NCERT Textbook: Three Questions | English Honeycomb Class 7 PDF Download

 Page 1


1
Before you read
A king has three questions and he is seeking answers to
them. What are the questions? Does the king get what he
wants?
Three Questions
I
—————–
—————–
—————–
—————–
—————–
—————–
—————–
—————–
—————–
—————–
—————–
—————–
—————–
—————–
—————–
—————–
he thought came to a certain king that
he would never fail  if he knew three
things. These three things were: What is the right
time to begin something? Which people should
he listen to? What is the most important thing for
him to do?
The king, therefore, sent messengers
throughout his kingdom, promising a large sum
of money to anyone who would answer these
three questions.
Many wise men came to the king, but they all
answered his questions differently.
In reply to the first question, some said the
king must prepare a timetable, and then follow it
strictly. Only in this way, they said, could he do
everything at its proper time. Others said that it
was impossible to decide in advance the right time
for doing something. The king should notice all
that was going on, avoid foolish pleasures, and
T
Page 2


1
Before you read
A king has three questions and he is seeking answers to
them. What are the questions? Does the king get what he
wants?
Three Questions
I
—————–
—————–
—————–
—————–
—————–
—————–
—————–
—————–
—————–
—————–
—————–
—————–
—————–
—————–
—————–
—————–
he thought came to a certain king that
he would never fail  if he knew three
things. These three things were: What is the right
time to begin something? Which people should
he listen to? What is the most important thing for
him to do?
The king, therefore, sent messengers
throughout his kingdom, promising a large sum
of money to anyone who would answer these
three questions.
Many wise men came to the king, but they all
answered his questions differently.
In reply to the first question, some said the
king must prepare a timetable, and then follow it
strictly. Only in this way, they said, could he do
everything at its proper time. Others said that it
was impossible to decide in advance the right time
for doing something. The king should notice all
that was going on, avoid foolish pleasures, and
T
8/HONEYCOMB
always do whatever seemed necessary at that
time. Yet others said that the king needed a
council of wise men who would help him act at
the proper time. This was because one man
would find it impossible to decide correctly,
without help from others, the right time for
every action.
But then others said that there were some
things which could be urgent. These things could
not wait for the decision of the council. In order
to decide the right time for doing something, it is
necessary to look into the future. And only
magicians could do that. The king, therefore,
would have to go to magicians.
In their answers to the second question, some
said that the people most necessary to the king
were his councillors; others said, the priests. A
few others chose the doctors. And yet others said
that his soldiers were the most necessary.
To the third question, some said science.
Others chose fighting, and yet others religious
worship.
As the answers to his questions were so different,
the king was not satisfied and gave no reward.
Instead, he decided to seek the advice of a certain
hermit, who was widely known for his wisdom.
The hermit lived in a wood which he never
left. He saw no one but simple people, and so the
king put on ordinary clothes. Before he reached
the hermit’s hut the king left his horse with his
bodyguard, and went on alone.
As the king came near the hermit’s hut, he
saw the hermit digging the ground in front of his
council: a
group of
people
chosen to
give advice
or to make
rules
________________
________________
________________
________________
________________
________________
________________
_______________
councillors:
members of
the council
________________
________________
________________
________________
________________
________________
hermit:
a person
who lives
alone and
leads a
simple life
wood/woods:
a small
forest
Page 3


1
Before you read
A king has three questions and he is seeking answers to
them. What are the questions? Does the king get what he
wants?
Three Questions
I
—————–
—————–
—————–
—————–
—————–
—————–
—————–
—————–
—————–
—————–
—————–
—————–
—————–
—————–
—————–
—————–
he thought came to a certain king that
he would never fail  if he knew three
things. These three things were: What is the right
time to begin something? Which people should
he listen to? What is the most important thing for
him to do?
The king, therefore, sent messengers
throughout his kingdom, promising a large sum
of money to anyone who would answer these
three questions.
Many wise men came to the king, but they all
answered his questions differently.
In reply to the first question, some said the
king must prepare a timetable, and then follow it
strictly. Only in this way, they said, could he do
everything at its proper time. Others said that it
was impossible to decide in advance the right time
for doing something. The king should notice all
that was going on, avoid foolish pleasures, and
T
8/HONEYCOMB
always do whatever seemed necessary at that
time. Yet others said that the king needed a
council of wise men who would help him act at
the proper time. This was because one man
would find it impossible to decide correctly,
without help from others, the right time for
every action.
But then others said that there were some
things which could be urgent. These things could
not wait for the decision of the council. In order
to decide the right time for doing something, it is
necessary to look into the future. And only
magicians could do that. The king, therefore,
would have to go to magicians.
In their answers to the second question, some
said that the people most necessary to the king
were his councillors; others said, the priests. A
few others chose the doctors. And yet others said
that his soldiers were the most necessary.
To the third question, some said science.
Others chose fighting, and yet others religious
worship.
As the answers to his questions were so different,
the king was not satisfied and gave no reward.
Instead, he decided to seek the advice of a certain
hermit, who was widely known for his wisdom.
The hermit lived in a wood which he never
left. He saw no one but simple people, and so the
king put on ordinary clothes. Before he reached
the hermit’s hut the king left his horse with his
bodyguard, and went on alone.
As the king came near the hermit’s hut, he
saw the hermit digging the ground in front of his
council: a
group of
people
chosen to
give advice
or to make
rules
________________
________________
________________
________________
________________
________________
________________
_______________
councillors:
members of
the council
________________
________________
________________
________________
________________
________________
hermit:
a person
who lives
alone and
leads a
simple life
wood/woods:
a small
forest
THREE QUESTIONS/9
hut. He greeted the king and continued digging.
The hermit was old and weak, and as he worked,
he breathed heavily.
The king went up to the hermit and said, “I
have come to you, wise hermit, to ask you to
answer three questions: How can I learn to do
the right thing at the right time? Who are the
people I need most? And what affairs are the
most important?”
The hermit listened to the king, but did not
speak. He went on digging. “You are tired,” said
the king. “Let me take the spade and work in your
place.”
“Thanks,” said the hermit, giving the king his
spade. Then he sat down on the ground.
________________
________________
________________
________________
________________
________________
affairs:
things;
matters;
business
________________
________________
________________
________________
________________
Page 4


