Wisdom Paves the Way

Complete Play Guide & Exercise Solutions

Play Summary

"Wisdom Paves the Way" is a play about four intelligent young men—Ram Datt, Shiv Datt, Har Datt, and Dev Datt—who are traveling to the city of Ujjain in search of work. They hope to gain an audience with the King, confident that he will recognize their talents. On their way, they come across the fresh tracks of a camel and, through keen observation, each deduces a specific detail about the animal. Ram Datt figures out it's lame, Shiv Datt that it's blind in one eye, Har Datt that it has a short tail, and Dev Datt that it's suffering from stomach pain.

They soon encounter a distressed merchant who has lost his camel. When the four men describe the camel perfectly, the merchant, instead of being impressed, accuses them of theft since they claim they haven't seen the animal. He drags them to the King's court. Before the King, each man calmly explains the logical reasoning behind his deduction. The King is thoroughly impressed by their sharp intellect and wisdom. He dismisses the merchant's baseless accusation and, recognizing the value of such minds, offers the four men positions as his royal advisors. The play concludes with the men humbly accepting the honor, their long journey ending with unexpected success, proving that wisdom indeed paves the way.

Word Meanings

Difficult Word/Expression	Meaning
adorned	beautified
tapestries	heavy decorative fabrics woven with pictures or patterns
resolute	determined
bustling	busy
eludes	difficult to obtain
devise	to think of
deliberate	to think carefully
scrutinise	to look carefully at
in haste	in a hurry
pursued	chased
countenance	facial expression
distressed	worried
astray	away from the correct path
indignant	angry
yonder	over there
draperies	long thick curtains
canopy	a cover fixed over a seat for decoration
grievance	complaint
accusations	claims that someone has done something wrong
deduce	to determine by reasoning
discern	to see or notice something
foliage	green leaves and plants
fended off	guarded against
insight	a clear/deep understanding
sound	healthy
intimately	in a detailed way
flawless	perfect
chastened	felt sorry
counsel	advice
beacon	guiding light

Let us do these activities before we read

II. Classify each one as either 'knowledge' or 'wisdom'.

Knowledge	Wisdom
1. Riya's understanding of plant care helped her grow a healthy vegetable garden in her backyard.	2. Mr. Kumar values time with family over chasing wealth.
3. Karuna's expertise in computer programming helped her develop a successful app.	4. Rohan understood the value of time management and created a timetable to complete his assignments systematically.
6. Ms. Vaijayanthi delivered a lecture on Indian Classical music at the cultural festival.	5. Ramesh chose to forgive his friend for a misunderstanding.

Let us discuss

Scene I: Complete the following sentences with suitable reasons.

Shiv Datt said, "I believe it has been over a week, perhaps even longer," because it had been a long time since they left the village.
Dev Datt said, "Indeed, we ought to be united in this hope. That is why we press on towards Ujjain," because their shared goal of meeting the King gave them the determination to continue their difficult journey.
Har Datt said, "Look there, friends. A camel has passed this way. The tracks are fresh," because he could see clear footprints on the dusty road that had not yet been disturbed by wind or time.
Shiv Datt said, "It appears to be a merchant, running as if pursued by trouble," because the man was running quickly and had a worried or distressed expression on his face.
The merchant said, "How could you possibly know that? The poor creature has been unwell for two weeks now. Surely you are a healer!" because he was astonished that Dev Datt knew about the camel's stomach pain without having seen the animal.
Dev Datt said, "You are free to do as you wish, sir. If the King desires our presence, we shall be waiting under that banyan tree yonder," because he was confident and calm, knowing they had done nothing wrong and were not afraid to face the King.

Scene II: Arrange the following events in order.

(3) The King asks the merchant to clearly state his accusation.
(8) The merchant accuses the four men of knowing a lot about his missing camel.
(2) Ram Datt explains how he infers from the tracks that the camel is lame.
(5) Shiv Datt reveals that the camel is blind in its right eye as it had only chewed on the leaves on the left side of the road.
(7) Har Datt clarifies how he knew that the camel has a short tail.
(6) Dev Datt explains his observation about the camel's pain and careful movement.
(4) The King praises the young men for their observations and dismisses the merchant's accusation.
(1) The King makes the four young men his advisers, impressed by their skills.

