Princess September | Class 8 English Notes
By ConceptScroll Team · Published on 17 July 2026 · 3 min read
Princess September – this guide gives you a concise, exam-ready overview of Princess September from Class 8 English, written by ConceptScroll editors and reviewed against the latest NCERT textbook.
Think it Over
The 'Think it Over' section provides philosophical reflections related to the story's themes, encouraging students to contemplate the nature of freedom and responsibility. It presents two contrasting ways to study butterflies: chasing them with nets and inspecting their dead bodies versus sitting quietly and watching them dance among flowers. This analogy emphasizes the value of observing and appreciating life without harming it.
The section further explains that freedom comes with both rights and duties, symbolized by a bouquet of rights in one hand and a basket of duties in the other, helping one to walk straight. This metaphor teaches that true freedom requires discipline and responsibility.
An anecdote about a young enthusiast swinging his arms in a 'free country' and accidentally hitting an old gentleman illustrates the limits of freedom. The old man's advice, 'your freedom ends where my nose begins,' succinctly captures the principle that one's freedom should not infringe upon another's rights.
This section connects the story's narrative to broader social and moral lessons, helping students understand that freedom is not absolute but balanced by respect for others and self-discipline.
📊 Diagram: It so happened...
🧪 Activity: Reflective discussion on the balance between freedom and responsibility.
🔗 Connection: Concludes the chapter by linking story themes to real-life social values and personal conduct.
Frequently asked questions
1. Are the sisters unkind and cruel? Find evidence in the text to support your idea.
The sisters are portrayed as unkind and cruel in the story. Evidence from the text includes their behavior towards Princess September, such as locking her in a room and not allowing her to enjoy the freedom and beauty of the garden. Their actions show jealousy and a lack of compassion, which supports the idea that they are unkind and cruel.
2. Which, to you, is the most important idea in this story, and why? (i) importance of music (ii) value of freedom (iii) beauty of nature
The most important idea in the story can vary depending on personal interpretation. For example, if one chooses (ii) value of freedom, the explanation would be that the story highlights how freedom is essential for happiness and growth, as shown by Princess September's desire to be free in the garden. Alternatively, if one chooses (i) importance of music, it can be explained that music represents joy and expression in the story. Choosing (iii) beauty of nature emphasizes the story's depiction of
How many daughters did the King and Queen of Siam have, and how were they named?
The King and Queen of Siam had many daughters. To avoid confusion in remembering their names, the King named them after the months of the year, such as January, February, March, and the youngest was named September.
What was the peculiar habit of the King of Siam regarding his birthday gifts, and why is it called peculiar?
The King of Siam had the peculiar habit of giving gifts to others on his birthday instead of receiving them. It is called peculiar because usually, people receive gifts on their birthdays, but the King reversed this tradition.
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