(i) How did the spirit of the dog help the farmer first?
(ii) How did it help him next?

What were the hermit’s answers to the three questions? Write each answer separately. Which answer do you like most, and why?

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

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

(i) Who was the bearded man?
(ii) Why did he ask for the king’s forgiveness?

Imagine you are the king. Narrate the incident of your meeting the hermit. Begin like this: The wise men answered my questions, but I was not satisfied with their answers. One day I decided to go and meet the hermit...

1. Match items in List A with their meanings in List B.
fainted: lost consciousness

        A.                                                             B
(i) wounded.                                   got up from sleep
(ii) awoke.                                              give back

(iii) forgive.                       small patches ofground for plants
(iv) faithful.                                      severely injured
(v) pity.                                                     pardon
(vi) beds.                                                    loyal
(vii) return.                                          feel sorry for
Use any three of the above words in sentences of your own. You may change the form of the word.

Why was the king advised to go to magicians?

How does Ravi get milk for the kitten?

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.

Why does Maya think Mr Nath is a crook? Who does she say the Sunday visitor is?

“Have you children...” she began, and then, seeing they were curiously quiet, went on more slowly, “seen anyone lurking around the verandah?”
(i) What do you think Rukku Manni really wanted to ask?
(ii) Why did she change her question?
(iii) What did she think had happened?

Who does he say the kitten’s ancestors are? Do youbelieve him?

Mark the right item.

(i) The old farmer and his wife loved the dog
(a) because it helped them in their day-to-day work.
(b) as if it was their own baby.
(c) as they were kind to all living beings.

(ii) When the old couple became rich, they
(a) gave the dog better food.
(b) invited their greedy neighbours to a feast.
(c) lived comfortably and were generous towards their poor neighbours.

(iii) The greedy couple borrowed the mill and the mortar to make
(a) rice pastry and bean sauce.
(b) magic ash to win rewards.
(c) a pile of gold.

Look at the pictures and read the text aloud.

Why did the author order so many pairs of boots? Did he really need them?

Had the beggar come to Rukku Manni’s house for thefirst time? Give reasons for your answer.

Explain why no one seemed to be interested in talking about the hilsa-fish which Gopal had bought.

(i) How much did you pay for that hilsa? The woman asked the man how much he had paid for that hilsa.
(ii) Why is your face half-shaven? Gopal’s wife asked him

(iii) I accept the challenge, Your Majesty. Gopal told the king

(iv) I want to see the king. Gopal told the guards

(v) Bring the man to me at once. The king ordered the guard

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

(i) What makes Mridu conclude that the beggar has nomoney to buy chappals?

(ii) What does she suggest to show her concern?