NCERT Solutions for Class 8 English Chapter 3 – The Selfish Giant (It So Happened)

Expert-written, CBSE 2025–26 aligned solutions that give clear, step-by-step answers to all textbook exercises—Comprehension Check, Working with the Text/Language, Speaking & Writing—in simple, student-friendly language. These The Selfish Giant solutions include quick tips & exam pointers, plus add-ons for revision: summary, word meanings, character sketches, MCQs, extract-based questions, and extra questions with answers. Use them to clear doubts fast, create chapter notes & revision notes, and practise effectively for tests.

The Selfish Giant – Summary (Class 8 English Chapter 3)

The Selfish Giant summary (Class 8): Children love playing in a Giant’s garden, but he drives them away and builds a wall. Without the children, spring never comes—the garden stays in winter. One day a little boy cannot climb a tree; the Giant’s heart softens, he lifts the child up, and the garden blossoms. When the Giant later seeks the boy, he finds wounds on his hands and feet; the child promises to take him to his garden of paradise. The Giant grows kind, lets children play daily, and in old age he dies peacefully beneath white blossoms.
Central idea / message: Love and sharing melt selfishness; true happiness comes from kindness and innocence. In this story analysis, the little boy is a divine motif guiding the Giant’s transformation.

The Selfish Giant Summary in Hindi (short):

The Selfish Giant की कथा में दानव अपने बगीचे में बच्चों को खेलने से रोक देता है, जिससे वहाँ हमेशा सर्दी छाई रहती है। एक दिन वह एक नन्हे बालक की मदद करता है और बगीचा फिर बसंत से खिल उठता है। बाद में वही बालक घावों के निशान के साथ दिखाई देता है और दानव से स्वर्गीय बगीचे का वचन देता है। दानव बदल जाता है, बच्चों को खेलने देता है और अंत में फूलों की छाँव में शांति से मर जाता है। संदेश: स्वार्थ त्यागकर प्रेम और बाँटने से सच्ची खुशी मिलती है.

NCERT Solutions for Class 8 English Chapter 3 – The Selfish Giant (Questions & Answers)

Comprehension Check – Answers

Q1. Why is the Giant called “selfish”?
Ans (direct): He barred children from his garden and built a wall to keep it only for himself.
Explain: His possessiveness shuts out joy and nature; the garden mirrors his selfish heart.

Q2. Why did spring not come to the Giant’s garden?
Ans (direct): Because children were not allowed to play there.
Explain: In the story, seasons personified—Spring arrives with children’s laughter; without them, it stays winter.

Q3. What did the Giant see one morning after the long winter?
Ans (direct): Children had crept in; trees blossomed and birds sang—except one corner still winter.
Explain: A little boy couldn’t climb a tree; that spot remained frozen.

Q4. What softened the Giant’s heart?
Ans (direct): Seeing the small boy struggling to climb, he lifted him up.
Explain: The tree bloomed instantly; the act of kindness transforms the Giant.

Q5. What change did the Giant make to his garden?
Ans (direct): He broke the wall and welcomed children forever.
Explain: Sharing restores spring; the garden becomes a happy, living place.

Q6. Who was the little boy the Giant loved most? Why were there marks on his hands and feet?
Ans (direct): A divine child (symbolic). The marks signify wounds of love and sacrifice.
Explain: He promises to take the Giant to his garden—Paradise.

Working with the Text – Answers

Q1. Describe the Giant’s character at the beginning and at the end.
Ans (direct): From selfish and possessive to kind and generous.
Explain: He starts as a hoarder of beauty; ends as a guardian who shares it with children.

Q2. How does the garden reflect the Giant’s feelings?
Ans (direct): Winter mirrors his selfishness; spring mirrors his kindness.
Explain: The garden is a symbolic barometer of his heart—cold when he is selfish, blossoming when he shares.

Q3. What is the central idea/message of the story?
Ans (direct):Love and sharing bring true happiness and renewal.
Explain: The Giant finds joy by opening his heart and garden to children.

Q4. Explain the role of the little boy in the story.
Ans (direct): He is a divine motif guiding the Giant’s transformation.
Explain: Through innocence and grace, he leads the Giant to redemption and peace.

Q5. “The Giant knocked down the wall.” What does the wall stand for?
Ans (direct):Selfish barriers we build around ourselves.
Explain: Breaking the wall = breaking ego; community and compassion return.

Working with Language – Answers

1. Word meanings (chapter words):

• Trespassers: people who enter without permission
• Prosecute: take legal action against
• Gruff: rough or unfriendly in manner
• Twittering: soft, repeated bird sounds
• Marvellous: wonderful; causing great delight
• Cloak: a loose outer garment; also cover

1. Synonyms / Antonyms (any one acceptable pair):

• Selfish → mean, ungenerous | Antonym:kind, generous
• Lovely → charming | Antonym:ugly
• Silent → quiet | Antonym:noisy
• Blossom → bloom, flower | Antonym:wither

1. Fill in the blanks (contextual):
2. The Giant built a high wall around his garden.
3. Without children, the garden stayed in winter.
4. The little boy had marks on his hands and feet.
5. The Giant’s heart melted when he helped the child.
6. Grammar focus (from the text style):

• Personification example: “Spring” refusing to visit the garden.
• Figures of speech: Symbolism (garden = heart), metaphor (winter = selfishness).

