Class 9: Literature

 (Beehive)

Chapter 2B: Wind

Chapter 3: The Little Girl

(Moments)

Chapter 2. The Adventures of Toto

Chapter 3: Iswaran the Storyteller

Chapter - 4: In the Kingdom of Fools

Writing:

1. Story Writing

2. Letter to the Editor

Grammar:

1. Determiners

2. Subject – verb concord

3. Modals

4. Reported Speech

Chapter 2 B: Wind (Beehive)

Summary of the Poem “Wind”

The poem Wind describes the playful and powerful nature of the wind as it sweeps through the landscape. The poet portrays the wind as a lively force that stirs up the environment — shaking trees, bending plants, and making the natural world dance to its rhythm.

The wind is personified as a mischievous child or a lively spirit who roams freely across the earth. It whistles through the trees, shakes leaves, and causes waves to rise on rivers and seas. The poet admires the wind’s energy and freedom but also recognizes its wild and uncontrollable character.

The wind’s movement brings change and excitement, but it can also be unpredictable and forceful. It’s both a friend to nature and a powerful force that demands respect.

Key Themes:

• Nature’s Power: The wind symbolizes the natural energy and the unstoppable forces of nature.
• Freedom and Movement: The wind is free to roam anywhere and is never confined, representing freedom.
• Change and Vitality: The wind’s action causes change, movement, and life in the environment.

Stanza 1

The poem opens by describing the wind as a playful and energetic force. It rushes across the sky, playing with the clouds and stirring everything in its path. The poet imagines the wind as a lively creature that moves freely and joyfully, causing waves on rivers and shaking the trees.

Stanza 2

The wind is personified as a mischievous child who runs wildly over the fields and forests. It whistles and roars loudly, bending the trees and breaking the branches. The wind’s movement is unpredictable and forceful, sometimes gentle and sometimes harsh, but always full of energy.

Stanza 3

Here, the poet admires the wind’s freedom and power. Unlike humans who are tied down by rules and limitations, the wind is free to roam everywhere. It is a symbol of liberty, able to move wherever it wishes, unhindered and unconfined by any barriers.

Stanza 4

In the last stanza, the poet reflects on the wind’s wild and untamed nature. The wind is not only a playful spirit but also a powerful force that shapes the world. It reminds us of nature’s strength and the beauty of freedom, even if it comes with unpredictability.

Word Meanings:

1. Whirling — spinning or rotating rapidly.
2. Roaring — making a loud, deep sound like a lion or strong wind.
3. Whistling — making a high-pitched sound by forcing air through lips or teeth.
4. Bending — leaning or curving from a straight position.
5. Rustling — making soft, muffled crackling sounds like dry leaves or paper moving.
6. Swaying — moving slowly back and forth or side to side.
7. Mischievous — playful in a way that causes trouble or annoyance.
8. Unfettered — not restricted or controlled; free.
9. Untamed — wild; not domesticated or controlled.
10. Spirit — a non-physical being or a lively, energetic quality.

Poetic Devices in Wind

1. Personification
• Giving human qualities to the wind.
• Example: “The wild wind blows, and all the leaves dance.”
2. Alliteration

o   Repetition of consonant sounds at the beginning of words close to each other.

o   Example: “wild wind blows” (repetition of the ‘w’ sound)

3. Onomatopoeia
• Words that imitate natural sounds.
• Example: “whistling” and “roaring”
4. Imagery
• Descriptive language that appeals to the senses.
• Example: “The wind shakes the trees and makes the rivers rise.”
5. Repetition
• Repeating words or phrases for emphasis.
• Example: “Wild wind” repeated to emphasize the untamed nature of the wind.

Poem Analysis: Wind

1. Theme

The poem highlights the wind as a symbol of nature’s power and freedom.

2. Tone and Mood

The tone is lively and energetic; the mood is playful and awe-inspiring.

3. Use of Personification

The wind is described as a playful child, giving it human qualities.

4. Imagery and Sensory Language

The poem uses vivid images and sounds to show the wind’s movement and effects.

5. Symbolism

The wind stands for freedom, change, and the unstoppable force of nature.

