Three Questions
Answer: The king really wanted to know the answers to three questions. He believed that if he knew them, he would never fail.
2. Messengers were sent throughout the kingdom.
(i) to fetch wisemen
(ii) to find answers to the questions
(iii) to look for the wise hermit
(iv) to announce a reward for those who could answer the questions
(iv) to announce a reward for those who could answer the questions
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, but their answers were so varied that the king was not satisfied.
2. Someone suggested that there should be a council of wise men to help the king at the right time.
3. Someone else suggested that the king should have a timetable 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.
Answer the following questions
1. Why was the King advised to go to magicians ?
2. In answer to the second question, whose advice did the people say would be important to the king?
Answer: To answer the second question, some people suggested asking for advice from counselors, priests, doctors, or soldiers.
3. What suggestions were made in answer to the third question?
Answer: For the third question, some people said science was the most important thing to focus on. Others thought fighting was most important, and then there were those who believed religious worship should come first.
4. Did the wise men win the reward? If not, why not?
5. How did the king and the hermit help the wounded man?
(ii) Why did he ask for the king’s forgiveness?
7. The king forgave the bearded man. What did he do to show his forgiveness?
8. What were the hermit’s answers to the three questions? Write each answer separately. Which answers do you like the most and why?
1. The right time to do something is “now” because it’s the only time we can act.
2. The most important person is the one you’re with at that moment because we don’t know the future.
3. The most important thing is to do good to others because that’s our purpose on earth.
I prefer the hermit’s answer to the second question because it emphasizes the importance of being present with the person you’re with at that moment.
A | B |
wounded | got up from sleep |
awoke | give back |
forgive | small patches of ground for plants |
faithful | severely injured |
pity | pardon |
beds | loyal |
return | feel sorry for |
Use any three of the above words in sentences of your own. You may change the form of the word.
Answer:
A | B |
wounded | severely injured |
awoke | got up from sleep |
forgive | pardon |
faithful | loyal |
pity | feel sorry for |
beds | small patches of ground for plants |
return | give back |
Sentences with three words:
1. The faithful dog never left its owner’s side.
2. Each of the following sentences has two blanks. Fill in the blanks with appropriate forms of the word given in brackets.
He has promised to help me. Do you think he will remember his promise ?
(ii) I didn’t notice any serious difference of opinion among 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 foregiveness is as noble as willingness to forgive (forgive)

1. 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….
He looked tired, so I took the spade and dug for him. I asked my questions again. Then a bearded man arrived. I helped him with his wound and comforted him. The hermit gave him food and a place to stay. Before leaving, I asked the hermit my questions again. Finally, he gave me satisfying answers. By then, I had made peace with my enemy.
One day I was digging in my garden. A man in ordinary clothes came to see me. I knew it was the king
Answer: One day I was digging in my garden. A man in ordinary clothes came to see me. I knew it was the king. I kept digging and didn’t say anything. He asked me three questions,but I stayed silent. He then asked for my spade and started digging himself.
Suddenly, I noticed a bearded man approaching and signaled to the king. Together, we helped the wounded bearded man and took him into the hut. I gave him food, and he fell asleep. The king asked his questions again. Only then did I answer them to his satisfaction. He thanked me respectfully and left for his capital.