Which of the following words come to your mind with reference to the incidents in the 
  story?  
  impatient hopeful inquisitive dreamer  
  disappointment illusion regret joy  

Select the term which best describes the type of story this is.  
a. fantasy  
b. fable  
c. fairy tale  
d. parable  

Mention three things at the beginning of the story that should have made the little fir tree happy. Why was he unhappy? 

Why did the hare make him angry? 

In the winter, more fir trees were cut down and taken away. Mention two ways in which the chosen trees were different from the ones selected in the autumn. To what different uses were these trees put?  

It was really splendid – beyond description splendid.  

  i. Identify it in the quotation.  
  ii. What made it so splendid?  

‘Oh,’ thought the Tree. ‘If the evening but came.’  

  i. Explain the Tree’s feelings at this time.  
  ii. Did things turn out the way he had expected?  

When was the first time the Tree realized that he had lost opportunities to be happy and content? What made him feel this way?  

Find at least three statements made by the Tree in the course of the story where he expresses an expectation of happier times in the future.  

Contrast the physical appearance of the Tree on Christmas evening and days later, when he was taken out of the loft and thrown into the courtyard.  

Divide the list of words/phrases given below into two groups – one that conveys positive feelings of joy and celebration, and the other that creates a sense of sadness and loss.  
Dark corner vigorous splendour ornamented  
entirely forgotten gaily-coloured glittered rejoice  
terribly lonely delightful hidden magnificence  
weeds and nettles withered and yellow  

At the end of his life, the Tree says, ‘Had I but rejoiced when I had reason to do so! But now ‘its past, ‘tis past.’ What was the lesson he had finally learned?  

Describe an experience from your own life where something did not turn out the way you had expected it to.  

Select from the list given below the words that you think best describe the nature and personality of the fir tree. Discuss your selections with a partner and explain why you chose them, referring to incidents in the story to justify your choices.  
Then write a short character sketch of the fir tree.  
Curious inquisitive impatient positive optimistic  
immature self-confident hopeful wise honest  
  melancholy cheerful despairing  

What all did the little fir tree have around him?

What did the fir tree think when he was left in the dark?