Class-3rd

English literature
Chapter-8 How many crows
Summary
This is a story about a clever minister Birbal who knew the answer of the
question which Akbar asked to his courtiers that how many crows are
there in Agra. So, Akbar was a emperor who used to live in the Agra fort.
Everyday he called a meeting to discuss the important matter in his hall
which was known as Diwan- i- Khas . Sometimes he liked to ask questions
which his courtiers thought were too difficult to answer but Birbal his
clever minister in his court always had an answer no matter how difficult
the question was. One morning when Akbar was sitting on the throne in
the Diwan-i-khas he said very firmly and asked to his courtiers that how
many crows are there in all of Agra. He said that it is important for him
to get the information immediately. After hearing this demand of the of
the emperor the courtiers were frightened because they didn’t know the
answer. However, some of the nobles ( people from rich and important
family) knew the number of horses, peacock but they didn’t know about
the number of crows. Some of the courtiers tried to hide behind their
friends some of them were looking up at the sky to count the crows but
Birbal was the only one who was calm and smiling. After few minutes he
replied that there were ‘ Ten thousand- six hundred and sixty six crows
in all of Agra.
After hearing the answer Akbar smiled and said that you should have a
proper count of crows if you are right, and what if there are less than ten
thousand- six hundred sixty six crows then Birbal replied if they are less
than the given account it means that they have gone to visit their
relatives and friends in Delhi and if they are more than the given account
it means some of their relatives may have came to pay visit to them. After
listening this Akbar burst out laughing said to Birbal that there is no one
as clever as you
So, this was the story about Birbal’s intelligence as he was the most
clever minister in Akbar's court.

Word meaning:
1. Courtiers- People who are a part of a court of a king or a queen.
2. Empire- A group of countries ruled by one person.
3. Demanded- Said very firmly.
4. Alarm- Fear.
5. Nobles- People from rich and important families.
6. Kept track- Had information about something.
7. Calm- Quiet, not excited or afraid.

Q.1 Reference to context:

( The courtiers looked at each other in alarm. What were there to do?)
a. Where were the courtiers gathered together?
Ans. The courtiers all together gathered in a hall called as Diwan-i-khas.
b. Why did they look at each other in alarm?
Ans. They looked at each other in alarm because they had no answer to
Akbar’s question.
c. Name the lesson?
Ans. How many crows. ?
What animals and birds did courtiers no about?
Ans. The courtiers knew about the number of horses, elephants and
peacocks.

( You shall not bluff your way out of this one, Birbal my friend. We shall
have a proper count to see if you are right.)
a. What question had Akbar asked his court that day?
Ans. Akbar asked to his courtiers ‘How many Crows are there in all of
Agra.?
b. According to Birbal, how many crows were there in Agra?
Ans. According to Birbal there were ‘ Ten thousand-six hundred and sixty
crows in Agra.
c. Did Akbar believe that Birbal had given the right number? Give a
reason for your answer.
Ans. Yes, Akbar believed that Birbal had given the right number because
it is an answer of readiness of wit.

Q. 2 Read, Reflect and write:

a. Why did Akbar meet his courtiers and nobles?
Ans. Akbar met his courtiers and nobles to discuss important matter
about his empire.
b. What reason did Birbal give for there being more than ten thousand-
six hundred and sixty six crows?
Ans. Birbal gave reason for their being more than ten thousand-six
hundred and sixty six crows that their friends and relatives from Delhi
and else where may come to pay them a visit .
c. Do you think Birbal was a clever man? Give reason for your answer.
Ans. Yes, Birbal was a clever man because as he had given the answer
very cleverly though he did not know the correct number of crows in
Agra.

Q.3 Make sentences:

1. Difficult- My cousin often asks difficult question to me.
2. Delight- Riya delights her father.
3. Information- A computer saves all the information that we input in it.
4. Bluff- Birbal's bluff succeeded in getting Akbar’s acceptance.
5. Demand- My younger sister demanded a new doll to my father.
6. Nobles- Akbar used to give importance to nobles in his kingdom.

Q.4 Choose the correct answer:

:a. Akbar asked questions because he did not like to learn things .()
b. Birbal could answer the most strange and difficult questions. ()
c. The courtiers looked afraid because they did not want to tell Akbar
how many crows were their in Agra. ( )
d. Birbal was not worried because he had counted the crows the
answer. ( )
Ans. Birbal could answer the most strange and difficult questions.