Chapter 1 Three Questions

The king wanted to know answers to the three questions because he wanted a successful life and he thought that he will get to know the answers of these three questions he could never fail in life.

(iv)  to announce a reward for those who could answer the questions.

1. Many wise men answered the kings questions, but their answers were so varied that the king was not satisfied.

2. Someone suggested that there should be council of wise men to help the king at the right time.

3. Someone else suggested that the king should have a time table 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.

The king was advised to go to the magicians as in order to decide the right time to do something, one needs to know the future and only magicians can look into the future.

 People said that the advice of councillors or doctors or priests, would be important to the king.

The most important thing suggested by king’s people were science, fighting and moreover religious worship.

 The wise men did not win the reward as they gave different answers to the king’s questions and the king was not satisfied.

The king and hermit removed the clothes of that person, washed and dressed his wound until the bleeding stopped. Then they provided him fresh water to drink.

(i) The bearded man was the sworn enemy of the king who wanted to take revenge as the had killed his brother and had taken away all his property too.

(ii)  He wanted to kill the king but when the king saved his life, he was deeply impressed and asked for king’s forgiveness.

To show his forgiveness, the king provided him his doctors and servants to look after his health. He also promised to return his property.

 Hermit’s answers to the three questions were following:-

(1) According to hermit the most important time 'is present' because it is the time when we have power of action. 

(2) The most important person is one with whom we are at a particular time.

(3) The most important business is to do good with that person. I liked the third answer most because we are sent in this world for that purpose alone.

A.                                                         B

i) wounded.                                      severely injured

(ii) awoke.                                      got up from sleep    

(iii) forgive.                                               pardon

(iv) faithful.                                               loyal

(v) pity.                                                 feel sorry for

(vi) beds.                         small patches of ground  for plants      

(vii) return.                                             give back  

(i) The judge  said that only fresh evidence would make him change his judgement. (judge)

(ii) I didn’t notice any serious difference of opinionamong the debaters, although they differed from one another over small points. (differ)
(iii) It’s a fairly simple question to answer, but will you accept my answer as final? (answer)

(iv) It isn’t necessary that necessity should always be the mother of invention. (necessary)

(v) Hermits are wise  men. How they acquire their  wisdom no one can tell. (wise)
(vi) The committee has  decided to make Jagdish captain of the team. The decision  is likely to please everyone. (decide)
(vii) Asking for forgiveness  is as noble as willingness to forgive . (forgive)

 I left my bodyguard behind. I went alone to the hermit’s hut. I found him digging beds. He was old and looked tired. I asked him my questions but he did not answer. I took the spade from him and began to work in his place. When l had dug two beds, l repeated my questions but he did not answer. Several hours passed and the sun went down. Now, I decided to take leave of the wise man. Suddenly we saw a wounded man running towards us.

but I went on digging the beds. The king asked me some questions. He wanted their answers. But l did not speak. He noticed that l was tired. So, he took my spade and began to dig himself. He repeated his questions but l did not answer. He was about to leave. Suddenly we saw a wounded man running towards us.