For Class 12: THREE QUESTIONS BY LEO TOLSTOY

THREE QUESTIONS

BY LEO TOLSTOY

1. Sketch the character of the Tsar.

Ans.     The Tsar of the story “Three Questions” is a ruler but not an autocrat. His personality includes achiever, challenger, leader, thinker, finical but optimist, helper and peacemaker.             He seemed to be an autocrat when he wanted the answer to his three questions so that he wouldn’t fail. But his actions, his compassionate nature, his forgiving attitude clearly proves that he wanted success not only for any selfish reason but for the human welfare.          He showed his foresightedness and intelligence in choosing the wise hermit. Finally at hermitage he not only got the answers practically through some events but also became a friend with his enemy by saving his life and forgiving him.

2. i) Who was the bearded man?          ii) Why did he ask for the Tsar’s forgiveness?  iii) What did the Tsar do to show his forgiveness?

Ans.    i) The bearded man was a sworn enemy of the Tsar came to avenge for putting his brother to death and seizing his property.

            ii) He asked for the Tsar’s forgiveness as the Tsar had saved his life. He came there for taking his revenge from the Tsar but instead the Tsar helped him to get well.  

            iii) The Tsar showed his forgiveness by promising him to send his own doctor and servants to look after him. He also promised to return his property. Thus even though unknowingly, the Tsar saved his life by healing his wound.

3. How did he hermit explain the three questions of the Tsar?      Or Discuss the explanation of the answers of the Tsar by the hermit in your own words.

Ans.     The Tsar’s quest to find the answers took him to the wise hermit. He instead of answering the questions directly let the Tsar experience and realise it through some events.

            Finally the hermit explained that the most important time is present time, the person is one with whom he is and the action is to do well to him. According to the hermit God has created human beings for the sole purpose of doing well.  When we use our present effectively for human welfare our action will yield good result irrespective of person or time. So the Tsar instead of pondering over the three questions he should fulfil God’s purpose and reap good result.

4. “Forgive me”, said the bearded man. --- Why did the man ask for the Tsar’s forgiveness? Explain.

Ans.     The bearded man was the enemy of the Tsar sworn to avenge on the Tsar because he had executed his brother and seized his property. The man came to know that the Tsar had gone alone to visit the hermit and he resolved to kill the Tsar on his way back. But as the day passed the Tsar did not return. So the man came out of his ambush and came upon the Tsar’s bodyguards who recognizing him wounded him. The man somehow escaped from them and reached the hermitage. There the Tsar dressed his wounds and saved his life. So the man begged an apology of the Tsar.

5. How did the king make peace with his enemy or the bearded man?

Ans.     At the day’s end when the Tsar felt fatigued they spotted a wounded man rushing towards them. At once the Tsar began to nurse his wound.       The Tsar, not knowing who the wounded stranger was, helped him out of danger. Apparently the stranger came to avenge on the Tsar for killing his brother and seizing his property. So the Tsar’s kind gesture broke the ice.           The bearded man admitted folly and promised to be the Tsar’s slave for the rest of his life and make his sons his slave to show his gratitude. The Tsar was too touched at this to promise not only to get his servants and doctor attend but also return his property. Thus he made peace as well as friends with his enemy.

6. What were the three questions of the Tsar? Why did he want know the answers? What did the Tsar do finally to find the proper reply? What reply did he get from the hermit?

Ans.     i) The three question of the Tsar were --- the right time for every action, the most important person for him, and the most important action for him.

            ii) The Tsar wanted to know the reply of the three questions to succeed in anything he might undertake.

            iii) Finally in order to find proper answers he went to a hermit widely known for his wisdom.

            iv) The hermit at first let the Tsar experience it through some events and then explained that the right time for every action is ‘now’ or the present time. The most important person is one with whom he is now and the most important action is to do the person good.

7. What were the good things that the Tsar did in hermitage?

Ans.     The Tsar, at seeing the old hermit digging beds with immense difficulty, immediately offered to help. Since it was hot and the Tsar continued digging, the hermit advised him to stop for a rest. But the Tsar paid no heed and continued digging until exhaustion did him in.

            When he spotted a wounded man fainting before them, the Tsar at once set himself to dress his wounds. He repeatedly dabbed and dressed the wound with his handkerchief and towel till the man stopped bleeding. The next morning listening to the man’s story the Tsar forgave him, made peace with him, and befriended him. He also promised to get him cured and return his property.

8. What was the first question of Tsar? What was the reply from the learned men of the Kingdom?

Ans. The first question was 'What was the right time for every action'.

The Tsar announced throughout his kingdom it. All the learned men came to the Tsar to answer his questions. Some said, one must draw up in advance a table of days, months and year. Some said, one should attend the works that were coming and then do what was the most needed. Some said that the Tsar should engage a council. The councillor would help him to fix proper time. Some said that it was impossible to know the right time for a particular man. Some said that only magicians knew the right time for every action. As the answers were different, Tsar agreed with none.