Chapter 8 – Three Questions Solutions

Content Structure

1. About the author – Leo Tolstoy
2. Summary of the Three Questions
3. Word meanings
4. Exercises solutions
5. Additional Questions and Answers
- 5A. Short Questions & Answers
- 5B. Long Questions & Answers

1. About the author – Leo Tolstoy

Leo Tolstoy was a famous Russian writer, born on 9th September 1828. He is best known for his well-known novels War and Peace and Anna Karenina, which are thought to be some of the best books ever written. In his stories, he talked about the true meaning of human life and feelings. He strongly believed in simple and good values like love, truth, and non-violence. He did not care for power and wealth and chose to live a simple life based on human values. His strong beliefs inspired many people, especially Mahatma Gandhi, who deeply respected Tolstoy’s strong belief in peace and non-violence.

2. Summary of the Three Questions

Once upon a time, a Tsar believed that if he knew the right time to act, the right people to follow, and the most important thing to do, he would never fail in any war, so he announced a great reward for anyone who could give him answers to these three questions. Many people came forward with different answers but the Tsar was not satisfied with any of them. Some said the right time could be known by making a proper schedule and sticking to it, while others believed he should observe the present situation and act accordingly. Some advised taking help from a council of wise men, while others claimed only a magician could predict the right time. There were also different views about who the most important people were; some said counselors, while others suggested priests, doctors, or soldiers. Some people believed that the most important thing to do was science, while others argued that it was war or prayer. Still, none of the answers satisfied the Tsar, so he gave no reward. Still seeking the truth, the Tsar decided to meet with a wise hermit who lived a simple life in a forest hut and spent time as a simple person, so the Tsar dressed in simple clothes and went alone into the forest. He found the hermit digging the ground in front of his hut and asked him his three questions but the hermit gave no reply. When the Tsar noticed that the old hermit was tired and out of breath, he took the spade and helped him dig. Many hours passed, and the sun began to set but the hermit still said nothing and suddenly, a man came running out of the forest with a wound in his stomach. The Tsar cleaned the wound, bandaged it carefully to stop the bleeding, and stayed beside the man as he slept in the hut. The next morning, the wounded man apologized to the Tsar and confessed that he had come to kill him to take revenge for his brother’s death. He had planned to attack the Tsar but was instead wounded by the guards. He said the Tsar had saved his life and promised to serve him forever, forgetting all enmity. Before returning to his palace, the Tsar asked the hermit once again for the answers. The hermit smiled and said that he had already received them and explained that the most important time is now, as it is the only moment we have; the most important person is the one you are with at the moment, and the most important thing to do is to do good to that person. The Tsar finally understood the real wisdom: to live in the present, help others, and always do good.

3. Word meanings

Word	Meaning
Tsar	Title of a Russian Ruler
Beforehand	Earlier or advance
Warriors	Fighter or soldier
Warfare	Fighting in war
Quitted	Leave
Widely	By many people or in many places
Dismounted	Get off a horse
Greeted	Welcome someone politely
Frail	Weak
Awhile	For a short time
Stuck	Push a sharp object
Spade	A tool used for digging
Moaning feebly	Making a weak, soft sound of pain
Fainting	Becoming unconscious for a short time
Unfastened	Opened or untied something
Revived	Restore to life or consciousness
Crouched	Bending the knees and the upper body forward
Intently	With strong focus or attention
Executed	Killed someone as punishment
Resolved	Decided
Porch	A covered shelter built in front of the house
Sowing	Plant the seeds in the ground
Repented	Feel or express regret about doing something wrong
Ambush	As surprise attack by people in a hidden place

4. Exercises solutions

1. Why did the Tsar want to have the answer to the Three questions? …. (2)
Ans: The Tsar believed that if he knew the right time to act, the right people to follow, and the most important thing to do, he would never fail in any task. So, he announced a great reward for anyone who could answer these three questions.

2. What was the third question and what was the answer?… (2)
Ans: The third question was, “What is the most important work to do?” The hermit said that the most important work is to be kind and helpful to the person near you right now.

3. How did the Tsar and the hermit nurse the wounded man?…. (6)
Ans: The Tsar and the hermit cleaned the man’s wound and washed it several times to stop the bleeding. The Tsar changed the bandage again and again as it became soaked with blood, using a towel and his handkerchief as bandages. He also gave the man fresh water to drink and stayed with him throughout the night. Later, with the hermit’s help, the Tsar carried the man into the hut and continued to care for him.

4. State the modern relevance of the story Three Questions….. (6)
Ans: The story teaches valuable lessons that are still important in today’s world, reminding us to help others, do good actions, and live with kindness. In our busy modern lives, people often forget to appreciate the present moment. The story shows the importance of living in the now, caring for the person we are with, and doing good for them. These values help us lead a more peaceful and meaningful life, even in today’s busy and hard life.

