Princess September

- W.Somerset Maugham

Understand

1. Princess September kept the bird locked in a golden cage because

a. she wanted the bird to sing to her at all times.
b. she felt that the bird may not want to stay with her.
c. she did not like seeing the bird fly about freely.
d. she was worried about the safety of her bird.
(Choose the correct option.)

2. Answer the following questions briefly.

a. How did the nightingale compare with the parrot that the princess had lost?
 The nightingale was not as colorful or as magnificent as the parrot, but it was an
excellent singer. The parrot had been a lively, talkative companion, whereas the
nightingale's song was more melodious and soulful.

b. What made Princess September happy and proud?

 Princess September was happy and proud because the nightingale was a
wonderful singer. She enjoyed the bird’s beautiful song and felt that it was a gift
that made her special.

c. How did her sisters respond when she told them about her new bird? Why?
 Princess September's sisters were indifferent and even sarcastic. They mocked
her for for being so attached to a "mere" nightingale. They told her to keep it in a
cage. They didn’t understand her emotional attachment to the bird.

d. What effect did the sisters' words have on her? What did she do?
 The sisters’ words made Princess September feel insecure. They made her
question the bird’s value, and she became upset. She decided to lock the
nightingale in a cage because of their criticism, believing that doing so would
make the bird stay with her.

e. What happened to the bird when he was put into a cage?

 The bird became very sad and stopped singing. He refused to eat and appeared
weak. The bird's spirit was broken because he was not meant to be confined,
and this showed the negative impact of imprisonment on his happiness.

f. How did the bird get back his freedom?

 The bird regained his freedom when the princess understood that keeping him in
the cage was hurting him. She opened the window, letting him fly away, and
gave him the freedom to live as he wished. Her love for him was shown in letting
him go, allowing him to find happiness on his own terms.
g. How does the story end happily for the princess and the bird?
 The story ends happily for both the princess and the bird because, by letting him
go, the princess shows her true love and understanding. The bird, now free,
promises to return and sing the loveliest songs for her. Their bond remains
strong, not through possession, but through mutual respect and freedom,
allowing both to be happy in their own way.

Infer

3. Discuss the following in pairs.

a. Give examples from the story of the following emotions:

Possessiveness: i. The princess shows possessiveness when she keeps the little bird
in a golden cage. She wants the bird to stay with her and sing only for her, not allowing
it to fly free. This is a clear example of her desire to possess and control the bird out of
love.

ii. Insecurity: The princess feels insecure when the bird refuses to eat in the cage and
seems to be dying. She worries that without the bird’s singing, she will lose it and be left
alone. Her insecurity comes from the fear of losing something she loves deeply.

iii. Jealousy: The princess feels jealous when the bird sings beautifully for others while
free. She wishes to keep the bird all to herself and feels envious of its freedom and the
joy it brings to others, leading her to lock it in the cage out of fear of losing its affection.

iv. Selfless happiness: Selfless happiness is seen when the princess finally
understands that the bird needs freedom to live fully. She lets the bird go, even though it
means she might not always have him with her. Her happiness now comes from
knowing that the bird is free and can live the life he was meant to.

b. I've only put you in the cage because I'm so fond of you. Why do you think the
speaker said this? Can you think of similar situations in life?
 The speaker, the princess, says this because she genuinely believes that by
keeping the bird in the cage, she’s protecting him, as an act of love. She doesn't
realize that, by controlling him, she is actually hurting him.
Similar situations in life might involve parents who, out of love, try to control their
children, thinking it’s for their safety or well-being. For example, a parent might
try to control where their child goes or who they spend time with, believing it’s for
the child’s own good, without realizing that this can stifle the child’s growth and
independence. It’s a natural instinct to want to protect, but true love sometimes
requires letting go.
c.... but they were eight to one, and all older than she. What were the two reasons
why Princess September took her sisters' advice? Does this happen to us too?
 The two reasons why Princess September took her sisters' advice were:
Majority opinion: Her sisters were all older than her, making her feel that they
knew better.
Respect for authority: Being younger and less experienced, she felt she should
listen to her older sisters.
Yes, this happens to us too. Often, we might feel pressured to follow the majority
opinion, especially when others are more experienced or confident.

Reflect

4. Do you think the author of the story deliberately uses the image of a golden
cage? How is the golden cage linked to freedom and happiness in the story!
 Yes, the author uses the image of a golden cage to show the contrast between
material wealth and true freedom. Though the cage is beautiful, it still restricts the
bird’s natural need for freedom. The golden cage symbolizes how possessions or
control can't bring happiness; true joy comes from allowing freedom, as seen
when the princess sets the bird free.

5. What lesson does Princess September learn about love in the story? How can
you apply it in your own lives?
 Princess September learns that true love means letting go and allowing the loved
one to be free. The lesson is that love requires selflessness and respecting the
other’s freedom.

We can apply this lesson in our own lives by recognizing when our desire to
protect or control others might actually limit their growth or happiness. Whether in
relationships with family, friends, or partners, allowing space for independence
and respecting others' choices is a key part of genuine love.

1. Why did the princess keep the bird in a cage?

o a) She wanted to keep it as a pet
o b) She wanted to protect it from danger
o c) She loved it and wanted it to stay with her
o d) She thought the bird would sing for her

2. What was the bird’s response when the princess opened the cage?
o a) The bird flew away immediately
o b) The bird stayed inside the cage
o c) The bird refused to fly
o d) The bird promised to return and sing
3. What did the princess do when she realized that the bird was dying in the cage?
o a) She ignored the bird
o b) She cried and let the bird go
o c) She tried to feed the bird forcefully
o d) She locked the cage again

4. What did the bird need to be happy and healthy?

o a) A golden cage
o b) To stay in the palace
o c) Freedom
o d) A special kind of food

5. What lesson does the princess learn in the story?

o a) Love means possession
o b) Love is about control
o c) True love means letting go
o d) Love is a form of sacrifice

6. Why did the princess's sisters advise her to be firm with the bird?
o a) They thought the bird would get spoiled
o b) They didn’t like the bird
o c) They were jealous of the bird
o d) They believed the bird needed to be disciplined

7. What made the princess feel relief when she took the bird out of the cage?
o a) The bird was singing
o b) The bird was dead
o c) The bird was alive and its heart was still beating
o d) The bird was eating

8. How did the bird react after being freed by the princess?
o a) It flew away and never returned
o b) It promised to come back and sing for the princess
o c) It stayed on the window sill
o d) It immediately flew to another place far away

9. What did the princess learn about love by the end of the story?
o a) Love means taking control
o b) Love is about keeping the loved one close
o c) Love means allowing the loved one to be free
o d) Love is about sacrifice

10. Why did the princess feel sad at the beginning of the story?
o a) She was lonely in the palace
o b) She was afraid the bird might leave her
o c) She was afraid the bird would die
o d) She wanted to find a new pet.