NCERT Class 8 English Chapter 1 The Wit that Won Hearts

By Parimol Roy / NCERT Class 8 English

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NCERT Class 8 English Chapter 1 The Wit that Won Hearts

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The Wit that Won Hearts

Chapter: 1

UNIT 1 WIT AND WISDOM

Let us do these activities before we read.

I. Select qualities of a person who uses wit from the box given below.

Wise	Serious	Clever
Powerful	Humorous	Stubborn
Courageous	Observant	Charming
Creative	Punctual	Confident
Energetic

Now, discuss reasons for your choice of qualities.

Ans: Wise, clever, humorous, observant, creative and confident.

Reason: These qualities help a person think quickly, understand situations, and give clever and humorous responses.

II. Work in pairs and answer the riddles that are given below. Share the answers with your classmates and teacher.

Ans:

Page 2

Discuss in Pairs

1. Why are qualities like humour and wit important in a person?

Ans: Humour and wit help a person handle difficult situations calmly, make others happy, and solve problems in a clever way.

2. Why do you think kings and queens preferred to have witty people among their courtiers?

Ans: Kings and queens preferred witty people because they could give clever advice, solve difficult problems, and make the court cheerful with their humour.

3. If you were asked to solve a disagreement between two people, what approach would you take?

Ans: I would listen to both people patiently, understand the reason for the disagreement, and help them find a fair and peaceful solution.

4. Have you ever been in a situation where a small misunderstanding led to a big problem? How was it resolved?

Ans: Yes, once a small misunderstanding caused an argument between two friends. We discussed the matter calmly, understood each other’s point of view, and apologised to one another. The problem was then resolved.

Page 7

Let us discuss

I. Rectify the following false statements from the text.

1. The queen insulted the king by speaking against the quality of his poem.

Ans: The queen did not insult the king. She yawned while he was reciting his poem, which he misunderstood as disrespect.

2. Tenali Rama immediately went to the king and convinced him to talk to the queen.

Ans: Tenali Rama planned a strategy and used the paddy-seed incident to make the king realise his mistake.

3. The courtiers admired the king’s poem and praised his literary talent.

Ans: The courtiers did not admire the king’s poem. They avoided him and made excuses when he recited it.

4. The ministers in the court were eager to hear Tenali Rama’s idea about paddy cultivation.

Ans: The ministers were discussing ways to improve paddy cultivation. They were not specifically waiting for Tenali Rama’s idea.

5. The king never realised his mistake and continued to stay angry with the queen.

Ans: The king realised his mistake, apologised to the queen, and ended their quarrel.

Let us think and reflect

I. Read the extracts and answer the questions that follow.

1. “… The king thought I was disrespecting his poem and stormed off. Since then, he has not spoken to me. If I had known this would happen I would have chosen another day. Help me, please, Rama. Only you can help the king understand.”

Rama nodded thoughtfully. “If you like, I will try my best to resolve this matter, Your Highness. But this needs a well-planned approach and I may need time to find the right strategy.”

(i) Why does the queen believe that only Tenali Rama can help the king understand?

Ans: The queen believes that only Tenali Rama can help the king because he is a brilliant and witty poet known for his clever solutions to difficult problems. She trusts his wisdom and ability to resolve the misunderstanding.

(ii) What does the queen’s statement, “If I had known this would happen, I would have chosen another day”, suggest about her feelings?

(A) She is angry at the king for overreacting.

(B) She regrets the unintended misunderstanding.

(D) She is worried that the king might pun.

Ans: (B) She regrets the unintended misunderstanding.

She feels sorry that her yawning was misunderstood by the king and wishes she had chosen another time to meet him.

(iii) How does Tenali Rama’s response reflect his wisdom and problem-solving skills?

Ans: Tenali Rama does not act hastily. He thinks carefully and says that the matter needs a well-planned approach and the right strategy. This shows that he is patient, thoughtful and skilled at solving problems.

(iv) Fill in the blank by choosing the correct option from those given in the brackets.

The king’s reaction shows that he is sensitive and _________ (has a lot of faith/takes great pride) in his poetry.

Ans: The king’s reaction shows that he is sensitive and takes great pride in his poetry.

2. That evening, the king approached the queen with a softened expression.

“Thirumalambal”, he began, his voice gentle, “I have been foolish. I see now that I overreacted. I let my pride blind me. I’m so sorry.”

The queen, who had longed for this moment, smiled and replied, “If you like, we can leave this quarrel behind us. I would very much like to listen to your poem.”

(i) Complete the following with a suitable explanation.

When the king said, “I let my pride blind me”, he means that ____.

Ans: He means that his pride prevented him from thinking clearly and made him misunderstand the queen’s actions.

(ii) Why does the queen say, “If you like, we can leave this quarrel behind us”?

Ans: The queen wants to forgive the king and end their quarrel so that they can restore their relationship and live happily again.

(iii) Fill in the blank by choosing the correct option from those given in the brackets.

The king acknowledges that his pride clouded his judgement, which shows _________.

Ans: maturity and self-awareness.

(iv) State any one characteristic that the queen’s response to the king’s apology shows about her.

Ans: The queen’s response shows that she is forgiving.

