NCERT Solutions For Class 9 English Beehive Chapter 6 My Childhood - 2025-26
FAQs on NCERT Solutions For Class 9 English Beehive Chapter 6 My Childhood - 2025-26
1. What is the correct way to solve the NCERT question about Kalam’s father’s reaction to him leaving Rameswaram?
To answer this question from Chapter 6, 'My Childhood', you should follow these steps: First, state that Kalam's father, Jainulabdeen, was not upset. Second, explain his wise response by quoting his analogy of the seagull, which flies across the sun alone and without a nest. Third, mention his quote from Khalil Gibran's poem, stating that children are not possessions but 'life's longing for itself'. The implication to highlight is that he believed in allowing his children the freedom to grow and follow their own paths, encouraging Kalam to pursue higher studies in Ramanathapuram.
2. How should a student describe the two types of people mentioned in 'My Childhood'—those who create divisions and those who bridge them?
When providing the NCERT solution for this, you should clearly identify both groups with examples from the text.
- Those who created divisions: Mention the new young teacher who forced Kalam to sit on the back bench due to his religion, and Sivasubramania Iyer’s conservative wife who initially refused to serve a Muslim boy in her ritually pure kitchen.
- Those who bridged differences: Mention Lakshmana Sastry, who firmly corrected the new teacher, and Sivasubramania Iyer himself, who not only served Kalam but also ate with him to break social barriers. This approach demonstrates a complete understanding of the chapter's social dynamics.
3. What key points should be included when writing a character sketch of A.P.J. Abdul Kalam as a young boy in this chapter?
A complete answer should describe Kalam as a curious, hardworking, and respectful child from a humble background. Key points to include are:
- His sense of self-respect, shown when he felt hurt by the new teacher's actions.
- His diligence, demonstrated by his work as a newspaper distributor to earn his first wages.
- His close bond with his friends from different religious backgrounds, highlighting his secular upbringing.
- His desire for knowledge and growth, which led him to seek permission to study in a bigger town.
4. How did the actions of Sivasubramania Iyer and Lakshmana Sastry shape Kalam’s secular and progressive beliefs?
These two figures were instrumental in shaping Kalam's worldview. Lakshmana Sastry, the high priest, demonstrated that religious authority could be used to fight social evils by rebuking the new teacher for spreading 'the poison of social inequality'. Sivasubramania Iyer, a science teacher and an orthodox Brahmin, taught Kalam a practical lesson in social reform by personally challenging his wife's discriminatory beliefs. These experiences taught Kalam that one's religion or background should not create barriers and that it is important to actively challenge prejudice.
5. What core values did Kalam inherit from his parents, as depicted in 'My Childhood'?
The NCERT chapter 'My Childhood' shows that Kalam inherited several core values. A good solution would highlight the following:
- From his father, Jainulabdeen, he learned honesty, self-discipline, and a deep spirituality that transcended narrow religious divides.
- From his mother, Ashiamma, he inherited faith in goodness and deep kindness, which was evident in her feeding countless outsiders every day.
- Both parents instilled in him a sense of security, both material and emotional, teaching him that true wealth lies in spiritual and human values, not just possessions.
6. Why is the incident at Sivasubramania Iyer's house considered a turning point in the chapter?
This incident is a turning point because it shows a conscious effort to change a prejudiced mindset. When Sivasubramania Iyer's wife refused to serve Kalam, Iyer did not argue but instead served the meal himself and sat beside Kalam to eat. His simple action and the statement, “Once you decide to change the system, such problems have to be confronted,” served as a powerful, real-life lesson for Kalam on social reform. The fact that his wife’s attitude changed by the next visit demonstrates the success of his method and reinforces the chapter's central theme of breaking down man-made barriers.
7. How does this chapter illustrate that a person's environment and upbringing are crucial for their development?
The chapter 'My Childhood' is a prime example of how environment shapes character. Kalam's upbringing in the multi-religious, tolerant society of Rameswaram, his close friendships with Hindu boys, and the wisdom imparted by his parents and teachers like Sivasubramania Iyer all contributed to his open-minded and secular outlook. The communal harmony of his town and the progressive attitudes of his mentors protected him from social prejudice and nurtured his inherent curiosity and intelligence, laying the foundation for his future as a great scientist and leader.











