Lesson 1: The Wit that Won Hearts
Before the Text
Q1. Who was Krishnadeva Raya?
Ans. He was a famous emperor of the Vijayanagara Empire in South India, known for his justice, bravery, and encouragement of art and learning.
Q2. Who was Tenali Rama?
Ans. He was a witty poet and advisor in Krishnadeva Raya’s court, known for his intelligence, humour, and presence of mind.
Let Us Discuss
Q1. Why did the king of Vijayanagara hold court every day?
Ans. To discuss matters of state, hear grievances, and take advice from his courtiers.
Q2. Why did the court become dull sometimes?
Ans. Because most ministers gave the same kind of answers and only flattered the king instead of being original.
Q3. How did Tenali Rama make the court lively?
Ans. With his wit, humour, and clever remarks, which entertained the king and taught lessons at the same time.
Let Us Think and Reflect
Extract 1
Q1. Why was the king not amused by the courtiers?
Ans. Because their words were repetitive, insincere, and boring.
Q2. What did Tenali Rama do differently?
Ans. He spoke with wit, wisdom, and humour, which impressed everyone.
Q3. What does the phrase “win hearts” mean here?
Ans. To gain admiration, love, and respect of others.
Extract 2
Q1. How did the courtiers feel about Tenali Rama?
Ans. Some admired him, but many were jealous because the king appreciated him most.
Q2. Why did the king value Tenali Rama?
Ans. Because he was bold, intelligent, and made even serious matters easy through humour.
Q3. Which quality of Tenali Rama do you like the most? Why?
Ans. (Personal – Example:) His quick wit, because he could solve problems smartly and make people laugh at the same time.
Comprehension Questions
Q1. What was special about Tenali Rama’s wit?
Ans. It was not only funny but also wise, giving lessons in justice and common sense.
Q2. How did Tenali Rama “win hearts”?
Ans. By entertaining the king and courtiers, solving problems cleverly, and teaching lessons through humour.
Q3. Why did some courtiers dislike Tenali Rama?
Ans. Because they were jealous of the attention and rewards he received from the king.
Q4. What lesson do we learn from Tenali Rama’s life?
Ans. That wit and wisdom are more powerful than flattery, and honesty with intelligence always wins.
Vocabulary & Language Work
Q1. Pick synonyms for ‘wit’ from the lesson.
Ans. Humour, intelligence, cleverness.
Q2. Write antonyms of:
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Amused × Bored
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Bold × Timid
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Wise × Foolish
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Friend × Enemy
Writing Task
Q1. Write a short paragraph on why wit is important in life.
Ans. Wit is important because it helps us face challenges with intelligence and humour. A witty person can solve problems quickly, avoid conflicts, and make others happy. Wit is not just about being funny but also about being wise and practical.
Summary of the Lesson
The Wit that Won Hearts is about Tenali Rama, a witty courtier in the court of Krishnadeva Raya. While other courtiers only flattered the king, Tenali Rama used his cleverness and humour to entertain and teach lessons. The king valued him because he made the court lively, solved problems wisely, and “won the hearts” of people. The story highlights that intelligence combined with humour is more powerful than flattery or empty praise.
Lesson 2: A Concrete Example – Reginald Arkell
Before the Text
Q1. What does the word ‘concrete’ mean in the title?
Ans. It has two meanings – (i) building material, and (ii) something real and solid, not just an idea. The poet uses it humorously with both meanings.
Q2. What do you think the poem is about?
Ans. About a man who fell on concrete and became a “concrete example” for others.
Let Us Discuss
Q1. What happened to the man in the poem?
Ans. He slipped and fell on the hard concrete road.
Q2. Why did people call him a “concrete example”?
Ans. Because he fell on concrete and became a real-life example of carelessness.
Q3. How is humour created in the poem?
Ans. Through the pun on the word “concrete,” light tone, and exaggeration of a simple fall.
Q4. Why do you think the poet wrote such a short and simple poem?
Ans. To give a quick humorous lesson that carelessness leads to accidents.
Let Us Think and Reflect
Extract 1
Q1. What does “this is a concrete example” mean?
Ans. It means both literally (falling on concrete) and figuratively (a lesson for others).
Q2. Why do you think the poet used very simple words?
Ans. To make the humour clear and easy for everyone to understand.
Q3. What is the tone of the poem?
Ans. Light, humorous, and playful.
