Chapter 3 

                                                          The Wise Man-II


1. Who were the two men watching Bhola in the market?

Answer: Two thugs were watching Bhola in the market while he was exchanging his things. They observed that he was simple and innocent, so they made a plan to deceive him and take advantage of his simplicity.

2. Why did the thugs plan to deceive Bhola?

Answer: The thugs thought that Bhola was foolish because he had exchanged a valuable horse for cheap mangoes. They believed they could easily trick him and win money by making a bet.

3. What did the first thug ask Bhola about the mangoes?

Answer: The first thug asked Bhola if he would sell the mangoes. However, Bhola clearly refused and said that the mangoes were meant for his wife.

4. Why did Bhola refuse to sell the mangoes?

Answer: Bhola refused to sell the mangoes because his wife loved mango chutney very much. He wanted to please her by bringing mangoes home.

5. What did the second thug say about Bhola’s wife?

Answer: The second thug said that Bhola’s wife would be angry when she saw that he had exchanged a valuable horse for cheap mangoes.

6. How did Bhola react when the thugs said his wife would be angry?

Answer: Bhola laughed and confidently said that his wife was obedient and always agreed with his decisions. He was certain she would not be angry.

7. What was the bet proposed by the thugs?

Answer: The thugs proposed that if Bhola’s wife did not get angry, they would give him one thousand rupees. But if she got angry, Bhola would have to give them the same amount.

8. Why was the bet risky for Bhola?

Answer: The bet was risky because one thousand rupees was a very large amount of money. If he lost, he would have to pay that money to the thugs.

9. Did Bhola accept the bet? Why?

Answer: Yes, Bhola accepted the bet because he had complete confidence in his wife and believed she would support his decisions.

10. With whom did Bhola return home?

Answer: Bhola returned home with the two strangers, who were actually the thugs.

11. How was Shanti feeling when Bhola returned home?

Answer: Shanti was eagerly waiting for Bhola. She was curious to know whether he had sold the horse and what he had brought home.

12. What was Shanti’s reaction when Bhola said he sold the horse for a donkey?

Answer: Shanti reacted positively and said that they could use the donkey in their field.

13. What did Shanti say when Bhola told her he exchanged the donkey for a sheep?

Answer: Shanti was happy and said they would get plenty of wool from the sheep.

14. How did Shanti react when Bhola said he sold the sheep for a hen?

Answer: Shanti praised Bhola and said that a hen was cheaper to feed than a sheep, and it was a wise decision.

15. What was Shanti’s reaction when Bhola said he exchanged the hen for mangoes?

Answer: Shanti said it was the best bargain of his life because she had been longing for mango chutney for many days.

16. What did Bhola ask Shanti to do with the mangoes?

Answer: Bhola asked Shanti to make two types of chutney – sweet chutney for them and sour chutney for his clever friends.

17. How did the thugs feel after hearing the conversation?

Answer: The thugs were surprised and shocked. They realized that their plan had failed.

18. Who won the bet?

Answer: Bhola won the bet because his wife did not get angry at all.

19. What did the thugs give Bhola after losing the bet?

Answer: The thugs gave Bhola one thousand rupees as agreed in the bet.

20. What did Bhola plan to do with the money?

Answer: Bhola planned to buy another horse with the money he won.

21. Why did the thugs fail in their plan?

Answer: The thugs failed because they underestimated Shanti’s trust and support for her husband.

22. What does the story teach about trust between husband and wife?

Answer: The story teaches that trust and understanding between husband and wife can overcome difficulties.

23. Why is the story titled The Wise Man?

Answer: The title is ironic because Bhola appears foolish in his exchanges, but in the end, his confidence and wisdom help him win.

24. What quality of Bhola helped him win the bet?

Answer: His confidence in his wife and his calm nature helped him win.

25. What lesson do the thugs learn in the end?

Answer: The thugs learn that they should not try to deceive innocent people.

26. What kind of person was Shanti?

Answer: Shanti was supportive, loving, and practical. She trusted her husband completely.

27. Why did Shanti never get angry?

Answer: She believed in her husband’s decisions and appreciated whatever he brought home.

28. How is this story connected to the previous lesson?

Answer: This lesson continues the story of Bhola’s exchanges and shows what happened when the thugs tried to trick him.

29. What is the main theme of the lesson?

Answer: The main theme is wisdom, trust, and the failure of dishonest plans.

30. What does the word “deceive” mean?

Answer: Deceive means to trick or cheat someone dishonestly.

31. Why were the thugs surprised?

Answer: They were surprised because Shanti reacted positively to every exchange.

32. How did Bhola show intelligence at the end?

Answer: He cleverly asked Shanti to make sour chutney for his clever friends, indirectly teasing the thugs.

33. Was Bhola truly foolish? Explain.

Answer: Though Bhola seemed foolish in business, he was wise in trusting his wife and understanding human nature.

34. What role did Shanti play in Bhola’s victory?

Answer: Shanti’s supportive attitude ensured that Bhola won the bet.

35. Why is the amount of one thousand rupees important in the story?

Answer: It shows the seriousness of the bet and the risk involved.

36. What does the story say about greed?

Answer: The story shows that greed leads to failure, as seen in the case of the thugs.

37. What moral value does this lesson give?

Answer: The moral value is that honesty, trust, and confidence can defeat dishonesty.

38. How did Bhola treat the thugs at his home?

Answer: He treated them politely and called them his new friends.

39. Why did Bhola laugh when the thugs said his wife would be angry?

Answer: He laughed because he was confident that his wife would never oppose his decision.

40. How does the story end?

Answer: The story ends with Bhola winning the bet, receiving one thousand rupees, and planning to buy another horse.

Answer by Mrinmoee