II. Answer the following questions.

1. Why was the Vijayanagara Empire considered to be in its ‘Golden Era’ during Krishnadeva Raya’s reign?

Ans: The Vijayanagara Empire was considered to be in its ‘Golden Era’ because art, literature and architecture flourished during Krishnadeva Raya’s reign. He was also a great patron of learning and a powerful ruler.

2. How did Tenali Ramakrishna gain a special place in the king’s court?

Ans: Tenali Ramakrishna gained a special place in the king’s court through his quick wit, humour and clever solutions to difficult problems. He served as both a poet and a witty advisor.

3. How did the quarrel between the king and the queen affect the palace?

Ans: The quarrel cast a shadow over the palace. The king stopped visiting the queen and speaking to her, making the once cheerful palace corridors quiet and lonely.

4. What strategy did Tenali Rama use to make the king realise his mistake?

Ans: Tenali Rama used a clever example of paddy seeds. He connected the problem of a person yawning while sowing seeds with the queen’s yawning while listening to the king’s poem. This made the king realise that yawning is natural and not a sign of disrespect.

5. What was the reaction of the courtiers when Tenali Rama introduced his ‘special’ paddy seeds?

Ans: The courtiers were sarcastic and amused. They joked that the seeds might be magic seeds or had come from the moon, and the court filled with laughter and snickers.

6. How does the story conclude, and what lesson can be learnt from it?

Ans: The story concludes with the king apologising to the queen and their quarrel being resolved. The palace once again became joyful. The story teaches us that we should not let pride or misunderstandings cloud our judgement and that wisdom and wit can help solve difficult problems.

Page 9

Let us learn

I. Fill in the blanks and complete the paragraph by choosing suitable expressions from the box given below.

My mother is quite witty, and her sense of humour always lightens stressful moments. Once, at a family dinner, an argument began over a minor issue, and 1. ________, making everyone feel uncomfortable. Just as things were getting serious, she made a clever remark and laughter 2. ________ the gathering, making everyone relaxed. The person who started the argument 3. ________. Everyone disapproved of the action and a 4. ________. My 5. ________ to how my mother had saved other situations like this. Without her, such moments would have 6. ________ over the gatherings. I hope that I grow up to be as witty as my mother.

Ans: My mother is quite witty, and her sense of humour always lightens stressful moments. Once, at a family dinner, an argument began over a minor issue, and 1. cast a shadow, making everyone feel uncomfortable. Just as things were getting serious, she made a clever remark and laughter 2. rippled through the gathering, making everyone relaxed. The person who started the argument 3. stormed off. Everyone disapproved of the action and a 4. hush fell over. My 5. mind raced back to how my mother had saved other situations like this. Without her, such moments would have 6. murmur swept through over the gatherings. I hope that I grow up to be as witty as my mother.

II. The writer uses words like ‘roared’, ‘murmur’ in the text to indicate the sound produced. Fill in the blanks with suitable sound words from the box given below. You may refer to a dictionary.

1. As the teacher began the riddle challenge, a __________ of excitement spread through the classroom.

Ans: Murmur.

2. Anaya __________ in relief—she loved riddles more than solving Mathematics problems.

Ans: Sighed.

3. ‘Think carefully,’ the teacher began to ___________, as she wrote a riddle on the board.

Ans: Mumble.

4. When the question was revealed, a few students __________, realising it wasn’t as easy as they had expected.

Ans: Gasped.

5. Some exchanged ____________, wondering if anyone at all would be able to solve it.

Ans: Whispers.

6. Just then, Anaya tapped her book on the desk with a small ___________, deep in thought.

Ans: Thud.

7. ‘Ah, I see it now!’ she said stretching with a ___________, as if it had taken her great effort.

Ans: Groan.

8. A small breeze made the windows __________, adding to the suspense of the moment.

Ans: Rattle.

9. ‘So, what’s the answer?’ the students ___________, their voices filled with playful enthusiasm.

Ans: Roared.

10. Leaning forward with a smile, Anaya __________, ‘Sometimes, the trickiest questions have the simplest answers.’

Ans: Whispered.

III. As you have learnt, a compound word is formed when two or more words are combined to create a new word with a distinct meaning. These are of three types: closed compounds (sunlight, courtroom), hyphenated compounds (well-planned), and open compounds (paddy seeds).

1. Create new compound words by matching words in Column 1 with those in Column 2.

Column 1	Column 2
(i) quick	A. hall
(ii) soft	B. tempered
(iii) common	C. spoken
(iv) house	D. blue
(v) book	E. store
(vi) ill	F. sense
(vii) sky	G. witted
(viii) dance	H. hold

Ans:

Column 1	Column 2
(i) quick	G. witted
(ii) soft	B. tempered
(iii) common	F. sense
(iv) house	H. hold
(v) book	E. store
(vi) ill	C. spoken
(vii) sky	D. blue
(viii) dance	A. hall

2. Fill in the blanks with the words created in the previous question.

Ravi was (i) __________, always speaking calmly even in arguments. He grew up in a lively (ii) __________, where he learned to handle different personalities. His friend Arun, however, was (iii) __________ and often lost his patience. Despite this, Arun admired Ravi’s (iv) __________ thinking. One evening, as they passed a (v) __________, they saw some performers rushing out. Ravi noticed that one of them dropped a (vi) __________ book on the ground. “Is this yours?” he asked. “Oh thank you, young man!” the performer smiled. “It’s a recent purchase from the (vii) __________ round the corner.” True to his nature Arun promptly said to Ravi, “It’s (viii) __________ that it’s not from a bakery but bookshop!” Ravi smiled and they walked on.

