Her transformation into a woodpecker symbolises the punishment for prioritising selfish desires over compassion.
2. Generosity as a Virtue
   The poem contrasts selfishness with the virtue of generosity. Saint Peter, a figure of selflessness, emphasises the moral importance of sharing resources with those in need. This theme underlines that kindness and charity are essential human values.
3. Divine Justice
   Another prominent theme is divine justice. The woman’s punishment demonstrates the idea that one’s actions have consequences, and a lack of empathy and charity will ultimately be addressed by higher powers.
4. Moral Lessons through Folklore
   The poem uses a legend to impart ethical lessons, making it an example of storytelling with a moral purpose. It teaches readers, especially the young, to avoid greed and embrace a life of kindness and generosity.

Thinking about the Poem (Q&A of A Legend of the Northland)

I.

1. Which country or countries do you think “the Northland” refers to?

(VSA)
“The Northland” refers to regions in the extreme north, such as Scandinavia, Alaska, or Siberia, characterised by cold climates and long winters.

2. What did Saint Peter ask the old lady for? What was the lady’s reaction?

(Short Answer)
Saint Peter asked the old lady for a cake as he was tired and hungry after fasting all day. She begrudgingly made several cakes, each smaller than the last, but decided they were too large to give away.

3. How did he punish her?

(Short Answer)
Saint Peter cursed her for her selfishness, transforming her into a woodpecker. She was condemned to live in the forest, boring holes in wood to find her food.

4. How does the woodpecker get her food?

(VSA)
The woodpecker gets her food by pecking into the hard, dry wood of trees to find insects.

5. Do you think that the old lady would have been so ungenerous if she had known who Saint Peter really was? What would she have done then?

(Short Answer)
If the old lady had known Saint Peter’s identity, she might have behaved more generously out of fear or reverence. However, her true character of selfishness would still remain.

6. Is this a true story? Which part of this poem do you feel is the most important?

(Short Answer)
No, this is not a true story; it is a legend with a moral lesson. The most important part is the old lady’s transformation, symbolising the consequences of selfishness.

7. What is a legend? Why is this poem called a legend?

(Short Answer)
A legend is a traditional story passed down through generations, often containing moral lessons or supernatural elements. This poem is called a legend because it narrates a mythical tale with a moral about generosity.

8. Write the story of ‘A Legend of the Northland’ in about ten sentences.

(Long Answer)
The poem narrates a story from the Northland, where Saint Peter, tired and hungry, sought food from an old lady baking cakes. Though she had enough, her greed made her unwilling to share. She baked increasingly smaller cakes but refused to part with any. Angered by her selfishness, Saint Peter cursed her to become a woodpecker. She flew up the chimney, transformed, with her clothes burnt black and a red cap on her head. Now as a bird, she lives in the forest, boring into wood for food. The poem highlights the importance of generosity and warns against selfishness. It also explains the woodpecker’s existence through a moral tale.

II.

1. Let’s look at the words at the end of the second and fourth lines, viz., ‘snows’ and ‘clothes’, ‘true’ and ‘you’, ‘below’ and ‘know.’ We find that ‘snows’ rhymes with ‘clothes’, ‘true’ rhymes with ‘you’ and ‘below’ rhymes with ‘know’. Find more such rhyming words.

(VSA)
Some rhyming words from the poem are:

• Earth and hearth
• Done and one
• Flat and that
• Warm and form

2. Go to the local library or talk to older persons in your locality and find legends in your own language. Tell the class these legends.

(Activity)
This is an activity-based question. Examples of Indian legends include the story of King Vikramaditya and the spirit Betal or the tale of Savitri and Satyavan from Indian folklore. Students can explore local myths in their region and share them in class.

Extract-based MCQs from A Legend of the Northland

Extract 1:

Away, away in the Northland,
Where the hours of the day are few,
And the nights are so long in winter
That they cannot sleep them through;
Where they harness the swift reindeer
To the sledges, when it snows;
And the children look like bear’s cubs
In their funny, furry clothes:

Q1. What is the Northland described as?
a) A place with long summers
b) A region with few daylight hours in winter
c) A tropical forest
d) A desert region

Q2. Why do the children look like bear’s cubs?
a) They play with bear cubs.
b) They wear thick, furry clothes.
c) They are small and walk on all fours.
d) They live in caves.

