Very Short Answer Type Questions
How did the fishmongers lure the customers to buy Hilsa?
Ans. The fishmongers lured the customers by saying that the price had been down that day.
Who was Gopal?
Ans. Gopal was a courtier in the king’s court known for his wisdom and presence of mind.
What did Gopal’s wife think about him?
Ans. Gopal’s wife thought that her husband had gone mad.
What were the remarks of two men on seeing Gopal in the market?
Ans. On seeing Gopal a man said that he must be a madman while the other called him a mystic.
What was the king’s reaction when he came to know that he had lost the challenge?
Ans. The king was happy about it and congratulated Gopal for winning the challenge.
Short Answer Type Questions
What happened when the king hear his courtiers talking about Hilsa fish?
Ans. When the king heard his courtiers talking about Hilsa fish, he lost his temper and warned them that they were courtiers and not fishermen. But the king soon felt guilty, looking at his nervous and humble courtier when he had rebuked. His tone changed and he said that it was the season of Hilsa and nobody could be stopped from talking about it.
Why did Gopal’s wife find his activities strange?
Ans. Gopal had half-shaven his face. Smeared ash over himself. Had put on rags and was looking disgraceful. She asked Gopal the reason for such weird acts. She stopped him from going out like that but Gopal told her that he was going to buy Hilsa fish. At last she concluded that Gopal had gone mad.
Long Answer Type Questions
Who was Gopal? What was the challenge given to him by the king? How he won it?
Ans. Gopal was one of the wise men in the king’s court. When the king was fed up with ongoing talks about Hilsa fish he challenged Gopal.
Gopal happily accepted the challenge of buying a huge Hilsa fish from the market and to ensure on the way from the market to the palace no one should talk to him about the fish. He was an intelligent man. He dressed up like a mad man and his appearance caught everyone’s attention. He reached the court without anyone talking about the fish as everyone was drawn towards his appearance.
Why was Gopal barred entry to the palace? How did Gopal manage to get in? What was the king’s reaction to Gopal’s deed?
Ans. Gopal looked suspicious or rather mystic since he had dressed himself filthly. Moreover his beared was half-shaved and ash was smeared on it. Therefore the guards barred his entry to the palace. He started dancing and singing loudly so that the king might hear him and call him inside. The king ordered him to be taken inside but he could not recognise him.
When Gopal reminded him of his challenge and proved that he had fulfilled it the king was surprised and burst into laughter.
Value Based Question
We should not give up in any situation. If we try hard we can definitely find a solution. Why do you think so?
Ans. Yes, we should not give up in any situation. We should find out a solution to come out of it. Sometimes, it might be tough to find the solution, but if we try hard, nothing is impossible. We learn from the efforts we make in life. If we won’t make efforts then our learning will stop.
It is OK to commit mistake but we should learn our lesson from them and must not repeat them again. The world remember the great people because they did things differently and took up those risks in life.