Ans: Ravi was (i) soft-tempered, always speaking calmly even in arguments. He grew up in a lively (ii) household, where he learned to handle different personalities. His friend Arun, however, was (iii) ill-spoken and often lost his patience. Despite this, Arun admired Ravi’s (iv) quick-witted thinking. One evening, as they passed a (v) dance hall, they saw some performers rushing out. Ravi noticed that one of them dropped a (vi) sky-blue book on the ground. “Is this yours?” he asked. “Oh thank you, young man!” the performer smiled. “It’s a recent purchase from the (vii) bookstore round the corner.” True to his nature Arun promptly said to Ravi, “It’s (viii) common sense that it’s not from a bakery but bookshop!” Ravi smiled and they walked on.

IV. Read the sentences from the text and their explanation given in the table below.

Sentences from the Text	Tenses	Explanation
1. If you like, I will try my best to resolve this matter.	Simple Present + Present Modal	The condition in the ‘if’ clause may or may not be fulfilled. The present tense refers only to a possible future action.
2. If, by chance something were to go wrong, our farmers would suffer.	Simple Past + Past Modal	The condition in the ‘if’ clause expresses a hypothetical or imaginary situation.
3. If I had known this would happen, I would have chosen another day.	Past Perfect + would have + Past Participle	The condition in the ‘if’ clause describes what the speaker would have done differently if the past situation had been different and it is impossible to rectify it in the present.

In sentence 1 ‘if you like’ is the subordinate clause (if clause) and ‘I will try my best to resolve this matter’ is the main clause.

Identify the subordinate and main clauses in sentences 2 and 3.

Ans:

Sentence	Subordinate Clause (If Clause)	Main Clause
2. If, by chance something were to go wrong, our farmers would suffer.	If, by chance something were to go wrong	Our farmers would suffer
3. If I had known this would happen, I would have chosen another day.	If I had known this would happen	I would have chosen another day

Now, match the subordinate clauses (if clauses) in Column 1 with the appropriate main clauses in Column 2 to make complete sentences.

Column 1 – If Clauses	Column 2 – Main Clauses
(i) If I had a magic wand,	A. We will go to the theatre.
(ii) If it rains tomorrow,	B. I would sneak into the secret room.
(iii) If you had listened carefully,	C. I would give myself wings.
(iv) If you finish your homework,	D. The boys would have woken up on time.
(v) If I were invisible,	E. We will stay indoors and play board games.
(vi) If the alarm had rung,	F. You would have solved the puzzle.

Ans:

Column 1	Column 2
(i) If I had a magic wand,	C. I would give myself wings.
(ii) If it rains tomorrow,	E. We will stay indoors and play board games.
(iii) If you had listened carefully,	F. You would have solved the puzzle.
(iv) If you finish your homework,	A. We will go to the theatre.
(v) If I were invisible,	B. I would sneak into the secret room.
(vi) If the alarm had rung,	D. The boys would have woken up on time.

V. Complete the following sentences appropriately with either the main clause or the subordinate clause (if clause).

1. Your teacher will be unhappy if _______________________.

Ans: Your teacher will be unhappy if you do not complete your homework.

2. They would have caught the train if _______________________.

Ans: They would have caught the train if they had reached the station on time.

3. _______________________ if you continue to stay up late every night.

Ans: You will feel tired if you continue to stay up late every night.

4. If she knew the answer, _______________________.

Ans: If she knew the answer, she would tell us.

5. _______________________ if she had studied harder.

Ans: She would have passed the examination if she had studied harder.

6. If I had a million rupees, _______________________.

Ans: If I had a million rupees, I would help the needy.

VI. Complete the following sentences. One example has been done for you.

1. If I were a tree, I would play with the wind and talk to the birds.

2. If I were the Head Teacher of my school, _______.

Ans: If I were the Head Teacher of my school, I would make the school a better place for students.

3. If I were a bird, _______.

Ans: If I were a bird, I would fly freely across the sky.

4. If I were a magician, _______.

Ans: If I were a magician, I would make everyone happy.

5. If I had studied harder, _______.

Ans: If I had studied harder, I would have scored better marks.

Let us listen

I. You will listen to a woman narrating a story. As you listen, fill in the blanks by selecting the correct options.

1. The rope tying the bundle of sticks was _____.

(i) Loose.

(ii) Thick.

(iii) Short.

Ans: (ii) Thick.

2. The scholar is finally referred to as ________.

(i) Irritable.

(ii) Mischievous.

(iii) Arrogant.

Ans: (iii) Arrogant.

II. You will once again listen to the story. As you listen, number the events of the story in the correct order of occurrence.