6. Structure and Form

Simple, rhythmic lines create a musical flow that mimics the wind’s movement.

7. Conclusion

Wind celebrates the wild, free spirit of nature and its powerful energy.

Extra questions:

1. Why does the poet compare the wind to a child?
   Answer:
   The poet compares the wind to a child because it moves freely and playfully, without any restrictions. Like a child, the wind is full of energy, mischievous, and unpredictable. This comparison helps us understand the wind’s lively and untamed nature.
2. What effects of the wind are described in the poem?
   Answer:
   The poem describes the wind shaking the trees, bending the branches, making the leaves dance, whistling, roaring, and causing the rivers to rise. These effects show how powerful and active the wind is in nature.
3. What is the mood created by the poem?
   Answer:
   The mood of the poem is energetic and lively. The poet creates a feeling of excitement and awe about the wind’s strength and freedom.
4. Explain the symbolism of the wind in the poem.
   Answer:
   The wind symbolizes freedom and change. It moves everywhere without any barriers, representing the desire to be free and the natural, constant movement of life.
5. Find and explain two examples of personification from the poem.
   Answer:

• “The wild wind blows” – The wind is given the human quality of being “wild.”
• “The leaves dance” – Leaves are described as if they can dance like people, showing the wind’s playful influence.

Extra questions:

1. Why do you think the poet chose to describe the wind as both playful and powerful?
Answer:
The poet wants to show the wind’s dual nature — it can be gentle and fun like a child playing, but it can also be strong and forceful, affecting everything around it. This contrast helps us appreciate how the wind influences nature in many ways.

2. How does the imagery in the poem help the reader experience the wind?
Answer:
The imagery uses vivid descriptions of the wind shaking trees, making leaves dance, and causing rivers to rise, which helps the reader visualize and feel the wind’s presence and movement, making it more real and alive.

3. What message do you think the poet wants to convey through the poem?
Answer:
The poet wants to convey the beauty and power of nature, especially the wind’s freedom and energy. The poem also reminds us that nature is full of life and movement, and there is joy in its wildness.

4. Compare the freedom of the wind to human freedom. How are they similar or different?
Answer:
The wind moves freely without any restrictions, unlike humans who have many rules and limitations. While human freedom is often restricted by society, the wind symbolizes absolute freedom, inspiring us to seek more liberty in life.

5. What effect does the repetition of words like “wild wind” have in the poem?
Answer:
The repetition emphasizes the untamed and energetic nature of the wind, making the description more vivid and memorable. It also adds rhythm to the poem, mimicking the continuous movement of the wind.

Word Web

Word: Wild

Meaning:
Untamed, uncontrolled, or natural and free.

Part of Speech:
Adjective

Synonyms:

• Untamed
• Fierce
• Uncontrolled
• Rough

Antonyms:

• Calm
• Gentle
• Tame
• Peaceful

Sentence:
The wild wind blew fiercely through the forest.

 

Chapter 3: The Little Girl (Beehive)

 

Word Meanings

1. Wretched – miserable.
2. Timid – shy, lacking confidence, easily frightened.
3. Stuttered – spoke with difficulty, repeating sounds.
4. Hue and cry – loud outcry, uproar.
5. Slung – thrown or hung carelessly.
6. Laboriously – requiring a lot of effort, with hard work.
7. Gravely – seriously.
8. Rushed – moved quickly with urgency.
9. Solemn – serious, without any humour.
10. Sternly – strictly, harshly.

Flow Chart

Kezia is afraid of her father 

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She feels he is strict and unapproachable 

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Her grandmother suggests making a birthday gift for him 

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Kezia stitches a pincushion but unknowingly stuffs it with important papers 

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Father gets angry and punishes her 

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Kezia feels her father is cruel and harsh 

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One day, her mother falls ill and grandmother is away 

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Kezia sleeps with her father out of fear 

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She realises her father works hard and loves her in his own way 

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Kezia’s perspective changes – she understands her father’s affection

Questions and answers:

Q1. Why was Kezia afraid of her father?
Ans: Kezia was afraid of her father because he was a strict man, spoke loudly, punished her and never played with her. His harsh behaviour and authoritative nature made her nervous and fearful in his presence.