Let us think and reflect

I. Read the given extracts and answer the questions that follow.

Extract 1

Identify the false statement from the two given below and rectify it.
False Statement: A. Dev Datt believes that finding employment is an easy task.
Rectified Statement: Dev Datt believes that finding suitable employment may take a long time and require them to "wander many more roads."
What does Ram Datt's confidence in gaining the King's recognition tell us about him?
It tells us that Ram Datt is confident in his and his friends' abilities and believes that their talents are valuable enough to be recognized by a ruler.
In the line, 'That's why we press on towards Ujjain', the phrase 'press on' refers to
B. moving forward with determination
What can be inferred about Har Datt's character from his statement?
C. He is cautious and thoughtful, preferring to plan ahead.

Extract 2

Select the option that is true for both Assertion (A) and Reason (R).
B. Both (A) and (R) are true, but (R) is not the correct explanation of (A). (The Merchant left because his accusation was proven baseless, not because the men were hired.)
The line, 'See beyond the obvious' means that the men had the ability to
C. notice details that others might overlook
Complete the following sentence with a suitable reason.
Ram Datt described the King's offer as 'an honour we had not dared to dream of' because they were simple travelers looking for any kind of work, and being appointed as royal advisors was an outcome far beyond their highest expectations.
How does the King's offer to the four men reflect his values as a ruler?
It reflects that the King is a wise ruler who values intelligence, wisdom, and keen observation over status or wealth. He recognizes true talent and understands its importance in governing his kingdom.

II. Answer the following questions.

What does the dusty road leading to Ujjain tell us about the challenges of the young men's journey?
The dusty road symbolizes a long, tiring, and difficult journey. It suggests that the young men have faced hardship and have been traveling for a while, yet they remain determined.
Why did the merchant become suspicious of the four men? What does this tell us about him?
The merchant became suspicious because the men knew precise details about his lost camel without claiming to have seen it. This tells us that the merchant is quick to jump to conclusions, mistrustful, and perhaps not very imaginative, as he couldn't conceive of how they could know such things through deduction alone.
How do the four young men's observations about the camel serve as a turning point in the play?
The observations are the turning point because they transform the men from ordinary, unemployed travelers into extraordinary individuals in the eyes of the King. Their deductions serve as an unconventional job interview, showcasing their unique talents and leading directly to their appointment as royal advisors.
Why did the King believe the four young men and not the merchant?
The King believed the young men because they provided logical, flawless reasoning for each of their observations. Their explanations were based on evidence and deduction, whereas the merchant's claim was based only on suspicion and anger. The King, being wise, recognized the power of their intellect.
How does the capability of the four young men make them suitable to become advisors?
Their capabilities—keen observation, logical deduction, and the ability to see beyond the obvious—are essential qualities for advisors. These skills allow them to analyze situations deeply, understand complex problems from small details, and provide insightful counsel, which is invaluable for a ruler.
Why does the merchant feel ashamed for accusing the four young men of stealing his camel? Explain in your own words.
The merchant feels ashamed because he realizes how wrong he was. He publicly accused innocent men of being thieves in front of the King, only to have them prove their intelligence and integrity. He was proven to be foolish and quick to anger, which left him embarrassed and chastened.

Let us learn

I. Complete the sentences by filling in the noun form of the textual words.

Some word games need a lot of thought and deduction. (deduce)
We need to make close observations of animals in order to understand their behaviour. (observe)
A detailed scrutiny of the documents shows a lot of errors. (scrutinise)
You should not make any false accusations against anyone. (accuse)
She was given an award in recognition of her contribution to literature. (recognise)

II. Match the expressions in Column 1 with their meanings in Column 2.

1. with all our hearts → (vi) complete sincerity
2. to be precise → (iv) exact and accurate
3. gain an audience with → (v) meeting or hearing someone
4. catch his breath → (vii) to pause or rest for some time
5. erupts in applause → (ii) starts cheering together
6. grand scheme of things → (viii) overall plan of life in a larger context
7. taken aback → (i) surprised
8. more than meets the eye → (iii) hidden information that is not obvious

III. Match the different meanings of 'face' and 'bear'.

Face

(i) Ravi turned to face his father, when he was called. → 2. (v.) to be positioned with the face or front towards
(ii) The face of the clock was painted red and blue. → 4. (n.) the front or surface of a thing
(iii) She has a round, smiling face. → 1. (n.) the front part of a person's head
(iv) We should be ready to face life's challenges. → 3. (v.) to deal with a difficult task or situation

