Three Questions NCERT Extra questions for Class 7 English Honeycomb Chapter 1 

Very short answer type

Question: Who is the main character in the chapter "Three Questions"?

Answer: The main character is King Akbar.

Question: What are the three questions that the king seeks answers to?

Answer: The three questions are: (i) When is the right time to do something? (ii) Who are the right people to be with? (iii) What is the most important thing to do?

Question: How did King Akbar plan to find answers to his questions?

Answer: He planned to consult a hermit who lived in a remote part of the kingdom.

Question: Who did the king meet on his way to the hermit's hut?

Answer: The king met a man who was injured and bleeding on his way to the hermit's hut.

Question: What did the king do to help the injured man?

Answer: The king stopped to help the injured man by dressing his wounds and giving him water.

Question: What was the hermit doing when the king arrived at his hut?

Answer: The hermit was digging a bed for planting a tree when the king arrived at his hut.

Question: How did the hermit respond to the king's questions?

Answer: The hermit responded by saying that he couldn't answer the king's questions at that moment as he needed to finish planting the tree first.

Question: What happened when the king offered to help the hermit?

Answer: When the king offered to help the hermit, they planted the tree together, but the king became tired and frustrated.

Question: What did the hermit finally tell the king about the three questions?

Answer: The hermit told the king that his questions had already been answered. The wounded man was the most important person to be with, and helping him was the right thing to do, which also made it the right time.

Question: What did King Akbar learn from this experience?

Answer: King Akbar learned that the most important time is "now," the most important person is the one you are with, and the most important thing to do is to help the person in need. 

Question: Who is the main character in the chapter "Three Questions"?

Answer: The main character is King Akbar.

Question: What are the three questions that the king seeks answers to?

Answer: The three questions are: (i) When is the right time to do something? (ii) Who are the right people to be with? (iii) What is the most important thing to do?

Question: How did King Akbar plan to find answers to his questions?

Answer: He planned to consult a hermit who lived in a remote part of the kingdom.

Question: Who did the king meet on his way to the hermit's hut?

Answer: The king met a man who was injured and bleeding on his way to the hermit's hut.

Question: What did the king do to help the injured man?

Answer: The king stopped to help the injured man by dressing his wounds and giving him water.

Question: What was the hermit doing when the king arrived at his hut?

Answer: The hermit was digging a bed for planting a tree when the king arrived at his hut.

Question : How did the hermit respond to the king's questions?

Answer: The hermit responded by saying that he couldn't answer the king's questions at that moment as he needed to finish planting the tree first.

Question: What happened when the king offered to help the hermit?

Answer: When the king offered to help the hermit, they planted the tree together, but the king became tired and frustrated.

Question: What did the hermit finally tell the king about the three questions?

Answer: The hermit told the king that his questions had already been answered. The wounded man was the most important person to be with, and helping him was the right thing to do, which also made it the right time.

Question: What did King Akbar learn from this experience?

Answer: King Akbar learned that the most important time is "now," the most important person is the one you are with, and the most important thing to do is to help the person in need.

Short answer type question 

Question: How does the story of "Three Questions" reflect the theme of the impermanence of life and the importance of the present moment?

Answer: The story reflects this theme by showing how King Akbar's quest for answers to his questions is interrupted by the urgent needs of a wounded man. This interruption forces the king to focus on the present and prioritize helping others.

Question: Explain the significance of the injured man and how he influences the king's perspective on life.

Answer: The injured man is significant because he represents the immediate needs of those around us. His suffering prompts King Akbar to recognize that the most important person to be with is the one who needs help at the moment. This realization profoundly influences the king's perspective on life.

Question: In what way does the hermit's request for help with planting a tree serve as a pivotal moment in the story?

Answer: The hermit's request for help with planting a tree serves as a pivotal moment because it challenges King Akbar's patience and understanding. The king's willingness to help and persevere in the task becomes a turning point in his journey of self-discovery.

Question: How does the hermit's response to the king's questions reflect the wisdom of living in the present?

Answer: The hermit's response underscores the importance of living in the present by indicating that the king's questions have already been answered through their actions. It emphasizes that the "now" is the most opportune time to do something.

Question: Describe King Akbar's initial expectations when he set out to seek answers to his questions and how those expectations evolve through his encounter with the hermit.

Answer: King Akbar initially expected to receive straightforward answers from the hermit, believing that wisdom could be obtained through simple responses. His expectations evolved as he realized that wisdom is found through experience and living in the present.

Question: What does the story "Three Questions" teach us about the concept of "right time"?

Answer: The story teaches us that the right time is the present moment. King Akbar learns that waiting for the perfect moment can lead to missed opportunities, and that the present is the most appropriate time to act.

Question: Explain how King Akbar's quest for answers to his questions is rooted in his desire to be a better ruler.

Answer: King Akbar's quest is motivated by his desire to become a wise and just ruler. He believes that by finding answers to his questions, he can make better decisions and improve the lives of his subjects.

Question: How does the story illustrate the idea that wisdom can be found in unexpected places and through unexpected experiences?

Answer: The story illustrates this idea by showing that King Akbar found wisdom through his encounter with a humble hermit and an injured man. It emphasizes that wisdom is not always found where one expects it.

Question: How does King Akbar's character develop from the beginning of the story to the end?

Answer: At the beginning, King Akbar is impatient and seeks quick answers to his questions. By the end, he has grown in patience, compassion, and understanding, becoming a more compassionate and just ruler.

Question; What role does the planting of the tree play in the story, and how does it symbolize the central message?

