Class:- 7 English (Honeycomb) Chapter - 1 Three Questions Summary, Word Meanings, NCERT Solutions & Frequently Asked Questions

 Class:- 7 English 

(Honeycomb)

Chapter - 1

Three Questions 

Summary, Word Meanings, NCERT Solutions & Frequently Asked Questions  

-- Summary --

⭐ Summary In English

• The King’s Mission:- Once there was a king who thought that to be a successful ruler he must know the answer of three questions. The questions were:- 

  -- What is the right time to begin something?

  -- Which people should he listen to?

  -- What is the most important thing for him to do?

• The Wise Men and their Solutions:- The king sent messengers in all directions to find people who could answer these questions. Many wise men came, but their answers were all different. For the first question some of them felt that the king should follow a timetable, while there were others who felt that it is not possible to decide the right time for doing something in advance.

Similarly, for the second question, some wise men said that the king should follow his councillors while others thought it was the priest whom the king should listen to. Then there were those who felt that it was the doctor the king should obey while there were many in favour of soldiers. For the third question some wise men said science should be of highest priority for the king while others said religion.

• The Hermit:- The king was not satisfied with these answers as they were so different from each other. He didn’t give any reward to anyone and thought to seek consultation of a wise hermit who lived in the jungle. The hermit will see only ordinary people so the king dressed up like a normal man, leaving behind his horse and bodyguards and went to the hermit’s hut. The hermit was an old man and was busy digging the ground in front of his house. The king told the hermit that he has come in search of answers for his three questions and repeated them.

The hermit didn’t respond and continued digging the ground. Sometime passed and the king seeing the hermit to be tired offered his help. The king continued digging the ground till evening. In the evening the king again requested the hermit to answer his questions, but at that moment someone came running towards the hermit’s hut.

• The King Sighed a Relief:- The king then went to look for the hermit who was sowing seeds in the beds that they have dug the day before. He requested the hermit for the last time to answer his questions. To this the hermit replied that the king has already found the answers. If he would not have pitied hermit’s condition the day before then the man would have attacked him on his way and he might have lost his life. So, the most important time was when he was digging the bed and the hermit was the most important man.

• The Wounded Man:- A man came running towards them with a hand on his wounded stomach. The king cleaned the wound and dressed the wound controlling the flow of blood. The man felt better and asked for some water. Hermit and the king took the man inside the house. The man was lying quiet inside the house and the tired king too fell asleep on the ground.

In the morning when the king opened his eyes he saw the wounded man asking for forgiveness. The man told the king that he had come to take revenge from him because the king had killed his brother and had taken away all his property. He wanted to kill the king while returning from the hermit’s place.

But the king’s bodyguards found him and wounded him. He would have died if the king would not have helped him. He regretted his thoughts of killing the king and promised to be his faithful servant. The king was pleased to turn his enemy into a friend. He forgave him and returned all his property. When the wounded man arrived, the most important time was when he was caring for him else he would have died of his wounds without the two of them reconciling for their acts. So at that moment, the wounded man was the most important man and nursing him was the most important business. The hermit said to the man that the most important time is now because it is the only time when we have the power to act. The most important person at a particular moment is we ourselves because future is unknown to all of us and there is always an uncertainty about meeting anyone else. The most important job is to do good to others because we have been sent to this world for this noble cause.

⭐ Summary In Hindi:- 

• राजा का लक्ष्य:- एक राजा था, जो यह मानता था कि एक सफल राजा बनने हेतु तीन सवालों के उत्तर जानना अति आवश्यक है। ये प्रश्न थे:- 

  -- किसी चीज को शुरू करने का सही समय क्या है?

  -- उसे किन लोगों की बात सुननी चाहिए?

  -- उसके लिए सबसे महत्वपूर्ण काम कौन-सा है?

• बुद्धिमान व्यक्ति तथा उनके उपाय:- राजा ने चारों तरफ अपने संदेशवाहक भेजे और इन प्रश्नों का सही उत्तर देने हेतु लोगों की तलाश करने को कहा। बहुत से बुद्धिमान व्यक्ति आए, पर सवालों के जो उत्तर उन्होंने दिए थे, वे बिल्कुल ही अलग थे। प्रथम प्रश्न के उत्तर में कुछ ने कहा कि राजा को एक तय समय-सारिणी का , पालन करना चाहिए, जबकि कुछ ने कहा कि यह निश्चित नहीं किया जा सकता है कि किसी कार्य को करने का सबसे उचित समय क्या है?

