The Wit that Won Hearts
Complete Story Guide & Exercise Solutions
Summary of The Wit That Won Hearts
The story ‘The Wit that Won Hearts’ is about the famous King Krishnadeva Raya and his clever courtier, Tenali Rama. The trouble starts when the king gets cross with his queen. He was reading her a poem he had written, but she was very tired and yawned. The king felt insulted and, in his anger, stopped speaking to her completely, which made the queen very sad.
Desperate, the queen asks Tenali Rama for help. Being very wise, Tenali Rama comes up with a brilliant plan. In the middle of the king’s court, he starts a discussion about farming. He cleverly brings up the topic of yawning while sowing seeds, which makes the king himself yawn. This makes the king realise that yawning is just a natural thing and not a sign of disrespect. He feels sorry for being so harsh and goes to apologise to the queen. They make up, and happiness returns to the palace, all thanks to Tenali Rama's clever thinking.
Word Meanings
| Difficult Word/Expression | Meaning in Simple English | Meaning in Simple Hindi |
|---|---|---|
| Renowned | Famous and respected. | प्रसिद्ध और सम्मानित |
| Illustrious | Very famous and admired. | प्रख्यात, मशहूर |
| Patron | A person who supports artists, writers, or musicians. | संरक्षक |
| Acclaimed | Praised publicly. | प्रशंसित |
| Witty | Able to say or write clever and amusing things. | हाज़िरजवाब, चतुर |
| Insurmountable | (of a problem) so great that it cannot be dealt with. | अजेय, जिसे पार न किया जा सके |
| Disharmony | Disagreement or conflict. | अनबन, मतभेद |
| Trivial | Not important or serious. | तुच्छ, मामूली |
| Forlorn | Sad and lonely. | उदास और अकेला |
| Distraught | Extremely upset and anxious. | बहुत परेशान और व्याकुल |
| Vague | Not clear or definite. | अस्पष्ट |
| Stormed off | Left a place in a very angry way. | गुस्से में चले जाना |
| Strategy | A plan to achieve something. | रणनीति, योजना |
| Profusely | In large amounts. | बहुत अधिक मात्रा में |
| Bustling | Full of busy activity. | हलचल से भरा हुआ |
| Intricately | In a very detailed and complex way. | जटिलता से, बारीकी से |
| Exquisite | Extremely beautiful and delicate. | अत्यंत सुंदर |
| Gnawed at him | Bothered or worried him continuously. | उसे अंदर ही अंदर खाना |
| Sarcasm | The use of words to mean the opposite of what you say. | व्यंग्य, ताना |
| Unfazed | Not worried or surprised by something unexpected. | बेफिक्र, अविचलित |
| Absurd | Ridiculous or not making sense. | बेतुका |
| Furrowed | (of eyebrows) brought together to show worry or anger. | भौंहें चढ़ाना |
| Skeptical | Having doubts; not easily convinced. | संदेहपूर्ण |
| Realisation dawned | Suddenly understood something. | अहसास होना |
| Orchestrated | Carefully planned and organised. | योजनाबद्ध |
| Brimmed | Was full to the very top. | लबालब भरा हुआ |
Let us discuss
I. Rectify the following false statements from the text.
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Statement: The queen insulted the king by speaking against the quality of his poem.
Answer: This statement is false. The queen did not insult the king by speaking against his poem; in fact, she did not say anything at all. The king felt insulted because she yawned several times while he was reciting it, as she was very tired. He mistook her tiredness for disrespect.
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Statement: Tenali Rama immediately went to the king and convinced him to talk to the queen.
Answer: This statement is false. Tenali Rama did not go to the king immediately. He told the queen that the matter needed a well-planned approach and that he would need some time to think of the right strategy to solve the problem without making things worse.
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Statement: The courtiers admired the king’s poem and praised his literary talent.
Answer: This statement is false. The courtiers did not admire or praise the king’s poem. The story mentions that when the king tried to recite the poem to his ministers, they all avoided him by making excuses, suggesting they were not impressed by it.
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Statement: The ministers in the court were eager to hear Tenali Rama’s idea about paddy cultivation.
Answer: This statement is false. The ministers and courtiers were not eager; they were actually skeptical and amused. When Tenali Rama presented his idea of special paddy seeds, some courtiers whispered sarcastically and snickered, finding his claims absurd.
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Statement: The king never realised his mistake and continued to stay angry with the queen.