Q3. What mode of transport is commonly used in the Northland?
a) Bicycles
b) Boats
c) Sledges pulled by reindeer
d) Cars

Answer Key: 1-b, 2-b, 3-c

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Extract 2:

Once, when the good Saint Peter
Lived in the world below,
And walked about it, preaching,
Just as he did, you know,
He came to the door of a cottage,
In travelling round the earth,
Where a little woman was making cakes,
And baking them on the hearth;

Q1. What was Saint Peter doing on Earth?
a) Travelling for leisure
b) Preaching and spreading kindness
c) Looking for treasure
d) Making cakes in a cottage

Q2. Why did Saint Peter stop at the old lady’s cottage?
a) He wanted to rest.
b) He wanted to ask for directions.
c) He was hungry and needed food.
d) He was interested in her cakes.

Q3. What was the woman doing when Saint Peter arrived?
a) Sewing clothes
b) Making and baking cakes
c) Cleaning the house
d) Fetching water

Answer Key: 1-b, 2-c, 3-b

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Extract 3:

So she made a very little cake,
But as it baking lay,
She looked at it, and thought it seemed
Too large to give away.
Therefore she kneaded another,
And still a smaller one;
But it looked, when she turned it over,
As large as the first had done.

Q1. Why did the old lady hesitate to give the cake?
a) She was selfish and didn’t want to share.
b) She thought it wasn’t well baked.
c) She didn’t like Saint Peter.
d) She wanted to eat it herself.

Q2. What did the old lady do after making the first cake?
a) Gave it to Saint Peter.
b) Ate it herself.
c) Made a smaller cake.
d) Stopped baking altogether.

Q3. What does the old lady’s behaviour reveal about her character?
a) She was kind-hearted.
b) She was greedy and selfish.
c) She was generous.
d) She was wise and practical.

Answer Key: 1-a, 2-c, 3-b

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Extract 4:

Then up she went through the chimney,
Never speaking a word,
And out of the top flew a woodpecker,
For she was changed to a bird.
She had a scarlet cap on her head,
And that was left the same;
But all the rest of her clothes were burned
Black as a coal in the flame.

Q1. How was the woman punished for her selfishness?
a) She was thrown out of her house.
b) She was turned into a woodpecker.
c) She was banished from the village.
d) She lost her cakes.

Q2. What part of her appearance remained unchanged after the transformation?
a) Her black clothes
b) Her scarlet cap
c) Her shoes
d) Her apron

Q3. What does the woodpecker’s transformation signify?
a) Punishment for greed and selfishness
b) A reward for her hospitality
c) A lesson on kindness
d) Both a and c