उसी प्रकार, दूसरे प्रश्न के उत्तर में कुछ ने कहा कि राजा को अपनी ‘मंत्रिपरिषद् की बात सुननी चाहिए, जबकि कुछ ने कहा कि उसे तो पुजारी की बात सुननी चाहिए। कुछ लोगों का मत था कि राजा को अपने डॉक्टर की बात सुननी चाहिए, जबकि कुछ और लोग यह मानते थे कि राजा को अपने सिपाही की बात सुननी चाहिए। तीसरे प्रश्न के उत्तर में कुछ बुद्धिमान व्यक्तियों ने कहा कि राजा का सबसे महत्वपूर्ण काम विज्ञान की प्राथमिकता होनी चाहिए, जबकि कुछ दूसरे लोगों ने कहा कि धर्म उनकी प्राथमिकता होनी चाहिए।

• तपस्वी:- राजा प्रश्नों के उत्तर में भिन्नता होने की वजह से संतुष्ट नहीं हुआ था। उसने उन बुद्धिमान व्यक्तियों में से किसी को भी कोई इनाम महीं दिया और तय किया कि वह जंगल में रहने वाले एक तपस्वी से सुझाव लेगा। तपस्वी केवल साधारण इंसानों से ही मिलता था, इसलिए राजा ने . अपने कपड़े साधारण इंसानों की ही भाँति पहने, अपने घोड़े व अंगरक्षकों को छोड़ दिया और तपस्वी की झोंपड़ी की ओर चल पड़ा। तपस्वी एक वृद्ध आदमी था और वह अपने घर के सामने एक गड्ढा खोद रहा था। राजा ने उस वृद्ध से कहा कि वह अपने प्रश्नों के उत्तर जानने आया है और उसने सभी प्रश्न दोहराए।

तपस्वी ने बिना जवाब दिए ही गड्ढा खोदना जारी रखा। कुछ वक्त बीत जाने पर जब तपस्वी थक गया, तो राजा ने उसे अपनी मदद का प्रस्ताव दिया। राजा शाम तक गड्ढा खोदता रहा। शाम को राजा ने दोबारा तपस्वी से विनती की और अपने प्रश्नों के उत्तर माँगे, पर उसी समय तपस्वी की झोंपड़ी की ओर एक व्यक्ति भागता हुआ आया।

• एक घायल व्यक्ति:- एक व्यक्ति भागता हुआ उनकी तरफ आया, जिसने अपना एक हाथ अपने घायल पेट पर रखा हुआ था। राजा ने जख्म को साफ कर दिया तथा खून के बहाव को रोकने के लिए उसके जख्म पर एक पट्टी बाँध दी। इंसान ने थोड़ी-सी राहत महसूस की तथा पानी माँगा। राजा और तपस्वी ने मिलकर व्यक्ति को झोंपड़ी के अंदर पहुँचाया। व्यक्ति चुपचाप लेटा हुआ था और थके होने की वजह से राजा भी वहीं जमीन पर सो गया।

सुबह जब राजा की आँख खुली तो उसने घायल व्यक्ति को माफी माँगते हुए पाया। उस व्यक्ति ने राजा को बताया कि वह उससे बदला लेने के लिए आया था, क्योंकि उसने उसके भाई की हत्या की और उसकी सारी संपत्ति छीन ली थी। उसने राजा को तपस्वी के घर से लौटने के दौरान मारने का सोचा था, पर राजा के अंगरक्षकों ने उसे पकड़ लिया और उसे घायल कर दिया।

अगर राजा उसकी मदद न करता तो वह शायद मर जाता। उसने राजा को मारने की अपनी सोच पर अफसोस जताया और आजीवन उसका भरोसेमंद नौकर बनने का फैसला कर लिया। अपने शत्रु के मित्र बन जाने पर राजा बहुत ही खुश हुआ। उसने उसे माफ कर दिया तथा उसकी सारी संपत्ति भी उसे वापस लौटा दी ! 

