GSEB Class 9 English Moments Chapter 4 In the Kingdom of Fools Solutions

Think About It

Question 1. What are the two strange things the guru and his disciple find in the Kingdom of Fools?
Answer: The two strange things that the guru and his disciple found in the kingdom of fools were that the whole kingdom slept during the day and performed their tasks at night. Also, whether it was a measure of rice or a bunch of bananas, everything cost the same amount in the kingdom: one duddu (one rupee).
In simple words: The guru and his disciple noticed two odd things: everyone in the kingdom slept by day and worked by night, and everything, from food to goods, had the exact same low price.

Exam Tip: When describing strange occurrences, clearly list each item and provide specific details, like the consistent pricing or unusual daily schedule.

Question 2. Why does the disciple decide to stay in the Kingdom of Fools? Is it a good idea?
Answer: The disciple decided to remain in the Kingdom of Fools because he was very happy that all goods had the same low price. He simply wanted inexpensive and plentiful food. However, his Guru believed that remaining there was a poor choice since everyone was foolish, and this situation would not last for long. The Guru also worried about what these silly people might do later.
In simple words: The disciple stayed because everything was very cheap, and he loved good, inexpensive food. However, his guru thought it was a bad idea, as the kingdom was full of fools, and their foolish ways would eventually lead to trouble.

Exam Tip: Always explain both parts of a two-part question: the disciple's decision and whether it was wise, referencing the guru's warning.

Question 3. Name all the people who are tried in the king's court, and give the reasons for their trial.
Answer: The people tried in the king's court were:
1. The merchant: He was the first person accused because his house's wall had fallen and killed the thief.
2. The bricklayer: He was next, as it was believed his poor workmanship made the wall weak, causing it to collapse.
3. The dancing girl: She was accused of distracting the bricklayer with her jingling anklets while walking up and down the road where the wall was being built.
4. The goldsmith: He was accused because he did not finish the dancing girl's order on time, making her visit him many times.
5. The merchant's father (represented by the merchant): The goldsmith passed the blame to the merchant's father, saying his pressure delayed the dancer's work. Ultimately, the blame returned to the original merchant because he was the heir to his father's property. He was too thin for the new execution stake, so a fatter man was needed.
In simple words: The merchant, the bricklayer, the dancing girl, and the goldsmith were all tried. The merchant was blamed for a wall collapsing, the bricklayer for building it badly, the dancing girl for distracting the bricklayer, and the goldsmith for delaying the dancing girl. Eventually, the merchant was blamed again as his father was the true culprit.

Exam Tip: List each accused person clearly, along with the specific reason for their trial, following the chain of blame exactly as described in the story.

Question 4. Who is the real culprit according to the king? Why does he escape punishment?
Answer: According to the king's odd thinking, the merchant inherited everything from his father, so he should also bear the burden of his father's wrongdoing. The merchant escaped execution because he was too slender to fit the new execution stake. The king then decided that a fatter man, one who could properly fit the stake, would serve the purpose.
In simple words: The king thought the merchant's father was the real culprit because the merchant inherited his father's property and sins. The merchant escaped punishment because he was too thin to fit on the execution stake.

Exam Tip: Explain the king's convoluted logic for identifying the culprit and then provide the specific physical reason for the culprit's escape from punishment.

Question 5. What are the Guru's words of wisdom? When does the disciple remember them?
Answer: The guru's wise words were that it was a city of fools. He advised his disciple to leave the place because he could not know what they might do next. The disciple recalls this advice when he is about to be executed.
In simple words: The Guru wisely said it was a city of fools and warned the disciple to leave, as their actions were unpredictable. The disciple remembers this advice just before he is going to be killed.

Exam Tip: Quote or paraphrase the guru's specific advice and then pinpoint the exact moment the disciple recalls it, linking the wisdom to its practical application.

Question 6. How does the guru manage to save his disciple's life?
Answer: The guru attempts to confuse the king by expressing his wish to be killed first. To further perplex the king, he shares a tale about becoming the king in his next life. While it may seem like a simple lie to save his dear disciple's life, the guru is actually trying to rescue everyone in the kingdom, consciously or unconsciously. Ultimately, he succeeds in freeing everyone from the misery of residing in the kingdom of fools.
In simple words: The guru saves his disciple by confusing the king. He claims that whoever dies first on the stake will be reborn as the king, and the second as the minister. This trick works, as the foolish king and his minister choose to die first, saving the disciple.

Exam Tip: Focus on the guru's clever strategy involving reincarnation and how it exploits the king's foolishness, leading to the disciple's salvation.

In The Kingdom Of Fools Summary In English

In The Kingdom Of Fools Summary:
Answer: 'In the kingdom of fools' is an interesting story about a kingdom run by a foolish king. One day, a saint and his follower arrived in the kingdom. The saint was surprised to find that the people were sleeping throughout the day and working during the night. He was worried to see that all food items in the kingdom cost the same-one duddu. He understood that it was a kingdom of fools and told his disciple to leave the place. The disciple did not depart with his guru as he was tempted by the abundance of cheap food. One day, a man approached the king seeking justice. He claimed that his brother was committing his traditional trade of theft, and during that, the wall of a man's house fell on him, causing his death. He asked the king to provide compensation. Since the king was foolish, he did not realize that the dead man was actually a criminal. Instead, he put on trial all the people involved in the thief's death-the rich merchant who owned the house where the wall had broken, the man who had constructed the wall, the dancing girl who caused the builder to make a weak wall, and the goldsmith because he made the dancing girl move around in the street that day. Finally, the king decided that the merchant's father was the true culprit. Since he was deceased and his son had inherited all his property, the son would also receive punishment in place of his father. Another sequence of events occurs when the minister believes that the merchant is too thin to be killed on the stake. The king orders his men to find a stout person who could be punished instead of the merchant. As the disciple had grown very plump, the men took him to the king. The innocent man pleaded with his guru for assistance. The guru foresees that his disciple is in difficulty and arrives to help him. He uses his intelligence and cleverness to trick the foolish king. Ultimately, the king and his minister are killed by the stake instead of the Guru and his disciple. The people of the kingdom then beg the guru and his disciple to become their new king and minister. The guru agreed, on the condition that the kingdom would operate normally like all other kingdoms.

Exam Tip: A good summary condenses the main events while retaining all critical plot points, character actions, and the central conflict. Ensure chronological order and clear articulation of the story's progression.