Chapter 1 Three Questions Solutions
Question - 1 : - Why did the king want to know answers to three questions?
Answer - 1 : -
The king wanted to know the answers to the three questions because he thought that he would never fail once he knew the answers to the questions.
Question - 2 : - Messengers were sent throughout the kingdom
(i) to fetch wise men.
(ii) to find answers to the questions
(iii) to look for the wise hermit.
(iv) to announce a reward for those who could answer the questions.
Answer - 2 : -
Messengers were sent throughout the kingdom to announce a reward for those who could answer the questions.
Question - 3 : - Complete the following sentences by adding the appropriate parts of the sentences given in the box.
1. Many wise men answered the king’s questions, _______________________________
2. Someone suggested that there should be a council of wise men ___________________
3. Someone else suggested that the king should have a timetable ___________________
4. The king requested the hermit ____________________________________________.
5. The king washed and dressed the bearded man’s wound, _______________________
- but the bleeding would not stop.
- to answer three questions.
- but their answers were so varied that the king was not satisfied.
- and follow it strictly.
- to help the king act at the right time.
Answer - 3 : -
1. Many wise men answered the king’s questions, but their answers were so varied that the king was not satisfied.
2. Someone suggested that there should be a council of wise men to help the king act at the right time.
3. Someone else suggested that the king should have a timetable and follow it strictly.
4. The king requested the hermit to answer three questions.
5. The king washed and dressed the bearded man’s wound, but the bleeding would not stop.
Question - 4 : - Why was the king advised to go to magicians?
Answer - 4 : -
The king was told that in order to decide the right time for doing something, it was necessary to look into the future. Since only magicians could do so, he was advised to go to magicians.
Question - 5 : - In answer to the second question, whose advice did the people say would be important to the king?
Answer - 5 : -
The second question also got varied responses. As answer to this question, some said that the people most necessary to the king were his councillors. Hence, their advice would be the most important. Others said that the priests were the most important. A few others chose the doctors. And yet others said that his soldiers were the most important.
Question - 6 : - What suggestions were made in answer to the third question?
Answer - 6 : -
In answer to the third question, some said that the most important thing was science. Others said fighting; and yet others chose religious worship.
Question - 7 : - Did the wise men win the reward? If not, why not?
Answer - 7 : -
No, the wise men did not win the reward. As he got very different answers to his questions, the king was not satisfied, and therefore, he chose not to give the reward to anyone.
Question - 8 : - How did the king and the hermit help the wounded man?
Answer - 8 : -
When the king and the hermit saw the large wound on the man’s stomach, the king washed and covered it with his handkerchief. Since the blood did not stop flowing, he re-dressed the wound until it stopped bleeding. When the man felt better, he gave fresh water to him. Then, with the help of the hermit, he took the wounded man into the hut and laid him on the bed. This is how they helped the wounded man.
Question - 9 : - (i) Who was the bearded man?
(ii) Why did he ask for the king’s forgiveness?
Answer - 9 : -
(i) The bearded man an enemy of the king. The king had put the man’s brother to death and had also seized his property. That is why he wanted to take revenge on the king.
(ii) He had come with the intention of killing the king. When he left his hiding place, the king’s bodyguard recognised him and thus, wounded him. He managed to escape, but would have died if the king had not taken care of him and dressed his wounds. Ironically, he was saved by the very person whose life he wanted to take. That is why he asked for the king’s forgiveness.
Question - 10 : - The king forgave the bearded man. What did he do to show his forgiveness?
Answer - 10 : -
The king forgave the man. He showed his forgiveness by telling him that he would send his servants and his own doctor to look after him. He also promised to give back the man his property.