Introduction
In this chapter, there was a king who believed that he would never fail if he knew the answers to his three questions. To find the answers, the king sent messengers throughout the kingdom, with a guaranteed reward which was a large sum of money. However, the wise men who came forward were unable to answer his questions correctly.
Summary
A king thought of finding out answers to three questions so that he can never fail. These three questions 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 sent messengers throughout his kingdom to announce a reward for those who could answer the questions. Many wise men came but they all answered his questions differently.. But their answers were so varied that they did not satisfy the king. So the king decided to seek the advice of a wise hermit.
The hermit lived in the forest. He met only simple people. So, the king put on plain clothes and walked alone up to the house of the wise person.
When the king reached the hermit's hut, the hermit was digging the ground in front of his hut. He greeted the king and continued digging. The king requested him to answer his three questions. The hermit listened to the king, but did not speak. The hermit was old and weak. He was breathing heavily. Therefore, the king took the spade from him and started digging. The king continued digging the ground till evening. Again, the king repeated his questions.
At that moment, someone came running towards the hermit’s hut. His hands were pressed against his bleeding stomach. As he reached the king, he fainted and fell to the ground. The king dressed his wound. The king and the hermit carried him into the hut and laid him on the bed. Next morning the bearded man asked for the king's forgiveness. He told the king that he wanted to kill him because the king had killed his brother and seized his property. He wanted to kill the king while returning from the hermit’s place. But as king didn't return, so he left hiding-place and came upon king's bodyguard, who recognised the enemy and wounded him. After listening this, the king forgave the man and returned all his property.
Before leaving, the king wished once more to get answers to his questions. The hermit was sowing seeds in the beds. The king repeated his questions. The hermit answered the king, the most important time is now because it is the only time when we have the power to act. The most important person at a particular moment is we ourselves because future is unknown to all of us and there is always an uncertainty about meeting anyone else. The most important job is to do good to others because we have been sent to this world for this noble cause.
Theme/Message
In Three Questions by Leo Tolstoy, we have the theme of wisdom, knowledge, awareness, kindness, forgiveness and acceptance. Narrated in the third person by an unnamed narrator, the reader realises after reading the story that Tolstoy may be exploring the theme of wisdom.
List of Difficult Words With Meaning
Certain - Specific but not explicitly named or stated.
Advance - Before it happens.
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
Woods: A small forest
Beds : small patches of ground for plants
Fainted: lost consciousness