Passage – The thought came to a certain king that he would never fail if he knew three things.

These three things 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?

Word Meaning:

Certain (adjective) – here, it means a particular or specific king.

Begin (verb) – to start ( What is the right time to start something?)

Explanation of the Above Passage – In this paragraph, we get to know about the king and the
thought which came to his mind. One day, he got an idea. He thought that he would never fail in his
life and as the king of the kingdom if he would know three things. These three things were the
answers of the three questions which came to his mind.

Passage – The first question was : What is the right time to begin something? The king wanted to
know when he should begin to do some work. Here, he wanted to know a particular time or way by
which he would be able to do his work on time.
The second question was : Which people should he listen to? Here, the king wanted to know who is
the most important person or who should he listen to or pay attention to.
The third question was : What is the most important thing for him to do?
This question means that he wanted to know which task or which aspect or part of his work is the
most important one. Here, he wanted to know which task should be given more attention than the
others.
The king, therefore, sent messengers throughout his kingdom, promising a large sum of money to
anyone who would answer these three questions.

Word Meaning:

Messengers (noun) – people who spread messages or transmit a message from one person to
another person.

Throughout (preposition) – all over a particular place (the king, therefore, sent messengers all
over his kingdom.)

Sum (noun) – quantity or volume (the king sent messengers throughout the kingdom promising a
large quantity of money.)

Explanation of the Above Passage – In this paragraph, we get to know the first thing the king did
to get the answers to his three questions. He sent messengers spreading the king’s word that he
wanted to know the answers to his three questions and that the king promised that the correct
person would get a reward – a large amount of money.

Passage – Many wise men came to the king, but they all answered his questions differently.

Word Meaning:

Wise (adjective) – someone who has better judgment, experience, and great intelligence.
Differently (adverb) – dissimilarly, contrastingly (Many wise men came, but they all answered him
dissimilarly.)

Explanation of the Above Passage – According to this statement, many wise men, all those who
could answer the king’s questions came to meet the king. However, they all answered differently,
dissimilarly. The king got two-three answers for each question.

Passage – In reply to the first question, some said the king must prepare a timetable, and then
follow it strictly. Only in this way, they said, could he do everything at its proper time. Others said
that it was impossible to decide in advance the right time for doing something. The king should
notice all that was going on, avoid foolish pleasures, and always do whatever seemed necessary
at that time. Yet others said that the king needed a council of wise men who would help him act at
the proper time. This was because one man would find it impossible to decide correctly, without
help from others, the right time for every action.

Word Meaning:

Strictly (adverb) – obediently and resolutely, diligently (Some said that the king must prepare a
timetable, and then follow it obediently and resolutely.)

Avoid (verd) – to stop oneself from doing something, to keep away from someone or something
(The king should notice all that was going on and keep away from foolish pleasures.)

Foolish (adjective) – unwise, pointless (The king should avoid pointless pleasures.)

Pleasures (noun) – luxuries, enjoyment, satisfaction (The king should avoid foolish luxuries.)

Seemed (verb) – appeared, looked (The king should always do whatever looked necessary at that
time.)

Council (noun) – a group of people chosen to make rules or to give advice (The king needed a
group of wise men.)

Impossible (adjective) – something which does not seem possible.

Explanation of the Above Passage – In this paragraph, the different answers of the wise men are
being told. Some said that the king should prepare a timetable, in which each and every task will be
covered and followed diligently. Only by making a timetable, would he be able to do everything at
its correct time. However, others answered that no one could decide the right time to do something
in advance. To do so, a person has to be observant. The king should observe or notice all that was
going on in his kingdom and in his affairs and decide accordingly. The king should always take a
step which seems to be the most important step of all. The king should be active, energetic, and
present-minded. For this, the king should avoid unnecessary or pointless pleasures, enjoyment or
satisfaction. However, there was the third answer too. Some people said that the king needed a
council of wise men who would help him act at a proper time. According to them, it was impossible
for a single to decide correctly. The king would need help and guidance, which he would get from
the council.
Passage – But then others said that there were some things which could be urgent. These things
could not wait for the decision of the council. In order to decide the right time for doing something,
it is necessary to look into the future. And only magicians could do that.
The king, therefore, would have to go to magicians.

Word Meaning:

Urgent (adjective) – important, emergency matters (Others said that there were some things
which could be of emergency.)