Answer: This statement is false. The king did realise his mistake. After Tenali Rama cleverly made the king himself yawn, the king understood that yawning is a natural act and not a sign of disrespect. He felt sorry for his behaviour, apologised to the queen, and their quarrel was resolved.
Let us think and reflect
I. Read the extracts and answer the questions that follow.
“… The king thought I was disrespecting his poem and stormed off. Since then, he has not spoken to me. If I had known this would happen I would have chosen another day. Help me, please, Rama. Only you can help the king understand.”
Rama nodded thoughtfully. “If you like, I will try my best to resolve this matter, Your Highness. But this needs a well-planned approach and I may need time to find the right strategy.”
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Why does the queen believe that only Tenali Rama can help the king understand?
Answer: The queen believes only Tenali Rama can help because he is famous for his great wisdom and cleverness. She knows he has a special talent for solving difficult problems and can find a way to make the king understand the situation without causing more trouble.
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What does the queen’s statement, “If I had known this would happen, I would have chosen another day,” suggest about her feelings?
Answer: B. She regrets the unintended misunderstanding. This shows she feels sorry that her actions led to a problem, even though she did not mean to disrespect the king.
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How does Tenali Rama’s response reflect his wisdom and problem-solving skills?
Answer: Tenali Rama’s response shows he is wise because he does not act in a hurry. He understands that the king is angry and that the situation is delicate. By saying he needs a "well-planned approach" and "time to find the right strategy," he shows that he is a thoughtful and careful problem-solver.
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The king’s reaction shows that he is sensitive and ______ in his poetry.
Answer: The king’s reaction shows that he is sensitive and takes great pride in his poetry. His extreme anger over a yawn shows how much his poem meant to him.
That evening, the king approached the queen with a softened expression. “Thirumalambal”, he began, his voice gentle, “I have been foolish. I see now that I overreacted. I let my pride blind me. I’m so sorry.”
The queen, who had longed for this moment, smiled and replied, “If you like, we can leave this quarrel behind us. I would very much like to listen to your poem.”
-
When the king said, “I let my pride blind me”, he means that ______.
Answer: When the king said, “I let my pride blind me,” he means that his ego and hurt feelings stopped him from seeing the situation clearly. His pride made him believe the queen was being disrespectful, and it caused him to act foolishly and unfairly.
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Why does the queen say, “If you like, we can leave this quarrel behind us”?
Answer: The queen says this to show that she has forgiven the king and wants to end the argument. She is ready to forget the misunderstanding and restore peace and happiness to their relationship.
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The king acknowledges that his pride clouded his judgement, which shows ______.
Answer: The king acknowledges that his pride clouded his judgement, which shows maturity and self-awareness. Admitting your own mistake, especially when you are a king, is a sign that you are mature and understand your own faults.
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State any one characteristic that the queen’s response to the king’s apology shows about her.
Answer: The queen’s response shows that she is forgiving and gracious. She accepts his apology immediately and does not hold on to anger, showing her kind nature.
II. Answer the following questions.
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Why was the Vijayanagara Empire considered to be in its ‘Golden Era’ during Krishnadeva Raya’s reign?
Answer: The Vijayanagara Empire was considered to be in its ‘Golden Era’ during Krishnadeva Raya’s reign because it was a time of great prosperity. Art, literature, and architecture flourished, and the empire became famous for its wealth and cultural achievements.
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How did Tenali Ramakrishna gain a special place in the king’s court?
Answer: Tenali Ramakrishna gained a special place in the king's court because of his sharp mind and sense of humour. He was known for finding clever and effective solutions to very difficult problems, which made him a valuable and witty advisor to the king.
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How did the quarrel between the king and the queen affect the palace?
Answer: The quarrel created a sad and gloomy atmosphere in the palace. The king’s absence and silence cast a shadow over everything, and the usually cheerful and lively corridors became quiet and depressing.
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What strategy did Tenali Rama use to make the king realise his mistake?
Answer: Tenali Rama used a clever, indirect strategy. In the middle of a court discussion about farming, he brought up a story about special paddy seeds. He playfully suggested that a person who yawns while sowing them would ruin the harvest. This made the king himself yawn, which led him to understand that yawning is a natural, uncontrollable action and not a sign of disrespect.
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What was the reaction of the courtiers when Tenali Rama introduced his ‘special’ paddy seeds?
