PROSE-2
THE THREE QUESTIONS
THE THREE QUESTIONS
LEO TOLSTOY
I. Four alternatives are given. Choose the best alternative: -
1) …………….. came to the King, but they all answered his questions differently.
A] Wise men B] Clever men C] Ministers D] Hermits
2) Hermit was widely known for his ……….
A] Cleverness B] Wisdom C] Bravery D] Courage
3) The King put on …….. Clothes and went to meet the Hermit.
A] Special B] New clothes C] Ordinary D] Old clothes
4) The King dug …… beds and repeated the questions.
A] Two B] Three C] Four D] Five
5) The sun went down behind the ………..
A] Mountains B] Trees C] Earth D] Woods
6) The bearded man reached the king, he ………..
A] Bowed B] Fainted C] Greeted D] Thanked
7) The King lay down on the …… and slept.
A] Bed B] Mat C] Couch D] floor
8) The King was very happy to have made ……..
A] Friendship B] Peace C] Loyalty D] Compromise
9) The King had pitied Hermit ………. and dug beds for him.
A] Wisdom B] Weakness C] Wiseness D] Faithfulness
10) The King won over wounded man as a ………..
A] Enemy B] Servant C] Friend D] Foe
11) The most important business is to do the person …………
A] Happy B] Good C] Serious D] Comfort
12) A person who lives alone and leads a simple life is ………..
A] Priest B] King C] Hermit D] Solider
13) Fainted means………..
A] Serious B] affected C] lost consciousness D] felt sad
14) ……….. Wounded the bearded man.
A] King B] Hermit C] King’s messenger D] Body Guard
II. Answer the following questions:-
1. What are the three things the king wants to know?
Ans.: The thought came to the king that he would never fail if he knew the three things.
1. What is the right time to begin something?
2. Whom should a king listen to?
3. What is the most important thing for a king to do?
2. What did the king do to know the answer for three questions?
Ans.: The king sent messengers throughout his kingdom, promising a large sum to anyone who
would answer the three questions many wise men came to the king, but they all answered his
questions differently. Therefore, the king decided to seek the advice of a certain Hermit who was
widely known for his wisdom.
3. Why did the king decided to seek advice of Hermit? How did he go to meet the Hermit?
Ans.: The answers to the King’s questions were so different, the king was not satisfied.
Therefore, he decided to seek the advice of a certain hermit who was widely known for his
wisdom. The king put on ordinary clothes and went to meet the Hermit. Before he reached the
Hermit’s hut, the king left his horse with his bodyguard and went alone.
4. Describe the scene near Hermit’s hut.
Ans.: The king came near the Hermit’s hut, he saw the Hermit digging the ground in front of his
hut. Hermit greeted the king and continued digging. The king went up to Hermit and asked the
answer to his questions. The Hermit listened to king but did not speak.
5. Describe how the king treated the wounded man.
Ans.: The king saw a bearded man running towards him. His hands were pressed against his
stomach, from which blood was flowing. The king and the Hermit removed the man’s clothes
and found a large wound in his stomach. The king washed and covered it with his handkerchief,
but the blood would not stop flowing. The king re-dressed the wound until at last the bleeding
stopped.
6. Who was the bearded man?
Ans.: The bearded man was the enemy of the king who wanted to take revenge on the king.
Because the king had killed his brother and seized his property.
7. Why did the bearded man decide to serve the king as the faithful servant?
Ans.: The bearded man was the enemy of the king and wanted to take revenge on the king.
However, the king saved his life and dressed his wounds. Therefore, he decided to serve the king
as most faithful servant.
8. Why was the king very happy at the end?
Ans.: The king was very happy to have made peace with his enemy. So easily, and to have won
him over as a friend.
III Read each of the following extracts and answer the questions given below:
1. “I have come to you, wise hermit, to ask you to answer three questions”
a. Who said this?
Ans.: The King said this.
b. What was the Hermit doing at this time? Did he answer immediately?
Ans.: Hermit was digging the ground in front of his hut. No, the Hermit did not answer to king’s
questions.
2. “Let me take the spade and work in you place”
a. Who said this?
Ans.: The King said this.
b. To whom it was said? How did he react to this?
Ans.: It was said to the Hermit. Hermit said thanks to the king and gave the king his spade. The
king digged two beds.
3. “Lay down on the floor”
a. Who lay on the floor?
Ans.: The King lay on the floor.
b. Why did he lie down on the floor?
Ans.: The king treated the bearded man until at last the bleeding stopped. He was tired by his
walk and the work he had done. Therefore, the king lay down on the floor and slept through the
night.
4. “You don’t know me, but I know you”
a. Whom does ‘Me’ refer to?
Ans.: ‘Me’ refers to the bearded man.
b. Who was the bearded man? How was he wounded?
Ans.: The bearded was the enemy of the king. He made up his mind to kill the king on his way
to home. However, he came upon king’s bodyguard, who recognized him and wounded him.
5. “I will serve you as your most faithful servant”
a. Whom does ‘You’ refer to?
Ans.: ‘You’ refers to the king.
b. Who does ‘I’ refer to? Why did he say this?
Ans.: ‘I’ refer to the bearded man. Though he was the enemy of the king, the king dressed his
wounds and saved his life. He wished to kill the king but the king saved his life. Therefore, he
said this to the king.
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