Chapter 12
The Unlucky Face
1. Who was Hirachand and what was the common belief about him?
Answer: Hirachand was a merchant who lived in Delhi. People believed that if anyone saw his face early in the morning, that person would have to go without food for the entire day. This superstition made Hirachand unpopular and feared by many people, even though he had done nothing wrong.
2. Why did Akbar want to meet Hirachand?
Answer: Emperor Akbar heard the strange belief about Hirachand being unlucky. Being a wise ruler, Akbar wanted to find out whether the story was true or just a superstition. So, he ordered Hirachand to be brought before him.
3. What happened when Akbar saw Hirachand on his way to the dining room?
Answer: When Akbar was going to the dining room, Hirachand was brought before him. At the same time, a messenger informed Akbar that the queen was ill. Akbar immediately left Hirachand and went to attend to his sick wife.
4. Why could Akbar not eat his meal on time?
Answer: Akbar spent the whole morning with his sick queen. When he returned to the dining room, the food had become cold. He ordered fresh food, but it took a long time to prepare, and this delay affected his health.
5. What problem did Akbar face after waiting for his food?
Answer: After waiting too long for the fresh meal, Akbar began to feel sick. He suffered from stomach cramps, which made him uncomfortable and weak.
6. What advice did the royal doctor give to Akbar?
Answer: The royal doctor advised Akbar to take rest and not eat anything for the entire day. According to the doctor, fasting would help the stomach cramps go away and improve Akbar’s condition.
7. Why did Akbar say he had not eaten anything that day?
Answer: Akbar said he had not eaten anything because he was interrupted by the news of the queen’s illness and later became sick before he could eat. Therefore, the doctor’s advice meant he would go without food the whole day.
8. How did the doctor connect Akbar’s illness with superstition?
Answer: The doctor believed in superstition and said that Akbar’s bad luck was due to seeing an unlucky face in the morning. He asked Akbar whose face he had seen first that day.
9. What answer did Akbar give to the doctor?
Answer: Akbar replied that he had seen Hirachand’s face that morning. This made him believe that Hirachand was responsible for his suffering.
10. Why did Akbar become angry with Hirachand?
Answer: Akbar believed that Hirachand’s unlucky face had caused him to remain hungry and fall sick. In anger and superstition, he blamed Hirachand for his pain and suffering.
11. What punishment did Akbar order for Hirachand?
Answer: Akbar ordered that Hirachand should be put to death. He believed that killing Hirachand would punish the cause of his bad luck.
12. How did Hirachand react when he heard the punishment?
Answer: Hirachand was shocked and terrified. He fell at Akbar’s feet and begged for mercy. He pleaded that his wife and children would suffer if he was killed.
13. Why did Akbar refuse to listen to Hirachand?
Answer: Akbar was blinded by anger and superstition. He did not think logically and refused to listen to Hirachand’s pleas, believing that Hirachand was responsible for his misfortune.
14. What role did the guard play in the story?
Answer: The guard was responsible for taking Hirachand to prison. Though he followed orders, he felt sorry for Hirachand and wanted to help him.
15. Why was the guard afraid to help Hirachand directly?
Answer: The guard feared that if Akbar discovered his disobedience, he would be punished severely. Therefore, he could not help Hirachand openly.
16. How did the guard try to save Hirachand?
Answer: The guard suggested calling Birbal, who was known for his wisdom. He believed that only Birbal could think of a plan to save Hirachand.
17. How did Birbal react after hearing Hirachand’s story?
Answer: Birbal consoled Hirachand and told him not to worry. He assured him that if he followed his instructions carefully, his life would be saved.
18. What plan did Birbal make to save Hirachand?
Answer: Birbal advised Hirachand to speak cleverly before the emperor and turn the superstition against Akbar’s belief.
19. What was Hirachand’s last wish before execution?
Answer: Hirachand requested to see the emperor one last time before being executed.
20. What question did Hirachand ask Akbar?
Answer: Hirachand asked Akbar whether it was true that after seeing his face, the emperor had not eaten anything that day.
21. What reply did Akbar give to Hirachand?
Answer: Akbar replied that it was true and confirmed that he had not eaten anything the whole day.
22. How did Hirachand turn the situation in his favour?
Answer: Hirachand said that his fate was worse than Akbar’s because he had seen Akbar’s face and was now going to die. This statement made Akbar think deeply.
23. Why did Akbar realise someone had guided Hirachand?
Answer: Akbar realised that Hirachand was not intelligent enough to think of such a clever argument on his own. He suspected Birbal immediately.
24. How did Akbar confirm his suspicion?
Answer: Akbar questioned Hirachand, and Hirachand confessed that he had met Birbal.
25. What did Akbar say about Birbal’s action?
Answer: Akbar praised Birbal and said that he had saved him from killing an innocent man.
26. What decision did Akbar finally take?
Answer: Akbar ordered Hirachand to be released and sent him away safely with gifts.
27. What lesson did Akbar learn from the incident?
Answer: Akbar learned that superstition is harmful and that innocent people should not be punished based on false beliefs.
28. How does the story show the harm of superstitions?
Answer: The story shows that blind belief in superstitions almost led to the death of an innocent man and caused unnecessary suffering.
29. Why is Birbal shown as a wise man in the story?
Answer: Birbal used intelligence and logic to expose the foolishness of superstition and saved Hirachand without directly opposing the emperor.
30. What qualities of Akbar are revealed in the story?
Answer: Akbar is shown as powerful but sometimes influenced by superstition. However, he is also fair-minded and ready to admit his mistake.
31. Why is Hirachand called innocent?
Answer: Hirachand had done nothing wrong. The belief about his unlucky face was baseless, and he was punished for no fault of his own.
32. What does the story teach about justice?
Answer: The story teaches that justice should be based on reason and truth, not on blind beliefs or emotions.
33. How did Birbal’s idea save Hirachand’s life?
Answer: Birbal’s clever argument made Akbar realise the foolishness of blaming Hirachand, which led to Hirachand’s release.
34. What would have happened if Birbal had not helped?
Answer: If Birbal had not helped, Hirachand would have been executed unfairly due to superstition.
35. Why did Akbar reward Hirachand?
Answer: Akbar rewarded Hirachand to make up for the injustice done to him and to show regret for his mistake.
36. How does the story promote rational thinking?
Answer: The story encourages people to think logically and question superstitions instead of believing them blindly.
37. What role did fear play in the story?
Answer: Fear of superstition influenced Akbar, fear of punishment stopped the guard from helping directly, and fear of death troubled Hirachand.
38. Why is the title “The Unlucky Face” appropriate?
Answer: The title reflects the false belief about Hirachand’s face bringing bad luck, which is the central theme of the story.
39. Do you think Hirachand deserved punishment? Why or why not?
Answer: No, Hirachand did not deserve punishment because he was innocent and the belief against him was purely superstitious.
40. What is the main message of the story?
Answer: The main message of the story is that superstitions are dangerous, and wisdom, logic, and justice should guide human actions.
Answer by Mrinmoee
