Tracking progress through consistent use of DAV Class 8 English Literature Book Solutions Chapter 1 Three Questions is a helpful practice.
DAV Class 8 English Literature Chapter 1 Question Answer – Three Questions
Pre-Reading Task
Question 1.
Suppose you want to start a new task. Will you wait for an auspicious time or will you start working immediately? Discuss with your partner giving reasons.
Answer:
I know every time is auspious or starting a new work, so I will not wait for an auspicious time. But I will saw working immediately. In my opinion, our work should not be delayed for goos . ne It is our devotion towards work which blesses us with success, not an auspious as ime.
Question 2.
Work individually and answer the following:
(a) What do you think is the most important occupation?
Answer:
Every occupation has its own importance. Importance of a teacher, lawyer, engineer, doctor, cobbler, ironsmith, goldsmith or bussinessman cannot be denied. They all are the part of our society and we can’t ignore their role in our life.
(b) Who do you think are the most important people (soldiers, leaders, doctors, priests, etc.)?
Answer:
All people, doctors, teachers, leaders, soldiers, priests, lawyers are equally important. Soldiers are pillars of any country, leaders are the builder of a nation. Doctors save lives of millions of people, priests perform religious activities and so on. But in my opinion, soldiers are the most important because they save the country from the outside attack of the enemies. They even do not care for their lives for the safety of their nation.
I. Understanding the Story
A. Tick (✓) the correct answers from the options given below:
Question 1.
The king reached the hermit’s cell: _________
(i) on foot,
(ii) on horseback,
(iii) in a chariot.
Answer:
(i) on foot,
Question 2.
When the king approached the hermit, the latter was: _________
(i) planting trees,
(ii) sowing seeds,
(iii) digging earth.
Answer:
(iii) digging earth.
Question 3.
The man who came running from the woods had a wound in: _________
(i) his hands,
(ii) his stomach,
(iii) his head.
Answer:
(ii) his stomach,
Question 4.
The king dressed the bearded man’s wounds with: _________
(i) the hermit’s handkerchief,
(ii) his towel,
(iii) his handkerchief and the hermit’s towel.
Answer:
(iii) his handkerchief and the hermit’s towel.
Question 5.
After dressing the bearded man’s wounds, the king slept: _________
(i) in the hermit’s bed,
(ii) on the threshold of the hermit’s cell,
(iii) in the woods outside the hermit’s cell.
Answer:
(ii) on the threshold of the hermit’s cell,
B. Answer the following questions in about 30 words each.
Question 1.
What were the three questions that occurred to the king?
Answer:
The three questions that occured to the king were—What is the most important time to start any work? Who is the most important person for him? What is the most important thing to do? The king was curious enough to get the answers of all these three questions.
Question 2.
Why did the king go to the wise hermit? Why did he go there alone and dressed like a commoner?
Answer:
Many people tried to satisfy the king with their thoughtful answers but the king was not satisfied with any of the answers. The wise hermit was famous for his wisdom and the king believed that he would answer the questions in wisely manner. The king visited the hermit alone as a commoner because the hermit had sympathy only for common people.
Question 3.
Who was the bearded man who came running from the woods? How had he got wounded?
Answer:
The bearded man who came running from the woods in severely injured condition was the king’s enemy, who came to take revenge on him for his brother’s execution. He was intended to kill the king but the king’s bodyguards recognized him and therefore wounded.
Question 4.
How did digging of beds for the hermit save the king’s life?
Answer:
The king found the wise hermit digging the beds. He took the spade from the hermit and started digging the bed to help him. If he had not done so and had gone his way, the man might have attacked him and the king must have repented on not staying with the hermit.
C. Write the given adjectives against the characters (the king, the hermit, the bearded man) they belong to. Also find extracts from the story to justify your choice.
Answer:
| Characters | Adjectives | Extracts from the story |
| king | (i) Inquisitive | (i) He was very curious to know all the answers to his questions. |
| hermit | (ii) Practical | (ii) He came to the hermit for help because he didn’t like any answer. |
| (i) Wise | (i) He was famous for his wisdom. | |
| (ii) Impulsive | (ii) Hermit had power to impel people that’s why the king visited him for his answers. | |
| bearded man | (i) Considerate | (i) He planned to take the revenge of his brother when he came to know that the king was going to visit the hermit. |
| (ii) Grateful | (ii) He was grateful to the king for saving his life and he forgot his revenge. |
II. HOTS
Question 1.
Briefly explain the answer the king got to his three questions. Making these answers your base, comment on the importance of the present moment in our life. (About 80-100 words)
Answer:
The story provides us a moral about the importance of present moment in our life. To the first question what was the right time to do anything the answer what that when you have power to do certain work. Second question was about the right people. The right answer was the person with whom we are dealing with at a certain time and the third question was the important thing to be done. To this question the answer was to do any kind of good work in the service of humanity.
As a student, the most important time in my life is when I am studying in school or at home. The people who are most important to me are teachers who guide me, my parents who encourage me and friends who are a source of inspiration. The foremost task would be to reach up to their expectations.
