Chapter 4

                                                         Three Questions


Q1: Why did the king want to know three things, and what were they?

Ans: The king thought that if he knew three things, he would never fail in anything. The three things he wanted to know were: the right time for every action, the right people to listen to, and the most important thing to do at any moment. He believed that knowing these would make his rule perfect.

Q2: How did the king try to find answers to his three questions initially?

Ans: The king sent messengers throughout his kingdom, offering a large sum of money to anyone who could answer his questions. Many wise men came with their opinions, but their answers were all different and contradictory.

Q3: What were some of the answers given for the first question about the right time?

Ans: Some wise men suggested that the king should prepare a strict timetable and follow it. Others said the right time could not be decided in advance, so the king should act according to circumstances. Some proposed having a council of wise men or even magicians to predict the right time.

Q4: How did the answers differ for the second question about the most important people?

Ans: Different people suggested different answers: some said the king should listen to his advisers, some said his soldiers, while others had their own ideas. There was no agreement among them.

Q5: What were some of the opinions given for the third question about the most important affairs?

Ans: Some said science was most important, others suggested warfare, and some emphasized religious worship. The variety of answers left the king dissatisfied.

Q6: Why was the king not satisfied with the answers from the wise men?

Ans: The answers were contradictory and inconsistent. Since there was no clear or universally correct answer, the king could not rely on them and gave no reward to any of the men.

Q7: Where did the king decide to go to seek answers finally, and why?

Ans: The king decided to visit a hermit who lived in a wood and was known for his wisdom. The hermit was reputed to live a simple life, meeting only common people, and the king hoped he could give a straightforward answer.

Q8: How did the king prepare himself before meeting the hermit?

Ans: He dressed in very simple clothes, got off his horse before reaching the hermit’s hut, and left the horse with his bodyguard. He wanted to meet the hermit without any grandeur or royal pride.

Q9: What was the hermit doing when the king arrived, and how did he react to the king?

Ans: The hermit was digging the ground in front of his hut. He greeted the king politely but continued working, showing no special interest in the king’s questions.

Q10: How did the king try to help the hermit, and what did the hermit do?

Ans: The king offered to dig in place of the tired hermit. The hermit allowed him to use the spade while he rested, but when the king insisted on continuing, the hermit simply watched and continued with his simple, silent guidance.

Q11: How did the king behave while digging, and what did it reveal about him?

Ans: The king diligently dug the beds for the hermit, showing humility, patience, and a willingness to help others, even without receiving direct answers to his questions. This revealed his readiness to learn through action rather than words.

Q12: What event happened while the king was at the hermit’s hut that changed the course of the day?

Ans: A bearded man ran to the hut, bleeding heavily from a wound in his stomach. The king and the hermit immediately helped him, dressing his wounds carefully, which revealed the importance of acting in the moment to help someone in need.

Q13: How did the king nurse the wounded man, and what does this tell us about his character?

Ans: The king repeatedly cleaned and bandaged the man’s wound, brought him water, and ensured he was comfortable. This shows the king’s compassion, courage, and selflessness.

Q14: Who was the wounded man, and what was his initial intention?

Ans: The wounded man was an enemy of the king, who had sworn revenge because the king had put his brother to death and seized his property. He had planned to kill the king.

Q15: What realization did the enemy have after the king helped him?

Ans: The enemy realized that the king had saved his life despite their enmity. Moved by this act, he promised to serve the king faithfully as his most loyal servant.

Q16: How did the king respond to the enemy’s promise of loyalty?

Ans: The king forgave him and promised to restore his property and send a doctor to look after him. This act showed the power of kindness and forgiveness in turning an enemy into a friend.

Q17: How did the hermit explain the answers to the king’s questions?

Ans: The hermit explained that the answers had already been revealed through the king’s actions. The most important time was ‘NOW’, the most important person was the one you are with at the moment, and the most important business was to do good to that person.

Q18: Why did the hermit say ‘NOW’ is the most important time?

Ans: The hermit said that only ‘NOW’ matters because it is the only time when we have the power to act. The past is gone, and the future is uncertain, so action is only possible in the present.

Q19: Who was the most important person according to the hermit, and why?

Ans: The most important person is the one with whom you are at any given moment. This is because your actions toward that person have an immediate impact, and helping them is your most important duty.

Q20: What is the most important business according to the hermit?

Ans: The most important business is to do good to the most important person at the right time. Helping others and performing good deeds is the primary purpose of human life.

Q21: How did the king’s visit to the hermit teach him a practical lesson rather than a theoretical one?

Ans: Instead of being given verbal answers, the king learned through action—helping the hermit dig, and nursing the wounded man—that the right time, the most important person, and the most important business are revealed through compassion and action.

Q22: Why was the king’s bodyguard unable to stop the wounded man initially?

Ans: The bodyguard wounded the man in self-defense, but the man managed to escape. The king’s timely help prevented the enemy from dying and changed the course of events, showing that courage and quick action are critical.

Q23: How did the king demonstrate humility when dealing with the hermit?

Ans: The king wore simple clothes, left his horse with the bodyguard, and performed the hard labor of digging, showing that he did not rely on his royal status to command respect.

Q24: What does the king’s act of helping the wounded man show about leadership?

Ans: It demonstrates that true leadership involves service, compassion, and the ability to prioritize immediate needs over status or ego. Leaders earn respect through action, not just words.

Q25: How did the hermit’s teaching differ from traditional advice?

Ans: The hermit taught through example rather than theory. Instead of giving abstract answers about time, people, and priorities, he let the king experience the truth through practical actions.

Q26: How can the king’s experience be applied to real-life decision-making?

Ans: It shows that focusing on the present moment, valuing the people you are with, and prioritizing actions that do good are essential principles for making wise decisions in life.

Q27: How did forgiveness play a role in resolving conflict in the story?

Ans: By forgiving the enemy and helping him despite past grievances, the king transformed a potential threat into loyalty. Forgiveness led to peace and strengthened relationships.

Q28: What role does selflessness play in the story?

Ans: Selflessness is shown in the king’s willingness to help others without thinking of rewards or recognition. It highlights that doing good without expectation is central to wisdom and leadership.

Q29: Why is the lesson of ‘the most important time is NOW’ significant?

Ans: This lesson emphasizes that we cannot change the past or predict the future; meaningful action can only be taken in the present. Acting decisively in the moment can have life-changing consequences.

Q30: What qualities does the king display that make him a wise ruler?

Ans: The king shows humility, courage, patience, compassion, forgiveness, and the ability to act decisively. These qualities reflect practical wisdom and true leadership.

Answer by Mrinmoee