Additional To Look Into
Section – C
Summary
In a distant kingdom, there lived an arrogant princess who rejected every suitor, even mocking one by calling him “King Thrushbeard” because of his pointed beard. Her exasperated father, in a fit of anger, forced her to marry the next beggar passing by their castle.
Life with the beggar was incredibly harsh for the princess. She was forced to perform all household chores and even had to work as a kitchen maid at the very castle she once ruled, doing dirty work and secretly taking home leftover food for herself and her husband.
One day, while at the castle, she saw a grand feast. Hiding, she wept over her miserable fate. Suddenly, a handsome prince, who was actually King Thrushbeard, noticed her and asked her to dance. As she danced, the pots of leftover food she had hidden fell from her ragged dress, embarrassing her deeply. She tried to flee, but King Thrushbeard caught her. He revealed his true identity, explaining that he had disguised himself as a beggar out of love, to teach her a lesson about her pride and arrogance. Ashamed and remorseful, the princess begged for forgiveness. The king kissed her, and they lived happily ever after, having learned important lessons about humility and true worth.
Word Meanings
English Word | English Meaning | Hindi Meaning |
Arrogant | Having an exaggerated sense of one’s own importance or abilities. | अहंकारी (Ahankari), घमंडी (Ghamandi) |
Haughty | Arrogantly superior and disdainful. | अभिमानी (Abhimani), घमंड से भरा (Ghamand se Bhara) |
Banquet | A formal meal for many people, usually with speeches. | भोज (Bhoj), दावत (Dawat) |
Thrush | A medium-sized songbird, often with speckled breast. | थ्रश (Thrush – a type of bird), एक प्रकार की चिड़िया (Ek Prakar ki Chidiya) |
Beak | A bird’s horny projecting jaws; a bill. | चोंच (Chonch) |
Patience | The capacity to accept or tolerate delay, problems, or suffering without becoming annoyed or anxious. | धैर्य (Dhairya), धीरज (Dheeraj) |
Beggar | A person, typically a homeless one, who lives by asking for money or food. | भिखारी (Bhikari), भिक्षुक (Bhikshuk) |
Fit of anger | A sudden, uncontrolled burst of anger. | गुस्से में (Gusse Mein), क्रोध के आवेश में (Krodh ke Aavesh Mein) |
Screamed | Gave a long, loud, piercing cry or shout. | चीखा (Cheekha), चिल्लाया (Chillaya) |
Wretched | (Of a person) in a very unhappy or unfortunate state; miserable. | अभागा (Abhaga), दुखी (Dukhi), दयनीय (Dayaniya) |
Household tasks | Chores or duties performed in the running of a household. | घर के काम (Ghar ke Kaam) |
Position | A job or a role. | पद (Pad), नौकरी (Naukri) |
Kitchen maid | A female servant who works in a kitchen. | रसोई की नौकरानी (Rasoi ki Naukrani) |
Dirty work | Unpleasant or laborious tasks. | गंदा काम (Ganda Kaam), कठिन कार्य (Kathin Karya) |
Stored | Kept or accumulated (something) for future use. | जमा किया (Jama Kiya), रखा (Rakha) |
Left-over food | Food remaining from a previous meal. | बचा हुआ खाना (Bacha Hua Khana) |
Ragged | (Of clothes) old and torn. | फटे-पुराने (Fate-Purane), चिथड़े (Chithade) |
Spilling | Causing (liquid) to flow over the edge of its container, especially unintentionally. | फैलना (Phailna), गिराना (Girna) |
Wept | Shed tears; cried. | रोया (Roya), विलाप किया (Vilap Kiya) |
Disguised | Given a different appearance in order to conceal one’s identity. | भेस बदला हुआ (Bhes Badla Hua), प्रच्छन्न (Prachchhann) |
Ashamed | Embarrassed or guilty because of one’s actions, characteristics, or associations. | शर्मिंदा (Sharminda), लज्जित (Lajjit) |
Forgiveness | The act of forgiving or being forgiven. | क्षमा (Kshama), माफी (Maafi) |
Multiple Choice Questions (MCQs)
1. How was the king’s daughter described at the beginning of the story?
a) Kind and gentle
b) Arrogant and haughty
c) Shy and reserved
d) Cheerful and polite
2. Why did the princess name one prince “King Thrushbeard”?
a) Because he sang like a thrush.
b) His beard resembled the beak of a thrush.
c) He was a hunter of thrushes.
d) He wore a coat made of thrush feathers.
3. What did the king do with his daughter in a fit of anger?
a) Banished her from the kingdom.
b) Locked her in a tower.
c) Married her to a beggar.
d) Sent her to another kingdom.
4. What was the princess’s first job after marrying the beggar?
a) Royal advisor
b) Dressmaker
c) Kitchen maid
d) Palace gardener
5. What did the princess hide in her dress?
a) Jewels
b) Letters
c) Leftover food in iron pots
d) Secret documents
6. Where did the princess see King Thrushbeard again?
a) In the market
b) At a feast in the castle
c) In the beggar’s house
d) At a royal council
7. What happened when the princess danced with King Thrushbeard?
a) She tripped and fell.
b) Her hidden pots fell out, spilling food.
c) She sang a beautiful song.
d) She immediately recognized him.
8. Why did King Thrushbeard disguise himself as a beggar?
a) To spy on her.
b) To teach her a lesson about her pride and arrogance.
c) He had lost his kingdom.
d) He wanted to live a simple life.
Answers to MCQs:
1. b) Arrogant and haughty
2. b) His beard resembled the beak of a thrush.
3. c) Married her to a beggar.
4. c) Kitchen maid
5. c) Leftover food in iron pots
6. b) At a feast in the castle
7. b) Her hidden pots fell out, spilling food.
8. b) To teach her a lesson about her pride and arrogance.
Short Questions and Answers
- How did the princess behave with the princes invited to the banquet?
Answer – The princess did not like any of them and mocked them, even giving one the name “King Thrushbeard.”
- What made the king lose his patience with his daughter?
Answer – Her arrogant and haughty nature, and her rejection of all the suitable princes, made the king lose his patience.
- How did the princess react to being forced to marry the beggar?
Answer – She screamed and cried, but her father forced her to go with the beggar.
- What did the beggar tell the princess about the beautiful city they passed?
Answer – The beggar told her it was King Thrushbeard’s city and that it “might have been yours.”
- Describe the princess’s life in the beggar’s house.
Answer – Her life was hard; she had to do all the household tasks and work as a kitchen maid to earn money.
- Why did the princess weep while hiding behind the curtain at the feast?
Answer – She wept at her sad state, realizing how far she had fallen from her former life as a princess, now a humble kitchen maid.
- What major revelation did King Thrushbeard make to the princess?
Answer – He revealed that he was the beggar she had married and that he had disguised himself to teach her a lesson for her proud nature.
- What was the princess’s reaction after learning the truth?
Answer – She cried, felt ashamed of herself, and asked for forgiveness.