• राजा ने राहत की साँस ली:- इसके बाद जब राजा तपस्वी को देखने बाहर आया, जो उस समय बीज बो रहा था। उन गड्ढों में जो पिछले दिन खोदे गए थे। राजा ने तपस्वी से आखिरी बार निवेदन किया और अपने प्रश्नों के उत्तर माँगे। जवाब में तपस्वी ने कहा कि उसे अपने प्रश्नों के उत्तर तो मिल चुके हैं। अगर उसने तपस्वी की दशा पर तरस न खाया होता, तो कल जब वह रास्ते से लौट रहा होता, तो वह व्यक्ति उस पर हमला कर देता और शायद उसकी जान भी चली जाती। अत: सबसे महत्वपूर्ण समय उस गड्ढे की खुदाई करने के दौरान था और तपस्वी उसका सबसे महत्वपूर्ण आदमी था। जब घायल व्यक्ति वहाँ पर आया तो महत्वपूर्ण . समय वह था।

जब वह उसकी देख-रेख कर रहा था और अगर ऐसा नहीं हुआ होता, तो वह व्यक्ति मर सकता था और वे दोनों अपनी करनी के लिए कभी मेल-मिलाप नहीं कर पाते। अत: उस वक्त पर वह घायल आदमी सबसे महत्वपूर्ण हो गया था और उसकी देख-रेख करना सबसे महत्वपूर्ण काम था। तपस्वी ने राजा से कहा कि सबसे महत्वपूर्ण समय ‘अभी’ है, क्योंकि बस इसी वक्त पर हमें काम करने के लिए तैयार रहना चाहिए। किसी समय पर सबसे महत्वपूर्ण व्यक्ति हम सभी हैं, क्योंकि भविष्य तो अविदित है और हम सभी को भविष्य को लेकर अनिश्चितता होती है कि हम कब, किस से मिल जाएँ? सबसे महत्वपूर्ण काम है-दूसरों का भला करना, क्योंकि हम इस संसार में इसी नेक काम के लिए आए हैं।

-- Moral -- 

We should live in the present moment, rather than grumbling about the past and being anxious about tomorrow.  

-- Word Meanings -- 

• Messengers - संदेशवाहक 

• Kingdom - साम्राज्य 

• Foolish - मूर्ख 

• Council – सभा 

• Look into - ध्यान देना 

• Magician - जादूगर 

• Priests - पुजारी 

• Hermit - संन्यासी 

• Wound - चोट / घाव 

• Heavily - बुरी तरह से 

• Spade - फावड़ा 

• Turn round - पीछे मुड़ना 

• Press - दबाना 

• Feel better - अच्छा महसूस करना 

• Awake - जागना 

• Swear - प्रतिज्ञा लेना

• Revenge - बदला 

• Look around - चारों ओर देखना 

-- NCERT Solutions --

Comprehension Check

Question 1:- Why did the king want to know answers to three questions?

Solution:- The king wanted to know answers of his three questions because he wanted to be a successful ruler.

Question 2:- Messengers were sent throughout the kingdom

a) to fetch wise men.

b) to find answers to the questions.

c) to look for the wise hermit.

d) to announce a reward for those who could answer the questions.

Solution:- b) to find answers to the questions.

Comprehension Check

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 beared man’s wound ……………….

Solution:- 

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 act 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.

Working with the Text

Answer the following questions.

Question 1:- Why was the king advised to go to the magicians?

Solution:- Some of the wise men thought that in order to decide right time for doing something, one must look into the future and only magicians were able to do that. So, they advised the king to go to the magicians.

Question 2:- In answer to the second question, whose advice did the people say would be important to the king?

Solution:- In answer to the second question some people, suggested to seek advice of councillors, the priest or the doctors or the soldiers.

Question 3:- What suggestions were made in answer to the third question?

Solution:- For the third question some people said science was the most important business while there were others who believed it was fighting and then there were those who believed religious worship should take the first place.

Question 4:- Did the wise men win the reward? If not, why not?

Solution:- No, the wise men didn’t win the reward because their answers were so different from each other and king was not satisfied with their answers.

Question 5:- How did the king and the hermit help the wounded man?

Solution:- The king washed the wound and covered the wound of the man with his handkerchief and kept on dressing it until the bleeding stopped completely.

The king also offered the wounded man water to drink. The hermit helped the king to bring the wounded man inside his hut and allowed the man to spend his night in the hut.

Question 6:-

i) Who was the bearded man?

Solution:- The bearded man was an enemy of the king. He wanted to take revenge of his brother’s death by killing the king and taking away all his property.

ii) Why did he ask for the king’s forgiveness?

Solution:- The bearded man asked for the king’s forgiveness because he wanted to kill the king but the king has saved his life. He was grateful to the king now.

Question 7:- The king forgave the bearded man. What did he do to show his forgiveness?