Q2. Who were the people in Kezia’s family?
Ans: The people in Kezia’s family were her father, her mother, her grandmother, and herself.

Q3. What was Kezia’s father’s routine
(i) before going to his office?
Ans: Before going to his office, Kezia’s father usually came into her room, gave her a casual kiss, and left.

(ii) after coming back from his office?
Ans: After returning from his office, he would ask for his tea, papers, and slippers in a loud voice, showing his dominance.

(iii) on Sundays?
Ans: On Sundays, Kezia’s father used to stretch out on the sofa, cover his face with a handkerchief, and sleep.

Q4. In what ways did Kezia’s grandmother encourage her to get to know her father better?
Ans: Kezia’s grandmother encouraged her to prepare a birthday gift for her father by stitching a pin-cushion, thinking it would bring them closer. She also always tried to explain her father’s importance to Kezia.

Q5. Kezia’s efforts to please her father resulted in displeasing him very much. How did this happen?
Ans: Kezia wanted to gift her father a pin-cushion. She stuffed it with some papers, not knowing they were her father’s important speech notes. When her father discovered this, he scolded and punished her, which made her very upset.

Q6. Why did Kezia forget about her father’s harshness when she was alone in her room?
Ans: Kezia forgot about her father’s harshness when she was alone in her room because, after her nightmare, her father took her into his room, comforted her, and made her feel safe and cared for.

Q7. How does Kezia begin to see her father as a human being who needs her sympathy?
Ans: Kezia realised her father was not harsh by nature but tired from hard work. When she saw him sleeping and breathing heavily, she understood he worked hard for the family’s comfort. This changed her feelings, and she sympathised with him.

Extra questions:

Q2. What kind of a father was Mr. Macdonald and how was he different from Kezia’s father?
Ans: Mr. Macdonald was a loving and gentle father. He played with his children in the garden, laughed with them, and created a friendly atmosphere. In contrast, Kezia’s father was strict, authoritative, and unapproachable, which made Kezia afraid of him.

Q3. Why was Kezia afraid of her father?
Ans:Kezia was afraid of her father because he was harsh, spoke little, and always appeared angry and commanding. His presence made her nervous and she stammered while talking to him.

Q4. Who suggested to Kezia that she should make a gift for her father? What was the gift?
Ans:Kezia’s grandmother suggested that she should prepare a birthday gift for her father. She made a pincushion by stitching a piece of yellow silk.

Q5. Why was Kezia punished by her father?
Ans:Kezia unknowingly stuffed her pincushion with important papers from her father’s desk, which contained a speech he had written. Her father was furious and punished her with a ruler on her little palms.

Q6. When did Kezia feel that her father was not so harsh after all?
Ans: One night when Kezia’s mother was hospitalised and grandmother was away, Kezia had to sleep alone. She was scared, so her father took her into his bed, comforted her, and she realised that he worked very hard and loved her deeply, even if he did not openly show it.

Q7. What lesson does the story convey about the relationship between parents and children?
Ans: The story conveys that parents may appear strict, but their sternness often hides love and concern. Children should try to understand their parents’ struggles, while parents should also express affection to make children feel secure.

Word Web: Afraid

• Meaning: Feeling fear, worry, or anxiety about something
• Part of Speech: Adjective
• Synonyms:
1. Scared
2. Frightened
3. Fearful
• Antonyms:
1. Brave
2. Confident
3. Bold

Value Based Questions (VBQs)

Q1. Why did Kezia always feel nervous and afraid in front of her father? What value can we learn from this situation?
Ans:Kezia was afraid of her father’s strict behaviour, loud voice, and harsh looks. She felt he never showed her love. This teaches us the value of being gentle and affectionate towards children, as harshness can distance them from their parents.

Q2. When Kezia’s mother was ill and grandmother was away, her father comforted her. What does this show about him? What value does it highlight?
Ans: It shows that though he appeared strict, he had a soft and caring heart. When the time came, he expressed love and concern for his daughter. This highlights the value of parental care, hidden affection, and the importance of understanding others’ feelings.

