Chapter 1
Three Questions
Q:1 Why did the king feel the need to ask three questions?
A: The king wanted to know the right time to act, the most important people to consider, and the most important business to focus on. He believed that knowing these would help him make correct decisions and govern wisely.
Q:2What were the three questions the king wanted answers to?
A: The king’s three questions were: (1) When is the right time to do something? (2) Who are the most important people? (3) What is the most important thing to do?
Q:3 How did the king try to get answers initially?
A: The king sent messengers throughout his kingdom to fetch wise men and asked for their advice. He offered a reward for anyone who could answer his questions.
Q:4 Why were the answers given by the wise men not satisfactory to the king?
A: The wise men gave very different answers, reflecting their own ideas. Some suggested magicians, others councils, priests, soldiers, or science. Because their opinions were so varied, the king could not find a single clear answer and gave no reward.
Q:5 What suggestion did some people make about the king having a council?
A: Some people suggested that the king should have a council of wise men to help him make decisions at the right time, since one person alone could not always determine the best moment for every action.
Q: 6What was the suggestion regarding a timetable for the king?
A: Some advised that the king should have a timetable and follow it strictly to organize his duties properly.
Q:7 Why did some people think the king should consult magicians?
A: They believed that only magicians could foresee the future and determine the right time for important actions, which ordinary men could not know.
Q:8 How did the king feel after receiving the varied answers?
A: He was not satisfied because none of the answers gave him clear guidance. This motivated him to seek the advice of the wise hermit known for his simplicity and wisdom.
Q:9 Why did the king decide to visit the hermit personally?
A: The king wanted clear guidance, and the hermit was widely known for his wisdom. He hoped the hermit could answer his three questions better than the confused wise men.
Q:10 How did the king approach the hermit’s hut?
A: The king left his horse and bodyguard behind, wore ordinary clothes, and went alone to meet the hermit, showing humility and respect.
Q:11 What was the condition of the hermit when the king met him?
A: The hermit was old, weak, and busy digging the ground. He breathed heavily due to the physical labor.
Q:12 How did the king offer help to the hermit?
A: The king offered to take the spade and do the digging himself because the hermit looked tired. The hermit thanked him but asked him to rest while he worked.
Q:13 How long did the king work with the hermit?
A: The king worked for hours, digging the beds while the hermit continued his task, showing patience and diligence.
Q:14 Did the hermit immediately answer the king’s questions?
A: No, the hermit did not answer verbally. He let the king act first, and the answers became clear later through the king’s actions.
Q:15 Who came running toward the king and the hermit?
A: A bearded man came running, bleeding heavily from a wound in his stomach.
Q:16 What did the king do to help the wounded man?
A: The king washed and re-dressed the wound repeatedly until the bleeding stopped, then brought him fresh water and carried him into the hut with the hermit’s help.
Q:17 How did the king demonstrate courage and care?
A: He ignored the danger to himself and focused on helping a seriously wounded man, showing compassion, responsibility, and courage.
Q:18 Who was the wounded man?
A: He was an enemy of the king who had sworn revenge because the king had executed his brother and taken his property.
Q:19 How did the wounded man react to the king’s care?
A: The man was deeply moved and asked for forgiveness. He promised to serve the king faithfully and ensure his sons did the same.
Q:20 What was the king’s response to the enemy’s words?
A: The king forgave him, arranged for his property to be returned, and ensured the man received medical care, showing mercy and wisdom.
Q:21 How did this incident help answer the king’s questions?
A: It showed that the most important time is “now,” the most important person is the one you are with, and the most important business is to do good for that person.
Q:22 What did the hermit finally tell the king about the most important time?
A: The hermit explained that the most important time is the present, “Now,” because it is the only moment when we can act.
Q:23 According to the hermit, who is the most important person?
A: The most important person is the one you are with at a given moment, because we do not know who we will meet in the future.
Q:24 What is the most important business according to the hermit?
A: The most important business is to do good for the person you are with, as helping others is the purpose of life.
Q:25 How does this story teach about priorities in life?
A: It teaches that instead of worrying about the future or people far away, we should focus on doing good for those around us at the present moment.
Q:26 Why did the king only realize the answers through action?
A: The king learned by helping the hermit and the wounded man that wisdom comes from practical experience, not just theoretical knowledge.
Q:27 How is courage shown in the king’s actions?
A: Courage is shown when the king risked himself to help the wounded enemy, acting morally even in a dangerous situation.
Q:28 What role did compassion play in solving the king’s questions?
A: Compassion guided the king to act rightly—helping the weak and injured revealed the true answers to his philosophical questions.
Q:29 Why is “Now” considered the most important time?
A: Because the present is the only time when one can take action; past actions cannot be changed, and the future is uncertain.
Q:30 How did helping the wounded man change the enemy’s attitude?
A: The enemy became loyal and promised service, demonstrating that kindness can turn adversaries into friends.
Q:31 What were some of the varied suggestions given by people for the king’s three questions?
A: People suggested councils of wise men, priests, soldiers, science, or magicians to guide him, but the king found all answers insufficient.
Q:32 Why did the king choose to go alone to see the hermit?
A: He wanted to approach the hermit humbly, without the influence of guards or servants, showing respect and sincerity.
Q:33 How does the story highlight the importance of practical wisdom over theoretical knowledge?
A: The king received direct guidance through action rather than verbal answers, showing that real-life experience teaches more effectively than abstract advice.
Q:34 How did the hermit teach the king the value of helping others?
A: By allowing the king to dig beds for him and assist the wounded man, he demonstrated that acts of service reveal the true priorities in life.
Q:35 How does the story reflect the philosophy of Tolstoy about human conduct?
A: Tolstoy emphasizes moral action, compassion, and living in the present as the essence of wisdom and meaningful life.
Q:36 What lessons can children learn from the king’s example?
A: Children can learn the importance of helping others, being courageous, acting in the present, and valuing people around them.
Q:37 Why did the hermit consider himself the most important person at that moment?
A: Because the king’s act of helping him demonstrated that the person you are with at a particular time deserves your attention and kindness.
Q:38 How does forgiveness play a role in resolving conflicts in the story?
A: Forgiveness turns an enemy into a loyal friend and prevents further harm, showing that kindness can resolve conflicts peacefully.
Q:39 How does the story connect moral values with everyday actions?
A: By showing that small actions, like helping someone or digging a bed, can teach life lessons about compassion, priority, and responsibility.
Q:40 Summarize the main moral of “Three Questions.”
A: The story teaches that the most important time is now, the most important person is the one you are with, and the most important business is to do good for them. Life’s purpose is served through immediate, compassionate action.
Answer by Mrinmoee