Explanation of the Above Passage – In this paragraph, we get to know that there was a fourth
answer to the first question : What is the right time to begin something? The fourth answer was that
there were some things which were more urgent than the others. These things required speed and
good use of time. On the other hand, the decision-making council’s process was a bit slow or
time-consuming for such emergency matters. In order to decide the right time to begin some task,
the king would have to look into the future. And who could do that? The answer is – magicians.
Only magicians could look into the future. Hence, the king would have to go and get help from
magicians.

Passage – In their answers to the second question, some said that the people most necessary to
the king were his councillors; others said, the priests. A few others chose the doctors. And yet
others said that his soldiers were the most necessary.

Word Meaning:

Councilors (noun) – people of the council, members of the council (Some said that the people
most necessary to the king were his members of the council.)

Explanation of the Above Passage – In this paragraph, we get to know about the various
answers to the second question. Let’s remember the second question. The second question was:
Which people should the king listen to? So, according to the first answer to the question, the king
should listen to the council of the ministers, the councilors. Others said that the king should listen to
priests, the holy men. A few wise men chose doctors as the people the king should listen to? The
fourth answer was soldiers, those who fight and are willing to give up their lives, to die for their king
and kingdom.
To the third question, some said science. Others chose fighting, and yet others religious worship.
In this paragraph, we get to know about the various answers to the third question. Let’s remember
the third question. The second question was : What is the most important thing for the king to do?
So, there were three answers to this question. First was science, the development of the kingdom,
the invention of new innovative things for the benefit of the kingdom and its people. Second was
fighting for the kingdom and its citizens whereas the third answer was religious worship, staying
linked with God.

Passage – As the answers to his questions were so different, the king was not satisfied and gave
no reward. Instead, he decided to seek the advice of a certain hermit, who was widely known for his
wisdom.

Word Meaning:
Satisfied (verb) – to be happy, enjoyed, filled with contentment (The king was not happy and gave
no reward.)

Seek (verb) – to look for, to search for (He decided to search for a certain hermit and his advice.)

Advice (noun) – suggestion, guidance, help (He decided to seek the guidance of a certain hermit.)

Certain (adjective) – (here, the meaning is not the same as before) particular, specific (He
decided to seek the advice of a particular hermit.)

Hermit (noun) – a person who lives alone and leads a simple life. (The king decided to seek the
advice of a man who lives alone and leads a simple life.)

Widely (adverb) – largely, on a big scale (The hermit was largely known for his wisdom.)

Known (verb) – to be famous, popular (The hermit was widely famous for his wisdom.)

Explanation of the Above Passage – In this paragraph, we get to know how troubled the king
was with the answers of the wise men. The answers were many and they were all different from
one another. Since the answers were so different, he was unable to declare which answer was
correct and which was not. This made him greatly dissatisfied, unhappy. So now what he wanted?
He wanted the advice of a single wise person. And who was that wise person? The hermit who was
popular for his wisdom. Therefore, the king decided to go and search for the hermit and ask him the
three questions and their answers.

Passage – The hermit lived in a wood which he never left. He saw no one but simple people, and
so the king put on ordinary clothes. Before he reached the hermit’s hut the king left his horse with
his bodyguard, and went on alone.

Word Meaning:

Wood (noun) – a small forest (The hermit lived in a small forest.)

Simple (adjective) – Here, it means uncomplicated, innocent (The hermit saw only innocent
people.)

Ordinary (adjective) – Simple, plain, not too fashionable (The king put on plain clothes)

Explanation of the Above Passage – Here, we get to know more about the hermit and what all
the king did to get ready to meet the hermit. The hermit lived in a small forest and he never left the
place. He, the hermit, saw only innocent, straightforward people. So, the king also dressed plainly,
so that he would also look like a simple person. But why did the king do so? The king did so
because the hermit never met anyone except simple people. So, if the king would not look like a
simple person, the hermit would not meet the king.
Then, before he, the king who was riding a horse and was with his bodyguard, reached the hermit’s
hut, what did he do? He left his horse and bodyguard behind and went on alone. Why did he do
such a thing? The king did so because the hermit met only a few people. So, if he, the king would
have gone to meet him along with his horse and bodyguard, the hermit would not allow him inside
his hut and it would have ruined his simple image.
Passage – As the king came near the hermit’s hut, he saw the hermit digging the ground in front of
his hut. He greeted the king and continued digging. The hermit was old and weak, and as he
worked, he
breathed heavily.

Word Meaning:

Heavily (adverb) – here, it means slowly and loudly (As the hermit worked, he breathed slowly and
loudly.)