Higher Order Thinking Skills (HOTS)

Q1. Do you think parents should be strict with their children, or should they always be soft and loving? Give reasons.
Ans: Parents should balance strictness and love. Too much strictness creates fear and distance, while too much leniency may make children careless. A mix of discipline and affection helps children grow with respect, confidence, and trust in their parents.

Q2. How did Kezia’s perspective about her father change by the end of the story? What lesson does this give to children?
Ans: In the beginning, Kezia saw her father as harsh and unloving. But later, when he comforted her at night, she realised he loved her deeply, though he couldn’t express it well. This gives children the lesson that parents’ love is sometimes hidden behind their responsibilities and strictness.

 

Chapter 2. The Adventures of Toto(Moments)

Textbook Questions

Q1. How does Toto come to the grandfather’s private zoo?
Grandfather is fond of animals. One day, he sees a little monkey with a tonga-driver and buys it for five rupees. He brings the monkey home to add it to his private zoo, which already includes a tortoise, a pair of rabbits, a squirrel, and a goat.

Q2. “Toto was a pretty monkey.” In what sense is Toto pretty?
Toto has bright, sparkling eyes, white pearly teeth, and quick fingers. His tail acts like a third hand, helping him hang and swing. These features make him look very attractive and full of life, which is why he is described as “pretty.”

Q3. Why does grandfather take Toto to Saharanpur and how? Why does the ticket collector insist on calling Toto a dog?
Toto is very mischievous and causes a lot of damage at home. So Grandfather decides to take him to Saharanpur to keep him with him. He carries Toto in a black canvas bag. When the ticket collector sees Toto's face peeping out, he charges a fare and calls Toto a dog, as per railway rules.

Q4. How does Toto take a bath? Where has he learnt to do this? How does Toto almost boil himself alive?
Toto tests the water with his hand, steps in slowly, and enjoys a warm bath. He learns this by watching the narrator. One day, he jumps into a kettle of warm water placed on a fire. As the water gets hotter, he enjoys it, but he nearly boils himself before Grandmother rescues him.

Q5. Why does the author say, “Toto was not the sort of pet we could keep for long”?
Toto is too mischievous and destructive. He tears clothes, breaks dishes, disturbs other pets, and even causes problems during travel. Though amusing, he is difficult to manage. Eventually, Grandfather sells him back to the tonga-driver, realising he isn’t a suitable pet for the house.

Extra Questions

1. Who was Toto and how did the author get him?
Toto is a mischievous little monkey bought by the author's grandfather from a tonga-driver for five rupees.

2. Why did Grandfather buy Toto?
Grandfather buys Toto to add some excitement to his private zoo and because he is fond of animals.

3. Describe Toto’s appearance.
Toto has bright eyes, white teeth, a long tail used like a hand, and his hands are dry and quick. His smile scares elderly Anglo-Indian ladies.

4. Why was Toto kept secretly in the beginning?
Toto is kept secretly because Grandmother does not like animals and would not approve of a monkey in the house.

5. Where was Toto first kept and why was he moved?
Toto is first kept in a closet tied to a hook, but he creates a mess and tears things, so he is moved to the servants’ quarters.

6. What damage did Toto cause in the narrator’s house?
Toto tears wallpapers, shreds clothes, breaks dishes, and pulls out the peg holding his chain.

7. What did Toto do in the railway compartment?
Toto pulls the author’s blanket, grins at the ticket collector, and tries to escape through the window, surprising everyone.

8. Why was Grandfather charged extra fare for Toto on the train?
The ticket collector treats Toto as a dog and makes Grandfather pay three rupees as fare, even though he is a monkey.

9. How did Toto enjoy his bath in the kettle?
Toto tests the water temperature, steps in slowly, and enjoys a warm bath. One day he nearly boils himself when the water is heated with him inside.

10. Why was Toto eventually sold back to the tonga-driver?
Toto is too mischievous and causes too much damage. Grandmother never accepts him, so Grandfather sells him back for three rupees.

Character Sketches

Toto
Toto is a naughty, clever monkey who loves to play tricks. He is curious and full of energy but causes a lot of damage. Though fun to watch, he is too mischievous to be kept as a pet.