Answer: The courtiers were doubtful and made fun of Tenali Rama’s idea. They did not take him seriously and whispered sarcastic comments to each other, with some even laughing quietly at what they thought was an absurd claim.
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How does the story conclude, and what lesson can be learnt from it?
Answer: The story concludes happily with the king apologising to the queen after realising his mistake, all thanks to Tenali Rama's clever plan. The palace returns to being a joyful place. The main lesson from the story is that wisdom and wit are more powerful than anger. It teaches us to think before reacting and to understand that many conflicts are just based on simple misunderstandings.
Let us learn
I. Fill in the blanks and complete the paragraph by choosing suitable expressions from the box given below.
My mother is quite witty, and her sense of humour always lightens stressful moments. Once, at a family dinner, an argument began over a minor issue, and 1. a hush fell over, making everyone feel uncomfortable. Just as things were getting serious, she made a clever remark and laughter 2. rippled through the gathering, making everyone relaxed. The person who started the argument 3. stormed off. Everyone disapproved of the action and a 4. murmur swept through the room. My 5. mind raced back to how my mother had saved other situations like this. Without her, such moments would have 6. cast a shadow over the gatherings. I hope that I grow up to be as witty as my mother.
II. Fill in the blanks with suitable sound words from the box given below.
- As the teacher began the riddle challenge, a murmur of excitement spread through the classroom.
- Anaya sighed in relief—she loved riddles more than solving Mathematics problems.
- 'Think carefully', the teacher began to mumble as she wrote a riddle on the board.
- When the question was revealed, a few students groaned, realising it wasn't as easy as they had expected.
- Some exchanged snickers, wondering if anyone at all would be able to solve it.
- Just then, Anaya tapped her book on the desk with a small thud, deep in thought.
- 'Ah, I see it now!' she gasped as if it had taken her great effort.
- A small breeze made the windows rattle, adding to the suspense of the moment.
- 'So, what's the answer?' the students roared, their voices filled with playful enthusiasm.
- Leaning forward with a smile, Anaya whispered, 'Sometimes, the trickiest questions have the simplest answers.'
III. Create new compound words by matching words in Column 1 with those in Column 2.
1. Matching Words
- (i) quick - G. witted → quick-witted
- (ii) soft - C. spoken → soft-spoken
- (iii) sky - D. blue → sky-blue
- (iv) common - F. sense → common sense
- (v) book - E. store → bookstore
- (vi) ill - B. tempered → ill-tempered
- (vii) house - H. hold → household
- (viii) dance - A. hall → dance hall
2. Fill in the blanks
Ravi was (i) soft-spoken, always speaking calmly even in arguments. He grew up in a lively (ii) household, where he learned to handle different personalities. His friend Arun, however, was (iii) ill-tempered and often lost his patience. Despite this, Arun admired Ravi's (iv) quick-witted thinking. One evening, as they passed a (v) dance hall, they saw some performers rushing out. Ravi noticed that one of them dropped a (vi) sky-blue book on the ground. "Is this yours?" he asked. "Oh thank you, young man!" the performer smiled. "It's a recent purchase from the (vii) bookstore round the corner." True to his nature Arun promptly said to Ravi, "It's (viii) common sense that it's not from a bakery but a bookshop!" Ravi smiled and they walked on.
IV. Identify the subordinate and main clauses in sentences 2 and 3.
Sentence 2:
- Subordinate clause (if clause): If, by chance something were to go wrong
- Main clause: our farmers would suffer.
Sentence 3:
- Subordinate clause (if clause): If I had known this would happen
- Main clause: I would have chosen another day.
Match the subordinate clauses with the appropriate main clauses.
- (i) If I had a magic wand, → C. I would give myself wings.
- (ii) If it rains tomorrow, → E. We will stay indoors and play board games.
- (iii) If you had listened carefully, → F. You would have solved the puzzle.
- (iv) If you finish your homework, → A. We will go to the theatre.
- (v) If I were invisible, → B. I would sneak into the secret room.
- (vi) If the alarm had rung, → D. The boys would have woken up on time.
V. Complete the following sentences appropriately.
- Your teacher will be unhappy if you do not complete your homework.
- They would have caught the train if they had left home a little earlier.
- You will damage your health if you continue to stay up late every night.
- If she knew the answer, she would tell us immediately.
- She would have passed the exam if she had studied harder.
- If I had a million rupees, I would travel the world.
