Chapter 1: Three Questions

NCERT Textbook Questions & Answers

Working With The Text

1. Why did the king want to know answers to three questions?

   The king wanted to know answers to three questions because he believed that if he knew these three things, he would never fail in anything he undertook. He thought these answers would guarantee his success as a ruler.

2. Messengers were sent throughout the vast kingdom.
   • (i) to fetch wise men.
   • (ii) to find the hermit.
   • (iii) to proclaim a reward for those who could answer the questions.
   • (iv) to summon the council of wise men.

   The correct option is (iii) **to proclaim a reward for those who could answer the questions.**

3. Complete the following sentences by adding the appropriate parts of the sentences given in the box.
   • many wise men answered his questions.
   • someone suggested that a council of wise men should be formed.
   • someone else suggested that the king should have a timetable.
   • the king requested the hermit to answer the questions.
   • the king washed the bearded man’s wound.
   1. When the king’s wise men came, **many wise men answered his questions.**
   2. Someone suggested that **the king should have a timetable.**
   3. In answer to the second question, **someone suggested that a council of wise men should be formed.**
   4. As the king dug the ground, **the king requested the hermit to answer the questions.**
   5. The king dressed the bearded man’s wound, **the king washed the bearded man’s wound.**

   Note: The last part "the king washed the bearded man’s wound" is a repetition in the question itself. A more fitting completion for (e) based on the story would be something like "until the bleeding stopped." However, following the given options, the best fit is provided.

4. Who was the bearded man? What happened to him?

   The bearded man was an enemy of the king. He had vowed to take revenge on the king because the king had put his brother to death and seized his property. He was wounded by the king's bodyguard when he tried to ambush the king on his way back from the hermit's hut.

5. (i) Why did he ask for the king’s forgiveness?

   He asked for the king's forgiveness because the king, whom he intended to kill, had saved his life by tending to his severe wound. He was overwhelmed by the king's kindness.

   (ii) What did he promise the king?

   He promised the king that he would serve him as his most faithful servant and would order his sons to do the same. He wanted to live and die as the king's faithful servant.

Working With Language

1. Match items in List A with their meaning in List B.

   List A	List B (Meaning)
   wounded	severely injured, hurt badly
   awoke	got up from sleep
   forgave	pardoned
   faithful	loyal
   pity	feel sorry for
   beds	small patches of ground for plants
   returned	gave back

   (Table provided above shows the matched items directly.)

2. Use any three of the above matching words in sentences of your own.

   (i) **Wounded:** The soldier was **wounded** in battle but was quickly attended to. (ii) **Faithful:** A dog is a very **faithful** animal. (iii) **Pity:** I felt **pity** for the homeless boy shivering in the cold. (iv) **Forgave:** My friend **forgave** me for forgetting her birthday. (v) **Returned:** She **returned** the book to the library after reading it.

3. Each of the following sentences has two blanks. Fill in the blanks with appropriate forms of the word given in brackets.
   1. He has promised to help me. He has made a **promise** to help me. (promise)
   2. The **hermit** lived in a forest. The **hermitage** was near a stream. (hermit)
   3. The king was advised to go to the **council** of wise men. The wise men held a **counsel** in the king’s court. (council/counsel)
   4. They **wounded** the man. The man suffered a **wound** on his stomach. (wound)
   5. The **reception** of the guests was warm. They **received** the guests warmly. (receive)

   (Answers filled directly into the blanks above.)

Extra Questions & Answers

Short Answer Questions (30-40 words)

1. Why was the king not satisfied with the answers of the wise men?

   The king was not satisfied with the answers of the wise men because their replies were all different and contradictory. Each wise man offered a distinct perspective, none of which fully convinced the king that he had found the perfect solution to his questions.

2. How did the king prepare to meet the hermit?

   To meet the hermit, the king disguised himself in simple clothes, left his horse and bodyguards behind, and proceeded on foot. He did this because the hermit only met common folk.

3. What did the hermit do when the king arrived?

   When the king arrived, the hermit was digging the ground in front of his hut. He greeted the king but continued digging without immediately addressing the king's questions.

4. What was the first service the king rendered to the hermit?

   The first service the king rendered to the hermit was digging the beds for him, as the old man was tired and feeble. He took the spade from the hermit's hands and started digging.

5. How did the king and the hermit help the wounded man?

   The king and the hermit helped the wounded man by immediately attending to his severe stomach wound. The king washed and re-dressed the wound multiple times until the bleeding stopped, and then both carried him into the hut to rest.

Long Answer Questions (80-100 words)

1. Describe the transformation of the bearded man from an enemy to a faithful servant.

   The bearded man was a sworn enemy of the king, seeking revenge for his brother's execution and property seizure. He ambushed the king but was severely wounded by his bodyguards. The king, unaware of his identity, saved his life by bandaging his wound and bringing him inside. Overwhelmed by this unexpected kindness from his intended victim, the bearded man's heart was transformed. He confessed his identity and ill intent, then, filled with gratitude, asked for forgiveness and pledged to serve the king faithfully for the rest of his life, along with his sons. This act of compassion completely changed his perception and loyalty.

2. Explain the three answers given by the hermit to the king's questions.

   The hermit explained the answers through the recent events. For the first question, "What is the right time to begin something?", he said **the most important time is 'now'**, because it is the only moment we have power to act. For the second question, "Which people should he listen to?", he stated **the most important person is the one you are with at a particular moment**, as you never know if you will have dealings with anyone else again. Finally, for the third question, "What is the most important thing for him to do?", he concluded that **the most important thing is to do good for that person** (the one you are with), because for that purpose alone was man sent into this life. Thus, true wisdom lies in present action, focus on immediate human connection, and compassionate service.

3. What moral lesson does the story "Three Questions" teach?

   The story "Three Questions" teaches profound moral lessons about living a meaningful life. Firstly, it emphasizes the importance of the present moment ("now"), as it's the only time we have control over. Secondly, it highlights the significance of human connection, advising us to value the person we are with at any given moment. Lastly, and most importantly, it conveys that the greatest purpose in life is to show kindness and do good for others, even for our enemies. The king's actions of digging for the hermit and nursing the wounded man demonstrate how selfless service and compassion lead to true fulfillment and resolution, bringing peace even with adversaries.