Grandfather
Grandfather is kind and loves animals. He buys Toto out of interest but later realises the monkey is too troublesome. He is caring but also practical.

Grandmother
Grandmother is practical and does not like animals in the house. She dislikes the mess Toto makes and wants him gone, adding humour and balance to the story.

 

HOTS (Higher Order Thinking Skills)

Q. If you had a pet like Toto, how would you manage his mischief at home?
A. If I had a pet like Toto, I would keep him in a safe space with toys to play with and give him proper training. I would try to understand his needs and keep breakable items out of reach. I would also make sure he gets enough attention and exercise so he doesn’t get bored and cause trouble.

 

VBQ (Value Based Question)

Q. Grandfather’s decision to buy Toto shows his deep compassion and kindness towards animals. Even though Toto caused trouble, Grandfather never harmed him and tried to care for him with love. What values does this teach us?
A. This teaches us values like empathy, responsibility, and patience. It reminds us that animals, like humans, deserve care and understanding, even when they are difficult to manage.

Word Web: Mischievous

·         Meaning: Tending to cause trouble in a playful or harmless way

·         Part of Speech: Adjective

·         Synonyms: Naughty, playful, cheeky, impish

·         Antonyms: Well-behaved, obedient, disciplined

·         Sentence: Toto was a mischievous monkey who loved to play tricks on everyone in the house.

Chapter 3: Iswaran the Storyteller (Moments)

 

Word / Phrase	Meaning
Anecdote	A short, amusing or interesting story about a real incident or person
Master	Employer; someone who hires a worker (here, Mahendra)
Cook-cum-servant	A person who works as both a cook and a servant
Unfailing resource	A dependable source or support that never fails
Descriptive narrative	A detailed story with vivid descriptions
Thrill and suspense	Feelings of excitement and uncertainty
Gruesome	Causing horror or disgust
Boulder	A large, heavy rock
Spirited account	Lively and energetic telling of an event
Stump	The base part of a tree left after the trunk is cut
Miraculously	In a way that seems like a miracle; unexpectedly lucky
Demolished	Destroyed completely
Timid	Easily frightened; lacking courage
Gasping	Breathing with difficulty or in shock
Narration	The act of telling a story
Exaggeration	Making something seem more extreme than it really is
Supernatural elements	Aspects that involve ghosts or unnatural forces

 

 

FLOW CHART

 

Mahendra is a junior supervisor
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He is frequently transferred due to his job
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Iswaran, his cook-cum-servant, accompanies him everywhere
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Iswaran handles all household tasks efficiently
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He reads Tamil thrillers and tells dramatic stories
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He narrates a story of how he once tamed a wild elephant
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Mahendra enjoys the stories but suspects exaggeration
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Iswaran starts talking about ghosts and haunted places
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Describes a ghostly woman carrying a foetus seen at night
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Mahendra scolds him for talking nonsense
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One night, Mahendra hears a moaning sound
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He sees a ghostly figure outside his window
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Terrified, Mahendra decides to leave the place
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He realises the lasting impact of Iswaran’s storytelling

Character sketches:

1.       Iswaran: A talkative and imaginative cook who is deeply loyal to his master, Mahendra. He narrates stories with dramatic flair and has a vivid imagination.

2.       Mahendra: A bachelor and junior supervisor who leads a simple life and is used to frequently relocating due to his job. He is initially sceptical but later gets affected by Iswaran’s ghost story.

RTC 1:

“He would miraculously conjure up the most delicious dishes made with fresh vegetables, within an hour of arriving at the new place, and would always find some amazing stories to tell.”

Q1. Who is ‘he’ in this passage?
A1. ‘He’ refers to Iswaran, Mahendra’s cook and companion.

Q2. What skill does Iswaran show after arriving at a new place?
A2. He quickly prepares delicious meals and adjusts effortlessly to new surroundings.

Q3. What additional quality does he have apart from cooking?
A3. He is an excellent storyteller, known for entertaining Mahendra with fascinating stories.

VBQ 1:

Question:
Iswaran shows creativity and imagination in his storytelling. How can these qualities be valuable in real life?