Answer Key: 1-b, 2-b, 3-d

Explanation of A Legend of the Northland in Hindi and Urdu

Stanza	Explanation in Hindi	Explanation in Urdu
Away, away in the Northland, Where the hours of the day are few, And the nights are so long in winter That they cannot sleep them through;	उत्तर की भूमि में, जहाँ दिन के घंटे बहुत कम होते हैं और सर्दियों की रातें इतनी लंबी होती हैं कि उन्हें सो कर पूरा करना संभव नहीं होता।	شمال کی سرزمین میں، جہاں دن کے گھنٹے بہت کم ہوتے ہیں اور سردیوں کی راتیں اتنی لمبی ہوتی ہیں کہ انہیں سوتے سوتے ختم کرنا ممکن نہیں ہوتا۔
Where they harness the swift reindeer To the sledges, when it snows; And the children look like bear’s cubs In their funny, furry clothes:	जहाँ बर्फ गिरने पर लोग तेज़ दौड़ने वाले बारहसिंगा को स्लेज़ से जोड़ते हैं, और बच्चे अपने मज़ेदार, ऊनी कपड़ों में भालू के बच्चे जैसे दिखते हैं।	جہاں برف پڑنے پر لوگ ہرن کو برف گاڑیوں سے باندھتے ہیں، اور بچے اپنے مزاحیہ، اون کے کپڑوں میں ریچھ کے بچوں جیسے دکھتے ہیں۔
They tell them a curious story — I don’t believe ’tis true; And yet you may learn a lesson If I tell the tale to you.	वे एक अजीब कहानी सुनाते हैं—जिस पर मुझे विश्वास नहीं है कि यह सच है; लेकिन फिर भी आप इससे एक सीख ले सकते हैं, अगर मैं आपको यह कहानी सुनाऊं।	وہ ایک عجیب کہانی سناتے ہیں—جس پر مجھے یقین نہیں ہے کہ یہ سچ ہے؛ لیکن پھر بھی آپ اس سے ایک سبق حاصل کر سکتے ہیں، اگر میں آپ کو یہ کہانی سناؤں۔
Once, when the good Saint Peter Lived in the world below, And walked about it, preaching, Just as he did, you know,	एक बार, जब अच्छे संत पीटर धरती पर रहते थे, और लोगों के बीच घूमकर उपदेश दिया करते थे, जैसा कि आप जानते हैं।	ایک دفعہ، جب نیک سینٹ پیٹر زمین پر رہتے تھے، اور لوگوں کے درمیان گھوم کر نصیحت کرتے تھے، جیسا کہ آپ جانتے ہیں۔
He came to the door of a cottage, In travelling round the earth, Where a little woman was making cakes, And baking them on the hearth;	उन्होंने पृथ्वी पर यात्रा करते हुए एक झोपड़ी के दरवाजे पर दस्तक दी, जहाँ एक छोटी सी महिला केक बना रही थी और उन्हें चूल्हे पर पका रही थी।	انہوں نے زمین کا سفر کرتے ہوئے ایک جھونپڑی کے دروازے پر دستک دی، جہاں ایک چھوٹی سی عورت کیک بنا رہی تھی اور انہیں چولہے پر پکا رہی تھی۔
And being faint with fasting, For the day was almost done, He asked her, from her store of cakes, To give him a single one.	और उपवास के कारण कमजोर होकर, क्योंकि दिन लगभग समाप्त हो गया था, उन्होंने महिला से उसके केक के भंडार से एक केक देने का अनुरोध किया।	اور روزے کی حالت میں کمزور ہو کر، کیونکہ دن تقریباً ختم ہو چکا تھا، انہوں نے اس عورت سے اس کے کیک کے ذخیرے سے ایک کیک دینے کی درخواست کی۔
So she made a very little cake, But as it baking lay, She looked at it, and thought it seemed Too large to give away.	तो उसने एक बहुत छोटा केक बनाया, लेकिन जब वह बेक हो रहा था, तो उसने उसे देखा और सोचा कि यह देने के लिए बहुत बड़ा है।	تو اس نے ایک بہت چھوٹا کیک بنایا، لیکن جب وہ پک رہا تھا، تو اس نے اسے دیکھا اور سوچا کہ یہ دینے کے لیے بہت بڑا ہے۔
Therefore she kneaded another, And still a smaller one; But it looked, when she turned it over, As large as the first had done.	इसलिए उसने एक और छोटा केक गूंथा, और इसे पहले से भी छोटा बनाया; लेकिन जब उसने उसे पलटा, तो वह उतना ही बड़ा लग रहा था जितना पहला।	اس لیے اس نے ایک اور چھوٹا کیک گوندھا، اور اسے پہلے سے بھی چھوٹا بنایا؛ لیکن جب اس نے اسے پلٹا، تو وہ اتنا ہی بڑا لگ رہا تھا جتنا پہلا۔