1
Before you read
A king has three questions and he is seeking answers to
them. What are the questions? Does the king get what he
wants?
Three Questions
I
—————–
—————–
—————–
—————–
—————–
—————–
—————–
—————–
—————–
—————–
—————–
—————–
—————–
—————–
—————–
—————–
he thought came to a certain king that
he would never fail  if he knew three
things. These three things were: What is the right
time to begin something? Which people should
he listen to? What is the most important thing for
him to do?
The king, therefore, sent messengers
throughout his kingdom, promising a large sum
of money to anyone who would answer these
three questions.
Many wise men came to the king, but they all
answered his questions differently.
In reply to the first question, some said the
king must prepare a timetable, and then follow it
strictly. Only in this way, they said, could he do
everything at its proper time. Others said that it
was impossible to decide in advance the right time
for doing something. The king should notice all
that was going on, avoid foolish pleasures, and
T
8/HONEYCOMB
always do whatever seemed necessary at that
time. Yet others said that the king needed a
council of wise men who would help him act at
the proper time. This was because one man
would find it impossible to decide correctly,
without help from others, the right time for
every action.
But then others said that there were some
things which could be urgent. These things could
not wait for the decision of the council. In order
to decide the right time for doing something, it is
necessary to look into the future. And only
magicians could do that. The king, therefore,
would have to go to magicians.
In their answers to the second question, some
said that the people most necessary to the king
were his councillors; others said, the priests. A
few others chose the doctors. And yet others said
that his soldiers were the most necessary.
To the third question, some said science.
Others chose fighting, and yet others religious
worship.
As the answers to his questions were so different,
the king was not satisfied and gave no reward.
Instead, he decided to seek the advice of a certain
hermit, who was widely known for his wisdom.
The hermit lived in a wood which he never
left. He saw no one but simple people, and so the
king put on ordinary clothes. Before he reached
the hermit’s hut the king left his horse with his
bodyguard, and went on alone.
As the king came near the hermit’s hut, he
saw the hermit digging the ground in front of his
council: a
group of
people
chosen to
give advice
or to make
rules
________________
________________
________________
________________
________________
________________
________________
_______________
councillors:
members of
the council
________________
________________
________________
________________
________________
________________
hermit:
a person
who lives
alone and
leads a
simple life
wood/woods:
a small
forest
THREE QUESTIONS/9
hut. He greeted the king and continued digging.
The hermit was old and weak, and as he worked,
he breathed heavily.
The king went up to the hermit and said, “I
have come to you, wise hermit, to ask you to
answer three questions: How can I learn to do
the right thing at the right time? Who are the
people I need most? And what affairs are the
most important?”
The hermit listened to the king, but did not
speak. He went on digging. “You are tired,” said
the king. “Let me take the spade and work in your
place.”
“Thanks,” said the hermit, giving the king his
spade. Then he sat down on the ground.
________________
________________
________________
________________
________________
________________
affairs:
things;
matters;
business
________________
________________
________________
________________
________________
10/HONEYCOMB
beds : small
patches of
ground for
plants
________________
________________
________________
________________
________________
________________
________________
________________
________________
________________
________________
________________
________________
________________
________________
________________
________________
________________
________________
________________
________________
________________
________________
________________
________________
________________
________________
fainted: lost
consciousness
When the king had dug two beds, he stopped
and repeated his questions. The hermit gave no
answer, but stood up, stretching out his hand for
the spade, and said, “Now you rest, and let me work.”
But the king did not give him the spade and
continued to dig.
One hour passed, then another. The sun went
down behind the trees, and at last the king stuck
the spade into the ground and said, “I came to
you, wise man, for an answer to my questions. If
you can give me no answer, tell me so and I will
return home.”
“Here comes someone running,” said the hermit.
Comprehension Check
1. Why did the king want to know answers to 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.
II
The king turned round and saw a bearded man
running towards them. His hands were pressed
against his stomach, from which blood was
flowing. When he reached the king he fainted and
fell to the ground. The king and the hermit
Page 5


