Activity 1
Choose the correct answers from the given alternatives:
(a) Emperor Akbar was walking
(i) in his palace
(ii) in the royal garden
(iii) in the house of Birbal.
Ans : (ii) in the royal garden
(b) Birbal was Akbar’s
(i) most trusted and faithful minister
(ii) greedy and unfaithful minister
(iii) rival
Ans : (i) most trusted and faithful minister
(c) The emperor was
(i) happy
(ii) calm
(iii) worried
Ans : (iii) worried
(d) The fastest thing on earth is
(i) the human mind
(ii) bullock cart
(iii) horse
Ans : (i) the human mind
(e) The neighbour was outwitted by
(i) Akbar
(ii) Birbal
(iii) the neighbour’s friend
Ans : (ii) Birbal
Activity 2
Identify which of the following statements are True and which are False. Give a supporting statement for each of your answers :
(a) Emperor Akbar was very worried when he was roaming in his garden. [ T ]
Supporting Statement : But the great emperor Akbar did not have Peace of Mind ,the quality without which no one ,not even the King of Kings ,can appreciate beauty.
(b) There were no flowers and fruits in the garden of Akbar. [ F ]
Supporting Statement : His garden was lined with trees that produced the tastiest and juiciest fruits in the old Kingdom. There were Flowers of all shapes and sizes in each garden.
(c) Birbal was indifferent to Akbar’s troubles. [ F ]
Supporting Statement : Wise Birbal noticing this and asked Akbar , “ O, great and powerful King what is travelling you?”
(d) Birbal succeeded in answering to Akbar’s query. [ T ]
Supporting Statement : he said , “your Majesty , it is the human mind !”
(e) The people of Akbar’s court admired the wisdom of Birbal. [ T ]
Supporting Statement : All around people were amazed at the wisdom of Birbal and the speed of human mind that has the ability to solve a problem instantly.
Activity 3
What kind of a text is this?
It is a
(i) play
(ii) essay
(iii) story.
Activity 4
Give another title to the story. Give regions for your answer :
Ans: Another title of the story maybe “Birbal’s Wisdom” because in this story we see how Birbal solved the puzzled by using his Wisdom.
Activity 5
Complete the sentences meaningfully :
(a) Akbar asked Birbal what the fastest thing on this planet is.
(b) Most people of the court of Akbar were puzzled hearing the question that troubled Akbar.
(c) The man who sold the well withdrew his claim immediately.
(d) Human mind is the fastest thing on earth.
Activity 6
Fill in the chart with information from the text :
Activity 7
Answer the following questions :
(a) What were the things that the great Emperor Akbar loved?
Ans : The things that the great Emperor Akbar loved were arts, sciences, literature, and music.
(b) Why did Akbar not have peace of mind?
Ans : Akbar did not have Peace of Mind because he could not solve a Riddle that was troubling him.
(c) What was the problem presented by the man from the audience?
Ans : The man from the audience claimed that his neighbour had sold him his well. But when he wanted to draw water from the well, his neighbour wanted money from him.
(d) How did Birbal solve the problem?
Ans : Birbal solved the problem with the help of his wisdom and presence of mind. He asked the neighbour to give rent for keeping water in the others well. The neighbour realised that he was outwitted and withdrew his claim immediately.