CBSE Class 9 English Beehive Poem Chapter 5 Summary

CBSE Class 9 English Beehive Poem Chapter 5 Summary: Class 9 English Chapter 5 of the Beehive from Class 9 syllabus, “A Legend of the Northland” by Phoebe Cary, is a narrative poem included as per the latest exam pattern. It tells a moral tale of a selfish woman who is punished for her greed. 

 Set in a cold northern land, the story uses folklore elements and poetic devices to engage students and teach values like kindness and generosity. Understanding the theme, rhyme scheme, and poetic techniques is essential for exams. This poem helps students appreciate narrative poetry while aligning with CBSE's skill-based learning objectives.

CBSE Class 9 English Beehive Poem Chapter 5 A Legend of the Northland Summary

In the first stanza, the poet describes a faraway place called Northland near the North Pole. During the winter, the days are very short, and the nights are long and freezing. The nights are so cold that people can hardly sleep. When it snows, the people use reindeer to pull sledges across the snowy land. Reindeer are animals found in cold polar areas. The children wear warm, furry clothes in winter, and they look like little bear cubs in them.

The people of Northland tell a story to their children, although the poet says he isn’t sure if it’s true. Still, the story teaches a valuable lesson.

The story is about Saint Peter, a holy man who traveled from place to place preaching. One day, after fasting for a long time, he felt very weak and hungry. While walking, he came to a small cottage where an old woman was baking cakes over a fire.

Saint Peter politely asked the woman for a small cake to eat. But she was very selfish. First, she made a small cake, but it looked too big to her, so she didn’t give it. She made an even smaller one, but again she felt it was too big and kept it for herself. Finally, she made one as thin as a wafer, but still couldn’t bring herself to give it away. Her greed stopped her each time.

This upset Saint Peter. He told the woman that someone as selfish as her didn’t deserve the comforts of being human. As a punishment, he turned her into a woodpecker bird, saying she would now have to live in the forest, search for her food by pecking trees, and build her own home.

As the curse took effect, she flew out of the chimney in the form of a woodpecker. She had been wearing a red cap, which stayed on her head even after changing into a bird. The rest of her clothes were burnt in the fire and turned black.

Since then, people in the Northland have seen woodpeckers in the forest. Elders often share this tale with children to teach them the importance of being kind and generous—and to never be greedy.

Conclusion of Poem Chapter 5 A Legend of the Northland Summary

The poem “A Legend of the Northland” ends with a strong moral message against greed and selfishness. Through the story of a woman who refused to share food with a hungry saint and was turned into a bird, the poet teaches the value of kindness, generosity, and compassion. It shows that selflessness is a key human virtue and that those who lack it may face consequences. 

This poem, included in the CBSE Class 9 syllabus, not only enhances poetic appreciation but also aligns with the exam pattern's focus on moral and thematic understanding, making it important for academic learning and life lessons.

CBSE Class 9 English Beehive Poem Chapter 5 Summary PDF

Below we have provided the CBSE Class 9 English Beehive Poem Chapter 5 – “A Legend of the Northland” Summary PDF to help students with quick revision and better understanding. This summary is aligned with the latest CBSE syllabus and exam pattern.

  It highlights the poem’s key themes, moral values, and poetic devices, making it useful for both exam preparation and class assignments. Download and refer to it anytime for easy learning.