Sample Reading Comprehension - 25 | Course for UPPSC Preparation - UPPSC (UP) PDF Download

Directions: Read the passage and answer the questions that follow:
Once upon a time, there lived a cruel lion by the name of Bhasuraka, in a dense forest. He was very powerful, ferocious and arrogant. He used to kill the other animals in the forest to gratify his hunger. His behaviour caused the other animals in the forest to worry. They were worried that after sometime none of them would be left alive. They discussed their problem amongst themselves and decided to hold a meeting with the Lion.
One day, as per the plan, all the animals of the forest gathered under a big tree. They invited the Lion, the king of the forest to attend the meeting. In the meeting, the representative of the animals said, “Your Majesty, we are grateful, that you are our king. We are all the more happy that you are attending this meeting”. The lion thanked them and replied, “What is the matter? Why have we gathered here?” One of the animals stood up and said, “Sir, its natural that you have to kill us for food. But killing more than what is required is not a good approach. If you go on killing the animals without any purpose, very soon a day will come, when there will be no animals left in the forest.” The Lion roared, “So what are you proposing?” One of the animals replied, “Your Majesty, we have already discussed the problem among ourselves and have come up with a solution. We have decided to send one animal daily to your den. You call kill and eat it, the way you like. This will also save you the trouble of hunting.” The Lion replied, “Fine, I agree to this proposal, but make sure that the animal reaches me on time, otherwise, I will kill all the animals of the forest.” The animals agreed.
From that day onwards, an animal was sent to the lion daily to become his meal. The Lion was very happy to have his food right before him without taking any pains of hunting. A day came when it was the turn of the rabbit to go to the lion’s den. The rabbit was old and wise. He was unwilling to go, but the other animals forced him to go. The rabbit’s thought of a plan that would save his life and the lives of the other animals in the forest. He took his own sweet time to go to the lion and reached the lion’s den a little later than the usual time.
The lion was getting impatient and he was extremely furious when he saw a small rabbit for his meal. He swore to kill all the animals. The rabbit with folded hands hesitatingly explained, “Your Majesty. I am not to be blamed for my delay. Actually, six rabbits were sent to make your meal, but five of them were killed and devoured by another lion. He also claimed to be the king of the forest. I have somehow escaped to reach here safely.
The lion howled in great anger and said, “Impossible, there cannot be another king of this forest. I’ll kill him. Take me to the place where you saw him.” The intelligent rabbit agreed and took the lion towards a deep well, filled with water. When they reached the well, the rabbit said. This is the place where he lives. He might be hiding inside.” The Lion looked into the well and saw his own reflection. He thought it was the other lion. The lion was furious and started growling. Naturally the image in the water, the other Lion, was also equally angry. In order to kill the other Lion, he jumped into the well and drowned. Thus, the jubilant rabbit saved all the animals from the lion and they all lived cheerfully thereafter.