Answer:
Creativity and imagination help individuals think outside the box, solve problems innovatively, and entertain or inspire others. Iswaran’s storytelling not only entertained Mahendra but also helped pass time in isolated surroundings. In real life, such qualities are useful in professions like teaching, writing, leadership, and counselling, where engaging communication and emotional impact are important.

HOTS 1:

Question:
Do you think Mahendra's decision to leave the place was justified? Why or why not?

Answer:
Yes, Mahendra’s decision was justified from a psychological point of view. Even if the ghost was not real, the fear and anxiety it caused could affect his well-being and work. On the other hand, one could argue it was not justified if it was merely a trick of the imagination. It depends on whether one prioritises emotional comfort or logical reasoning.

Story Analysis

Author: R.K. Narayan
Genre: Short story, humour, realism

1. Setting:

The story is set in India, primarily in a remote area where Mahendra, a junior supervisor, is posted. The backdrop varies as Mahendra’s job requires him to keep shifting, but the key events happen in a temporary dwelling near a work site.

2. Main Characters

Iswaran

• Role: Mahendra’s cook and servant
• Traits: Loyal, imaginative, expressive, dramatic, intelligent
• Details:
  Iswaran is a unique and entertaining personality. Besides doing all household work efficiently, he entertains Mahendra with thrilling and often exaggerated stories. He reads Tamil thrillers and imitates their style in his narration. His vivid imagination, theatrical storytelling, and belief in the supernatural make him a colourful and unforgettable character.

Mahendra

• Role: Junior supervisor, Iswaran’s master
• Traits: Disciplined, rational, hardworking, curious
• Details:
  Mahendra is a logical and responsible man who works for a firm that sends him to various construction sites. He enjoys Iswaran’s company and stories but often doubts their truth. Though initially rational and dismissive of superstitions, he is ultimately influenced by Iswaran’s ghost story, showing how imagination can overpower reason.

 

3. Plot Summary:

The story revolves around Iswaran, who accompanies Mahendra, his master, wherever he is transferred. Iswaran is not only an excellent cook but also an engaging storyteller. He uses dramatic gestures and voice modulations to narrate bizarre and thrilling tales, often with suspenseful or supernatural twists.

He once tells Mahendra a ghost story about a woman with a shrivelled face and matted hair who appears at night moaning and carrying a foetus in her arms. Though Mahendra laughs it off, the story begins to haunt him. One night, he believes he sees the ghost Iswaran described, which leaves him frightened. Ultimately, Mahendra requests a transfer out of fear.

4. Themes:

·         Power of Imagination:
Iswaran’s stories blur the line between reality and fiction, highlighting how imagination can influence perception.

·         Influence of Storytelling:
The story shows how compelling narration can affect even rational minds, like Mahendra's.

·         Superstition vs. Rationality:
It contrasts Mahendra’s logical nature with Iswaran’s superstitions, showing how belief in the supernatural can creep in even in educated minds.

·         Master-Servant Relationship:
Iswaran’s loyalty and dedication, combined with Mahendra’s dependence on him, reflect the dynamics of this relationship in traditional Indian households.

5. Style and Language:

The language is simple, humorous, and vivid, making it suitable for students. Narayan uses satire and light-hearted narration, and Iswaran’s dramatic storytelling is full of exaggeration, suspense, and theatricality.

6. Moral / Message:

·         We must be cautious of how strongly stories and beliefs can influence the mind.

·         A good storyteller can make fiction seem real.

·         Rational people can also fall prey to fear when it is planted subtly.

7. Conclusion:

Iswaran the Storyteller is a delightful short story that blends humour, suspense, and subtle commentary on human psychology. It highlights the charm of storytelling and the thin line between imagination and belief. Through Iswaran, the author celebrates the oral tradition of storytelling that has been an essential part of Indian culture.

Word Web: Anecdote

Meaning:
A short, interesting or amusing story about a real incident or person.

Part of Speech:
Noun

Synonym:
Tale, story, narrative

Antonym:
Silence, truth (in some contexts), history (in contrast to short stories)

Sentence:
Iswaran was a master at weaving an anecdote out of the most ordinary events.