Solution:- The king showed his forgiveness by promising the man that he will send his doctor and servants to look after him and also promised to return him all his property.

Question 8:- What were the hermit’s answers to the three questions? Write each answer separately. Which answers do you like the most and why?

Solution:- The most important time, the hermit said, is our present because it is the only moment when we have the power to act. The most important person at a moment is we ourselves because the future is unknown and we don’t know whether we will meet anyone in the future or not.

So, we should listen to ourselves.

The most important business is to be kind and good to others because we have been sent in this world to serve this noble cause.

I liked the third answer the most because helping someone in need is like serving God. It makes us a good person and brings a sense of satisfaction and contentment.

--Previous Year Questions--

Question 1:- Why did the king send two messengers throughout his kingdom?

Solution:- The king sent his messengers to look for wise people.

Question 2:- How did the king promise to reward the person who would answer his questions correctly?

Solution:- The king promised to reward the person with a huge sum of money.

Question 3:- Whose advice did the king finally think of seeking?

Solution:- The king finally thought of seeking the hermit’s advice who lived in a distant jungle.

Question 4:- Who did go alongwith the king to meet the hermit?

Solution:- No one went alongwith the king.

Question 5:- During which time of the day would the hermit would leave the forest and go out?

Solution:- The hermit never used to go out of the forest.

Question 6:- Why did the bearded man press his stomach with his hand?

Solution:- The bearded man pressed his stomach because he was wounded and wanted to stop blood flowing out from his wound.

Question 7.- Why was the king advised to listen to his soldiers?

Solution:- Some wise men thought that it were soldiers who used to fight wars for the king and help him extend his territory and power. So, according to them they thought soldiers were the most important people whom the king should follow.

Question 8.- Why did the king refuse to give reward to anyone?

Solution:- The king was not satisfied with the answers of the wise men.

They all had given different answers to the same questions because of which he was unable to come to a conclusion, so he refused giving the reward to anyone.

Question 9.- Why the king changed his clothes and left behind his bodyguards and horse before meeting the hermit?

Solution:- The king was aware that the hermit would meet only simple people.

So, he dressed up like an ordinary man, left behind his horse and bodyguards and went to meet the hermit in his hut in the woods all alone.

Question 10:- Describe the hermit in one or two sentences.

Solution:- The hermit was a weak old man and used to live amidst the woods which he would never leave. He was digging the ground in front of his hut for sowing seeds when the king arrived and the tedious task had made him tired.

Question 11:- “Here comes someone running”. Who has been referred to in this sentence?

Solution:- The bearded man is being referred to in these lines. He had planned to attack the king, but was instead attacked by the king’s bodyguards, as they had recognised him. He had received a wound in his stomach. He was rushing towards the hermit’s hut for help.

Question 12.- What were the replies the king received for his first question?

Solution:- In reply to his first question, the king was advised to follow a timetable by some men. There were some people who were of the opinion that it was impossible to decide the right time in advance. The king was suggested to keep a note of all the happenings around him, avoid indulging in excessive pleasure and do everything that seemed important at any particular time. Along with this he should have a team of intelligent people to guide to him to the right thing at the right time.

Question 13.- Describe the king in your own words.

Solution:- The king wanted to be a good ruler. He was seeking answers for the three questions which he thought would help him in his mission. The king was kindhearted, when he found the old man tired of digging the ground, he offered him his help. He kept on bandaging the bearded man’s wound until blood stopped coming out from it. He was down to earth, he dressed up like a common man and spent the night sleeping on floor at the hermit’s hut.

Question 14.- Describe the bearded man in your own words.

Solution:- The bearded man was courageous. He wanted to avenge his brother’s death killing the king. He lacked patience because when the king didn’t return by evening, he became anxious and left his hiding place. He was thankful and obliged by the king’s act.

He repented for his act and asked for forgiveness. He returned the favour by promising the king faithfulness of his entire family for the kingdom.

Question 15.- The king had done right things at the right time. Explain giving three examples.

Solution:- The king had known the hermit’s nature of meeting only ordinary men. So, he gave up his king’s attire, left behind his soldiers and the horse and went alone to meet him.

He offered the hermit his help in digging the ground. He did this till evening. This helped him avoid the attack planned by the bearded man.

He helped the bearded man bandaging his wound and offered him water. He saved his life. This helped him made friends with his enemy.

-- By Durgesh Pandey

(Eklavya Coaching Institute)

📞 8376976688, 9310533915

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