1. The great scholar was ashamed because he did not know what to say.

2. Rama accepted the challenge thrown by the visitor.

3. Rama had a bundle tied in silk when he came to the palace.

4. The king laughed at the explanation given by Rama.

5. The visitor wanted to show his superiority over others in the palace.

6. Rama showed the work to be a bundle of sticks tied together by a rope.

7. The king wanted to know more about the work mentioned by Rama.

8. The court scholars were afraid of the king’s anger.

Ans: 5. The visitor wanted to show his superiority over others in the palace.

8. The court scholars were afraid of the king’s anger.

2. Rama accepted the challenge thrown by the visitor.

3. Rama had a bundle tied in silk when he came to the palace.

7. The king wanted to know more about the work mentioned by Rama.

6. Rama showed the work to be a bundle of sticks tied together by a rope.

4. The king laughed at the explanation given by Rama.

1. The great scholar was ashamed because he did not know what to say.

A CONCRETE EXAMPLE

Page 19

Let us Discuss

I. Complete the following summary with exact words from the poem. One example has been done for you. Share your answers with your classmates and teacher.

The poem describes Mrs. Jones, the speaker’s next-door neighbour, who has a unique garden filled with 1. _________. Her garden includes a peculiar 2. _________, a pond, and a rockery, along with an unusual 3. _________ that she finds charming. Mrs. Jones plants tiny, 4. _________ plants between the stones, which the speaker thinks must be so small that they are planted with a 5. _________. One day, Mrs. Jones invites the speaker to see her garden, and they discuss a 6. _________ that Mrs. Jones treasures. When the speaker asks where the 7. _________ flower is, Mrs. Jones says that the speaker has been 8. _________ on it all along.

Ans: The poem describes Mrs. Jones, the speaker’s next-door neighbour, who has a unique garden filled with 1. stones. Her garden includes a peculiar 2. path, a pond, and a rockery, along with an unusual 3. sundial that she finds charming. Mrs. Jones plants tiny, 4. delicate plants between the stones, which the speaker thinks must be so small that they are planted with a 5. pin. One day, Mrs. Jones invites the speaker to see her garden, and they discuss a 6. flower that Mrs. Jones treasures. When the speaker asks where the 7. lovely flower is, Mrs. Jones says that the speaker has been 8. standing on it all along.

II. Select the correct option to fill in the blanks for the following sentences.

1. The tone of the poem is ____________.

(i) Mocking.

(ii) Humorous.

(iii) Mournful.

(iv) Amusing.

(v) Light-hearted.

A. (i), (ii), and (iii).

B. (i), (ii), and (v).

C. (ii), (iii), and (iv).

D. (ii), (iv), and (v).

Ans: D. (ii), (iv), and (v).

2. The speaker in the poem is ____________.

(i) Mrs. Jones.

(ii) The poet.

(iii) A gardener.

(iv) A child.

Ans: (iv) A child.

3. The rhyme scheme of the poem is __________.

(i) AABBCC.

(ii) ABABCC.

(iii) AABCAC.

(iv) ABBACC.

Ans: (i) AABBCC.

III. Complete the following sentences by choosing the correct answer given in the brackets.

1. The poet uses the word ‘stones’ in all stanzas in order to emphasise her ________. (obsession with a stony garden/pride in gardening skills)

Ans: Obsession with a stony garden.

2. The poet uses imagery to describe the features of the garden that help readers _____________. (understand Mrs. Jones’ love for plants/visualise the garden’s peculiar nature)

Ans: Visualise the garden’s peculiar nature.

IV. Pick examples of alliteration from the poem.

Ans: Examples of alliteration are “lovely thing” and “quarter of an hour.”

V. A refrain is a repeated line or phrase that appears in each stanza. Identify the refrain from the poem.

Ans: “My next-door neighbour, Mrs. Jones.”

VI. Irony is a literary device that emphasises the difference between what is expected and what actually happens.

Identify the line(s) from the poem that display situational irony.

Ans: “Where is this lovely thing?” I cried.

“You’re standing on it,” she replied.

VII. Complete the following sentences appropriately.

1. The word ‘concrete’ can refer to ______________ in Mrs. Jones’ garden.

Ans: The stones and concrete features in the garden.

2. The title also has a symbolic meaning, as the poem provides a clear or ‘concrete’ example of Mrs. Jones’ ______________ gardening habits.

Ans: Peculiar.

VIII. The title ‘A Concrete Example’ carries both literal and symbolic (metaphorical) meaning. Such word play is called a pun.

A pun is a figure of speech that uses words with multiple meanings or words that sound alike but have different meanings, creating a humorous effect.

Examples:

(i) I tried arguing with my pencil but it kept making sharp points.

(“Sharp points” refers to both the sharp tip of a pencil and strong points in an argument.)

Ans: “Sharp points” refers to both the sharp tip of a pencil and strong points in an argument.

(ii) My pencil and I had a disagreement but we finally got to the point.

(“Got to the point” refers to both solving an argument and reaching the pencil’s tip.)

Ans: “Got to the point” refers to both solving the disagreement and reaching the pointed tip of the pencil.

Page 20

Let us Think and Reflect

I. Read the given extract and answer the questions that follow.

1. My next-door neighbour, Mrs. Jones,

has got a garden full of stones:

A crazy path, a lily pond,

a rockery and, just beyond

A sundial with a strange device,

which Mrs. Jones thinks rather nice.

