Chapter 9

                                                   BIRBAL'S WIT


1. What was the challenge set by Emperor Akbar?


Answer:Emperor Akbar set a strange and humorous challenge for his courtiers and the people of the capital. He asked them to count the exact number of crows present in the capital city by six o’clock in the evening. Whoever could give the correct answer would win a big prize.


2. Why was the challenge considered impossible?


Answer:The challenge was considered impossible because crows keep flying from one place to another. They never stay in one place, so counting them exactly is beyond human ability. That is why the courtiers felt the task could not be completed.


3. What prize did Akbar announce for the winner?


Answer:

Akbar announced a very attractive prize for the winner. The prize included 3000 gold coins and a bag of precious jewels. It was a reward “not to be sneezed at,” meaning it was very valuable.


4. How did the courtiers react to Akbar’s challenge?


Answer:The courtiers accepted their defeat immediately. They said the task was impossible and that they had tried but finally gave up. None of them wished to compete for the prize.


5. Why did the courtiers refuse to compete?


Answer:The courtiers refused to compete because they believed it was impossible to count all the crows in the capital. They did not want to waste their time on a task that could not be completed.


6. What was Raja Man Singh’s opinion about the challenge?


Answer:Raja Man Singh wondered whether Akbar really expected an answer or if the challenge was only a joke. This shows that even he felt the task was unrealistic.


7. Why was Akbar smiling when the challenge was discussed?


Answer:Akbar was smiling because he knew the task was nearly impossible. He also enjoyed testing the intelligence and wit of his courtiers, especially Birbal.


8. Where was Birbal when the challenge was announced?


Answer:Birbal was not present in the palace garden when the challenge was announced. The messenger said that Birbal had gone out and was very busy counting crows.


9. Why did Akbar find Birbal’s absence amusing?


Answer:Akbar found Birbal’s absence amusing because he believed Birbal had taken the challenge seriously in his own humorous way. Akbar expected something clever from Birbal.


10. What did Akbar say about the people of the capital?


Answer:Akbar jokingly said that thousands of people in the capital might be out counting crows because the prize money was very tempting.


11. What happened when the deadline was over?


Answer:When the deadline was over, Akbar asked the guards to open the gate. He expected people to come forward with answers, but no one was found outside the gate.


12. How did Akbar feel when no one appeared?


Answer:Akbar felt disappointed when no one came forward to compete for the prize. He had expected at least one person to try.


13. Who arrived at the palace at the last moment?


Answer:Akbar welcomed Birbal with laughter and delight. He joked that Birbal too must have failed to find the answer and asked whether the prize was too small to tempt him.


14. How did Akbar welcome Birbal?


Answer:Akbar welcomed Birbal with laughter and delight. He joked that Birbal too must have failed to find the answer and asked whether the prize was too small to tempt him.


15. What was Birbal’s reply to Akbar about the prize?


Answer:Birbal replied that a challenge is a challenge and that the amount of prize does not matter. He said that he had taken up the challenge seriously.


16. What exact answer did Birbal give?


Answer:Birbal confidently said that the exact number of crows in the capital at six o’clock that day was 21,412.


17. How did Birbal present his answer?


Answer:Birbal presented his answer with great confidence and style. He spoke clearly and boldly, showing no doubt about his answer.


18. Why was Akbar stunned after hearing Birbal’s answer?


Answer:Akbar was stunned because he did not really believe that anyone could count the crows exactly. Birbal’s confidence surprised him.


19. What suggestion did Akbar make after hearing the answer?


Answer:Akbar suggested checking the answer to see whether Birbal was telling the truth or not.


20. What clever explanation did Birbal give to defend his answer?


Answer:Birbal said that some crows might have flown out of the city to visit relatives, while some others might have flown in. Therefore, the number could never change, making his count correct.


21. Why was Birbal’s explanation humorous?


Answer:Birbal’s explanation was humorous because it was impossible to verify. It cleverly avoided being proven wrong.


22. Did Birbal really count the crows? Explain.


Answer:No, Birbal did not really count the crows. He used his intelligence and wit to give an answer that could never be checked.


23. What quality of Birbal is shown in this story?


Answer:The story shows Birbal’s sharp intelligence, quick thinking, confidence, and sense of humor.


24. How does Akbar react to Birbal’s cleverness?


Answer:Akbar laughs heartily and praises Birbal. He says that Birbal is the life of the court.


25. Why did Akbar order the prize to be brought?


Answer:Akbar ordered the prize to be brought because Birbal had successfully met the challenge using his wit.


26. What lesson does the story teach us?


Answer:The story teaches us that intelligence and presence of mind are more powerful than hard work alone.


27. Why is Birbal called witty?


Answer:Birbal is called witty because he solves problems using clever ideas and logical arguments rather than ordinary methods.


28. What does the story tell us about challenges?


Answer:The story tells us that challenges should be accepted with confidence and smart thinking.


29. Why is the play form effective for this story?


Answer:The play form makes the story lively and interesting through dialogues and expressions.


30. What role do the courtiers play in the story?


Answer:The courtiers highlight the difficulty of the challenge and help show Birbal’s superiority in intelligence.


31. How does Birbal’s answer differ from others?


Answer:Unlike others, Birbal does not give up. He uses logic and humor to answer the challenge.


32. Why is counting crows symbolic in the story?


Answer:Counting crows symbolizes an impossible task meant to test intelligence rather than effort.


33. What does “not to be sneezed at” mean in the story?


Answer:It means the prize was valuable and not something to be ignored.


34. Why is Birbal respected in Akbar’s court?


Answer:Birbal is respected because of his intelligence, honesty, and ability to solve difficult problems cleverly.


35. How does Birbal show confidence?


Answer:Birbal speaks firmly, gives an exact number, and defends it logically.


36. What would have happened if Akbar checked the number?


Answer:It would have been impossible to check, proving Birbal’s cleverness.


37. How does humor help Birbal succeed?


Answer:Humor helps Birbal confuse the problem and turn it in his favor.


38. Why does Akbar enjoy Birbal’s answers?


Answer:Akbar enjoys Birbal’s answers because they are intelligent, funny, and unexpected.


39. What kind of ruler does Akbar appear to be?


Answer:Akbar appears to be wise, playful, and appreciative of intelligence.


40. Why is this story popular among students?


Answer:This story is popular because it is entertaining, easy to understand, and teaches an important moral about wit and intelligence.

Answer by Mrinmoee