Chapter 3: The Little Girl

Author: Katherine Mansfield

Point-wise Summary

• Kezia is a little girl who fears her strict and busy father.
• Her father seems harsh—he never plays with her and speaks with authority.
• Kezia stammers in front of him and feels nervous around him.
• Her grandmother suggests she make a birthday gift for her father.
• Kezia stitches a pin-cushion but unknowingly stuffs it with her father’s important papers.
• Her father scolds her harshly for the mistake.
• One night, her mother falls ill and is hospitalized. Kezia is left alone with her father.
• She is scared during a storm, but her father comforts her and lets her sleep beside him.
• Kezia realizes her father is not bad, just tired and busy—he loves her in his own way.

Theme

• Misunderstanding between parents and children
• Emotional distance and its resolution
• Love expressed through actions rather than words
• The hidden warmth beneath a strict appearance

Important Characters

• Kezia: A sensitive and innocent girl who misunderstands her father’s love.
• Father: A stern and disciplined man who is loving in his own quiet way.
• Grandmother: A kind and understanding woman who tries to bridge the gap between Kezia and her father.

Word Meanings

• Stammer – Speak with pauses or repetition due to nervousness
• Snuggled – Moved into a warm and comfortable position
• Wretched – Very bad or unfortunate
• Laboriously – With great effort
• Nightmare – A frightening dream

Important Questions and Answers

1. Why was Kezia afraid of her father?
She found him strict, never smiled, and he often scolded her. His large presence and authoritative voice made her nervous and stammer in front of him.

2. What was Kezia’s father’s routine every day?
He would come home, ask for tea, read the newspaper, and speak very little. He maintained a serious expression and rarely showed affection.

3. What did Kezia do to make her father a birthday gift?
Her grandmother suggested making a pin-cushion. Kezia stitched it and stuffed it with what she thought was scrap paper, not knowing it contained important documents.

4. How did her father react when he found out his papers were destroyed?
He became furious and punished Kezia by hitting her with a ruler, which made her fear him even more.

5. What changed Kezia’s perception of her father?
When her mother was in the hospital, Kezia had to sleep alone. She was frightened during a thunderstorm. Her father comforted her, took her in his bed, and showed gentle care, which made her feel safe and loved.

6. What is the message of the story?
Parents may not always express love openly, but their care and efforts often show their affection. Misunderstandings can be resolved with time and empathy.

7. How is the title “The Little Girl” appropriate?
It reflects Kezia’s emotional journey from fear and misunderstanding to realization and closeness with her father.

8. What lesson does Kezia learn in the end?
She learns that her father does love her, even if he doesn’t show it through hugs or words. His way of expressing love is through protection and responsibility.

9. Why does the author portray the father as a stern figure initially?
To highlight how appearances can be misleading and how love can exist silently behind a tough exterior.