(i) What can be inferred about Mrs. Jones’s taste in gardening from the description of her garden being ‘full of stones’?

Ans: It can be inferred that Mrs. Jones has a unique and unusual taste in gardening. She prefers a garden with many stones and interesting features.

(ii) Identify whether the following statement is true or false.

The garden serves as a means to reveal more about Mrs. Jones herself.

Ans: True.

(iii) What does the poet mean by ‘crazy path’?

Ans: The poet means an unusual or irregular path in Mrs. Jones’s garden.

(iv) What does the sundial with a ‘strange device’ suggest about Mrs. Jones’ personality?

A. She has a fascination with unusual items.

B. She prefers traditional garden decorations.

C. She is uninterested in her garden’s appearance.

D. She likes modern and expensive items.

Ans: A. She has a fascination with unusual items.

II. Answer the following questions.

1. How does Mrs. Jones feel about her garden? Support your answer with evidence from the poem.

Ans: Mrs. Jones is very fond of her garden and takes pleasure in its unusual features. She thinks the sundial is “rather nice” and proudly shows her garden to the speaker.

2. Why do you think the speaker describes the plants as being so small that they could be planted with a pin?

Ans: The speaker describes the plants as extremely small to humorously show how tiny and delicate they are. This also highlights how unusual Mrs. Jones’s garden is.

3. What do we get to know about Mrs. Jones—based on her gardening style and her interaction with the speaker?

Ans: We learn that Mrs. Jones is unusual, imaginative and cheerful. She enjoys her unique garden and happily shares her interest in it with the speaker.

4. The poem portrays Mrs. Jones in a positive light. Support this statement.

Ans: The poem portrays Mrs. Jones positively because she is cheerful, friendly and passionate about her garden. She invites the speaker to see her garden and patiently discusses the flower with the speaker.

5. What does the poem tell us about the way people think differently about the world around them?

Ans: The poem shows that people can have different tastes and viewpoints. What seems unusual or unattractive to one person may be interesting and beautiful to another.

Let us Learn

I. Select the appropriate word from the brackets that correctly replaces the underlined word in the sentences from the text.

1. A sundial with a strange device,

(unusual, peculiar, new, rare, external)

Ans: Peculiar.

2. … which Mrs. Jones thinks rather nice.

(pleasant, superior, agreeable, gentle, charming)

Ans: Charming.

3. They are so delicate…

(delicious, fragile, dainty, graceful, weak)

Ans: Fragile.

4. “Where is this lovely thing?” I cried.

(exclaimed, wept, shouted, announced, whispered)

Ans: Exclaimed.

II. The ‘sundial’ is referred to as a ‘device’ in the poem. Work in pairs to infer the meaning of ‘device’. Share your thoughts with your classmates and teacher.

Column 1	Column 2	Column 3 – Example
1. Implement.	(i) Something that is electrical and is used to do work in the house.	Spade, knife.
2. Tool.	(ii) Something small that is mechanical or electronic.	Hammer.
3. Equipment.	(iii) Something that works on being moved by hand.	Cricket bat, helmet, batting gloves, etc.
4. Appliance.	(iv) A set of necessary items for a particular purpose.	Mixer grinder.
5. Gadget.	(v) Something used by hand to make or repair.	Mobile phone, laptop.

Ans: A device is a small mechanical or electronic instrument designed to perform a particular function.

Now, match the type of instruments in Column 1 with their definitions in Column 2. Add more examples in Column 3.

Column 1	Column 2	Column 3 – Examples
1. Implement	(iii) Something that works on being moved by hand.	Spade, knife, scissors.
2. Tool	(v) Something used by hand to make or repair.	Hammer, screwdriver, pliers.
3. Equipment	(iv) A set of necessary items for a particular purpose.	Cricket bat, helmet, batting gloves, etc.
4. Appliance	(i) Something that is electrical and is used to do work in the house.	Mixer grinder, washing machine, refrigerator.
5. Gadget	(ii) Something small that is mechanical or electronic.	Mobile phone, laptop, smartwatch.

III. Complete the table by making new words in Column 1 using the hints given in Column 2. Replace the first letter of the given word to create new words. One example has been done for you.

Column 1	Column 2
nice
(i) dice	Cut into small pieces.
(ii) ________	Grain that we cook.
(iii) ________	Plural of mouse.
(iv) ________	Bad habit.

Ans:

No.	Ans:
(ii)	Rice.
(iii)	Mice.
(iv)	Vice.

Column 1	Column 2
soil
(i) ________	Heat something.
(ii) ________	Work very hard.
(iii) ________	Length of wire in a circle.
(iv) ________	Sheets to wrap food items.

Ans:

No.	Ans:
(i)	Boil.
(ii)	Toil.
(iii)	Coil.
(iv)	Foil.

WISDOM PAVES THE WAY

Page 27

Let us do these activities before we read.

I. Why do we seek advice of the elderly in our family?

Ans: We seek the advice of the elderly because they have more life experience and wisdom. Their guidance helps us make better decisions and avoid mistakes.

II. Knowledge is about learning facts and information, while wisdom is about using that knowledge with good judgement.

Work in pairs. Read the following situations and classify each one as either ‘Knowledge’ or ‘Wisdom’. One example has been done for you.