Answer: The planting of the tree is symbolic of the central message that the present moment is the most important time. It represents the idea that we should invest in the present, much like planting a tree, for the future to flourish.

Question: Explain the significance of King Akbar's frustration and transformation during the tree planting.

Answer: King Akbar's frustration during the tree planting illustrates his initial impatience. However, it also marks the point at which he begins to understand the value of living in the moment and helping others, ultimately leading to his transformation.

Question: How does King Akbar's encounter with the hermit challenge his perception of wisdom and answers to his questions?

Answer: The hermit's response challenges King Akbar's belief that wisdom can be obtained through simple, direct answers. Instead, it leads him to realize that wisdom is often found in the experience of living and helping others.

Question: What does the story convey about the importance of selflessness and helping those in need?

Answer: The story emphasizes the significance of selflessness by demonstrating that the most important thing to do is to help those in need. It highlights the moral value of assisting others and putting their needs before our own.

Question: How does the story illustrate the concept of "servant leadership" through King Akbar's transformation?

Answer: The story illustrates the concept of "servant leadership" as King Akbar learns that a wise and just ruler should prioritize the well-being of his people and serve them, rather than seeking self-serving answers to his questions.

Question: Explain the connection between King Akbar's quest for answers and his responsibilities as a ruler.

Answer: King Akbar's quest for answers is directly linked to his responsibilities as a ruler because he believes that finding these answers will make him a better, more just, and effective leader for his subjects.

Question: How do the three questions and their resolutions reflect a moral lesson?

Answer: The three questions and their resolutions reflect the moral lesson that the key to living a fulfilled life and being a wise and just individual lies in the present moment, selflessness, and helping others.

Question: Describe the change in King Akbar's mindset from seeking wisdom externally to discovering it within himself.

Answer: Initially, King Akbar sought wisdom through external sources, but through his experiences, he realizes that true wisdom is discovered within oneself by living in the present and helping others.

Question: How does the story "Three Questions" resonate with universal values and human experiences?

Answer: The story resonates with universal values and human experiences by addressing themes such as compassion, the impermanence of life, and the desire to be a better person and leader. These themes are relatable to people from all walks of life.

Question: What does the story suggest about the nature of true wisdom and the path to becoming a better person?

Answer: The story suggests that true wisdom is not found in seeking answers from others but in living in the present, being compassionate, and helping those in need. Becoming a better person involves selflessness and serving others.

Question: How can the lessons learned by King Akbar in "Three Questions" be applied to our daily lives and decision-making?

Answer : The lessons from the story can be applied by recognizing the importance of the present moment, practicing compassion, and prioritizing helping others in our daily lives. They encourage us to make selfless and just decisions in our interactions with others.

Long answer type questions 

Question: What is the symbolic significance of the wounded man in "Three Questions"?

Answer: The wounded man in the story serves as a powerful symbol of the immediate needs and suffering of people in the world. His presence challenges King Akbar's pursuit of philosophical answers to his three questions, highlighting the urgency of addressing real-life problems. The wounded man represents the notion that wisdom and virtue are not found in theoretical or abstract knowledge but in practical, compassionate actions. This symbol underscores the central message of the story: that the most important thing to do is to help those who are in need, here and now.

Question: Explain how the concept of "living in the present" is central to the story's message.

Answer: "Living in the present" is a central theme in the story "Three Questions." The story conveys the idea that the past and the future are less important than the present moment. King Akbar, initially preoccupied with finding answers to his questions, is redirected by the hermit's wisdom to focus on the here and now. The hermit's actions, like planting a tree and tending to the wounded man, emphasize the value of being fully engaged in the current moment. This concept underscores the message that the right time for action is always "now" and that we should seize opportunities for kindness and compassion without delay.

Question: What do King Akbar's initial feelings of disappointment and anger reveal about his character and expectations?

Answer: King Akbar's initial feelings of disappointment and anger reveal his impatience and unrealistic expectations. He seeks quick and direct answers to his questions, believing that wisdom can be obtained in a straightforward manner. His emotional response reflects his desire for instant gratification and an unwillingness to invest time and effort in understanding life's complexities. However, as the story progresses, King Akbar's character evolves, and he learns to appreciate the deeper, more profound wisdom that comes from lived experiences.

Question: How does the story encourage self-reflection and introspection in readers?

Answer: The story "Three Questions" encourages self-reflection and introspection in readers by presenting them with a scenario where they can empathize with the king's journey. Readers are prompted to ponder their own priorities, their approach to life's important questions, and how they respond to the needs of others. The story invites readers to consider whether they, like King Akbar, are often preoccupied with the past or future at the expense of the present moment. It urges them to reflect on their own capacity for compassion and selflessness.

Question: In what ways does King Akbar's transformation as a character reflect the story's overarching message?

Answer: King Akbar's transformation as a character perfectly mirrors the story's central message. At the outset, he is eager for answers to his questions, impatient, and self-focused. However, through his encounter with the hermit and the wounded man, he undergoes a profound change. He evolves into a more compassionate, patient, and selfless individual who understands the importance of living in the present moment. His transformation underscores the idea that true wisdom lies in selflessness, kindness, and embracing the present, reinforcing the story's core message about the significance of the here and now.

The story "Three Questions" is a timeless parable that offers readers valuable insights into the nature of wisdom, the importance of living in the present, and the virtues of selflessness and compassion. Through its rich symbolism and character development, it prompts readers to reflect on their own lives and values, encouraging them to make meaningful changes in their attitudes and behaviors.