Class 10 English Notes Maharashtra Board – Chapter 2.2: Three Questions

 

Class 10 English Notes Maharashtra Board – Chapter 2.2: Three Questions

✨ Chapter Title and Introduction

Chapter: 2.2 – Three Questions
Board: Maharashtra SSC
Subject: English
Book: My English Coursebook Std. 10
Type: Prose

🧠 The chapter “Three Questions” is a thought-provoking story written by Leo Tolstoy. It revolves around a king who seeks answers to three essential questions to be a successful ruler. The story emphasizes wisdom, presence of mind, and compassion as the true virtues of leadership.

🖋️ Author Information: Leo Tolstoy

✍️ Leo Tolstoy (1828–1910) was a legendary Russian writer best known for his epic novels War and Peace and Anna Karenina. A profound thinker, Tolstoy’s later works focused on moral and spiritual awakening. His stories often reflect deep ethical messages, and “Three Questions” is a brilliant example of his wisdom literature.

📖 Summary of the Chapter

“Three Questions” is a short story about a king who believes that if he knows the answers to three specific questions, he would never fail in anything he undertakes:

  1. What is the right time to begin something?

  2. Who are the most important people?

  3. What is the most important thing to do?

He consults various wise men but gets no satisfactory answers. Eventually, he meets a hermit known for his wisdom. Through a meaningful encounter involving helping the hermit and saving a wounded man, the king learns his answers:

  • The right time is “now.”

  • The most important person is “the one you are with at the moment.”

  • The most important task is “to do good to the person you are with.”

The story beautifully illustrates how real wisdom lies in being present and doing good in the current moment.

📚 New Words and Meanings

WordMeaning
HermitA person living in solitude
ForgiveTo stop feeling angry about an offense
AmbushA surprise attack
KingdomTerritory ruled by a king or queen
CouncilA formal meeting or advisory body
RevengeThe action of hurting someone in return
DiggingBreaking up earth with tools

🎭 Figures of Speech with Examples

Figure of SpeechExampleExplanation
Repetition“Now is the most important time…”Emphasizes the importance of the present moment.
Alliteration“help the hermit in his garden”Repetition of 'h' sound.
Metaphor“The most important time is now”Compares time with value without using "like" or "as".

🪷 Grammar and Language Study

🔹 Tense Usage:

The story uses the past tense throughout the narration.
Example: The king decided to find the answers to his questions.

🔹 Reported Speech:

Indirect narration is used while explaining dialogues.
Example:
He asked the hermit if he could answer his questions.

🔹 Vocabulary Usage:

The chapter introduces strong vocabulary related to decision-making, time management, and responsibility.

🎯 Important Exam Questions and Answers

🔹 Short Answer (2 Marks)

Q: What were the three questions the king wanted to be answered?
A:
The king wanted to know:

  1. The right time to begin something,

  2. The most important people,

  3. The most important thing to do.

🔹 Long Answer (4 Marks)

Q: What answers did the king finally get to his three questions?
A:
Through his encounter with the hermit and the wounded man, the king realized that:

  • The right time to act is now.

  • The most important person is the one you are with.

  • The most important task is to do good to the one near you.
    These realizations helped him understand that wisdom lies in living in the present, showing kindness, and being responsible in one’s actions.

💡 Central Idea / Moral Message

The story "Three Questions" conveys a timeless message of living in the present, valuing people around us, and being kind. The king's journey shows that real wisdom is not in abstract theories but in our daily actions. The hermit's actions and words highlight how compassion, mindfulness, and service to others are the greatest virtues of a successful life or leader. We often seek answers in complex philosophies, but the truth lies in being present, doing good, and valuing those with us at the moment. This makes the story both simple and profoundly meaningful.

📌 Previously Asked Board Questions (Last 5 Years)

🔹 2 Marks Question

Q: Why did the king decide to seek the advice of wise men?
A:
The king believed that if he could find the answers to three specific questions, he would never fail in anything he did. Hence, he sought the advice of wise men.

🔹 3 Marks Question

Q: How did the king finally get the answers to his three questions?
A:
The king helped a hermit by digging the ground and unknowingly saved an enemy’s life. Through these acts, the hermit made the king realize that the most important time is now, the most important person is the one you are with, and the most important task is to do good for them.

🔹 4 Marks Question

Q: Describe the incident with the wounded man.
A:
While staying with the hermit, the king saw a wounded man approaching. The king helped stop his bleeding and cared for him. Later, he learned the man was his enemy, seeking revenge. Touched by the king’s kindness, the man repented and asked for forgiveness. This incident played a vital role in helping the king find answers to his questions through experience and compassion.

🔹 5 Marks Question

Q: What is the significance of the story “Three Questions” by Leo Tolstoy?
A:
The story holds great significance as it imparts essential life values. It teaches us that the best time for any action is the present moment. The most important people are those who are with us now, and the best action is to help others. Through the simple narrative involving a king, a hermit, and an enemy, Tolstoy expresses how genuine wisdom lies in serving others and living meaningfully in the present. The story encourages mindfulness, selfless service, and kindness — essential values for both personal and leadership success.

📝 Practice Questions (Objective, Short & Long Answers)

🔹 Objective (Choose the correct answer)

  1. Who wrote the story “Three Questions”?
    👉 Leo Tolstoy

  2. What did the king want to find?
    👉 The answers to three important questions

  3. Who helped the king understand the answers?
    👉 The hermit

  4. What did the king do to help the hermit?
    👉 He dug the ground for him

  5. What was the wounded man’s original intention?
    👉 To kill the king

🔹 Short Answer Questions

  1. Why did the king go to the hermit?

  2. What lesson did the king learn at the end?

  3. How did the king treat the wounded man?

  4. Why was the hermit considered wise?

  5. What does the story teach about leadership?

🔹 Long Answer Questions

  1. Write a character sketch of the king.

  2. Describe the hermit’s role in the story.

  3. What message does Tolstoy want to give through this story?

  4. Compare the answers given by wise men with those of the hermit.

  5. Do you agree with the hermit's answers? Why?

🔹 Additional Practice Questions

  1. How is the story “Three Questions” relevant in today’s life?

  2. Why didn’t the hermit answer the king directly?

  3. What qualities of a good ruler are shown in this story?

  4. How did the wounded man feel after being saved?

  5. Explain the importance of “now” as the right time to act.

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