The poem A Legend of the Northland by Phoebe Cary is a moral narrative included in CBSE Class 9 English Poem Chapter 5.
The poem teaches important lessons about greed, selfishness, and generosity through the story of a greedy old woman who refuses to share her food with Saint Peter.
The A Legend of the Northland Summary highlights how her selfishness leads to divine punishment, as she is transformed into a woodpecker. Through this engaging story, students learn the value of compassion, kindness, and the consequences of unkind behavior, making the poem both entertaining and instructive for Class 9 learners.
A Legend of the Northland Class 9 Summary
The Legend of Northland by Phoebe Cary is a narrative poem that teaches a timeless moral lesson about greed, selfishness, and the value of generosity.
The Legend of Northland Summary: The story revolves around a greedy old woman who refuses to share her food with anyone, even when Saint Peter, a divine visitor, arrives at her door politely requesting a piece of cake. Despite his gentle request, the woman bakes cakes repeatedly but finds each one too large to give away. Her extreme selfishness reaches its peak when she offers only a tiny scrap of dough, unwilling to part with even that small portion.
Angered by her behavior, Saint Peter punishes her by transforming her into a woodpecker, condemning her to bore into hard, dry wood for her sustenance. The poem vividly portrays the consequences of greed and highlights the rewards of kindness and generosity.
Through simple yet engaging storytelling, Cary uses this folk tale to teach readers the importance of compassion, empathy, and sharing, showing that selfishness leads to hardship while acts of kindness bring respect, happiness, and moral fulfillment.
Themes of A Legend of the Northland
The main themes of the poem include:
-
Greed vs. Generosity – The poem emphasizes how selfishness leads to suffering, while generosity is virtuous.
-
Moral Consequences – It highlights that actions, whether good or bad, have consequences, and one cannot escape justice.
-
Folklore and Tradition – The poem preserves a folk tale, showing the importance of cultural storytelling in teaching life lessons.
-
Compassion and Kindness – It teaches the value of empathy and helping those in need.
Characters Included in A Legend of the Northland
The poem A Legend of the Northland teaches important moral lessons through its characters. Understanding these characters helps Class 9 students grasp the story’s message of greed, generosity, and consequences.
-
The Old Woman – The main character, whose extreme greed and selfishness drive the story. She becomes a cautionary figure for readers.
-
Saint Peter – A divine figure who tests the woman’s generosity and ultimately punishes her for her greed.
-
The Woodpecker (Symbolic) – The old woman’s transformed self, symbolizing the consequences of her selfishness.
Moral of the Poem A Legend of the Northland
The moral of A Legend of the Northland is that greed and selfishness lead to suffering, while generosity, kindness, and compassion bring respect, happiness, and a sense of fulfillment. The poem emphasizes that selfish behavior not only harms others but also results in consequences for the wrongdoer, as seen when the old woman is transformed into a woodpecker. It teaches students the importance of helping those in need, sharing what we have, and acting with empathy in daily life.
The poem conveys that small acts of kindness, even something as simple as offering food, can make a big difference and bring joy and harmony to the community. Ultimately, it encourages moral reflection and reinforces the timeless value of virtue over selfishness.
Summary of A Legend of the Northland PDF Download
Below is the PDF link available for students to download the CBSE Class 9 English Beehive Chapter 5 A Legend of the Northland Notes.
This PDF includes a detailed A Legend of the Northland Summary Class 9, along with the poem’s characters, themes, literary devices, and moral, helping Class 9 students prepare thoroughly and score well in their English exam.
CBSE Class 9 English Beehive Chapter 5 A Legend of the Northland PDF