The Wit that Won Hearts NCERT Solutions | English Poorvi Class 8 - New NCERT PDF Download

Let us do these activities (Page 1)

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

Answer: Qualities of a person who uses wit: wise, clever, humorous, observant, charming, creative, confident

Reasons for choice:

• Wise: A witty person uses knowledge thoughtfully, like someone who calmly explains a complex idea in a simple, funny way during a group discussion, making everyone understand and smile.
• Clever: Wit involves quick thinking, such as a student solving a tricky puzzle in class by connecting unexpected clues, impressing peers with their sharpness.
• Humorous: A witty person lightens the mood, like a friend who tells a funny story during a boring school event, making everyone laugh and feel at ease.
• Observant: Wit requires noticing details, like spotting a teacher’s subtle smile and making a playful comment that cheers up the whole class.
• Charming: A witty person wins people over, like a classmate who uses kind, clever words to convince others to join a school project.
• Creative: Wit involves original ideas, such as inventing a funny game on the spot to entertain friends during a rainy lunch break.
• Confident: A witty person speaks boldly, like a student who confidently shares a clever joke during a school assembly, earning applause despite initial nerves.

2. Work in pairs and answer the riddles:

• I can be a friend or a foe, depending on how you use me. I can bring both joy or pain. what am I?
  Answer: Words. Words can be a friend when used kindly to bring joy, or a foe when used hurtfully to cause pain.
• What is always in front of you but can’t be seen?
  Answer: The future. It is always ahead in time but cannot be seen.
• What has to be shared before you can keep it?
  Answer: A secret. You must share it with someone (tell them) before you can keep it (maintain its confidentiality).
• I can be measured, but I cannot be touched. I can be spent, but I cannot be saved. What am I?
  Answer: Time. Time can be measured (e.g., in hours), cannot be touched, can be spent (e.g., on tasks), but cannot be saved for later use.

Discuss in Pairs (Page 2)

1. Why are qualities like humour and wit important in a person?
Ans: Humour and wit make a person fun to be around, help ease awkward or tense moments, and build stronger connections with others. For example, a witty joke during a boring school group project can lift everyone’s mood, encourage teamwork, and make tasks feel lighter, while clever ideas can spark creative solutions to everyday challenges, like finding a new way to organize a class event.

2. Why do you think kings and queens preferred to have witty people among their courtiers?
Ans: Kings and queens valued witty courtiers because they could lighten serious moments, offer smart solutions to tricky problems, and keep the court lively. For instance, a witty advisor might use a clever story to calm an angry ruler or suggest a unique plan to solve a kingdom’s issue, making them trusted allies who bring both wisdom and joy to the royal circle.

3. If you were asked to solve a disagreement between two people, what approach would you take?
Ans: I would listen calmly to both sides to understand their feelings, ask questions to clarify the issue, and suggest a fair solution that respects everyone’s views. For example, if two friends argue over who gets to lead a school play, I might propose they share the role or take turns, using a funny example like splitting a favorite snack to keep the mood light and friendly.

4. Have you ever been in a situation where a small misunderstanding led to a big problem? How was it resolved?
Ans: Once, I texted a friend a joke about being late, but they thought I was upset, leading to a week of awkward silence. I fixed it by meeting them in person, explaining the joke with a smile, and promising to be clearer next time, which brought us back to laughing together like before.

Let us discuss (Page 7)

1. Rectify the following false statements from the text:

1. The queen insulted the king by speaking against the quality of his poem.
   • Rectified: The queen did not insult the king or speak against his poem; she yawned due to exhaustion, which the king misinterpreted as disrespect.
2. Tenali Rama immediately went to the king and convinced him to talk to the queen.
   • Rectified: Tenali Rama did not immediately go to the king; he planned a strategic approach, using the paddy seed analogy in court to make the king realize his mistake.
3. The courtiers admired the king’s poem and praised his literary talent.
   • Rectified: The courtiers avoided the king and made excuses when he tried reciting his poem, indicating they did not admire it.
4. The ministers in the court were eager to hear Tenali Rama’s idea about paddy cultivation.
   • Rectified: The ministers and courtiers were skeptical and sarcastic about Tenali Rama’s idea, mocking his claim about the paddy seeds.
5. The king never realized his mistake and continued to stay angry with the queen.
   • Rectified: The king realized his mistake after Tenali Rama’s analogy, apologized to the queen, and reconciled with her.