5. Additional Questions and Answers

5A. Short Questions and Answers

1. Where did the Tsar fall asleep?
Ans: The Tsar fell asleep on the doorstep of the hermit’s hut. He was very tired after helping the hermit dig the ground for a long time. The cool, quiet forest made him sleepy, and he rested near the hut.

2. Why did the Tsar wear simple clothes?
Ans: The Tsar wore simple clothes because the hermit met only ordinary people and did not like visitors who looked rich or powerful. The Tsar wanted to hide his identity so the hermit would talk to him freely.

3. Why did the Tsar visit the hermit?
Ans: The Tsar went to the hermit to find answers to his three important questions. He believed the hermit was very wise and could tell him how to be a successful ruler.

4. Whom did the hermit meet?
Ans: The hermit met only common people — simple villagers who came to him for advice. He avoided kings or noblemen and lived quietly in the forest.

5. What was the hermit famous for?
Ans: The hermit was famous for his wisdom and kindness. Many people respected him because he gave good advice and helped others live better lives.

6. Why did the bearded man hate the Tsar?
Ans: The bearded man hated the Tsar because the Tsar had killed his brother and taken away his property. So, the man wanted revenge for his loss.

7. What did the man want to do?
Ans: The man wanted to kill the Tsar to take revenge for his brother’s death and the loss of his land. He hid in the forest, waiting for a chance to attack.

8. When did the Tsar ask his questions again?
Ans: The Tsar asked his questions again after digging two beds of soil for the hermit. He was tired but still wanted answers to his three questions.

9. When did the man say, “Forgive me”?
Ans: The man said “Forgive me” in the morning, when the Tsar woke up. He was filled with shame for trying to harm the Tsar, who had instead saved his life.

10. How did the Tsar feel after forgiving the man?
Ans: The Tsar felt happy, peaceful, and satisfied. Forgiving his enemy made his heart light, and he understood the true meaning of kindness.

11. Why didn’t the Tsar like the answers of the wise men?
Ans: The Tsar didn’t like their answers because each one gave a different answer, and none of them seemed completely right to him.

12. Why had the bearded man come to the forest?
Ans: The bearded man had come to the forest to attack the Tsar, but he was caught and wounded by the Tsar’s guards instead.

13. Who is the most important person, according to the hermit?
Ans: According to the hermit, the most important person is the one you are with at that moment, because you can only help or do good to the person who is near you now.

14. What is the most important thing to do, according to the hermit?
Ans: The most important thing to do, according to the hermit, is to do good to the person near you, because that is what truly matters.

15. Who said, “You have already been answered”?
Ans: The hermit said this to the Tsar when he explained that the answers to the three questions had already been shown through his actions.

16. When did the hermit sit on the ground?
Ans: The hermit sat on the ground when the Tsar took the spade and started digging in his place.

17. Where did the Tsar fall asleep?
Ans: The Tsar fell asleep at the door of the hermit’s hut, tired after helping dig and taking care of the wounded man.

18. Why did the Tsar go to the hermit?
Ans: The Tsar went to the hermit to find answers to his three important questions about life and success.

19. Why did the man want revenge?
Ans: The man wanted revenge because the Tsar had hurt his family and taken away what belonged to them.

20. Why was the hermit breathing heavily?
Ans: The hermit was breathing heavily because he was old, weak, and tired from digging the soil.

21. Why was the Tsar happy?
Ans: The Tsar was happy because he had made peace with his enemy and had finally learned the real answers to his three questions.

22. What did the wounded man promise?
Ans: The wounded man promised to serve the Tsar and to teach his sons to love and obey him forever.

23. How did the Tsar promise to reward the one who answered right?
Ans: The Tsar promised to give a large reward of money to anyone who could give correct answers to his three questions.

24. Why did the Tsar leave his guards and horse?
Ans: The Tsar left his guards and horse behind because the hermit met only simple people, and he didn’t want to scare him.

25. Why did the Tsar send messengers?
Ans: The Tsar sent messengers throughout his kingdom to find people who could answer his three important questions.

26. What answers did they give to the second question?
Ans: Some said the most important people were counsellors, others said priests, doctors, or soldiers — depending on their own opinions.

27. What answers did they give to the third question?
Ans: Some said the most important thing to do was science, others said fighting, and some said praying to God.

5B. Long Questions and Answers

1. What answers did the hermit give to the king’s questions?
Ans: The hermit did not give direct answers at first, but through his actions, he helped the Tsar understand the truth. Finally, he explained that: The right time for any action is “Now”, because it is the only time we can control. The most important person is the one with whom we are at the moment, because we can only help or do good to them now. The most important thing to do is to do good to others, because that is the real purpose of life. Through these simple but powerful answers, the hermit taught the Tsar the secret of a happy and successful life.

