Sample Reading Comprehension - 29 | HPSC Preparation: All subjects - HPSC (Haryana) PDF Download

Directions: Read the passage and answer the questions that follow:
Amrutananda was a well-known and rich landlord in his village. He and his wife were both cunning and extremely sly. They made a lot of money by cheating and ill-treating their labourers who worked in their fields.
One day, a young man named Manikya came to Amrutananda, asking for work. Amrutananda was pleasantly surprised. No one ever wanted to work for him because of his reputation, and here was someone walking right into his house! Manikya’s next few words made him even happier. Manikya said, ‘I will work for you for free. You need not pay me a salary, only given me a place to sleep, two sets of clothes and two meals a day.’ Amrutananda was filled with Joy when he heard this and was about to agree, when Manikya added, ‘I have only one condition: I will tell you the truth always, but one day of the year I will lie to you’.
Amrutananda, who lied happily every day of the year, agreed to this odd condition. So Manikya joined him. He was a wonderful worker-hardworking and trustworthy. He was very honest and soon became Amrutananda’s right hand man. A year went by, and because of Manikya’s hard work, Amrutananda had am excellent harvest. He and his wife Mandakini, decided to have a big feast to celebrate. They invited all their relatives and friends, who came from across the village and outside to participate in this celebration. Everyone was looking forward to the delicious feast being planned. On the morning of the feast, Amrutananda decide he would also give away some gifts to his relatives, just so that he could show-off. So he set off for the market in his cart. As soon as he was out of sight, Manikya went running to his mistress, Mandakini. He wept loudly and beat his chest. Then he fell on the floor sobbing, and announced, ‘The master is dead.’ The cart overturned on the road. Our master has been flattened like a Chapatti” As soon as Amrutananda’s wife and relatives heard this, they started wailing. Maniyaka rushed out, saying he would bring back the body, while everyone started preparing for the last rites.
Maniyaka now went running to his master and said “Master! Your wife is dead. My kind, loving mistress is dead. A cobra bit her and she fell to the ground, as blue as the spring sky.” Amrutananda was stunned. His beloved Mandakini, his partner in all his schemes, was dead! He could’t believe it. He rushed back home shouting her name.
Mandakini was weeping loudly, sitting in the courtyard. When she saw her husband run in, she stopped mid – wail, and Amrutananda too, stood open-mounted and speechless. Then they fell into each other’s arms, unable to believe their eyes.
At once they turned to Manikya, “What is the meaning of this, Manikya?’ his master demanded in a stern voice. Manikya smiled, “Remember my condition, that I would lie only once in a year? Well, I choose today. You see what lies can do? They nearly destroyed your life. Now think about what happens to the people you lie to everyday. Saying this he walked out, leaving behind a stunned and ashamed landlord.