
CBSE Class 7 English Honeycomb Chapter 1 Notes Three Questions by Leo Tolstoy is part of the CBSE Class 7 English syllabus under the Honeycomb textbook. This chapter is important from the examination point of view as it includes value-based questions, short and long answer type questions, and reading comprehension.
As per the CBSE exam pattern, students are expected to understand the theme, character sketch, and moral of the story. Key points like "importance of time," "wisdom," and "doing good to others" are frequently asked in tests. These notes help students revise the lesson effectively and prepare confidently for their school exams.
Once upon a time, there was a king who believed that if he knew the answers to three important questions, he would never fail. His three questions were:
What is the right time to begin something?
Which people should he listen to?
What is the most important thing for him to do?
To find the answers, the king promised a great reward to anyone who could answer these questions correctly. Many wise men came, but their answers were all different, and the king was dissatisfied because none of them seemed right. So, he decided to seek answers from a hermit known for his wisdom.
The hermit lived in the forest, away from the world, and had never interacted with anyone except simple villagers. The king, wanting to see the hermit without any royal distractions, dressed plainly and traveled alone. When he reached the hermit's hut, he saw the old, weak hermit digging the ground in front of his home. The king asked him the answers to his three questions, but the hermit didn’t respond. He just kept digging.
The king, eager to get answers, took the spade from the hermit and began digging himself. After a while, the king asked again, but the hermit still didn’t give any answers. Instead, the hermit asked for the spade back, and the king continued to dig.
As the day went on, the king grew frustrated. When the sun was about to set, the king stood up and said he would leave if the hermit didn’t answer his questions. Just then, a man came running toward them, clutching his stomach, blood flowing from a wound. The king and the hermit quickly helped him, stopping the bleeding and saving his life.
Once the man regained consciousness, he apologized to the king and explained that he was the king’s enemy. Years ago, the king had taken his brother's land and ordered his death, which is why he had wanted to get revenge on the king. However, after being saved, the man declared that he now considered the king his savior and would serve him faithfully.
After the man left, the king returned to the hermit and once again asked his three questions. The hermit smiled and told him that he had already received the answers. The most important time is the present, because it’s the only time you can act. The most important person is the one you're with right now, because they need your help. And the most important thing is to do good for them.
In the end, the king realizes that the answers to his three questions are much simpler than he originally thought. He spends a lot of time searching for the right answers, but it is through his experiences with the hermit and the wounded man that he finally understands what truly matters.
He learns:
The right time is always now — because the present moment is the only time we can act and make a difference.
The most important person is the one you're with — because we can only interact and help the people around us, no matter who they are.
The most important thing is to do good to others — because helping others and showing kindness is what really matters in life.
By the end of the story, the king understands that wisdom isn't about finding complicated answers. Instead, it's about living in the present, being kind to those around you, and doing good whenever possible. The story teaches us that true wisdom and happiness come from focusing on the present, the people around us, and the good we can do for others.
Students looking to revise Chapter 1, Three Questions, from the CBSE Class 7 English Honeycomb textbook can refer to the PDF notes provided below. These notes provide a detailed summary of the chapter, simplifying key concepts and making it easier for students to understand the core messages and themes.
The PDF includes comprehensive explanations of the story, character analysis, and important quotes, which will help students prepare effectively for their exams. The download link for the PDF is provided below, allowing students to study the chapter at their own pace and deepen their understanding of the lesson.
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