Explanation of the Above Passage – When the king reached the hut, he saw the hermit digging
the ground in front of his hut. When he saw the king, he just greeted him but he didn’t leave his
work. He kept on digging the ground. During this time, what did the king notice about the hermit?
He noticed that the hermit was old and weak. He wasn’t healthy enough to do the digging work. As
he worked, he breathed heavily meaning he was tired.

Passage – The king went up to the hermit and said, “I have come to you, wise hermit, to ask you to
answer three questions: How can I learn to do the right thing at the right time? Who are the people
I need most? And what affairs are the most important?”

Word Meaning:

Affairs (noun) – things, matters, business (What matters are the most important?)

Explanation of the Above Passage – The king went up to the hermit, told him the reason why he
had come here and asked him the three questions.

Passage – The hermit listened to the king, but did not speak. He went on digging. “You are tired,”
said the king. “Let me take the spade and work in your place.”
“Thanks,” said the hermit, giving the king his spade. Then he sat down on the ground.

Word Meaning:

Spade (noun) – a tool with a sharp-edged used for digging.

Explanation of the Above Passage – The hermit listened to the king and his questions. However,
instead of replying or giving answers, he went on digging. As we read earlier, the king noticed how
old and weak the hermit was and how difficult this task was for him. The king felt sorry for the hermit.
That is why the king decided to do the digging for the hermit. The hermit thanked the king for his
kindness and gave him the spade. Then, he sat down on the ground and relaxed.

Passage – When the king had dug two beds, he stopped and repeated his questions. The hermit
gave no answer, but stood up, stretching out his hand for the spade, and said, “Now you rest, and
let me work.”
But the king did not give him the spade and continued to dig.

Word Meaning:

Beds (noun) – small patches of ground for plants

Stretching (verb) – straightening or extending one’s body or a part of one’s body to its full length,
typically so as to tighten one’s muscles or in order to reach something.

Explanation of the Above Passage – After the king had finished digging two beds, he stopped
and repeated his questions, hoping that the hermit would reply. He had done a lot of work for the
hermit and so, he felt like he would surely get his answers. However, the hermit didn’t answer.
Instead, he stood up and asked for his spade and stretched out his hand for the tool. The hermit
would not pay any attention to the king’s question, he seemed to be too busy in his work for it. But,
did the king return the spade? No, he didn’t. He wanted to continue, in the hope that the hermit
would answer after seeing his kindness.

Passage – One hour passed, then another. The sun went down behind the trees, and at last the
king stuck the spade into the ground and said, “I came to you, wise man, for an answer to my
questions. If you can give me no answer, tell me so and I will return home.”
“Here comes someone running,” said the hermit.

Word Meaning:

Stuck (verb) – push a sharp or pointed object into or through something.

Explanation of the Above Passage – In the last paragraph, we learn that the king didn’t give back
the spade to the hermit. He continued digging. Furthermore, in this paragraph, we learn that the
king kept on digging for two hours (one hour passed, then another, meaning that two hours
passed). The sun went down behind the trees, meaning that the sun had set. It was evening. After
digging for two hours, he became furious and finally, he pushed the spade into the ground and said
that he had come to the hermit, who is being referred to as a ‘wise men’ here, for the answer to his
three questions and that if he, the hermit cannot give them due to any reason, he, the hermit can
just say so and the king would just go back to his home. Instead of replying to the king about the
three questions, he changed the topic and pointed towards the person who was running towards
them.

Passage – The king turned round and saw a bearded man running towards them. His hands were
pressed against his stomach, from which blood was flowing. When he reached the king he fainted
and fell to the ground. The king and the hermit removed the man’s clothing and found a large
wound in his stomach. The king washed and covered it with his handkerchief, but the blood would
not stop flowing. The king re-dressed the wound until at last the bleeding stopped.

Word Meaning:

Fainted (verb) – lost consciousness (When he reached the king he lost consciousness.)

Re-dressed (verb) – dressed again (The king dressed the wound again.)

