Three Questions
Summary
“Three Questions” written by Leo Tolstoy, is a moral story in which a king is set to find the answer to three questions in order to give good governance to his people. The king doesn’t find answers from any learned scholars but finds them with a hermit while serving and helping others.
The king once thinks that he would always succeed if he found the answers to his three questions. The three questions are: what is the right time to begin something? Which people should he listen to? What is the most important thing for him to do? He declares to give a great reward to anyone who can come up with the answers. Learned men come to the king. But their answers do not satisfy the king. He decides to consult a hermit, who is widely renowned for his wisdom.
The king goes to the hermit in simple clothes, leaving his body guards and horse behind. He sees the hermit digging the ground. He is old and weak. He breathes heavily while digging the ground. The king asks him the three questions but receives no reply. Having pity on the hermit, the king digs the ground for him.
The king repeatedly asks the hermit his questions but he receive no reply. At the same time, a bearded man comes running out of the wood. He holds his hands pressed against the stomach. Blood is coming out of his wound. When he reaches the king, he faints. The king washes his wound with his handkerchief and bandages it. The man asks for water and the king gives it to him. The man is taken inside the hut and laid on the bed. As the king is tired, he sleeps. When he wakes up, the injured man apologizes to him. The king is shocked.
The man reveals that he is the king’s enemy because the king killed his brother and seized the property. He took the opportunity to take revenge. He planned to kill the king on his way back as he knew that the king came all alone to the hermit. But the king didn’t return. Then, he came out from his ambush. He came upon his guard who recognized and attacked him.
The man is indebted to the king who has been the savior. The king promises to send his servants and own doctor to look after him, and returns his property. The king goes to the hermit and begs for the answers for the last time. To this the hermit replies that all the answers are within the king. The hermit says that the most important time is now as it is the only moment when we have the power to act, the most important person is we, ourselves as no one knows what will happen in the future whether we will meet anyone else, and the most important thing is to do good for others because for that purpose we were sent into this life.
Exploring the Text
1. What is the story 'Three Question' about?
Answer: The story 'Three Questions' by Leo Tolstoy is about a king who wants to know the answers to three questions: What is the right time to begin something? Which people should he listen to? What is the most important thing for him to do? The king seeks answers from wise men, but their answers do not satisfy him. He ultimately finds answers from a hermit whom he meets while helping others. The story highlights the importance of kindness, compassion, and doing good for others. It also emphasizes that the answers to life's important questions can often be found within oneself.2. Why did the king seek answers to his three questions?
Answer: The king sought answers to his three questions because he believed that if he found the answers, he would always succeed in his endeavors.3. Why did the wise scholars' answers not satisfy the king?
Answer: The wise scholars' answers did not satisfy the king because they were all different and did not provide a clear and satisfactory response to his questions.2. Why did the king go to the hermit?
Answer: The king went to the hermit to seek answers to his three questions, which he believed would make him a wise and just ruler.
3. Why did the king help the injured man?
Answer: The king helped the injured man because he saw someone in need and felt compassion for him.4. How did the king save the injured man's life?
Answer: The king saved the injured man's life by cleaning his wound, bandaging it, giving him water, and allowing him to rest in the hut.5. When did the king promise to send his servants to look after the injured man?
Answer: The king promised to send his servants to look after the injured man after he realized the man's true identity and the debt he owed the king.6. Who was the injured man and why does he apologize to the king?
Answer: The injured man was the king's enemy who planned to kill him, but the king saved his life. He apologized to the king for his intentions.7. What is the most important time according to the hermit?
Answer: The most important time is now. This is because it is the only moment when we have the power to act. We cannot change the past, and we do not know what the future holds, so the present moment is the most important time.8. Who is the most important person according to the hermit?
Answer: The most important person is oneself. This is because we have control over our own actions and decisions. We cannot control what other people do or say, but we can control our own thoughts and behaviours.9. What is the most important thing to do according to the hermit?
Answer: The most important thing to do is to do good for others. This is because we were sent into this life for this purpose. When we help others, we bring happiness not only to them but also to ourselves. Doing good for others is a meaningful and fulfilling way to live our lives.
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