Three Questions (LAQ)

            Three Questions (LAQ)

1.What were the questions that the Tsar wanted to be answered? Why did he need the answer? Why was he dissatisfied with the answers given by the scholars and learned men and what did he do?[2+1+3=6] [H.S. -2020]

Or, 

What were the questions that had occurred to the Tsar? Why did he need correct answers to those questions? What did he do when he was not satisfied with the answers of the learned men? [3+1+2 = 6] [H.S.=2016]

Ans.  In Leo Tolstoy’s parable Three Questions the questions that occurred to the Tsar were —-the right time to start every work; who are the most important people to listen to and whom to avoid and what is the most important thing to do. 

The Tsar thought that he would be able to cope with any occurrence if he had the answers to those three critical questions. 

Many scholarly men attempted to answer the questions of the Tsar, but they all came up with different answers that further confused the Tsar and he agreed with none of them. So, being dissatisfied,the Tsar decided to consult a hermit, widely renowned for his wisdom.

2. What was the first question of the Tsar ? What different answers did he get ? [ 2+4=6] 

Ans.  The first question that occurred to the Tsar was the right time to initiate any work. 

The first question of the Tsar was answered differently. Some scholars advised him to draw up in advance a table of days, month and years and adhere strictly to it. While others suggested that the Tsar should be updated about his circumstances and happenings and must avoid idle pastimes to be prompt in action. Some recommended setting up a council of wise men to help him with their advice and suggestions. But there was certain cons to it, such as in moments of extreme urgency the Tsar can not afford time for such consultations. Thus, some scholars went too far to ask the Tsar to consult magicians as they can only predict and determine the future. Inevitably,  

all these varied answers failed to satisfy the Tsar.

3. What was the second question of the Tsar ? What different answers did he get ? [ 2+4=6] 

Ans. In Leo Tolstoy's thoughtful short story once a Tsar had three questions in his mind.The second question that occurred to the Tsar was who are the most important people to listen to and whom to avoid. 

To provide the Tsar with satisfactory answers, learned men came to his court but they all answered differently 

.As to the second question about the most important people the Tsar should listen to, some said that a king mostly is in need of his councilors. Others suggested it is the priests who are the worthiest of all. Others said the doctors are most important, while some advised it is the warriors who are the most necessary men of the Tsar. Inevitably, all these varied answers failed to satisfy the Tsar. 

4. What was the third question of the Tsar ? What different answers did he get ? [ 2+4=6] 

Ans. In Leo Tolstoy's thoughtful short story, once a Tsar had three questions in his mind.The third question that occurred to the Tsar was what is the most important thing to do. 

To provide the Tsar with satisfactory answers, learned men came to his court but they all answered differently. As to the second question about the most important occupation, some replied that science was the most important thing in the world. Others contradicted it by saying that it was skill in warfare to be most important; while others, again, suggested that it was religious worship that should be placed above. Since these answers too were equally varied the Tsar became utterly dissatisfied.

5.  “All the answers being different, the Tsar agreed to none of them.” – What were the questions to which the Tsar got different answers? Whom did the Tsar decide to consult when he was not satisfied? Where did the person whom the Tsar decided to consult live? What was he famous for? [3+1+1+1 = 6] [H.S. = 2018 & 2022 ]

Ans. In Leo Tolstoy’s parable Three Questions the questions that occurred to the Tsar were —-the right time to start every work; who are the most important people to listen to and whom to avoid and what is the most important thing to do. The Tsar thought that he would be able to cope with any occurrence if he had the answers to those three critical questions. To provide the Tsar with satisfactory answers, learned men came to his court but  to his utter dismay, they all answered differently that failed to satisfy him. 

Being dissatisfied,the Tsar decided to consult a hermit who used to live in a wood which he never quitted and used to meet none but common folks. 

The hermit whom the Tsar wanted to consult for his questions, was famous for the wisdom that he possessed. 

6. How did the Tsar nurse the wounded man? [6] [H.S. = 2015]

Ans. The Tsar in Leo Tolstoy's short story Three Questions, came across a wounded man while seeking the answers from the hermit in the woods. The wounded man came running, held his hands pressed against his stomach, and blood was flowing from under them. On reaching the Tsar he fell fainting on the ground, moaning feebly. The Tsar with the assistance of the hermit unfastened the man’s clothing and found a large wound in his stomach. The Tsar 

 washed the wound to the best of his efforts but the blood did not stop flowing. The Tsar bandaged it with his handkerchief but that was soaked with blood in no time.The hermit gave him a towel and the Tsar bandaged his wound but the blood would not stop flowing, and the Tsar again and again removed the bandage soaked with warm blood, and washed and re-bandaged the wound. When at last the blood ceased flowing, the man revived and asked for something to drink, the Tsar brought fresh water and gave it to him. That was how the wounded man was nursed by the Tsar till he was restored to health.

7. Who was the wounded man? How was he wounded? Why did he ask for the forgiveness of the Tsar? What did the Tsar do when he had gained the man for a friend? [2+2+2 = 6] [H.S. = 2019 & 2022 ] 

or, 

Why did the bearded man become an enemy of the Tsar? What did the man swear and resolve to do? Why did he ask forgiveness of the Tsar and what did he promise him? [1+2+3=6] [H.S. = 2017]

Ans. In Leo Tolstoy's thoughtful short story Three Questions, the wounded man whom the Tsar came across in the hermit's cottage, was a sworn enemy of the Tsar.

The bearded man swore to avenge the Tsar as the latter executed his brother and seized his property.

The bearded man waited for the Tsar to return as he had resolved to kill him. But when he did not return after the day passed, he came out of his ambush but was caught up by the Tsar’s bodyguard who recognized him and wounded him consequently. 

Despite being his enemy who wished to kill the Tsar, the latter saved his life and nursed him back. Being repentant, the bearded man asked the forgiveness of the Tsar and promised to serve him as his most loyal slave and would bid his sons to do the same.

The Tsar, being overwhelmed to make peace with his enemy and took him as a friend, told him that he would send his servants and his physicians to attend to him and  promised him to restore his property.

8. What answers did the Tsar get from the hermit ? [6]

 or,

 What were the hermit’s answers to the three questions of the Tsar? [6]

Ans. The Tsar asked the hermit  his questions for the last time and the hermit answered him taking the reference of the previous day's incident that had he not pitied the hermit's weakness and dug those beds for him, instead had gone his way, that bearded man would have attacked him and the Tsar then would have to repent for not staying with hermit. So the most important time was when the Tsar was digging the beds and at that time the hermit was the most important man and to do him good was his most important occupation. Afterwards, when that wounded man ran to them, the most important time was when the Tsar was attending to him. Had he not nursed his wounds he would have died without having made peace with him. So he was the most important man, and what the Tsar did for him was his most important business at that time. Therefore, he concluded, “now” is the time which is most important as it is the only time when we have any power in our hand to determine our future course of action. Thus,the most necessary person is the one with whom we are at present, for no man knows whether he will ever have dealings with anyone else: and the most important affair is to do that person good, because for that purpose alone was man sent into this life.