III. Life Skills
‘Knowledge gained through experience is far superior to and many times more useful than theoretical knowledge.’
Discuss the above statement in the light of the fact that the hermit did not answer the king’s questions as soon as they were put to them.
Answer:
It is true that knowledge gained through experience is far superior to and many times more useful than theoretical knowledge. For instance, a person reads about PowerPoints, and MS Word thoroughly but due to the lack of experience, he/she would not be able to perform a task as good as a person who has experience. Above all, knowledge gained through experience leaves a lasting impression on our mind while knowledge gained through book are likely to be forgotten after a certain period of time.
The hermit could have given the answers to the king’s questions but he didn’t do so because he wanted the king to get answers practically.
IV. Values
“For that purpose alone was man sent into this life’. What is this purpose? Discuss some means of fulfilling this purpose.
Answer:
For self-attempt.
V. Writing Skills
On behalf of the king, write a notice inviting people to respond to his three questions. Mention the questions also.
Answer:
|
NOTICE All the people of this kingdom are informed that they should prove their wisdom by answering the following questions:
Any person who gives reasonable and faithful answers will be amply rewarded. |
DAV Class 8 English Literature Chapter 1 Solutions – Three Questions
Question 1.
How is the king able to learn the hermit’s lesson?
Answer:
The king desires to be successful in his life. He is noble and conscientious, so he stays with the hermit to get his answers. Had he gone without getting answer from hermit, he would never have learnt lesson from him. He stays here and gets an opportunity to save life. Thus, he gets opportunity of learning a wise lessbn in the company of the wise hermit who does not answer him in words but practically blesses him with the secret of success in life.
Question 2.
What is the theme of the story Three Questions’ by Leo Tolstoy?
Answer:
The “Three Questions” by Leo Tolstoy is an inspirational stoiy. It is a life changing story. One can get a profound meaning in it. Every person dreams to be an achiever in one’s life and he seeks perfect time, right people and the right occupation to get success. Leo Tolstoy has shown a path through this story in simple words and interesting manner. The story tells that every time is auspicious for beginning a work, the person with whom he is dealing at a certain time is the most important person and the occupation which he is doing is the most important. So one should make one’s life successful by following these principles.
Question 3.
‘Action speaks louder than words’. Comment on this saying on the basis of the story “Three Questions” by Leo Tolstoy.
Answer:
The story gives us moral lesson. The curious king visits the wise hermit as a commoner to get his answers. The hermit does not speak even a single word, but he satisfies the curiosity of the king through actions. He notices the king’s eagerness in helping the wounded person and his interest in saving his life. The king even forgets his power and proves himself to be a true human. At last, when he expresses his desires again to know the answers the hermit makes him realise that he has himself got the answers of all the three questions. Thus, the story proves that the action speaks louder than words.
Three Questions Summary in English
Once there was a king who always wanted to begin a work on auspicious time. He was curious to know about:
- What is the most important thing?
- What is the most important time?
- Who is the most important person?
It was his opinion that one who knows all these things will never fail in anything.
The king announced a wonderful reward for the person who would teach him about right time; right person and right thing. Different people presented different views on these ’ questions. Some replied that for the right time it was necessary to keep track of calendar. Others said that one should never lead an idle time. For some people, doctors were important, for some were priests while some people thought that the warriors were . the most important. Some people thought that religious activities were important work.
The king was not at all satisfied with these answers. So, he decided to visit a hermit. He visited the hermit as a common person leaving behind his horse and bodyguards.
The hermit was busy in digging earth in front of his hut. The king told the hermit that he visited him to get answers of his three I questions. The hermit replied nothing but remained busy in his work. The king took spade from him and started digging the earth.
After sometime the king asked the questions again but the hermit did not open his mouth to answer his questions. The hermit wanted to dig, but the king did not give him the spade. The king said that he would go back if I he won’t answer him.
At the same time, the hermit informed the king that some one was coming towards them. A bearded man, badly injured, reached there. The blood was oozing out of his stomach. The king did his best to stop blood and rebandaged his wounds. When the man got up, he asked for something to drink. He slept entire night soundly.
In the morning, when he got up, he asked the man (king) to forgive him. He knew the king because he was his enemy and wanted to take revenge. The man wanted to kill the king but the king saved his life. The enmity turned into friendship. The king was very happy. When the man went away, the king again asked the hermit for the answers of his three questions. But the hermit replied that the king had been answered. He said that when he dug the beads, it was an important time, the hermit was the most important person and the king’s good deeds were the most important things. The most important time is when we have any power, the most important person is with whom we are and doing good is an important thing. The king was satisfied with the explanation made by the hermit.
Three Questions Summary in Hindi
एक राजा था जो यह जानना चाहता था कि किसी कार्य को करने का उचित समय क्या होता है। वह उक्त बातें जानने के लिए हमेशा उत्सुक रहता था-
- सबसे महत्त्वपूर्ण चीज क्या है?
- सबसे महत्त्वपूर्ण समय क्या होता है ?