Bearded (adjective) – a person who has a beard

Wound (noun) – injury, cut

Explanation of the Above Passage – After the hermit said and pointed towards a person who
was running towards them, the king turned round to see who the person was. This means that the
person was behind the king’s back. After the king turned round, he saw that a bearded man was
running towards them. He also noticed one more thing. What was that? The king noticed that the
man’s hands were pressed against his stomach. And what was flowing from it? Blood was flowing
from the stomach. Then, when he reached the king, he lost his consciousness or you can even say
that he became unconscious or he fainted. Then, he fell to the ground. The king and the hermit
went towards him to help him.
They removed the man’s clothing and found something. What did they find? They found a large
wound, a large cut in his stomach. The king washed the wound, meaning that he cleaned the blood.
Then, he covered the wound with his handkerchief. However, the blood would not stop flowing. So
then what did the king do? The king re-dressed the wound by which the bleeding, the flowing of
blood finally stopped. This is how they helped the bearded man.

Passage – The man felt better and asked for something to drink. The king brought fresh water and
gave it to him. By this time the sun had set and the air was cool. The king with the hermit’s help
carried the wounded man into the hut and laid him on the bed. The man closed his eyes and lay
quiet. The king, tired by his walk and the work he had done, lay down on the floor and slept through
the night. When he awoke, it was several minutes before he could remember where he was or who
the strange bearded man lying on the bed was.

Word Meaning:

Several (determiner) – two or more (When he awoke, it was two or more minutes before he could
remember everything.)

Explanation of the Above Passage – After the man became conscious, he said he felt better and
also asked for something to drink. The king brought fresh water and gave it to him. By this time,
night had already come. The air was cool. The king and the hermit carried the wounded man into
the hut and laid him on the bed. The bearded man closed his eyes and rested for a while. The king
was tired by his walk and all the digging and treatment he had done. Then he awoke, and it took
him two or more minutes to remember where he was and who the bearded man lying on the bed
was. This shows how tired he was.

Passage – “Forgive me!” said the bearded man in a weak voice, when he saw that the king was
awake. “I do not know you and have nothing to forgive you for,” said the king.

Word Meaning:

Awake (verb) – not sleeping, the state of being alert and not asleep

Explanation of the Above Passage – When the bearded man saw that the king was not sleeping
any longer, he apologised. He apologised in a weak voice, which states that he was not fully fit and
fine. The king, to whom the bearded man was a stranger, said that he did not know him and did not
have anything to forgive him for, meaning that he did not know the reason why the man was
apologising.

Passage – “You do not know me, but I know you. I am that enemy of yours who swore revenge on
you, because you put my brother to death and seized my property. I knew you had gone alone to
see that hermit, and I made up my mind to kill you on your way home. But the day passed and you
did not return. So I left my hiding-place, and I came upon your bodyguard, who recognised me and
wounded me. I escaped from him but I should have died if you had not dressed my wounds. I
wished to kill you, and you have saved my life. Now, if I live, I will serve you as your most faithful
servant and will order my sons to do the same. Forgive me!”

Word Meaning:

Swore (verb) – promised, vowed

Revenge (noun) – a wish to injure someone who injured you in the past

Seized (verb) – took by force (You put my brother to death and took my property by force.)

Recognised (verb) – to remember someone

Faithful (adjective) – loyal and true

Explanation of the Above Passage – In this paragraph, we get to know about the bearded man
and why he was injured. He was the king’s enemy and had promised to take revenge from the king
due to two reasons. What were the two reasons? One, the king put his brother to death. Second,
the king seized his property. Then, we get to see his plan. He knew that the king had gone alone to
meet the hermit. His plan was to murder the king when he would return and he even hid. However,
the king didn’t get his answers and so he didn’t return. The bearded man who was confused by this,
decided to leave his hiding-place. This was a mistake. He met the bodyguard, who recognised the
man and knew that he was the king’s enemy. The bodyguard wounded the man, so the king would
be protected. The bearded man escaped from him but he had a large wound in his stomach. The
bearded man should have died but survived because of the king and the hermit. The bearded man
wanted to kill the king, but got saved by the king. This changed him. This made him realise that the
king was a nice person. He declared himself to be the king’s most faithful servant, someone the
king can always trust. He promised that he would order his king to do the same. Then he
apologised again for the revenge he had decided to take from the king.

Passage – The king was very happy to have made peace with his enemy so easily, and to have
won him over as a friend. He not only forgave him but said he would send his servants and his own
doctor to look after him, and he promised to give back the man his property.

Word Meaning:

Peace (noun) – the state of friendship and harmony, no conflict, war or any type of violence

Explanation of the Above Passage – In this paragraph, we get to know about the king’s reaction
when he heard the bearded man’s story. He was very happy to have made his enemy become his
friend so easily. He forgave the man and promised two things – one, that he would his servants and
own doctor to take care of the man and second, that he would give back his property, which he had
seized earlier.

