My Childhood Summary & Notes for Class 9 English

The chapter from CBSE Syllabus Class 9 English Beehive is an autobiographical extract from Wings of Fire, filled with life lessons, values, and real experiences that shaped Dr. A.P.J. Abdul Kalam. It’s packed with life lessons, values, and a peek into what shaped him to be one of India’s most inspiring minds.

If you’ve ever found yourself skimming through the story and wondering, “Wait, what’s the point of this again?” Don’t worry, we’ve got you. These My Childhood notes are here to tick off your homework list and made to help you actually connect with the story.

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We’ll walk you through the full My Childhood notes in plain English, break down the character insights, highlight key themes, and prepare you with the kind of answers CBSE loves to ask. So scroll on and let’s turn this chapter into one of your easiest wins!

CBSE Class 9 My Childhood Summary - Easy Explanation

My Childhood Class 9 Summary in 100 Words to Make Revision Easy

We know flipping between pages, notes, and last-minute videos just to get one chapter can be a total brain drain. That’s why these “My Childhood” notes are here to save your time and sanity. No tricky words, no boring overload, just clear, exam-ready points that actually make sense when you need them the most (ahem, the night before).

This short chapter by Dr. A.P.J. Abdul Kalam takes you through his early life, family values, childhood friendships, and lessons that shaped him. It's got everything, equality, hard work, kindness, and faith. So breathe easy, scroll on, and nail this chapter like a pro.

1. Childhood and Family Life

Abdul Kalam was born in Rameswaram, Tamil Nadu, in a humble Muslim family. His father was honest and generous, and his mother was caring and kind. The family was not rich but lived peacefully with strong values. Kalam helped his cousin Samsuddin distribute newspapers, when trains no longer stopped at Rameswaram during WWII–this gave him his first wages.

2. Lessons from Teachers and Friends

Kalam had close Hindu Brahmin friends like Ramanadha Sastry, and their bond showed him that different religions could coexist peacefully–until a new teacher once tried to separate them. But another teacher, Sivasubramania Iyer, invited Kalam to his home and encouraged equality. These incidents taught Kalam to respect all religions and stand up for unity.

3. Inspiration and Values

Kalam’s father, Jainulabdeen, taught him prayer, faith, and simplicity, and encouraged him to follow his own path in life, quoting Khalil Gibran’s words on children’s independence. Because of him, Kalam could learn honesty, discipline, and the importance of education in his childhood; lessons that helped him throughout his life.

4. A Message of Harmony

This chapter shows how a child from a small town became a great man through strong values, kindness, and hard work. It teaches students to respect others, be responsible, and believe in themselves.

Characters in My Childhood – Dr. A.P.J. Abdul Kalam, Parents & Teachers

The more you understand the characters, the easier the questions get. Let’s break them down together!

1. Dr. A.P.J. Abdul Kalam (Narrator)

Traits: Hardworking, curious, kind, respectful, secular

• Kalam was a bright and responsible child.
• He helped his cousin in distributing newspapers to support his family.
• He respected all religions and believed in equality.
• He never let discrimination stop him from learning or dreaming big.
• His simplicity and strong values came from his upbringing.
• He was deeply influenced by his family, teachers, and friends.

2. Jainulabdeen (Kalam’s Father)

Traits: Wise, spiritual, generous, simple

• Kalam’s father was a respected man in Rameswaram.
• Though he had little formal education, he was full of wisdom.
• He led a simple life and believed in prayers and inner peace.
• He helped people from all communities and never asked for anything in return.
• He taught Kalam to respect others and stay humble.

3. Ashiamma (Kalam’s Mother)

Traits: Caring, kind-hearted, generous

• Kalam’s mother was a loving and supportive figure in his life.
• She took good care of all her children and fed many outsiders too.
• Her kindness and warmth created a nurturing home environment.
• She showed that one can be generous even when resources are limited.

4. Sivasubramania Iyer (Science Teacher)

Traits: Courageous, broad-minded, inspiring

• He was Kalam’s science teacher who believed in equality and secularism.
• He invited Kalam to his home for a meal, even when his wife disagreed.
• He stood up against discrimination and later convinced his wife to accept Kalam.
• He encouraged Kalam to dream big and never be limited by his background.

5. Sivasubramania Iyer’s Wife

Traits: Traditional, hesitant, later accepting

• At first, she refused to serve food to Kalam because of religious differences.
• But later, after her husband’s explanation, she changed her view.
• Her transformation showed that people can overcome old beliefs with understanding.

6. Kalam’s Friends (Ramanadha Sastry, Aravindan, and Sivaprakasan)

Traits: Loyal, friendly, united, inclusive

• They were Kalam’s close friends from different religious backgrounds (Hindu and Christian).
• They all studied and played together without any discrimination.
• Their friendship showed how different religions can live in harmony.
• When a teacher tried to separate them, they felt hurt and stood together.

