Section – C
C.1. Do you know some kings or their ministers who were famous for their wisdom and cleverness? Discuss with your partner and write their names.
Answer – Emperor Akbar and Birbal
Chandragupta Maurya and Chanakya (also known as Kautilya or Vishnugupta)
King Krishnadevaraya and Tenali Ramakrishna
C.3. On the basis of your reading of the story, complete the following::
(i) Once Emperor Akbar asked Birbal to find him the five most foolish men in Agra.
(ii) Birbal agreed to do so and went out in search of foolish men.
(iii) When Birbal asked the first man why he was not using his hands, the man answered that he would lose the measurement of the length of cloth his wife wanted if he changed the position of his hands.
(iv) On the way, he met another man who was carrying a bundle of straw on his head while riding a horse.
(v) He asked him why he was carrying straw on his head. The second man answered that the horse was very old and weak and might die with the extra weight, as it already had to carry him.
(vi) The third foolish man was searching for his lost diamond ring under a street light.
(vii) According to Birbal, the last two most foolish men in Agra were Akbar and Birbal.
(viii) Birbal calls Akbar and himself foolish because Akbar set him such a foolish task, and Birbal foolishly carried out those orders.
C.4. Under Column ‘A’ below, you will find some words from the play and under Column ‘B’ their meanings. Match the meanings and the words.
- puddle – a small pool of water, especially rainwater
- bundle – a collection of things tied together
- spot – a particular place or area
- certainly – without doubt
- measurement – length and width, etc., found by measuring
C.5. Read the extract and answer the questions given below.
Birbal : What are you searching for?
Third Man: I have lost my diamond ring somewhere out there in the
darkness (pointing to a dark spot far away from where he is standing). Since I could not see over there, I am looking for my ring here in the light.
(i) What is the third man looking for?
Answer – The third man is looking for his lost diamond ring.
(ii) Where has he lost the ring?
Answer – He has lost the ring somewhere out there in the darkness, far away from where he is standing.
(iii) How do you know that he is foolish?
Answer – He is foolish because he is looking for his ring under a street light where there is light, even though he lost it in a dark spot far away, reasoning that he cannot see in the dark spot.
C.6 Life Skills
‘A pinch of humour and a dash of wit makes life sweet as sugar? Do you agree? Discuss with examples.
How does wit and humour make life easier?
Answer – Yes, I absolutely agree that ‘a pinch of humour and a dash of wit makes life sweet as sugar.’
Wit and humour are incredibly powerful tools that can make life significantly easier and more enjoyable. Here’s how:
- Stress Reduction: Laughter is a fantastic stress reliever. When you can find humour in a difficult situation, it changes your perspective and often reduces tension.
- Improved Relationships: Humour is a social lubricant. It helps people connect, break the ice, and build rapport.
- Problem-Solving and Creativity: Wit often involves looking at things from a different angle, which can spark creative solutions to problems. Sometimes, a humorous take on a challenge can reveal its absurdities and lead to an unexpected resolution.
In essence, wit and humour don’t just add sweetness to life; they also add strength, flexibility, and light-heartedness, making the journey much smoother.
C.7. Speak the word ‘length’.
The letter ‘g’ is silent. When the word ‘length’ is spoken, the ‘g’ sound is not uttered. Now speak the following words. Circle the silent letter or letters in each of these words.
- weight: weight (silent ‘gh’)
- half: half (silent ‘l’)
- knee: knee (silent ‘k’)
- judge: judge (silent ‘g’)
- honest: honest (silent ‘h’)
C.8. Work in pairs. Read the questions and their funny answers.
Question: Why are cooks cruel?
Answer : Because they beat eggs and whip the cream.
Question: What was the first thing Akbar did after he ascended the throne?
Answer: He sat on it.
Now make some more questions of your own and ask your partner to answer them.
Here are a couple of questions:
- Question: Why did the bicycle fall over?
- Answer: Because it was two-tired!
- Question: What do you call a fake noodle?
- Answer: An impasta!
C.9. Read what Sweety says about Anuj.
My brother Anuj is very witty. One day his teacher was teaching about the wild animals in the class. The teacher gave ‘lion’ as an example of a wild animal. Then she asked Anuj to give the name of another wild animal to which he promptly replied, ‘Another lion, ma’am.
Do you know any boy or girl in your class who is witty and humorous like Anuj? Write one incident which tells us about his or her wit and humour.
Answer – Yes, there’s a girl in my class, Ria, who has a fantastic sense of humour. One time, our science teacher was explaining the concept of gravity and asked, “What goes up, must come down?” Most of us were quiet, thinking of complex answers. Ria, however, piped up with a mischievous grin, “My age, ma’am!” The whole class burst out laughing, and even the teacher couldn’t help but smile. Her quick, unexpected answer perfectly captured the essence of wit and brought a much-needed moment of levity to a serious lesson.
C.10. Read the following clues carefully and then write a story in your note book. Give a suitable title to your story.
A jester at a king’s court – entertained everybody – one day committed a mistake – king angry – death sentence to the jester – jester prayed the king for forgiveness – courtiers requested the king to pardon – the jester asked to choose the mode of death – replied – die of old age – the king laughed – granted his prayer. You can start your story like this. Once there was a jester at a king’s court. He entertained the royal couple and the nobles with his wit and humour.
The Jester’s Clever Wish
The Jester’s Clever Wish
Once, a beloved jester entertained his king, queen, and nobles with boundless wit and humour. His jokes and antics were legendary, making him a favourite in the court. However, during a grand feast, a clumsy accident occurred: the jester spilled wine all over the king’s brand new, intricately embroidered robes.
The king, valuing his attire immensely, erupted in a furious rage. “This is an outrage!” he roared, sentencing the jester to death for such disrespect. A stunned silence fell over the court.
Pale but composed, the jester immediately begged for forgiveness, swearing it was an accident. Many sympathetic courtiers also pleaded for clemency. The king, still fuming but considering their appeals, finally allowed a flicker of his usual playfulness to return. “Very well,” he declared, “I shall grant you a final wish, jester. You may choose the manner of your own death.”
With doom looming, the jester, a true master of wit, paused. A slight smile touched his lips as he looked directly at the king. “Your Majesty,” he said clearly, “if I may truly choose, then I wish to die of old age.”
The king stared, then a slow grin spread across his face, erupting into hearty laughter. The courtiers, initially perplexed, soon understood the jester’s brilliant retort and joined in the mirth. The audacity and cleverness of turning a death sentence into a plea for a long life were undeniable.
Amused and impressed by his quick thinking, the king, still chuckling, waved his hand. “Your prayer is granted, jester! You shall indeed live to die of old age.” The jester was pardoned, continuing to entertain the court for many more years, a living testament to humor and intelligence.