- सबसे महत्त्वपूर्ण व्यक्ति कौन होता है ?
उसका यह विचार था कि अगर कोई इन सभी चीजों के बारे में जानकारी रखता है तो वह कभी असफल नहीं होगा। राजा ने राज्य में घोषणा की कि जो उसे सही समय, सही व्यक्ति, एवं सही वस्तु के बारे में बता देगा उसे उचित इनाम दिया जाएगा। भिन्न-भिन्न व्यक्तियों ने अलग-अलग तरीकों से इन प्रश्नों पर अपने मंतव्य दिए। किसी ने कहा कि सही समय के लिए तिथियों का ज्ञान आवश्यक है। किसी ने कहा कि कभी भी खाली समय बर्बाद नहीं करना चाहिए। किसी ने चिकित्सक को महत्वपूर्ण बताया तो किसी ने पंडित को तथा किसी ने योद्धा को महत्त्वपूर्ण बताया। कुछ व्यक्तियों ने धार्मिक कार्यों को सबसे महत्त्वपूर्ण बताया।
राजा को इन जवाबों से तनिक भी संतुष्टि न मिली। इसलिए उसने साधु से मिलने का निश्चय किया। वह साधु के पास साधारण व्यक्ति बनकर गया। उसने अपने घोड़े और अंगरक्षक भी पीछे ही छोड़ दिए। साधु अपनी झोंपडी के सामने में मिट्टी खोद रहा था। राजा ने साधु के समक्ष अपने तीन प्रश्नों के उत्तर जानने की जिज्ञासा व्यक्त की। साधु बिना उत्तर दिए खुदाई में व्यस्त रहा। राजा ने उससे कुदाल ले ली और खुदाई करने लगा, कुछ देर बाद राजा रुका और पुनः साधु से अपने प्रश्नों का उत्तर चाहा। साधु खुदाई करना चाहता था परन्तु राजा स्वयं खुदाई करता रहा। राजा ने कहा कि यदि साधु ने उसके प्रश्नों का उत्तर नहीं दिया तो वह चला जायेगा ।
साधु ने बताया कि कोई व्यक्ति उनकी ओर आ रहा था। उसके पेट से खून बह रहा था। राजा ने खून को रोकने की पूरी कोशिश की और उसके घावों पर पट्टी बाँधी । होश में आने पर उस व्यक्ति ने कुछ पीने को माँगा और फिर पूरी रात सो गया ।
जब सुबह में वह व्यक्ति उठा तो उसने राजा से माफी माँगी। वह राजा को जानता था क्योंकि वह राजा का शत्रु था और उससे बदला लेना चाहता था। वह राजा को मारना चाहता था। लेकिन राजा ने उसकी जान बचायी। राजा बहुत प्रसन्न हुआ। उनकी दुश्मनी दोस्ती में बदल गयी। राजा अत्यधिक प्रसन्न था। जब वह व्यक्ति चला गया तब राजा ने साधु से अपने प्रश्नों के उत्तर की पुनः प्रार्थना की। साधु ने कहा कि राजा को उसके प्रश्नों के उत्तर मिल चुके थे। साधु ने कहा कि जब उसने खुदाई की वह महत्त्वपूर्ण समय था और साधु उस समय महत्त्वपूर्ण व्यक्ति था और राजा का खुदाई करना महत्त्वपूर्ण कार्य था। फिर उस व्यक्ति का घायल अवस्था में भागकर आना एक महत्त्वपूर्ण समय था और मदद करने वाला राजा एक महत्वपूर्ण व्यक्ति था । एक महत्वपूर्ण समय वह होता है जब हमारे हाथ में कुछ करने की शक्ति होती है, और हम जिसके साथ होते हैं वह व्यक्ति महत्वपूर्ण होता है तथा हमारा किया हुआ कार्य महत्वपूर्ण होता है । राजा अपने प्रश्नों का उत्तर पाकर संतुष्ट हुआ।
- Auspicious – that seems likely to be successful in the future – सौभाग्यशाली, मांगलिक;
- Proclaimed – declared, announced – उद्घोषणा।;
- Beforehand – at an earlier time than something – पहले से;
- Attentive – watching – सावधान;
- Magician – wizard – जादूगर;;
- Occupation – vocation – व्यवसाय;
- Hermit – saint – साधु;
- Wisdom – the quality of being wise – बुद्धिमान होना
- Renowned – famous – मशहूर,;
- Feeble – weak – कमजोर;
- Recommenced – started again – दुबारा शुरु किया;
- Spade – a tool for digging – कुदाल;
- Moaning – groaning – कराहना;
- Threshold – entrance – दहलीज़;
- Intently – earnestly — संकल्पपूर्वक;
- Seized – to take hold of something firmly – कसकर पकड़ना;
- Revenge – something harmful done in return of an injury or harm – बदला;
- Resolved – determined – संकल्प;
- Ambush – hiding place – छिपने की जगह;
- Restore – to put something back into its former condition – पूर्व स्थिति में लाना ।