 

Chapter - 4: In the Kingdom of Fools (Moments)

 

Word web

Word: Foolish
Meaning: Lacking good sense or judgement; unwise
Part of Speech: Adjective

Synonyms:

1.      Silly

2.      Unwise

3.      Absurd

Antonyms:

1.      Wise

2.      Sensible

3.      Intelligent

Sentence: The king and his ministers made foolish decisions, such as changing day into night and night into day.

Textual Questions

1. What are the two strange things the guru and his disciple find in the Kingdom of Fools?

Answer:
The two strange things the guru and his disciple notice are:

1. Everyone in the kingdom, including people and animals, sleeps during the day and stays awake at night.
2. Everything in the market is sold at the same price: one duddu (a very low coin).

2. Why does the disciple decide to stay in the Kingdom of Fools? Is it a good idea?

Answer:
The disciple decides to stay because food is cheap and plentiful. He loves to eat and is tempted by the opportunity to eat his fill at a low cost.

It is not a good idea, as the kingdom is ruled by foolish people, and their unpredictable behaviour can be dangerous, as the disciple later discovers.

3. Name all the people who are tried in the king’s court and give the reasons for their trial.

Answer:
The following people are tried in the king's court:

1. The rich merchant – because a thief died in his house after a wall fell on him.
2. The bricklayer – because he built the weak wall that collapsed.
3. The dancing girl – because she distracted the bricklayer while passing by, leading to poor workmanship.
4. The goldsmith – because he delayed finishing the dancing girl’s jewellery, causing her to pass the street many times.
5. The merchant’s father – because he pressured the goldsmith to delay other orders.
6. The disciple – because the king believed someone fat must be executed in place of the merchant’s father, who had died.

Each person was blamed by the one before, showing the absurdity of the judicial system in the Kingdom of Fools.

4. Who is the real culprit, according to the king? Why does he escape punishment?

Answer:
The real culprit, according to the king, is the merchant. However, he escapes punishment because the king decides the merchant is too thin to be executed. The king wants someone fatter who can fit the stake properly.

5. What are the Guru’s words of wisdom? When does the disciple remember them?

Answer:
The Guru's words of wisdom are: “This is a city of fools. You don’t know what they will do next. They are unpredictable.”
The disciple remembers these words when he is about to be executed, simply because he is fat enough to fit the stake. He realises the danger of living in a kingdom ruled by fools.

6. How does the Guru manage to save his disciple’s life?

Answer:
The Guru arrives in time and tricks the king by pretending that whoever dies first on the stake will be reborn as king or minister. The foolish king and his minister believe this and order themselves to be executed.
Thus, the disciple is saved, and the Guru outsmarts the fools using their own foolishness.

Extra Questions:

1. Why did the people in the Kingdom of Fools consider night as day and day as night?

Answer:
The king and his minister had passed an absurd law that everyone should sleep during the day and work only at night. They believed this made their kingdom unique and orderly, even though it was illogical.

2. What made the guru decide to leave the Kingdom of Fools?

Answer:
The guru realised that the kingdom was run by foolish rulers who enforced irrational laws. He understood that staying in such a place could be dangerous and unpredictable, so he decided to leave immediately.

3. Why did the disciple ignore the guru’s advice and stay behind?

Answer:
The disciple stayed behind because he was tempted by the low cost of food. As a glutton, he was more interested in satisfying his hunger than considering the danger in living among fools.

 

Value-Based Questions (VBQs)

1. Question:What lesson does the story teach about the consequences of greed?

Answer:
The story shows that greed can lead to serious trouble. The disciple ignored his guru’s wise advice and stayed back just because of the cheap food. His greed nearly cost him his life. This teaches that momentary pleasure should not come at the cost of safety and well-being.

HOTS (Higher Order Thinking Skills) Questions

1. Question:If the disciple had not become fat by overeating, how would the story have changed?

Answer:
If the disciple had not become fat, he would not have been selected for execution. The king might have looked for someone else, or no one might have been punished at all. The guru would not have needed to intervene, and the disciple might not have realised the danger of living among fools. The clever twist and the moral message would have been less impactful.