2. How did the Tsar nurse the wounded man?
Ans: The Tsar saw the bearded man running toward him, badly wounded and bleeding. Without wasting a moment, the Tsar helped him. He cleaned the man’s wound carefully and tied it with a clean cloth. When the blood did not stop, he washed and bandaged it again and again until it stopped bleeding. The Tsar also gave him water to drink and helped him rest in the hermit’s hut. He worked the whole night nursing the man, even though he was very tired. His kindness and care saved the man’s life and changed the man’s heart completely.

3. “Forgive me!” said the bearded man — Why did he become an enemy? What did he promise?
Ans: The bearded man became an enemy of the Tsar because the Tsar’s soldiers had killed his brother and taken away his property. He wanted revenge and planned to kill the Tsar when he came to visit the hermit. However, the Tsar’s guards wounded him before he could do anything. Later, when the Tsar saved his life by bandaging his wound and taking care of him all night, the man felt very sorry for his actions. He cried, asked for forgiveness, and promised the Tsar that he would serve him faithfully for the rest of his life, along with his sons. The Tsar forgave him and made peace with him.

4. “You have already been answered.” — Who said this and how was the Tsar answered?
Ans: The hermit said these words to the Tsar after he had helped him and saved the wounded man. The Tsar was confused because he thought his questions were still unanswered. But the hermit explained that through his actions, he had already learned the answers:
– The most important time is the time when he was helping the hermit and saving the wounded man — that is, the present moment.
– The most important person was the one with him at that time — first the hermit, then the wounded man.
– The most important thing to do was to do good to them.
Thus, the Tsar understood that real wisdom comes not from words but from good actions.

5. “Here comes someone running.” – Who said this? Who was coming and why?
Ans: The hermit said this when he noticed a man running toward them from the forest. The man was the Tsar’s enemy — a bearded man — who had been waiting to attack the Tsar. However, when he saw that the Tsar’s guards were gone, he came out of hiding. But before he could reach the Tsar, the guards wounded him badly. So, he came running toward the Tsar and the hermit, bleeding heavily and seeking help. He fainted on the ground from weakness and pain.

6. Who was the bearded man and why did he come to the wood?
Ans: The bearded man was once an enemy of the Tsar. He had lost his brother and his property because of the Tsar’s soldiers, so he wanted revenge. He came to the forest where the Tsar had gone to meet the hermit, hoping to attack and kill him. But when the Tsar’s guards wounded him, he came running to the hermit’s hut for help. The Tsar himself nursed him and saved his life. The man’s heart changed after that, and he became a loyal friend of the Tsar instead of an enemy.

7. What were the questions that occurred to the Tsar? Why did he need answers?
Ans: The Tsar wanted to know the right time to act, the right people to listen to, and the most important work to do. He wanted to find these answers because he believed that if he knew them, he would never fail in anything and would be a perfect ruler. He was a thoughtful and responsible ruler who wished to do good for his people. When he could not find satisfying answers from scholars, he decided to seek help from the wise hermit in the forest.

8. What were the replies to the first question?
Ans: The first question was: “What is the right time to begin everything?”
Some learned men said the Tsar should prepare a timetable for every hour, day, and month and strictly follow it. Others said he should pay attention to what is happening and act accordingly. Some suggested that he should have a group of wise men or magicians who could tell him the right time for every action. Because all these answers were different and confusing, the Tsar was not satisfied with any of them.

9. What lesson do we learn from the king helping the hermit?
Ans: The Tsar’s act of helping the hermit teaches us the value of humility and service. Even though the Tsar was a powerful ruler, he did not think himself too important to help an old man with simple work. He took the spade and dug the earth himself, sweating and tiring like a common laborer. This shows that greatness does not lie in power or wealth, but in kindness and simplicity. By serving others with a humble heart, we learn the true meaning of leadership and humanity.

10. What did the Tsar learn about doing good to others?
Ans: The Tsar learned that doing good to others is the most important thing in life. When he helped the hermit by digging the ground and later nursed the wounded man, he understood that kindness brings peace and happiness. He realized that power, wealth, or planning cannot guarantee success, but helping people with love and compassion gives life real meaning. The hermit’s lesson showed him that life becomes beautiful only when we care for others.

11. Why did the Tsar forgive the bearded man?
Ans: The Tsar forgave the bearded man because he understood that forgiveness is a noble and powerful act. Even though the man had planned to kill him, the Tsar showed mercy when he realized that the man had suffered and repented. The Tsar’s heart was filled with compassion after he learned the true meaning of life from the hermit. He believed that hatred only creates more hatred, but forgiveness brings peace to both sides. By forgiving the man, the Tsar not only saved him but also won a loyal friend.

12. Why is the story called “Three Questions”?
Ans: The story is called “Three Questions” because the entire plot revolves around the Tsar’s search for answers to three very important questions — the right time to act, the most important people to deal with, and the most important thing to do. These questions represent the universal human desire to understand the secret of success and happiness. Through his journey and experiences, the Tsar finds that the answers lie not in books or wise men’s words but in living with awareness, kindness, and compassion.