Class IX English Notes

In the Kingdom of Fools

Ans.1. The guru and his disciple found two strange things. These were: one, everything big or
small cost the same, a single duddu. Second, people in the kingdom of fools slept
during the day and worked during the night.

Ans.2. The disciple decides to stay in the kingdom of fools. It is because he finds here
everything cheap. All he wants is good cheap food. It is not a good idea because such
things do not last very long. No one can tell what may happen the next moment. And it
happens to the disciple.

Ans.3. There were different persons who were tried in the king’s court. These were: the
merchant, the bricklayer, the dancing girl and the goldsmith. The merchant and the
bricklayer did not build a strong wall. The dancing girl disturbed the bricklayer. The
goldsmith did not make the ornaments in time.

Ans.4. According to the king, the real culprit is the rich merchant. His father had ordered for
the ornaments. But he died. The merchant, being his son, inherited everything from his
father. But the merchant escapes punishment because the stake can’t fit him.

Ans.5. The guru’s words of wisdom are that the fools can’t be depended upon. Anything can
happen any time there. It is the place where everything, big or small, sells at a single
duddu. The disciple doesn’t realise this. He is to be hanged for no fault of his. Then he
realises his guru’s words of wisdom.

Ans.6 The guru devised a plan. He and his disciple told the king that each one wanted to die
first. It was because whoever would die first will be a king. The king didn’t want to lose
his kingship. So he and his minister died at the stake. The guru saved his disciple by
befooling the foolish king. He did so by using his wisdom and common sense.
 English Notes

Class IX –The Happy Prince

Ans 1. “The Happy Prince” was a beautiful statue. The courtiers called him happy because
there was no sorrow in the palace. But he is not happy at all. He sees misery of the
people around him. This makes him sad. He wants to do something for them to make
them happy.

Ans.2. The seamstress’ little baby is ill. The baby wants oranges. But the seamstress has no
money. The Happy Prince sends the swallow to give a ruby to help her.

Ans.3. The Prince sends a sapphire for the young playwright. He has to finish a play for the
Director of the Theatre. But he can’t do so. There is no fire in his grate. He is hungry
also. He has fainted due to it. He also sends a sapphire for the match girl. All her
matches had fallen in the gutter. I

Ans.4. The swallow flew over the city. He saw the rich making merry in their beautiful
houses. There were beggars sitting at the gates. He saw the white faces of the hungry
children. He also saw the watchman asking two hungry boys to run off.

Ans.5. The swallow did what the Happy Prince had told him to do. He took out the sapphires
from the eyes of the statue of the Prince. He went blind due to this. So he couldn’t
see. The swallow did not leave the Prince in his blindness. So he did not go to Egypt.

Ans.6. These two precious things are : the heart of the Happy Prince and the dead swallow.
They are precious because they have understood the misery of the people. They have
also helped them. They sacrifice themselves for the sake of other people. To help
others is the most precious thing in the world.