VI. Complete the following sentences.
- If I were a tree, I would play with the wind and talk to the birds.
- If I were the Head Teacher of my school, I would introduce a weekly games period for all classes.
- If I were a bird, I would fly high above the clouds and see the world.
- If I were a magician, I would make all the trash in the world disappear.
- If I had studied harder, I would have scored the first rank in my class.
Let us listen
I. As you listen, fill in the blanks in the following sentences by selecting the correct options.
- The rope tying the bundle of sticks was (ii) thick.
- The scholar is finally referred to as (iii) arrogant.
II. As you listen, number the events of the story in the correct order of occurrence.
- The visitor wanted to show his superiority over others in the palace.
- The court scholars were afraid of the king's anger.
- Rama accepted the challenge thrown by the visitor.
- Rama had a bundle tied in silk when he came to the palace.
- The great scholar was ashamed because he did not know what to say.
- The king wanted to know more about the work mentioned by Rama.
- Rama showed the work to be a bundle of sticks tied together by a rope.
- The king laughed at the explanation given by Rama.
Let us speak
I. Work in pairs and mark the intonation in the questions given below.
(↑ = Rising Tone, ↓ = Falling Tone)
- Is this your cat? ↑
- What is the name of your cat? ↓
- Will you be going to your village? ↑
- Why are you going to your village? ↓
- Is this where you live? ↑
- Where do you live? ↓
- Can I meet your parents? ↑
- How are your parents? ↓
- Do you have any plans for tomorrow? ↑
- What are you going to do tomorrow? ↓
II. Use question words to make some questions.
Questions about a witty character:
- Who is the witty character?
- Why is her/his wit important in the story?
- What was the most famous trick or clever idea she/he used?
- When is the time period or setting of the folktale/story?
- How did she/he use her/his intelligence to solve a problem?
- Where does the story take place?
Let us write
I. Check if the following features are present in the narrative essay.
1. Introduction
- The essay begins with a clear and engaging opening.
- The introduction sets the context for the narrative.
- The central idea or purpose is clear.
2. Body of the essay
- Events are narrated in a logical sequence.
- Descriptive details are used.
- Characters and settings are clearly described.
- The narrator's emotions or thoughts are shared.
- The essay includes a challenge or a problem or a turning point.
3. Conclusion
- The essay ends with an outcome.
- A lesson or a message is clearly stated.
4. Writing Style
- The tone is personal and engaging.
- First person narration is used (for example, 'I,' 'my').
5. Language
- The essay uses simple and clear language.
- Grammar, punctuation, and spellings are correctly used.
Now, write a narrative essay based on any one of the situations given below.
The Day I Learnt the Value of Teamwork
I always believed I was fastest and smartest when I worked alone. The idea of a "team" seemed like a delay, a chain that would only slow me down. That all changed during our annual Sports Day, a day I learned a lesson that wasn't about winning, but about working together.
The final event was the 4x100 meter relay race. I was chosen as the last runner for my house, the "anchor leg," because of my speed. I was confident. My teammates—Rohan, Priya, and Sameer—were good, but I was sure I could make up for any lost time. The whistle blew, and Rohan started strong. He passed the baton to Priya, but the exchange was clumsy. We lost a precious second. My heart sank. Then, Sameer took the baton and ran with all his might, but he was still behind the lead runner. When he approached me, my frustration was mounting. It was all up to me.
I snatched the baton and flew down the track. The wind whistled past my ears as I pushed myself harder than ever before. I overtook one runner, then another. The finish line was just meters away, and the lead runner was just ahead. I lunged forward, but it wasn't enough. We came in second. As my teammates gathered around me, I expected to feel angry, but instead, I saw the shared disappointment and also the shared pride in their eyes for how hard we had all tried. We hadn't won, but we had pushed ourselves to the limit, together. That moment, standing with my team, I realised that the joy wasn't just in crossing the finish line first, but in the shared effort and the race we ran as one.
Let us explore
I. Limericks are poems in five lines that have a twist in the last line. Read and enjoy the following limericks and create one on your own.
Here is an original limerick:
A clever young student named Raj,
Built a robot inside his garage.
It cleaned up his room,
With a whir and a zoom,
Then demanded a weekly surcharge!
II & III. Activities
These sections encourage you to visit the library, read new stories of wit and wisdom, and share them with your class. This is a great way to discover new characters and tales!