Then she took a tiny scrap of dough, And rolled and rolled it flat; And baked it thin as a wafer — But she couldn’t part with that.	तब उसने आटे का एक छोटा सा टुकड़ा लिया, और उसे बेलकर पतला कर दिया; और उसे वेफर जितना पतला बेक किया—लेकिन वह इसे भी नहीं दे सकी।	پھر اس نے آٹے کا ایک چھوٹا سا ٹکڑا لیا، اور اسے بیل کر پتلا کر دیا؛ اور اسے ویفر کی طرح پتلا پکایا—لیکن وہ اسے بھی دینے کے لیے تیار نہ ہو سکی۔
For she said, “My cakes that seem too small When I eat of them myself Are yet too large to give away.” So she put them on the shelf.	उसने कहा, “मेरे केक जो मुझे खाने में छोटे लगते हैं, वे देने के लिए बहुत बड़े हैं।” और उसने उन्हें शेल्फ पर रख दिया।	اس نے کہا، “میرے کیک جو مجھے کھانے میں چھوٹے لگتے ہیں، وہ دینے کے لیے بہت بڑے ہیں۔” اور اس نے انہیں شیلف پر رکھ دیا۔
Then good Saint Peter grew angry, For he was hungry and faint; And surely such a woman Was enough to provoke a saint.	तब अच्छे संत पीटर क्रोधित हो गए, क्योंकि वे भूखे और कमजोर थे; और निश्चित रूप से, ऐसी महिला संत को भी उग्र कर सकती थी।	پھر نیک سینٹ پیٹر غصے میں آ گئے، کیونکہ وہ بھوکے اور کمزور تھے؛ اور یقیناً، ایسی عورت کسی ولی کو بھی غضبناک کر سکتی تھی۔
And he said, “You are far too selfish To dwell in a human form, To have both food and shelter, And fire to keep you warm.	और उन्होंने कहा, “तुम बहुत स्वार्थी हो, इंसान के रूप में रहने के लिए, तुम्हारे पास भोजन और आश्रय दोनों हैं, और खुद को गर्म रखने के लिए आग है।”	اور انہوں نے کہا، “تم بہت خودغرض ہو، انسانی روپ میں رہنے کے لیے، تمہارے پاس کھانا اور رہائش دونوں ہیں، اور خود کو گرم رکھنے کے لیے آگ ہے۔”
Now, you shall build as the birds do, And shall get your scanty food By boring, and boring, and boring, All day in the hard, dry wood.”	अब तुम पक्षियों की तरह घर बनाओगी, और अपने थोड़े से भोजन को कठोर, सूखी लकड़ी में छेद करके प्राप्त करोगी।	اب تم پرندوں کی طرح گھونسلا بناؤ گی، اور اپنا تھوڑا سا کھانا سخت، خشک لکڑی میں سوراخ کر کے حاصل کرو گی۔
Then up she went through the chimney, Never speaking a word, And out of the top flew a woodpecker, For she was changed to a bird.	फिर वह चिमनी के ऊपर से उड़ गई, बिना कुछ कहे, और चिमनी के ऊपर से एक कठफोड़वा निकला, क्योंकि वह एक पक्षी में बदल गई थी।	پھر وہ چمنی کے اوپر سے اڑ گئی، بغیر کچھ کہے، اور چمنی کے اوپر سے ایک ہدہد نکلا، کیونکہ وہ ایک پرندے میں بدل چکی تھی۔
She had a scarlet cap on her head, And that was left the same; But all the rest of her clothes were burned Black as a coal in the flame.	उसके सिर पर एक लाल टोपी थी, और वह वैसी ही रही; लेकिन उसके बाकी कपड़े जलकर कोयले जैसे काले हो गए।	اس کے سر پر ایک سرخ ٹوپی تھی، اور وہ ویسی ہی رہی؛ لیکن اس کے باقی کپڑے جل کر کوئلے جیسے کالے ہو گئے۔
And every country schoolboy Has seen her in the wood, Where she lives in the trees till this very day, Boring and boring for food.	और हर ग्रामीण स्कूल का लड़का उसे जंगल में देख सकता है, जहाँ वह आज भी पेड़ों में रहती है और भोजन के लिए छेद करती रहती है।	اور ہر دیہاتی اسکول کا لڑکا اسے جنگل میں دیکھ سکتا ہے، جہاں وہ آج بھی درختوں میں رہتی ہے اور کھانے کے لیے سوراخ کرتی رہتی ہے۔