Chapter- 2.2               The Worth of a Fabric


 Question 1: Who was Thiruvalluvar?

Answer: Thiruvalluvar was a great Tamil Saint-poet who lived more than two thousand years ago and is known for his wisdom and teachings in the book ‘Thirukkural’.

Question 2: What is ‘Thirukkural’?
Answer: ‘Thirukkural’ is a book containing Thiruvalluvar’s teachings, which is greatly loved and respected even today.

Question 3: What was Thiruvalluvar’s profession?
Answer: Thiruvalluvar was a textile weaver; he wove beautiful fabrics and saris and sold them in the market.

Question 4: How did people describe Thiruvalluvar’s temperament?
Answer: People said he never got angry, never used bad words, and never shouted at anyone.

Question 5: Who was the young man in the town?
Answer: The young man was a rich and arrogant youth who wasted his time roaming with friends and often made fun of others.

Question 6: What did the young man plan to do?
Answer: He planned to make Thiruvalluvar angry by provoking him in the market.

Question 7: How did the young man approach Thiruvalluvar?
Answer: He went to Thiruvalluvar in the market, picked up a beautiful piece of fabric, and asked about its price.

Question 8: What was the price of the fabric?
Answer: Thiruvalluvar named the price as eight coins for the whole fabric.

Question 9: What did the young man do to the fabric?
Answer: He unfolded the fabric and tore it into two pieces, trying to challenge Thiruvalluvar.

Question 10: What question did the young man ask after tearing the fabric?
Answer: He asked, “What’s the price of this piece now?” trying to confuse or provoke Thiruvalluvar.

Question 11: How did Thiruvalluvar respond to the young man’s act?
Answer: Thiruvalluvar calmly replied, “One piece costs eight coins, and the other piece also costs eight coins,” showing his wisdom and patience.

Question 12: What lesson did Thiruvalluvar teach the young man?
Answer: He taught that damaging or breaking something does not reduce its true value; the worth of a thing remains the same.

Question 13: How did the young man behave in his usual life?
Answer: He behaved arrogantly, wasted time, and enjoyed mocking and provoking others.

Question 14: What moral does the story convey about anger and patience?
Answer: The story shows that patience and self-control are more powerful than reacting angrily to provocation.

Question 15: Why did the young man want to test Thiruvalluvar?
Answer: He wanted to see if Thiruvalluvar would lose his temper and prove that people’s praise of him was false.

Question 16: What does the story teach about material possessions?
Answer: It teaches that the true worth of material possessions remains constant and should be respected.

Question 17: How does Thiruvalluvar’s reaction reflect his character?
Answer: His calm and wise response reflects his patience, wisdom, and ability to remain unshaken by insults.

Question 18: What kind of person is Thiruvalluvar portrayed as?
Answer: Thiruvalluvar is portrayed as kind, wise, patient, and morally strong.

Question 19: How did the young man try to embarrass Thiruvalluvar?
Answer: By tearing the fabric in front of him and questioning its price, hoping to confuse or anger him.

Question 20: What can we learn about arrogance from the young man’s behavior?
Answer: Arrogance leads to foolish actions, and trying to provoke others often teaches a valuable lesson instead.

Question 21: How did Thiruvalluvar maintain his composure?
Answer: He maintained his composure by responding calmly and wisely, without showing anger or frustration.

Question 22: What is the significance of the fabric in the story?
Answer: The fabric symbolizes value, and how its worth does not decrease even if damaged, teaching a lesson about integrity and patience.

Question 23: What does the story say about provocation?
Answer: It shows that wise and patient individuals do not lose their temper when provoked.

Question 24: How did people react to Thiruvalluvar in general?
Answer: People admired and respected him for his wisdom, patience, and good behavior.

Question 25: What did the young man learn from this encounter?
Answer: He learned that true worth and moral strength are not affected by attempts to insult or provoke.

Question 26: How does this story teach us about moral strength?
Answer: Moral strength is shown through patience, calmness, and not giving in to anger or provocation.

Question 27: How long ago did Thiruvalluvar live?
Answer: Thiruvalluvar lived more than two thousand years ago.

Question 28: Why is Thiruvalluvar still respected today?
Answer: Because his teachings in ‘Thirukkural’ guide people in leading a virtuous, moral, and patient life.

Question 29: How does Thiruvalluvar’s behavior reflect his teachings?
Answer: His calm and patient reaction in the market reflects the values of patience, wisdom, and moral conduct taught in ‘Thirukkural’.

Question 30: What lesson does the story convey about reacting to insults?
Answer: The story conveys that staying calm and responding wisely is better than reacting angrily to insults.

Question 31: How is wisdom shown in this story?
Answer: Wisdom is shown through Thiruvalluvar’s understanding of true value and his calm response to the young man’s provocation.

Question 32: What does the story teach about self-control?
Answer: Self-control is important; it allows one to act with patience and dignity even in difficult situations.

Question 33: How is the young man portrayed in the story?
Answer: He is portrayed as arrogant, foolish, and disrespectful, trying to provoke someone he underestimated.

Question 34: What is the main message of the story?
Answer: The main message is that true worth, patience, and moral strength cannot be diminished by provocation or arrogance.

Question 35: Why is Thiruvalluvar’s calm response important?
Answer: It demonstrates the power of patience and wisdom over anger and impulsive reactions.

Question 36: How does the story highlight the contrast between the rich young man and Thiruvalluvar?
Answer: The young man is careless, arrogant, and disrespectful, while Thiruvalluvar is patient, wise, and morally upright.

Question 37: What does the story teach about the value of people versus material things?
Answer: It teaches that a person’s moral character and patience are far more valuable than material possessions.

Question 38: How does Thiruvalluvar’s profession relate to the story?
Answer: As a weaver, he created valuable fabrics, which become a tool to teach the young man a lesson about worth and respect.

Question 39: What kind of moral lessons can children learn from this story?
Answer: Children can learn about patience, self-control, respect for others, and the importance of moral strength.

Question 40: Summarize the story in one sentence.
Answer: The story teaches that true worth and moral strength remain constant, and patience and wisdom are more powerful than anger or provocation.

Answer by Dimpee bora