Comprehension Questions
Q1. What is the central idea of the poem?
Ans. Carelessness can lead to accidents, and we can learn lessons even from small incidents.
Q2. What is the pun in the poem?
Ans. The word “concrete” is used both as a noun (the road surface) and as an adjective (a real example).
Q3. How does the poem show wit?
Ans. By using wordplay and humour to turn a simple accident into a funny lesson.
Vocabulary & Language Work
Q1. Write synonyms of ‘example’.
Ans. Model, illustration, case, instance.
Q2. Write antonyms of:
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Careless × Careful
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Hard × Soft
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Fall × Rise
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Real × Imaginary
Writing Task
Q1. Write two humorous lines like the poem, using wordplay.
Ans.
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He burned his tongue on hot soup, a spicy example of impatience.
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She tripped on the stairs, a stepping example of carelessness.
Summary of the Poem
A Concrete Example is a short humorous poem by Reginald Arkell. It describes a careless man who slipped and fell on a concrete road. The poet cleverly plays on the word “concrete” – the man fell on concrete and also became a real-life “concrete example” of carelessness. With wit and humour, the poem teaches us to be careful and shows how even small incidents can be lessons.
Lesson 3: Wisdom Paves the Way – Play (The Four Young Men and the King of Ujjain)
Before the Text
Q1. What do you mean by wisdom?
Ans. Wisdom is the ability to use knowledge, experience, and good judgment to make the right decisions.
Q2. How is wisdom different from knowledge?
Ans. Knowledge is information or facts; wisdom is knowing how to use that knowledge wisely in life.
Let Us Discuss
Q1. Who were the four young men?
Ans. They were poor but ambitious Brahmin youths who wanted to learn special skills to improve their lives.
Q2. What did they learn?
Ans. Three of them mastered sciences like creating life and using powers, while the fourth one was wise though less educated.
Q3. Why did they set out to show their learning?
Ans. To prove their knowledge, gain recognition, and use their skills.
Q4. What happened in the forest?
Ans. The three learned men decided to test their powers on the bones of a dead lion.
Let Us Think and Reflect
Extract 1
Q1. What was the first man’s contribution?
Ans. He collected the bones and arranged them properly.
Q2. What did the second man do?
Ans. He used his science to add flesh and skin to the bones.
Q3. What was the third man about to do?
Ans. He wanted to bring the lion back to life.
Q4. Why did the fourth man stop them?
Ans. Because he was wise enough to see the danger in reviving a lion.
Extract 2
Q1. What did the wise man do while the others worked?
Ans. He quickly climbed up a tree to save himself from danger.
Q2. What happened when the lion came to life?
Ans. The lion killed the three foolish men.
Q3. What lesson does the play teach?
Ans. That wisdom is more important than mere knowledge or skill.
Comprehension Questions
Q1. Why did the three young men lack wisdom?
Ans. Because they were blinded by pride in their knowledge and didn’t think of consequences.
Q2. How did the fourth young man show wisdom?
Ans. By warning the others and saving himself by climbing the tree.
Q3. What is the main difference between knowledge and wisdom in the story?
Ans. Knowledge helped create life, but wisdom prevented foolish actions and saved a life.
Q4. Why is the play called “Wisdom Paves the Way”?
Ans. Because wisdom guided the fourth man safely while the others perished due to lack of it.
Vocabulary & Language Work
Q1. Find antonyms:
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Wise × Foolish
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Alive × Dead
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Friend × Enemy
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Safe × Unsafe
Q2. Fill in blanks with correct words:
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The students were full of pride in their knowledge.
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Only wisdom can prevent misuse of power.
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He quickly climbed up the tree.
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The lion killed the three men.
Writing Task
Q1. Write a short paragraph on why wisdom is more valuable than knowledge.
Ans. Wisdom is more valuable than knowledge because knowledge gives us power, but wisdom tells us how to use that power rightly. Without wisdom, knowledge can be dangerous, as shown in the story where three learned men lost their lives, but the wise man survived.
Summary of the Play
Wisdom Paves the Way is a play about four young Brahmins. Three of them had great knowledge of sciences but no wisdom, while the fourth had little learning but much wisdom. To test their skills, the three tried to bring a dead lion back to life. The wise man warned them but was ignored. As the lion came alive, it killed the three, but the wise man saved himself by climbing a tree. The play teaches that knowledge without wisdom is dangerous, and true wisdom is the path to safety and success.