1. Riya’s understanding of plant care helped her grow a healthy vegetable garden in her backyard.

2. Mr. Kumar values time with family over chasing wealth.

3. Karuna’s expertise in computer programming helped her develop a successful app.

4. Rohan understood the value of time management and created a timetable to complete his assignments systematically.

5. Ramesh chose to forgive his friend for a misunderstanding.

6. Ms. Vaijayanthi delivered a lecture on Indian Classical music at the cultural festival

Ans:

Knowledge	Wisdom
1. Riya’s understanding of plant care helped her grow a healthy vegetable garden in her backyard.	2. Mr. Kumar values time with family over chasing wealth.
3. Karuna’s expertise in computer programming helped her develop a successful app.	4. Rohan understood the value of time management and created a timetable to complete his assignments systematically.
6. Ms. Vaijayanthi delivered a lecture on Indian Classical music at the cultural festival.	5. Ramesh chose to forgive his friend for a misunderstanding.

Let us Discuss

I. Complete the following sentences with suitable reasons.

1. Shiv Datt said, “I believe it has been over a week, perhaps even longer,” because it had been a long time since they left the village.

2. Dev Datt said, “Indeed, we ought to be united in this hope. That is why we press on towards Ujjain,” because ___________________________.

Ans: because they hoped that the King of Ujjain would recognise their talents and appoint them to his service.

3. Har Datt said, “Look there, friends. A camel has passed this way. The tracks are fresh,” because ___________________________.

Ans: because he noticed the fresh camel tracks on the road.

4. Shiv Datt said, “It appears to be a merchant, running as if pursued by trouble,” because __________________________.

Ans: because the man appeared to be a distressed merchant running in haste.

5. The merchant said, “How could you possibly know that? The poor creature has been unwell for two weeks now. Surely you are a healer!” because _______________________.

Ans: because Dev Datt correctly guessed that the camel was suffering from stomach pain, even though they had not seen the camel.

6. Dev Datt said, “You are free to do as you wish, sir. If the King desires our presence, we shall be waiting under that banyan tree yonder,” because __________________________.

Ans: because they were confident that they had done nothing wrong and were willing to meet the King if he wanted to speak to them.

Let us Discuss

I. Arrange the following events in order of their occurrence from Scene II of the play. One example has been done for you. Share your answers with your classmates and teacher.

1. The King makes the four young men his advisers, impressed by their skills. (8)

2. Ram Datt explains how he infers from the tracks that the camel is lame.

3. The King asks the merchant to clearly state his accusation.

4. The King praises the young men for their observations and dismisses the merchant’s accusation.

5. Shiv Datt reveals that the camel is blind in its right eye as it had only chewed on the leaves on the left side of the road.

6. Dev Datt explains his observation about the camel’s pain and careful movement.

7. Har Datt clarifies how he knew that the camel has a short tail.

8. The merchant accuses the four men of knowing a lot about his missing camel.

Ans: (2) Ram Datt explains how he infers from the tracks that the camel is lame.

(5) Shiv Datt reveals that the camel is blind in its right eye as it had only chewed on the leaves on the left side of the road.

(7) Har Datt clarifies how he knew that the camel has a short tail.

(6) Dev Datt explains his observation about the camel’s pain and careful movement.

(3) The King asks the merchant to clearly state his accusation.

(8) The merchant accuses the four men of knowing a lot about his missing camel.

(4) The King praises the young men for their observations and dismisses the merchant’s accusation.

(1) The King makes the four young men his advisers, impressed by their skills.

Let us Think and Reflect

I. Read the given extracts and answer the questions that follow.

Dev Datt: Ten days are but a short span in the grand scheme of things. We may still have many more roads to wander before we find employment befitting all four of us.

Ram Datt: If only we could secure an audience with the King of Ujjain. I am confident he would recognise our talents and appoint us to his service.

Shiv Datt: I share your belief.

Dev Datt: Indeed, we ought to be united in this hope. That is why we press on towards Ujjain.

Har Datt: (Pausing thoughtfully) Gaining an audience with the King is no simple task. We need to devise a strategy.

(i) Identify the false statement from the two given below and rectify it.

A. Dev Datt believes that finding employment is an easy task.

B. Ram Datt is confident that the King would recognise their talents.

Ans: A. Dev Datt believes that finding employment is not an easy task. They may have to wander many more roads before finding suitable employment.

(ii) What does Ram Datt’s confidence in gaining the King’s recognition tell us about him?

Ans: It shows that Ram Datt is confident, hopeful and believes in his own abilities and talents.

(iii) Complete the sentence given below with the correct option.

In the line, ‘That’s why we press on towards Ujjain’, the phrase ‘press on’ refers to __________.

A. Walking with heavy steps.

B. Moving forward with determination.

C. Slowing down frequently for rest.

D. Stopping briefly to save time.

Ans: B. Moving forward with determination.

(iv) Har Datt says, “We need to devise a strategy.” What can be inferred about Har Datt’s character from his statement?

A. He is doubtful of their abilities and wants to give up.

B. He is eager to rush into the palace without preparation.

C. He is cautious and thoughtful, preferring to plan ahead.

D. He relies on others to make decisions for the group.

Ans: C. He is cautious and thoughtful, preferring to plan ahead.