Let us think and reflect (Page 7)

1. Read the extracts and answer the questions that follow:

Extract 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 queen believes only Tenali Rama can help because of his reputation for quick wit, clever problem-solving, and his special place in the king’s court as a trusted advisor who can influence the king subtly and effectively.

(ii) What does the queen’s statement, “If I had known this would happen, I would have chosen another day,” suggest about her feelings?
She is angry at the king for overreacting.     
A. She is angry at the king for overreacting
B. She regrets the unintended misunderstanding.      
C. She believes the poem was not worth listening to.      
D. She is worried that the ki

• Answer: B. She regrets the unintended misunderstanding.
• Explanation: The queen’s statement reflects regret for unintentionally causing the misunderstanding by yawning, indicating she wishes she had been more attentive to avoid the conflict.

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

• Tenali Rama’s response shows wisdom by acknowledging the complexity of the situation and the need for a thoughtful strategy rather than a hasty solution. His calm and calculated approach demonstrates his problem-solving skills, as he plans to address the king’s pride indirectly.

(iv) Fill in the blank by choosing the correct option:

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

Extract 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 his excessive pride in his poetry caused him to misinterpret the queen’s yawning as disrespect, leading to an unfair reaction and the quarrel.

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

• The queen says this to express her willingness to move past the conflict, showing forgiveness and a desire to restore their relationship. It also invites the king to agree to reconciliation, making it a mutual decision.

(iii) Fill in the blank by choosing the correct option:

• The king acknowledges that his pride clouded his judgement, which shows maturity and self-awareness. (intelligence and courage/maturity and self-awareness)

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

• The queen’s response shows her forgiving nature, as she graciously accepts the king’s apology and expresses eagerness to move forward positively.

II. Answer the following questions:

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

• The Vijayanagara Empire was considered to be in its Golden Era during Krishnadeva Raya’s reign (1509–29 CE) because it was a time of great wealth, cultural achievements, and flourishing art, literature, and architecture. Krishnadeva Raya, a wise and powerful monarch, was a patron of learning, supporting poets like the Ashtadiggajas, and his own works, such as Amuktamalyada, enriched the literary tradition.

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

• Tenali Ramakrishna gained a special place in the king’s court due to his quick wit, humour, and ability to provide clever solutions to seemingly insurmountable problems. As a poet and witty advisor among the Ashtadiggajas, his masterpieces and diplomatic problem-solving earned him the king’s trust and admiration.

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

• The quarrel cast a shadow over the palace, making the once cheerful corridors quiet and forlorn. The king’s absence and refusal to speak to the queen created a tense and somber atmosphere, affecting the overall mood of the palace.

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

• Tenali Rama used a metaphorical strategy by presenting a plateful of paddy seeds in court, claiming they could triple the yield. When challenged, he suggested that the success depended on the sower, humorously noting that yawning while sowing would scatter seeds unevenly. This analogy prompted the king to yawn and realize that yawning is natural, not disrespectful, leading him to reflect on his overreaction to the queen.

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

• The courtiers reacted with sarcasm and skepticism. One whispered that the seeds might be “magic” or grow without water, while another mocked that they were from the moon. Their snickers and murmurs reflected disbelief and amusement at Tenali Rama’s bold claim.

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

• The story concludes with the king apologizing to the queen, acknowledging his pride-driven mistake, and reconciling with her. The queen forgives him, and their bond is restored, with the palace returning to joy. Tenali Rama is rewarded for his wit. The lesson is that misunderstandings can escalate due to pride, but wit, humility, and understanding can resolve conflicts and restore harmony.

Let us learn (Pages 9–11)

I. Fill in the blanks and complete the paragraph:

• 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 a murmur swept through the room, making everyone feel uncomfortable. Just as things were getting serious, she made a clever remark and laughter rippled through the gathering, making everyone relaxed. The person who started the argument stormed off. Everyone disapproved of the action and a hush fell over. My mind raced back to how my mother had saved other situations like this. Without her, such moments would have cast a shadow over the gatherings. I hope that I grow up to be as witty as my mother.

II. Fill in the blanks with suitable sound words:(Note: The PDF lists only “murmur,” “snickers,” and “thud” in the box, but the context suggests other sound words may be expected. Since only these are provided, I’ll use them where applicable and suggest alternatives based on context.)