Line by Line Explanation of My Childhood (Class 9)

Let us understand the story My Childhood by Dr. A.P.J. Abdul Kalam line by line:

1. From “I was born into a middle-class Tamil family…” to “…than all the members of our own family put together.”

Kalam introduces himself and talks about his simple life in Rameswaram, Tamil Nadu. His father, though not educated or rich, was wise and generous. His mother was loving and always fed many people, including outsiders. The house was large and old, and their family believed in sharing and caring for others.

Main Point: Kalam grew up in a modest but generous and values-based household.

2. From “I was one of many children…” to “…of all necessities in the market.”

Kalam describes himself as an ordinary-looking boy. He lived a secure and happy life. During World War II, there was a sudden demand for tamarind seeds, so Kalam started collecting and selling them for a small profit. This shows his early sense of responsibility.

Main Point: As a child, Kalam learned the importance of hard work and earning through small tasks.

3. From “When my cousin Samsuddin…” to “…because of the emergency.”

Kalam’s cousin ran a newspaper business. When trains stopped during the war, newspapers had to be thrown out of a moving train. Kalam helped collect them and earned his first wages. He felt proud and independent.

Main Point: Kalam experienced the joy of earning and developed confidence early in life.

4. From “Every child is born…” to “…did not disturb me.”

Kalam talks about his friends from different religious backgrounds. Once, a new teacher tried to separate Kalam from his Hindu friend Ramanadha Sastry in class because he was a Muslim. This hurt both boys. The incident was reported to Sastry’s father, who scolded the teacher. This showed unity and harmony in society.

Main Point: Kalam learned that religion should never divide people; equality and friendship are more important.

5. From “Then the second world war was over…” to the end

After the war, Kalam wanted to go to a district-level school. His father believed every child must follow their path. He supported Kalam’s decision to leave home for education. He also said that if you are spiritually strong, you can face any life challenge. This left a deep impact on Kalam.

Main Point: Kalam’s father encouraged independence and taught him the importance of inner strength and spiritual growth.

Themes & Central Idea of My Childhood

Knowing the themes and main idea makes it easier to tackle any tricky exam question. So, let’s understand what the story is really trying to tell us.

1. Simplicity and Humble Beginnings

Dr. Kalam came from a simple and middle-class family. His parents were not wealthy, but they lived with dignity and generosity. This shows that you don’t need riches to grow up with strong values.

2. Unity in Diversity

Kalam had close friends from Hindu and Christian families. Despite being from different religions, they lived and studied together peacefully. The story promotes harmony and respect for all religions.

3. Value of Education

Education played a major role in Kalam’s life. His teachers, especially Sivasubramania Iyer, inspired him to dream big. The story shows how good education and guidance can shape a child’s future.

4. Religious Tolerance and Equality

Kalam learned early in life that all people are equal, no matter their religion. The story condemns discrimination and supports equal treatment for everyone.

5. Family Support and Guidance

Kalam’s father encouraged him to go out and learn more. He believed that spiritual strength helps people face any difficulty. This shows the importance of parents in shaping a child’s future.

Central Idea of My Childhood

The chapter My Childhood is an autobiographical piece written by Dr. A.P.J. Abdul Kalam.

• It describes some important events from his early life in Rameswaram that helped shape his thoughts and character.
• The story focuses on values like honesty, discipline, hard work, and religious tolerance, which Kalam learned from his parents, teachers, and friends.
• It shows how he grew up in a simple environment but with strong moral values.
• The chapter also highlights the importance of respecting others, regardless of religion or background.
• Dr. Kalam’s childhood experiences taught him to stay humble, work hard, and dream big.
• These values later helped him become a respected scientist and the President of India.

Conclusion

And that’s a wrap on My Childhood, the values, the memories, and the moments that helped shape Dr. A.P.J. Abdul Kalam into the legend he became.

Now that you’ve walked through the summary of my childhood, met the characters, and explored the big ideas, you’re more than ready to face any question the exam throws at you. 

So go ahead, keep your notes close, revise smartly, and remember, even the simplest beginnings can lead to extraordinary journeys. You've got this! 

FAQs

Q1. Where did Abdul Kalam live?

Ans. He lived on Mosque Street in Rameswaram, in a middle-class family home. That’s where he spent his childhood.

Q2. How did Kalam earn his first wages?

Ans. During WWII, newspapers were thrown from trains and Kalam helped catch and sell them with his cousin - that gave him his first money.

Q3. Did he make money before that? How?

Ans. Yes - he used to collect tamarind seeds and sell them at a provision shop, earning about one anna a day.

Q4. Who were his school friends, and what did they become?

Ans. His friends were Ramanadha Sastry, Aravindan, and Sivaprakasan - they later became a temple priest, a transport businessman, and a railway catering contractor.

Q5. What traits did he get from his parents?

Ans. From his father, he picked up honesty and discipline; from his mother, kindness and faith in goodness.