Three Questions

Leo Tolstoy

The theme of the story is that everything happens for a reason, nothing happens purely by luck or chance. The right timing happens when it is supposed to happen, at an unknown time, and the everything happens in a specific time.

Summary

In the story Three Questions a king has three questions, obviously, that he needs answered. The first question is, when is the right time to do anything? The second question is, who are the most important people to turn to and to avoid. The third question is, what is most important thing to do. He calls various wise men to his side in order to get an answer to his questions. However, they all provide him with different and non-satisfying answers. He decides to dress as a commoner in order to visit a hermit, or a Wise Man. He goes to the woods with a bodyguard and tells him to stay and watch for followers. When the king sees the hermit the hermit is digging holes. The king asks his questions many times and helps the hermit shovel for a day. The next a man with a wound falls down in front of the king and hermit. They help him and it turns out that the man was a warrior from another kingdom. He said that the king killed his brother in battle. He came to kill the king but was wounded by his bodyguard. The man promises to be his most loyal servant for saving his life. The hermit then tells the man that his question was answered. The right time was when he had stayed longer than he expected to shovel(the right time was now). The right person was the hermit(the person whom you are with in the now). The most important thing to do was help the hermit(the thing that presents itself int the now)

 

Comprehension Check

1.Why did the king want to know answers to three questions?

Ans: The king wanted to know answers to three questions because of the thought came to his mind that he would never fail if he knew answers to these three questions.

 

2. Messengers were sent throughout the kingdom (i) to fetch wise men. (ii) to find answers to the questions. (iii) to look for the wise hermit. (iv) to announce a reward for those who could answer the questions. Mark your choice:

Ans: (iv) to announce a reward for those who could answer the questions.

 

Comprehension Check

Complete the following sentences by adding the appropriate parts of the sentences given in the box.

 1. Many wise men answered the king’s questions, ....... 2. Someone suggested that there should be a council of wise men ...... 3. Someone else suggested that the king should have a timetable ...... 4. The king requested the hermit ...... 5. The king washed and dressed the bearded man’s wound, ....... • but the bleeding would not stop. • to answer three questions. • but their answers were so varied that the king was not satisfied. • and follow it strictly. • to help the king act at the right time.

Ans:

 1. Many wise men answered the king’s questions, but their answers were so varied that the king wasn’t satisfied.

2. Someone suggested that there should be a council of wise men to help the king act at the right time.

3. Someone else suggested that the king should have a timetable and follow it strictly.

4. The king requested the hermit to answer three questions.

5. The king washed and dressed the bearded man’s wound, but the bleeding would not stop.

 

Working with the text Answer the following questions.

 

1. Why was the king advised to go to magicians?

Ans: In answer to the first question, in order to decide the right time for doing something urgent one must have to look into the future. Since only magician could do that, the king was advised to go to magicians.

 

2. In answer to the second question, whose advice did the people say would be important to the king?

Ans: In answers to the second question, some said that the people most necessary to the king were his councilors, others said, the priests. A few others chose the doctors. And yet others said that soldiers were the most necessary.

 

3. What suggestions were made in answer to the third question?

Ans: In answer to the third question, some said science will be most important. Others suggested fighting, and some said religious worship.

 

4. Did the wise men win the reward? If not, why not?

Ans: No, the wise men did not win the reward. The king got different for all the three questions he asked. He was not satisfied with any of them.

 

5. How did the king and the hermit help the wounded man?

Ans: The king and the hermit helped the wounded man by providing him the shelter and protected from the army. The king washed and covered the wound of the man with his handkerchief, but the blood would not stop flowing. The king re-dressed the wound until it stopped bleeding. They took him to hut for taking rest and king also gave him fresh water after being relaxed.

 

6. (i) Who was the bearded man? (ii) Why did he ask for the king’s forgiveness?

Ans: (i) Bearded man was the enemy of the king who swore to revenge him for seizing of his property and putting his brother to death. (ii) He asked for the king's forgiveness as the king had saved his life. He came there for taking revenge from the king but instead the king helped him to get better.

 

7. The king forgave the bearded man. What did he do to show his forgiveness?

Ans: The king showed his forgiveness by sending his servants and his own doctor to look after him, and he promised to give back the wounded man his property.

 

8. What were the hermit’s answers to the three questions? Write each answer separately. Which answer do you like most, and why?

Ans: In answer to king's first question, the hermit said that there is only one important time 'Now'. It is the only time when you have power to act. In answer to king's second question, the hermit said that the most important person is the one with whom we are at the present. In response to king's second question, the hermit answered that the most important thing to do is to do that person good. I like the answer of the first question the most because time has the supreme power. It can take you to height if you do something good and can also make you fall on ground if you won; t act in presence. One should live and act according to present.

 

Moral

The moral of the story is to live in the present moment, rather than grumbling about the past and being anxious about tomorrow. We ought to consider every person we meet in the moment as significant beings, whether it is a poor or a rich man.

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