2. Read the given extract and answer the questions that follow.

King: (To the four men) You have demonstrated remarkable intelligence and the ability to see beyond the obvious. Such minds are rare and highly valued in my court. I extend to you the honour of becoming my advisers. Your counsel shall guide my decisions, and your wisdom shall be a beacon for my kingdom. What do you say to my offer?

Ram Datt: (Stepping forward) Your Highness, it is an honour we had not dared to dream of.

(i) Select the option that is true for both Assertion (A) and Reason (R).

(A): The Merchant left the court feeling humbled and ashamed.

(R): The King commanded that the four wise men join his court.

A. Both (A) and (R) are true, and (R) is the correct explanation of (A).

B. Both (A) and (R) are true, but (R) is not the correct explanation of (A).

C. (A) is true, but (R) is false.

D. (A) is false, but (R) is true.

Ans: B. Both (A) and (R) are true, but (R) is not the correct explanation of (A).

(ii) Complete the following sentence by choosing the correct option.

The line, ‘See beyond the obvious’ means that the men had the ability to ______.

A. Challenge common beliefs with reasoning.

B. Interpret information in traditional ways.

C. Notice details that others might overlook.

D. Predict what is going to happen in the future.

Ans: C. Notice details that others might overlook.

(iii) Complete the following sentence with a suitable reason.

Ram Datt described the King’s offer as ‘an honour we had not dared to dream of’ because ___________.

Ans: because they had hoped only to gain employment in the King’s service, but the King unexpectedly offered them the honour of becoming his advisers.

(iv) How does the King’s offer to the four men reflect his values as a ruler?

Ans: The King’s offer shows that he values intelligence, wisdom and talent. He recognises and rewards capable people and is willing to accept their counsel for the good of his kingdom.

II. Answer the following questions.

1. What does the dusty road leading to Ujjain tell us about the challenges of the young men’s journey?

Ans: The dusty road shows that the young men’s journey was difficult and tiring. However, they remained determined and continued towards Ujjain in the hope of finding employment.

2. Why did the merchant become suspicious of the four men? What does this tell us about him?

Ans: The merchant became suspicious because the four men accurately described several features of his missing camel without having seen it. This made him think that they must have stolen it. It shows that he was suspicious and quick to judge.

3. How do the four young men’s observations about the camel serve as a turning point in the play?

Ans: Their observations reveal their remarkable intelligence and ability to notice small details. This leads the merchant to take them before the King, where their wisdom impresses the King and changes their lives.

4. Why did the King believe the four young men and not the merchant?

Ans: The King believed the four young men because they clearly explained how they had inferred each detail from the camel’s tracks and surroundings. Their logical observations proved that they had not seen or stolen the camel.

5. How does the capability of the four young men make them suitable to become advisors?

Ans: The four young men are intelligent, observant and capable of reasoning beyond the obvious. Their ability to analyse details and make logical conclusions makes them suitable to guide the King and advise him wisely.

6. Why does the merchant feel ashamed for accusing the four young men of stealing his camel? Explain in your own words.

Ans: The merchant feels ashamed because the four young men proved that their knowledge came from careful observation, not from seeing or stealing his camel. He realised that he had wrongly accused them without proper evidence.

Let us Learn

I. Complete the sentences by filling in the noun form of the textual words given in the brackets.

1. Some word games need a lot of thought and _________________ . (deduce)

Ans: Deduction.

2. We need to make close _________________ of animals in order to understand their behaviour. (observe)

Ans: Observation.

3. A detailed _________________ of the documents shows a lot of errors. (scrutinise)

Ans: Scrutiny.

4. You should not make any false _________________ against anyone. (accuse)

Ans: Accusation.

5. She was given an award in _________________ of her contribution to literature. (recognise)

Ans: Recognition.

Let us Learn

II. Match the expressions in Column 1 with their meanings in Column 2.

Column 1	Column 2
1. With all our hearts.	(i) Surprised.
2. To be precise.	(ii) Starts cheering together.
3. Gain an audience with.	(iii) Hidden information that is not obvious.
4. Catch his breath.	(iv) Exact and accurate.
5. Erupts in applause.	(v) Meeting or hearing someone.
6. Grand scheme of things.	(vi) Complete sincerity.
7. Taken aback.	(vii) To pause or rest for some time.
8. More than meets the eye.	(viii) Overall plan of life in a larger context.

Ans:

Column 1	Column 2
1. With all our hearts.	(vi) Complete sincerity.
2. To be precise.	(iv) Exact and accurate.
3. Gain an audience with.	(v) Meeting or hearing someone.
4. Catch his breath.	(vii) To pause or rest for some time.
5. Erupts in applause.	(ii) Starts cheering together.
6. Grand scheme of things.	(viii) Overall plan of life in a larger context.
7. Taken aback.	(i) Surprised.
8. More than meets the eye.	(iii) Hidden information that is not obvious.