Passage – Leaving the wounded man, the king went out of the hut and looked round for the hermit.
Before going away he wished once more to get answers to his questions. The hermit was on his
knees sowing seeds in the beds that had been dug the day before. The king went up to the hermit
and said, “For the last time I beg you to answer my questions, wise man.”

Word Meaning:
Sowing (verb) – planting

Explanation of the Above Passage – After the conversation between the bearded man and the
king ended, the king left the wounded man (the bearded man) inside the hut. He came out and
searched for the hermit. Why? The king searched for the hermit as he wanted to ask the three
questions once more. That would be his last chance. If the hermit would stay quiet this time, the
king would return to home. This is what the king decided. The hermit was on his knees. What was
he doing? He was sowing seeds in the beds which the king and the hermit had dug up the day
before, meaning yesterday. The king went to the hermit, repeated the three questions and begged
the hermit to give the answers.

Passage – “You have already been answered!” said the hermit, still bending down to the ground
and looking up at the king as he stood before him.
“How have I been answered? What do you mean?”

Explanation of the Above Passage – After the king asked the three questions and begged for the
answers, the hermit finally replied, and what he said made the king confused and shocked.
According to the hermit, the king had already got the answers to his three questions.
The king, who obviously didn’t understand how he already got the answers, asked the hermit to
explain what the answers were.

Passage – “Do you not see?” replied the hermit. “If you had not pitied my weakness yesterday and
had not dug these beds for me, you would have gone away. Then that man would have attacked
you and you would have wished you had stayed with me. So the most important time was when
you were digging the beds. And I was the most important man, and to do me good was your most
important business.
Afterward, when the man ran to us, the most important time was when you were caring for him,
because if you had not dressed his wounds he would have died without having made peace with
you. So he was the most important man, and what you did for him was your most important
business.

Pitied (verb) – felt sorry (If you had not felt sorry for my weakness yesterday, you wuld have gone
away.

Explanation of the Above Passage – The hermit explained what he meant. He said that if the
king would not have pitied his weak and tired body, he would not have dug the beds for him. He
would have gone away. This would have resulted in the king getting wounded by the bearded man,
who was his enemy at that time. Then, the king would have to have stayed with the hermit only.
Hence, the most important time then was when he was digging the beds out of pity. The most
important person then was the hermit himself and the most important business then was to be
helpful and nice towards the hermit. The hermit then uses another example to make the king
understand. Afterward, when the bearded man was introduced, the most important time was when
the king was taking care of him. Why? The most important time then was when the king was with
him as if he, the king wouldn’t have treated him, he would have died without making peace,
friendship with him.
Hence, the important person then was the bearded man and treating him was the king’s most
important business. What do we get to know from this? We get to know that the answer may be the
same but the particular time, person and business changes according to the situation or problem
the king is in.
Passage – “Remember then, there is only one time that is important and that time is ‘Now’. It is the
most important time because it is the only time we have any power to act.

Explanation of the Above Passage – Here, we get to know the answer to the first question. What
was the first question? It was – What is the right time to begin something? According to the hermit,
there is only one time that is the right time to begin something and it is the most important time.
When is it? It is – ‘now’, meaning the present. Why? It is the most important time because it is the
only time we have any power to act. How is this true? Well, no one can act in the past nor in the
future. Hence, ‘now’ is the only time we have any power to act.

Passage – “The most necessary person is the person you are with at a particular moment, for no
one knows what will happen in the future and whether we will meet anyone else. The most
important business is to do that person good, because we were sent into this
world for that purpose alone.”

Word Meaning:

Necessary (adjective) – essential, important (The most important person is the person you are
with at a particular moment.)

Moment (noun) – second, time (The most necessary person is the person you are with at a
particular time.)

Purpose (noun) – reason, point, aim (The most important business is to do that person good,
because we were sent into this world for that reason alone.)

Alone (noun) – only ( The most important business is to do that person good, because we were
sent into this world for that purpose only.)

Explanation of the Above Passage – Here, we get to know the answers to the second and third
questions. The second question was – who should the king listen to. Well, according to the hermit,
the person we are with are the ones we should listen to, as no one knows the future and we don’t
know if we will ever meet any other person in the future. The third question was – what is the most
important affair?
According to the hermit, the most important thing to do is to help the person we are with. Our aim
should be to make people happy, as that is the reason why we were born and sent into this world.
This is our purpose.