1
Before you read
A king has three questions and he is seeking answers to
them. What are the questions? Does the king get what he
wants?
Three Questions
I
—————–
—————–
—————–
—————–
—————–
—————–
—————–
—————–
—————–
—————–
—————–
—————–
—————–
—————–
—————–
—————–
he thought came to a certain king that
he would never fail  if he knew three
things. These three things were: What is the right
time to begin something? Which people should
he listen to? What is the most important thing for
him to do?
The king, therefore, sent messengers
throughout his kingdom, promising a large sum
of money to anyone who would answer these
three questions.
Many wise men came to the king, but they all
answered his questions differently.
In reply to the first question, some said the
king must prepare a timetable, and then follow it
strictly. Only in this way, they said, could he do
everything at its proper time. Others said that it
was impossible to decide in advance the right time
for doing something. The king should notice all
that was going on, avoid foolish pleasures, and
T
8/HONEYCOMB
always do whatever seemed necessary at that
time. Yet others said that the king needed a
council of wise men who would help him act at
the proper time. This was because one man
would find it impossible to decide correctly,
without help from others, the right time for
every action.
But then others said that there were some
things which could be urgent. These things could
not wait for the decision of the council. In order
to decide the right time for doing something, it is
necessary to look into the future. And only
magicians could do that. The king, therefore,
would have to go to magicians.
In their answers to the second question, some
said that the people most necessary to the king
were his councillors; others said, the priests. A
few others chose the doctors. And yet others said
that his soldiers were the most necessary.
To the third question, some said science.
Others chose fighting, and yet others religious
worship.
As the answers to his questions were so different,
the king was not satisfied and gave no reward.
Instead, he decided to seek the advice of a certain
hermit, who was widely known for his wisdom.
The hermit lived in a wood which he never
left. He saw no one but simple people, and so the
king put on ordinary clothes. Before he reached
the hermit’s hut the king left his horse with his
bodyguard, and went on alone.
As the king came near the hermit’s hut, he
saw the hermit digging the ground in front of his
council: a
group of
people
chosen to
give advice
or to make
rules
________________
________________
________________
________________
________________
________________
________________
_______________
councillors:
members of
the council
________________
________________
________________
________________
________________
________________
hermit:
a person
who lives
alone and
leads a
simple life
wood/woods:
a small
forest
THREE QUESTIONS/9
hut. He greeted the king and continued digging.
The hermit was old and weak, and as he worked,
he breathed heavily.
The king went up to the hermit and said, “I
have come to you, wise hermit, to ask you to
answer three questions: How can I learn to do
the right thing at the right time? Who are the
people I need most? And what affairs are the
most important?”
The hermit listened to the king, but did not
speak. He went on digging. “You are tired,” said
the king. “Let me take the spade and work in your
place.”
“Thanks,” said the hermit, giving the king his
spade. Then he sat down on the ground.
________________
________________
________________
________________
________________
________________
affairs:
things;
matters;
business
________________
________________
________________
________________
________________
10/HONEYCOMB
beds : small
patches of
ground for
plants
________________
________________
________________
________________
________________
________________
________________
________________
________________
________________
________________
________________
________________
________________
________________
________________
________________
________________
________________
________________
________________
________________
________________
________________
________________
________________
________________
fainted: lost
consciousness
When the king had dug two beds, he stopped
and repeated his questions. The hermit gave no
answer, but stood up, stretching out his hand for
the spade, and said, “Now you rest, and let me work.”
But the king did not give him the spade and
continued to dig.
One hour passed, then another. The sun went
down behind the trees, and at last the king stuck
the spade into the ground and said, “I came to
you, wise man, for an answer to my questions. If
you can give me no answer, tell me so and I will
return home.”
“Here comes someone running,” said the hermit.
Comprehension Check
1. Why did the king want to know answers to 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.
II
The king turned round and saw a bearded man
running towards them. His hands were pressed
against his stomach, from which blood was
flowing. When he reached the king he fainted and
fell to the ground. The king and the hermit
THREE QUESTIONS/11
removed the man’s clothing and found a large
wound in his stomach. The king washed and
covered it with his handkerchief, but the blood
would not stop flowing. The king re-dressed the
wound until at last the bleeding stopped.
The man felt better and asked for something
to drink. The king brought fresh water and gave
it to him.  By this time the sun had set and the
air was cool. The king with the hermit’s help
carried the wounded man into the hut and laid
him on the bed. The man closed his eyes and
lay quiet. The king, tired by his walk and the
work he had done, lay down on the floor and
slept through the night. When he awoke, it was
several minutes before he could remember
re-dressed:
dressed
again
________________
________________
________________
________________
________________
________________
________________
_______________
________________
_______________
_______________