Chapter 12
Birbal and the Washerman
Q:1 Who are the main characters in the story?
Ans: The main characters are Emperor Akbar, his minister Birbal, Denu the washerman, Kusum (Denu’s wife), the courtiers, and the town-crier.
Q:2. What challenge did Akbar announce to the people of his kingdom?
Ans: Akbar announced that anyone who could stand in the cold water of the river in front of the palace all night would be amply rewarded.
Q:3 How did the town-crier inform the people about Akbar’s challenge?
Ans: The town-crier loudly beat his drum in the market, announcing the Emperor's challenge and repeating it in busy areas so everyone could hear.
Q:4 Why did Denu decide to accept the Emperor’s challenge?
Ans: Denu wanted to accept the challenge because he was poor, and winning the reward would help him and his family live a better life. He also felt confident as he was used to washing clothes in cold water every day.
Q:5 How did Kusum, Denu’s wife, react to his decision?
Ans: Kusum was worried and advised Denu not to risk his life, fearing the danger of standing in cold water all night.
Q:6 Describe Denu’s experience while standing in the river all night.
Ans: Denu stood shivering in the cold river through the whole night, despite people feeling sorry for him and asking him not to take the risk.
Q:7 How did the townspeople react when they saw Denu in the river?
Ans: People thought he was foolish and brave at the same time. They prayed for his safety and expressed concern for his life.
Q:8 How did Kusum feel when Denu completed the challenge?
Ans: Kusum felt extremely happy and relieved. She was proud of her husband for being brave and thanked God for keeping him safe.
Q:9 What happened when Denu and his family went to Akbar’s court for the reward?
Ans: Akbar wanted to reward Denu with a tray of gold coins. However, a courtier objected, claiming Denu did not deserve the reward because the palace lights kept him warm.
Q:10 Why did the courtiers think Denu did not deserve the reward?
Ans: They believed that Denu was not truly exposed to the cold because the palace lights provided warmth, so he had not suffered the real challenge.
Q:11 How did Akbar respond to the courtier’s objection?
Ans: Akbar agreed thoughtfully with the courtier and decided that there was no question of a reward, causing Denu to leave sadly.
Q:12 How did Birbal plan to correct this injustice?
Ans: Birbal invited Akbar to his house the next day, where he demonstrated that a cooking pot placed far above a fire cannot be cooked, proving that the palace lights could not have kept Denu warm.
Q:13 What lesson did Birbal teach Akbar with the cooking pot example?
Ans: Birbal showed that the light from the palace could not possibly keep Denu warm, so the washerman deserved the reward.
Q:14 What was Akbar’s reaction after Birbal explained the truth?
Ans: Akbar immediately realized his mistake and called Denu to the court to give him the gold coins he deserved.
Q:15 How did Denu and his family feel when they finally received the reward?
Ans: They felt extremely happy, grateful, and relieved. The people cheered, appreciating the justice done to Denu.
Q:16 What does this story teach us about fairness and justice?
Ans: The story teaches that true justice must be based on facts and fairness, and cleverness and wisdom can help correct wrong decisions.
Q:17 What qualities of Akbar are highlighted in the story?
Ans: Akbar is shown as generous, thoughtful, and willing to reward bravery, but he sometimes needed advice from wise ministers like Birbal.
Q:18 What qualities of Birbal are shown in the story?
Ans: Birbal is shown to be clever, wise, observant, and just. He ensured that the right decision was made to reward Denu.
Q:19 Why did Denu believe he could complete the challenge?
Ans: Denu believed he could complete the challenge because he was used to working in cold water daily as a washerman.
Q:20 How did the story describe Denu’s bravery?
Ans: The story highlighted Denu’s courage by showing him standing all night in cold water despite the risk to his life.
Q:21 What role did the town-crier play in the story?
Ans: The town-crier spread Akbar’s announcement throughout the town so people could learn about the challenge.
Q:22 How did Denu’s wife Kusum help him during this challenge?
Ans: Kusum worried for him and prayed throughout the night for his safety.
Q:23 Why did Birbal sit near the fire in his house the next day?
Ans: Birbal sat near the fire to show Akbar the principle that heat (or light) alone cannot cook a pot placed too far away, proving his point about Denu’s challenge.
Q:24 What reward was promised to the person who completed the challenge?
Ans: A tray full of gold coins was promised to the person who successfully stood in the river all night.
Q:25 How did the courtiers initially react to Denu’s success?
Ans: The courtiers objected to giving Denu the reward, arguing he had help from the palace lights.
Q:26 What lesson does Denu’s patience teach?
Ans: Denu’s patience teaches that calm perseverance and confidence in one’s own abilities can lead to success.
Q:27 How did Birbal ensure that justice was served?
Ans: Birbal cleverly used the cooking pot example to show that external light could not keep Denu warm, proving that he deserved the reward.
Q:28 What can we learn about problem-solving from Birbal?
Ans: We learn that observing carefully and using clever reasoning can help solve difficult problems fairly.
Q:29 Why was the story set during winter?
Ans: The winter setting emphasizes the cold challenge and highlights Denu’s bravery and endurance.
Q:30 What did the people in the marketplace think of Denu’s challenge?
Ans: They thought it was dangerous, and some felt sorry for him, calling it foolish to risk his life for money.
Q:31 How did Denu and Kusum react after hearing about the reward?
Ans: Denu felt confident and motivated to take the challenge, while Kusum was worried for his safety.
Q:32 How does this story reflect the qualities of a good ruler?
Ans: A good ruler, like Akbar, rewards bravery and fairness but also listens to wise advisors to ensure justice is done.
Q:33 What emotions are shown by Denu during the challenge?
Ans: Denu felt determination, bravery, and endurance as he stood in the river all night.
Q:34 Why did Akbar initially refuse to give the reward?
Ans: He initially refused because the courtiers argued that Denu received warmth from the palace lights, which he thought was a valid point.
Q:35 How does this story show Birbal’s loyalty to justice?
Ans: Birbal ensures that the poor washerman receives the reward he deserves, showing his loyalty to fairness and justice.
Q:36 What kind of reward system does Akbar use in the story?
Ans: Akbar uses a merit-based reward system, offering gold coins to anyone who demonstrates bravery and skill.
Q:37 How did Denu’s action benefit his family?
Ans: By completing the challenge and winning the reward, Denu secured financial stability for his family.
Q:38 What role does intelligence play in the story?
Ans: Intelligence, shown by Birbal, helps solve disputes and ensures that justice is served correctly.
Q:39 How do you think the courtiers felt when Birbal proved Denu deserved the reward?
Ans: They were surprised, impressed, and appreciative of Birbal’s cleverness and the justice done to Denu.
Q:40 Summarize the moral of the story in one sentence.
Ans: The story teaches that courage, fairness, and clever reasoning can overcome challenges and ensure justice.
Answer by Mrinmoee