Bear

(i) The trees that I planted in my garden took a long time to bear fruit. → 4. (v.) produce; give birth to
(ii) I spotted a bear on a wildlife safari. → 3. (n.) a large heavy mammal
(iii) Riya agreed to bear the responsibilities with confidence. → 2. (v.) accept
(iv) I can't bear the sound of vehicles honking. → 1. (v.) tolerate

IV. Match the highlighted words with the functions they express.

1. I will gladly pay your fee... → (ix) willingness
2. You must have stolen it... → (v) logical conclusion
3. You shall come with me... → (x) command
4. How could you possibly know that? → (i) expression of disbelief
5. I am confident he would recognise our talents... → (xi) possibility
6. A camel with a long tail would have fended off... → (ii) imagined (hypothetical) possibility
7. They may tell us more than meets the eye. → (viii) prediction
8. May your wisdom shine upon Ujjain... → (vi) wish or hope
9. Indeed, we ought to be united in this hope. → (iii) moral obligation or advice
10. We need to devise a strategy. → (vii) necessity
11. ...as if it stood before you, yet you dare to claim... → (iv) challenge

V. Complete the following story with modal verbs.

An old man, known for his wisdom, lived in a small village. One day, a young boy asked him, "How 1. can (ability) I become wise like you?" The old man smiled and said, "Wisdom 2. must (necessity) be earned through patience. You 3. should (suggestion) listen, more than you speak." The boy thought for a while and replied, "It 4. might (weak possibility) take years, but I'll try." The old man nodded. "You 5. need to (obligation) learn from your mistakes too. Wisdom 6. may (possibility) come slowly, but it always arrives for those who seek it." The boy knew he 7. could (ability) become wise if he followed the old man's advice.

VI. Rewrite the following sentences using appropriate modal verbs.

It is advisable for you to think before you speak.
You should think before you speak.
It is unnecessary to worry about things beyond your control.
You need not worry about things beyond your control.
It is not possible for a person to gain experience without taking risks.
A person cannot gain experience without taking risks.
It is essential to treat others with kindness, even when they disagree with you.
You must treat others with kindness, even when they disagree with you.
It is not allowed to interrupt when someone else is speaking.
You must not interrupt when someone else is speaking.

Let us listen

I. Match statements 1-6 given below to the speakers (i)-(iv).

Statement 1: Witty characters prove that cleverness is as powerful as strength. → Speaker (ii)
Statement 2: Witty characters show us ways to make learning enjoyable. → Speaker (iv)
Statement 3: Witty characters in a story keep the reader involved. → Not used
Statement 4: Witty characters teach me that tricky situations can be managed calmly. → Speaker (iii)
Statement 5: Witty characters add excitement to a story by their extraordinary deeds. → Not used
Statement 6: Witty characters can deactivate tense situations with their cleverness. → Speaker (i)

Let us write

I. Write a letter of complaint.

15, Nehru Nagar,

Aligarh, Uttar Pradesh

14 October 2025

The Commissioner,

Municipal Corporation,

Aligarh, Uttar Pradesh

Subject: Complaint regarding the poor condition of Kutcha Road in Nehru Nagar

Dear Sir/Madam,

I am writing to draw your attention to the deplorable condition of the kutcha road leading to our colony, Nehru Nagar. Due to the recent heavy rains, the road has become virtually unusable and is causing significant inconvenience to the residents.

The road is now riddled with large potholes, which are filled with stagnant water. Firstly, these potholes pose a serious threat to commuters, especially two-wheeler riders and pedestrians, and could lead to accidents. Secondly, the stagnant water has become a breeding ground for mosquitoes, increasing the risk of diseases like dengue and malaria in our locality. As a result, the daily life of residents has been severely disrupted.

Firstly, I would like to suggest that immediate action be taken to fill the potholes as a temporary measure. Secondly, we request you to initiate the process of constructing a proper, permanent road for our colony. I request you to look into this matter urgently and take the necessary action to resolve these issues.

Thank you.

I look forward to your prompt response.

Yours faithfully,

(Signature)

Rohan Sharma

Let us explore

This final section encourages you to bring the play to life and explore other classic tales of intelligence. You are invited to:

Stage the play 'Wisdom Paves the Way' in your class, following the detailed steps provided for production, from choosing a director to performing for an audience.
Visit the library to read other famous stories that celebrate wit and wisdom, such as tales of Vikramaditya and Betal, Gopal the Jester, Tenali Rama, and the Panchatantra Tales.

Tuesday, October 14, 2025