CBSE Class 8 English It So Happened Chapter 5 Notes: Chapter 5, "Princess September", is a delightful story included in the CBSE Class 8 English supplementary reader It So Happened. This chapter explores themes of freedom, love, and understanding others' needs. For students preparing for exams, it's important to focus on the character traits, the moral of the story, and key events.
As per the CBSE exam pattern and Class 8 English syllabus, questions may include short answers, character sketches, and value-based questions. Understanding the plot and practicing textbook exercises will help you score well in this exam section.
CBSE Class 8 English It So Happened Chapter 5 Princess September Notes
"Princess September" is a story written by William Somerset Maugham. It is about a young princess named September, who had eight older sisters, each named after a month.
The King of Siam, their father, had a strange habit of giving gifts on his birthday. One year, he gave each of his nine daughters a parrot in a golden cage.
The parrots could say “God save the King,” and some could even say “Pretty Polly” in several different languages. The princesses loved their parrots and spent time with them every day.
One day, Princess September found her parrot dead. She was heartbroken and couldn’t stop crying. Her maids tried to comfort her, but nothing worked. When the Queen heard about it, she asked the maids to put September to bed without dinner, as she and the King had to attend a party.
While crying in her room, a small bird flew in and sang a beautiful song. The song described the lake and the garden in such a lovely way that the princess forgot her sadness. She thanked the bird, and when he offered to stay with her, she happily agreed.
The next morning, she took care of the bird and even showed it to her parents and sisters. Everyone loved the bird's singing. The King especially enjoyed it, saying he was tired of the same old lines from the parrots and his ministers. But her sisters grew jealous and warned her that the bird might fly away forever.
They told her to put him in a cage. Although she trusted the bird, September got scared when he went away for a long time one day. So, when he returned, she locked him in the cage, saying it was for his safety.
The bird, however, was sad inside the cage. He refused to sing or eat and told the princess he missed the open sky and the green fields. Eventually, September realized he was unhappy and would die if kept locked up. So, she opened the cage and let him go. The bird flew away but promised to return. He kept his word and came back often to sing for her.
As Princess September grew older, she became beautiful and happy, partly because she always kept her window open to let in fresh air and sunlight. She later married the King of Cambodia. Her sisters, who had kept their windows shut and lived in jealousy, didn’t grow up to be as pretty and married the King’s ministers, along with a Siamese cat and a pound of tea.
Conclusion of CBSE Class 8 English It So Happened Chapter 5 Notes
Chapter 5 of It So Happened, "Princess September" by W. Somerset Maugham, teaches a valuable lesson about love, freedom, and trust. It shows how true care means letting others be free, not controlling them out of fear. Princess September’s decision to free the bird, despite her attachment, brings her long-term happiness and beauty.
The story contrasts this with her sisters’ jealousy and controlling nature, which leads to dull lives. This chapter aligns well with the CBSE Class 8 English syllabus and exam pattern, offering scope for comprehension, character analysis, and morality-based questions in school examinations.
CBSE Class 8 English It So Happened Chapter 5 Notes PDF
Below we have provided the PDF notes for CBSE Class 8 English It So Happened Chapter 5: Princess September. These notes cover all the important points, a summary, and character analysis to help students understand the chapter easily.
Designed to simplify revision and boost comprehension, the notes include key highlights and questions that are likely to be asked in exams. Download the PDF below to access well-organized, concise, and student-friendly material for effective exam preparation.