7. “Ah, I see it now!” she said stretching with a yawn as if it had taken her great effort.
8. A small breeze made the windows rattle, adding to the suspense of the moment.
9. “So, what’s the answer?” the students murmured, their voices filled with playful enthusiasm.
10. Leaning forward with a smile, Anaya whispered, “Sometimes, the trickiest questions have the simplest answers.”

III. Create new compound words by matching words in Column 1 with those in Column 2:(Note: The PDF does not provide the columns, so I’ll suggest plausible compound words based on the context and examples given, e.g., sunlight, courtroom, well-planned, paddy seeds.)

Sample Compound Words:

• Closed: sunlight, courtroom, bookshop
• Hyphenated: well-planned, quick-witted
• Open: paddy seeds, royal court

Fill in the blanks with the words created:

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

IV. Match the subordinate clauses (if clauses) in Column 1 with the appropriate main clauses in Column 2:(Note: The PDF does not provide the columns, so I’ll create logical matches based on the story’s context.)

Let us write (Pages 15–16)

Write a narrative essay based on any one of the situations given below:

• The Day I Learnt the Value of Teamwork

A Narrative Essay: The Day I Learnt the Value of Teamwork

One sunny afternoon, our school organized an inter-class relay race, and I was chosen as part of my class’s team. I was confident in my speed, having won individual races before, and I thought I could carry the team single-handedly. Little did I know, this day would teach me the true value of teamwork.

Our team consisted of four runners: me, Priya, Arjun, and Neha. During practice, I noticed Priya was slower than the rest, and I grew frustrated, believing she would hold us back. Instead of helping her, I focused on perfecting my own lap, thinking my speed would compensate for any weaknesses. On the day of the race, excitement buzzed through the school field, with cheering students and fluttering banners. Our team was ready, and I felt a surge of confidence as I took my position as the final runner.

The race began, and Neha started strong, passing the baton smoothly to Arjun. But when Arjun handed it to Priya, she fumbled slightly, losing a few seconds. My heart sank as I watched her struggle to keep pace. By the time she passed the baton to me, we were in third place. I sprinted with all my might, overtaking one runner but finishing just short of first. Disappointed, I blamed Priya silently, thinking her slow pace cost us the victory.

After the race, our coach called us together. Instead of scolding Priya, he praised her effort and pointed out that teamwork meant supporting each other, not just relying on individual strengths. He explained that if we had practiced as a team, helping Priya improve her speed or baton pass, we could have won. His words hit me hard. I realized my focus on myself had weakened the team.

Determined to make amends, I apologized to Priya and suggested we practice together for the next event. Over the next few weeks, we trained as a unit, encouraging each other and refining our coordination. In the next race, Priya’s improved baton pass and our synchronized efforts led us to first place. The cheers from our classmates felt sweeter than any individual victory.

That day, I learned that teamwork isn’t about being the fastest or the strongest—it’s about lifting each other up to achieve a common goal. This lesson has stayed with me, reminding me to value collaboration in every challenge I face.

Checklist for Narrative Essay Features:

1. Introduction
   • The essay begins with a clear and engaging opening.
   • The introduction sets the context for the narrative.
   • The central idea or purpose is clear.
2. Body of the essay
   • Events are narrated in a logical sequence.
   • Descriptive details are used.
   • Characters and settings are clearly described.
   • The narrator’s emotions or thoughts are shared.
   • The essay includes a challenge or a problem or a turning point.
3. Conclusion
   • The essay ends with an outcome.
   • A lesson or a message is clearly stated.
4. Writing Style
   • The tone is personal and engaging.
   • First person narration is used (e.g., ‘I’, ‘my’).
5. Language
   • The essay uses simple and clear language.
   • Grammar, punctuation, and spellings are correctly used.

Let us explore (Page 16)

I. Create a limerick:There once was a poet named Rama, Whose wit sparked a court full of drama. With a jest and a grin, He’d make kings laugh and spin, Solving quarrels with charm and no trauma!

II. Go to the library and read a story of your choice.

• (This is an activity for students to complete independently. A sample response could be: I read The Clever Fox from Aesop’s Fables. The theme is using intelligence to outsmart challenges. The interesting part was when the fox tricked the crow into dropping the cheese by flattering it.)

III. Make a list of stories of wit, humour, and wisdom.

• Sample list:
  • The Wit That Won Hearts (Tenali Rama)
  • Birbal’s Khichdi (Akbar and Birbal)
  • The Clever Fox (Aesop’s Fables)
  • The Wise Minister (Panchatantra)
  • The Monkey and the Crocodile (Panchatantra)