Additional To Look Into
Section C
Summary
Emperor Akbar challenges his wise minister Birbal to find the five most foolish men in Agra. Birbal sets out and first encounters a man lying in a puddle, unable to stand up because he fears losing the measurement of cloth his wife wanted if he moved his hands. Birbal helps him up and asks him to follow. Next, he finds a man riding a horse but carrying a bundle of straw on his head, believing it would burden the old horse less. Birbal invites him along too. Finally, Birbal sees a man searching for a lost diamond ring under a street light, even though he lost it in a dark spot far away, because he can see better under the light. Birbal brings these three men to Akbar’s court. When Akbar points out that he asked for five foolish men, not three, Birbal cleverly declares that the remaining two most foolish men are Akbar himself (for giving such a foolish task) and Birbal (for foolishly attempting to carry it out). Akbar, amused by Birbal’s wit, agrees.
Word Meanings
English Word | English Meaning | Hindi Meaning |
Emperor | A sovereign ruler of an empire. | सम्राट (Samrat) |
Court | The assembly of a sovereign and his or her royal household and advisors. | दरबार (Darbar) |
Disturbed | Troubled or agitated. | परेशान (Pareshan), विचलित (Vichalit) |
Puddle | A small pool of liquid, especially rainwater, on the ground. | पोखर (Pokhar), छोटा तालाब (Chhota Talaab) |
Stretched | Extended or pulled out. | फैलाया हुआ (Failaya Hua) |
Slipped | Lost one’s balance and slid unintentionally. | फिसल गया (Fisal Gaya) |
Measurement | The size, length, or amount of something, as ascertained by measuring. | माप (Maap), नाप (Naap) |
Bundle | A collection of things or quantity of material, tied or wrapped up together. | गट्ठर (Gatthar), बंडल (Bundle) |
Straw | Dried stalks of grain, used as fodder or bedding. | भूसा (Bhusa), पुआल (Puaal) |
Weak | Lacking physical strength and energy. | कमजोर (Kamzor), निर्बल (Nirbal) |
Wanders | Walks or moves in a leisurely or aimless way. | भटकना (Bhatakna), घूमना (Ghoomna) |
Bent in half | Folded or curved sharply at the middle. | आधा मुड़ा हुआ (Aadha Muda Hua) |
Searching for | Looking for something. | ढूँढना (Dhoondhna) |
Diamond ring | A finger ring with a diamond as its main ornament. | हीरे की अंगूठी (Heere ki Anguthi) |
Darkness | The partial or total absence of light. | अँधेरा (Andhera) |
Spot | A particular place or area. | जगह (Jagah), स्थान (Sthan) |
Judged | Formed an opinion or conclusion about. | न्याय किया (Nyay Kiya), अनुमान लगाया (Anuman Lagaya) |
Actions | The fact or process of doing something, typically to achieve an aim. | कार्य (Karya), क्रियाएँ (Kriyaen) |
Foolish | Lacking good sense or judgment; silly. | मूर्ख (Murkh), बेवकूफ (Bevkoof) |
Task | A piece of work to be done or undertaken. | कार्य (Karya), काम (Kaam) |
Carried out | Performed or completed (a task or order). | पूरा किया (Pura Kiya), निष्पादित किया (Nishpadit Kiya) |
Certainly | Without doubt; undeniably. | निश्चित रूप से (Nishchit Roop Se), अवश्य (Avashya) |
Multiple Choice Questions (MCQs)
Multiple Choice Questions (MCQs)
1. What did Emperor Akbar ask Birbal to find?
a) Five intelligent men
b) Five strong men
c) Five foolish men
d) Five rich men
2. Why couldn’t the first man stand up from the puddle?
a) He was injured.
b) He didn’t want to lose the cloth measurement.
c) He was too tired.
d) He was waiting for help.
3. What was the second man carrying on his head while riding a horse?
a) A bag of gold
b) A bundle of straw
c) A basket of fruits
d) His luggage
4. Why did the second man carry the straw on his head instead of on the horse’s back?
a) To keep it dry.
b) He thought the horse was too weak to carry the extra weight.
c) It was a tradition.
d) He liked carrying things on his head.
5. Where had the third man lost his diamond ring?
a) Under the street light.
b) Somewhere in the darkness far away.
c) In his house.
d) In the puddle.
6. According to Birbal, who were the last two foolish men?
a) Birbal and a courtier.
b) Akbar and a courtier.
c) Akbar and Birbal.
d) Birbal and the first man.
Answers to MCQs:
1. c) Five foolish men
2. b) He didn’t want to lose the cloth measurement.
3. b) A bundle of straw
4. b) He thought the horse was too weak to carry the extra weight.
5. b) Somewhere in the darkness far away.
6. c) Akbar and Birbal.
Short Questions and Answers
- What task did Emperor Akbar give to Birbal?
Emperor Akbar asked Birbal to find the five most foolish men in Agra.
- Describe the first foolish man Birbal encountered.
The first foolish man was lying on his back in a puddle of water, unable to stand up because he feared losing the measurement of his wife’s cloth if he moved his hands.
- What was peculiar about the second man Birbal met?
The second man was riding a horse but was carrying a bundle of straw on his own head, believing it would lighten the load for his old, weak horse.
- Why was the third man looking for his ring under a street light when he lost it elsewhere?
He was looking for his ring under the street light because he could see better there, even though he had lost it in a dark spot far away.
- How many foolish men did Birbal initially bring to Akbar’s court?
Birbal initially brought three foolish men to Akbar’s court.
- How did Birbal explain that he had found all five foolish men?
Birbal explained that the first three were the men he brought, and the last two most foolish men were Akbar himself (for setting such a foolish task) and Birbal (for foolishly attempting to carry it out).
- What does the story reveal about Birbal’s character?
The story reveals Birbal’s wisdom, quick wit, and cleverness in turning a seemingly impossible or absurd task into a humorous and insightful lesson for the emperor.