Speaking and Writing – Model Responses

1. Speaking (2–3 lines):Why was the Giant unhappy despite owning a beautiful garden?
   Ans (model): He hoarded beauty instead of sharing it. Without children, the garden lacked life and laughter—so it stayed wintry and silent.
2. Short paragraph (80–100 words): The moral of “The Selfish Giant”
   Ans (model): The story shows that happiness grows when we share. The Giant’s garden blossoms the moment he opens it to children, proving that love and generosity warm even the coldest hearts. The little boy represents divine grace, guiding the Giant from selfishness to compassion. Breaking the wall is breaking ego—replacing isolation with community. The tale urges us to welcome others, because kindness brings spring into our lives.
3. Diary entry (Giant’s POV on the day of change) – 4–5 lines:
   “Today I saw a tiny boy struggling to reach a branch. I lifted him, and the tree bloomed! In that moment I realized my mistake—the wall I built kept out joy itself. I will pull it down and let the children play forever. Their laughter is the true music of my garden.”

Download NCERT Solutions for Class 8 English Chapter 3 – The Selfish Giant (with answers PDF), including Comprehension Check, Working with the Text/Language, and Speaking & Writing sections—perfect for the selfish giant class 8 questions and answers and last-minute revision.

More NCERT Class 8 Study Material

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• NCERT Solutions for Class 8 Social Science

The Selfish Giant Comprehension II

Question:

1. i) The Giant saw an incredible sight. What did he see?

Answer. The Giant saw that the children had entered the garden through a little hole in the wall. They were sitting on the branches of the trees. In every tree, there was a little child. Trees were glad, birds flew and twittered with delight, and flowers laughed.

1. ii) What did Alison seeing it?

Answer: He realized he was to blame for the year-round winter in his garden. He called himself selfish.

Question: Why was it still winter in one corner of the garden?

Answer: Only in one corner of the garden was their winter still. The reason was that a little boy could not climb the tree like other boys. He stood under a tree weeping.

Question: Describe the first meeting of the little boy and the Giant.

Answer: In the first meeting of the boy and the Giant, the Giant lifted him gently and put him on the branch of that tree. The tree suddenly broke into flowers, and the birds began to sing. The child kissed the Giant.

Question: Describe their second meeting after a long interval.

Answer: In the second meeting, the Giant saw the wounds on the little boy's palm and feet after so many years. He was furious. He wanted to kill the man who had wounded the child. But the boy said that those were wounds of love.

Question: The Giant lay dead, all covered with white blossoms. What does this sentence indicate about the once selfish Giant?

Answer: This indicated that Lord Christ himself had blessed the Giant. He was neither cruel nor selfish after the first meeting. So Christ forgave him and took him to paradise.

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NCERT Solutions for Class 8 English It So Happened Chapter 3

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Question 1: Discuss the theme of perseverance as depicted in the story 'The Selfish Giant'.

Answer: In 'The Selfish Giant' from NCERT Class 8 English It So Happened Chapter 3, the theme of perseverance is central to the narrative. The story revolves around a giant who owns a beautiful garden which he selfishly keeps to himself, barring children from playing in it. When he discovers that his selfishness has caused perpetual winter in the garden, he learns a lesson about kindness and generosity from the children. Despite his initial anger and attempts to shoo away the children, their persistent return gradually softens his heart. The giant’s journey from selfishness to selflessness is a testament to the power of perseverance in overcoming personal flaws and learning empathy. This transformation is not immediate but evolves through the giant’s gradual realization of the joy that comes from caring for others. Through his perseverance in understanding and embracing kindness, the giant ultimately finds redemption and happiness.

Question 2: How does the story 'The Selfish Giant' reflect the importance of compassion and its impact on community and relationships?

Answer: 'The Selfish Giant' in NCERT Class 8 English It So Happened Chapter 3 portrays compassion as a transformative force that shapes both community and relationships. Initially, the giant’s selfishness isolates him from the children who are eager to play in his beautiful garden. His refusal to share his garden results in perpetual winter until he learns the importance of compassion. When the giant finally allows the children to play in his garden, spring returns, symbolizing renewal and hope. This act of compassion not only rejuvenates the garden but also restores the warmth and joy within the community. The story underscores how compassion bridges gaps between individuals, fostering understanding and unity. Through the giant’s change of heart and willingness to embrace compassion, the narrative highlights the profound impact of empathy on relationships and the broader community. It teaches us that acts of kindness and compassion have the power to heal, connect, and enrich lives, emphasizing the importance of empathy in creating harmonious and supportive environments.