Chapter 2

                                                                    Say 'No'


1.Who was Gopal, and why was he the king’s favourite?

Ans: Gopal was a witty barber who had helped King Raja Krishna many times. The king loved him for his intelligence and cleverness. Whenever Gopal asked for something, the king never said 'NO' and trusted him completely, which made Gopal the king’s favourite.

2.Why were the king’s ministers and courtiers jealous of Gopal?

Ans: The ministers and courtiers were jealous because Gopal was clever and witty, and he always got the better of them in discussions. They felt overshadowed by his intelligence and feared that the king valued Gopal more than them.

3.What plan did the ministers and courtiers make to reduce Gopal’s influence?

Ans: They decided to ask the king to say 'NO' to whatever Gopal suggested, hoping this would prove that Gopal was not clever or witty and would prevent him from solving problems.

4.How did the king respond to the ministers’ suggestion to say ‘NO’ to Gopal?

Ans: The king agreed to their suggestion but secretly thought Gopal was very clever and would still outwit everyone. He wanted to test Gopal’s intelligence while entertaining the ministers’ plan.

5.How did Gopal sense that something unusual was happening in the court?

Ans: When Gopal arrived at the court, he noticed the ministers and courtiers giggling behind his back. He immediately realized there was a trick being played and decided to be cautious.

6.What discussion topic did the king raise in the court?

Ans: The king wanted to know how the people of his kingdom could be made wise and intelligent. He asked for suggestions on improving their knowledge and thinking abilities.

7.What was Gopal’s first suggestion to the king?

Ans: Gopal suggested that people should hold a friendly discussion every day for at least one hour. He believed that this would help them think clearly and gain confidence.

8.How did the king respond to Gopal’s suggestion and what was unusual about it?

Ans: The king flatly said "No," which was unusual because he had never refused anything Gopal suggested before. This puzzled Gopal and confirmed his suspicion of a plan by the ministers.

9.How did Gopal react to the king’s repeated ‘NOs’?

Ans: Gopal remained patient and quiet. He realized it was a plan by the ministers to test him, so he decided to wait for the right opportunity to turn the situation in his favor.

10.What idea did Gopal use to expose the ministers and courtiers?

Ans: Gopal cleverly requested that the king reward the ministers and courtiers with five hundred gold coins each, knowing they had wanted the king to say 'NO' to him. When the king said 'NO,' the ministers realized they had fallen into Gopal’s clever trap.

11.What was Gopal’s second request to the king for the ministers and courtiers?

Ans: He asked the king to give them fertile land in the kingdom, which again made the ministers happy, thinking they would benefit, but the king refused. This showed the ministers that Gopal was controlling the situation cleverly.

12.How did Gopal finally turn the ministers’ and courtiers’ plan against them?

Ans: Gopal suggested that the ministers and courtiers should work like farmers in the fields. The king agreed and said they should do it daily, making the ministers and courtiers regret their jealousy and plan.

13.What was the final reaction of the ministers and courtiers when Gopal’s plan succeeded?

Ans: They fell at the king’s feet, apologized, and admitted their mistake. They realized Gopal was still clever and witty, even when the king said 'NO' to everything.

14.Why did the king and Gopal laugh at the end of the story?

Ans: They laughed because the ministers and courtiers had been taught a clever lesson, showing that Gopal remained witty and intelligent despite the attempts to embarrass him.

15.What lesson does the story of Gopal teach about cleverness and patience?

Ans: The story teaches that wit and intelligence, combined with patience, can outsmart jealousy and scheming. Gopal demonstrated cleverness by waiting for the right moment to act.

16.How did the ministers’ jealousy affect their judgment?

Ans: Their jealousy blinded them to Gopal’s cleverness. They thought they could trick him, but they underestimated his intelligence, which led them into a trap.

17.What does the repeated use of the word ‘NO’ signify in the story?

Ans: The repeated ‘NO’ signifies the king’s plan to test Gopal’s wit. It created a situation where Gopal had to think cleverly to protect himself and expose the ministers’ trick.

18.Why did Gopal praise the ministers and courtiers before suggesting a punishment?

Ans: Gopal praised them to make them feel happy and secure, luring them into believing they would benefit, which made the king’s final ‘NO’ more effective as a lesson.

19.How did Gopal’s patience help him in the story?

Ans: Gopal did not react hastily to the king’s ‘NO.’ By waiting and observing, he was able to understand the ministers’ plan and turn it to his advantage.

20.What character traits of Gopal are highlighted in the story?

Ans: Gopal is shown as witty, intelligent, patient, observant, and clever in handling difficult situations.

21.How does the king demonstrate his trust in Gopal?

Ans: The king’s willingness to say ‘NO’ to test Gopal while knowing he would handle the situation wisely demonstrates his deep trust in Gopal’s cleverness.

22.What role do the ministers and courtiers play in creating conflict in the story?

Ans: They act as jealous antagonists, trying to undermine Gopal’s influence with the king. Their scheming creates the central conflict of the story.

23.How does Gopal use psychology to trick the ministers and courtiers?

Ans: Gopal plays on their greed and vanity. By praising them and offering rewards, he manipulates them into thinking they will benefit, only for the king to refuse in the end.

24.What does the story suggest about handling jealousy at court or in leadership?

Ans: The story suggests that patience, clever thinking, and strategic action are better than reacting angrily. Jealousy can be neutralized by intelligence.

25.How does the story use humor to convey its message?

Ans: Humor arises from the ministers’ foolish reactions, the repeated ‘NO,’ and Gopal’s clever manipulations, making the lesson entertaining and memorable.

26.What does the term ‘get the better of’ mean, and how is it shown in the story?

Ans: ‘Get the better of’ means to defeat or outsmart someone. Gopal gets the better of the ministers and courtiers every time they try to trick him.

27.What does ‘get away with’ mean in the context of the story?

Ans: ‘Get away with’ means to do something wrong without punishment. The courtiers initially thought Gopal might fail if the king said ‘NO,’ but Gopal outsmarted them instead.

28.How does Gopal maintain his composure when faced with unexpected challenges?

Ans: Gopal stays calm and observes carefully, analyzing the ministers’ motives. His composure allows him to act strategically and turn the situation in his favor.

29.Why is Gopal considered witty rather than simply intelligent?

Ans: Gopal is witty because he not only understands the situation but also responds cleverly and humorously, using strategy and psychology to outsmart the ministers.

30.How does the king reward cleverness in the story?

Ans: The king rewards cleverness by trusting Gopal completely and allowing him to manage the situation, even saying ‘NO’ to challenge him, showing that intelligence is valued.

Answer by Mrinmoee