III. Match the different meanings of ‘face’ and ‘bear’ with the correct usage in the sentences given in the table below.

Words	Meanings	Sentences
Face	1. (n.) The front part of a person’s head from the forehead to the chin.	(i) Ravi turned to face his father, when he was called.
Face	2. (v.) To be positioned with the face or front towards.	(ii) The face of the clock was painted red and blue.
Face	3. (v.) To deal with a difficult task or situation.	(iii) She has a round, smiling face.
Face	4. (n.) The front or surface of a thing.	(iv) We should be ready to face life’s challenges.
Bear	1. (v.) Tolerate.	(i) The trees that I planted in my garden took a long time to bear fruit.
Bear	2. (v.) Accept.	(ii) I spotted a bear on a wildlife safari.
Bear	3. (n.) A large heavy mammal.	(iii) Riya agreed to bear the responsibilities with confidence.
Bear	4. (v.) Produce; give birth to.	(iv) I can’t bear the sound of vehicles honking.

Ans:

Words	Meaning	Correct Sentence
Face	1. (n.) The front part of a person’s head from the forehead to the chin.	(iii) She has a round, smiling face.
Face	2. (v.) To be positioned with the face or front towards.	(i) Ravi turned to face his father, when he was called.
Face	3. (v.) To deal with a difficult task or situation.	(iv) We should be ready to face life’s challenges.
Face	4. (n.) The front or surface of a thing.	(ii) The face of the clock was painted red and blue.
Bear	1. (v.) Tolerate.	(iv) I can’t bear the sound of vehicles honking.
Bear	2. (v.) Accept.	(iii) Riya agreed to bear the responsibilities with confidence.
Bear	3. (n.) A large heavy mammal.	(ii) I spotted a bear on a wildlife safari.
Bear	4. (v.) Produce; give birth to.	(i) The trees that I planted in my garden took a long time to bear fruit.

IV. Match the highlighted words in the sentences in Column 1 with the functions they express in Column 2.

Column 1	Column 2
1. I will gladly pay your fee if you can cure it.	(i) Expression of disbelief.
2. You must have stolen it and sold it off.	(ii) Imagined (hypothetical) possibility.
3. You shall come with me to face the King!	(iii) Moral obligation or advice.
4. How could you possibly know that?	(iv) Challenge.
5. I am confident he would recognise our talents and appoint us to his service.	(v) Logical conclusion.
6. A camel with a long tail would have fended off these pests with ease.	(vi) Wish or hope.
7. They may tell us more than meets the eye.	(vii) Necessity.
8. May your wisdom shine upon Ujjain and guide us to prosperity.	(viii) Prediction.
9. Indeed, we ought to be united in this hope.	(ix) Willingness.
10. We need to devise a strategy.	(x) Command.
11. You speak of my camel as if it stood before you, yet you dare to claim not to have seen it!	(xi) Possibility.

Ans:

Column 1	Column 2
1. I will gladly pay your fee if you can cure it.	(ix) Willingness.
2. You must have stolen it and sold it off.	(v) Logical conclusion.
3. You shall come with me to face the King!	(x) Command.
4. How could you possibly know that?	(i) Expression of disbelief.
5. I am confident he would recognise our talents and appoint us to his service.	(vi) Wish or hope.
6. A camel with a long tail would have fended off these pests with ease.	(ii) Imagined (hypothetical) possibility.
7. They may tell us more than meets the eye.	(xi) Possibility.
8. May your wisdom shine upon Ujjain and guide us to prosperity.	(vi) Wish or hope.
9. Indeed, we ought to be united in this hope.	(iii) Moral obligation or advice.
10. We need to devise a strategy.	(vii) Necessity.
11. You speak of my camel as if it stood before you, yet you dare to claim not to have seen it!	(iv) Challenge.

V. Complete the following story with modal verbs in the box given below by using the clues from the functions given within brackets.

An old man, known for his wisdom, lived in a small village. One day, a young boy asked him, “How 1. _______ (ability) I become wise like you?” The old man smiled and said, “Wisdom 2._______ (necessity) be earned through patience. You 3. _______ (suggestion) listen, more than you speak.” The boy thought for a while and replied, “It 4. _______ (weak possibility) take years, but I’ll try.” The old man nodded. “You 5._______ (obligation) learn from your mistakes too. Wisdom 6. _______ (possibility) come slowly, but it always arrives for those who seek it.” The boy knew he 7. _______ (ability) become wise if he follows the old man’s advice.

Ans: An old man, known for his wisdom, lived in a small village. One day, a young boy asked him, “How can I become wise like you?” The old man smiled and said, “Wisdom must be earned through patience. You should listen, more than you speak.” The boy thought for a while and replied, “It might take years, but I’ll try.” The old man nodded. “You need to learn from your mistakes too. Wisdom may come slowly, but it always arrives for those who seek it.” The boy knew he could become wise if he followed the old man’s advice.

VI. Rewrite the following sentences using appropriate modal verbs.

1. It is advisable for you to think before you speak.

Ans: You should think before you speak.

2. It is unnecessary to worry about things beyond your control.

Ans: You need not worry about things beyond your control.

3. It is not possible for a person to gain experience without taking risks.

Ans: A person cannot gain experience without taking risks.

4. It is essential to treat others with kindness, even when they disagree with you.

Ans: You must treat others with kindness, even when they disagree with you.

5. It is not allowed to interrupt when someone else is speaking.

Ans: You must not interrupt when someone else is speaking.