Three Questions
Introduction
Author: Leo Tolstoy (1828-1910), a renowned Russian writer, considered one of the greatest authors in world literature.
Background: Tolstoy gained fame in his twenties with his semi-autobiographical trilogy Childhood, Boyhood, and Youth. His works often explore deep moral and philosophical questions.
About the Story: “The Three Questions” is a parable, a short story with a moral lesson, focusing on a king seeking answers to life’s most important questions.
Publication: Written in the late 19th century, reflecting Tolstoy’s interest in wisdom, morality, and human purpose.
Awards: While this specific story did not win awards, Tolstoy’s overall literary contributions are globally celebrated.
1. Story Type and Purpose
- Genre: Parable – a simple story with human characters that teaches a moral or spiritual lesson.
- Purpose: The story explores timeless questions about how to live a meaningful life, emphasizing the importance of the present moment, kindness, and helping others.
2. Main Characters
The King:
- A ruler who is curious and eager to succeed in all his endeavors.
- Believes knowing the right time, people, and actions will ensure success.
- Shows humility by dressing as a commoner and helping the hermit.
- Displays compassion by forgiving his enemy and saving his life.
The Hermit:
- A wise, old, and frail man living simply in a forest hut.
- Known for his wisdom but only speaks to common people.
- Patient and polite, he teaches the king through actions rather than direct answers.
- Represents wisdom and simplicity.
The Bearded Man:
- An enemy of the king, seeking revenge for his brother’s execution and property seizure.
- Initially plans to kill the king but becomes his friend after the king saves his life.
- Shows repentance and gratitude.
3. Setting
- Kingdom: The story begins in a royal court where the king makes a proclamation.
- Forest: The hermit’s hut in a forest, a simple and peaceful place where the king seeks answers.
- Time: Unspecified, but feels timeless, applicable to any era.
4. The King’s Three Questions
The king believes answering these questions will make him successful in everything:
- What is the right time to begin everything?
- Who are the most necessary people to listen to or avoid?
- What is the most important thing to do?
5. The Proclamation
The king announces a great reward for anyone who can answer his three questions.
Many learned people visit the court, but their answers are varied and unsatisfactory:
First Question (Right Time):
- Some suggest making a timetable for every action.
- Others say it’s impossible to plan the right time and one should stay alert to what’s happening.
- Some recommend a council of wise people to decide the right time.
Second Question (Necessary People):
- Answers include councillors, priests, doctors, or warriors.
Third Question (Important Thing):
- Suggestions include science, warfare, or religious worship.
The king is not convinced by any answers and gives no reward.
6. Visit to the Hermit
Unsatisfied, the king decides to seek answers from a wise hermit.
Hermit’s Lifestyle:
- Lives in a small hut in a forest, never leaves, and only speaks to common folk.
- Frail and weak, he works hard digging the ground.
King’s Approach:
- Dresses in simple clothes to appear as a commoner, leaves his bodyguards behind, and approaches humbly.
- Asks the hermit his three questions directly.
Hermit’s Response:
- Listens silently, continues digging, and does not answer immediately.
- The king, seeing the hermit’s struggle, offers to dig for him, showing kindness.
7. The Bearded Man’s Incident
While the king digs, a wounded man (the bearded man) runs toward them, bleeding heavily.
The Situation:
- The man has a large wound in his stomach and faints.
- The king and hermit care for him by cleaning, bandaging, and giving him water.
- The king works tirelessly to stop the bleeding, showing compassion.
Night at the Hut:
- The king carries the man into the hut, and they all rest for the night.
- The king sleeps due to exhaustion from his efforts.
8. Revelation of the Bearded Man
In the morning, the bearded man asks for forgiveness:
His Confession:
- He is the king’s enemy, seeking revenge for his brother’s execution and property loss.
- Planned to ambush and kill the king on his way back from the hermit.
- Was wounded by the king’s bodyguards and would have died without the king’s help.
Outcome:
- The king forgives him, promises to send help (physician and servants), and gains a friend.
- Shows the king’s forgiving and generous nature.
9. Key Themes
- Importance of the Present: The story teaches that the present moment is the only time we can control.
- Kindness and Compassion: Helping others, even enemies, leads to peace and friendship.
- Wisdom Through Action: True wisdom comes from experience and doing good, not just intellectual answers.
- Humility: The king’s willingness to learn, work, and forgive shows the value of humility.
- Purpose of Life: Doing good to others is the ultimate purpose of human existence.
10. Vocabulary (Simplified Meanings)
- Proclamation: Public announcement.
- Frail: Weak or delicate.
- Resumed: Continued after a pause.
- Intently: With great attention.
- Ambush: A hidden attack.
- Crouching: Bending low.
- Convinced: Fully persuaded.
- Varied: Different or diverse.
11. Key Qualities Highlighted
- King: Curious, humble, compassionate, forgiving, eager to learn.
- Hermit: Wise, patient, polite, simple, insightful.
- Bearded Man: Repentant, grateful, transformed from enemy to friend.
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