Measure for Measure
Short Questions
1. Who was Tenali Raman?
- He was a wise and witty poet in King Krishna Devaraya’s court.
2. Why did the king invite Raja Varma to his court?
- The king heard of his artistic talent and wanted his portrait done.
3. What did Raja Varma become famous for?
- He became famous for lifelike portraits and paintings from the Puranas.
4. What did the king gift Raja Varma out of joy?
- The king made him the chief minister.
5. Was Raja Varma experienced in administration?
- No, he had no experience in administration.
6. How did Raja Varma’s rule affect the kingdom?
- It caused disorder and chaos.
7. Who approached Tenali Raman for help?
- The elders of the town approached him.
8. Who cooked the meal for the king at Tenali’s house?
- A carpenter cooked the meal.
9. Why did the king laugh during the lunch?
- Because a carpenter was made to cook food.
10. What did Raja Varma do after the incident?
- He resigned from the post of chief minister.
Long Questions
1. Why did King Krishna Devaraya appoint Raja Varma as chief minister?
- The king was so impressed by Raja Varma’s painting that he rewarded him generously by appointing him chief minister, even though Varma had no political experience.
2. What was the impact of Raja Varma’s appointment as chief minister?
- Due to his lack of administrative skills, the state fell into confusion and poor governance, and the people suffered under his leadership.
3. Why didn’t the people complain directly to the king about Raja Varma?
- The people feared the king’s affection for Raja Varma and didn’t dare to speak against him, so they chose to seek help from Tenali Raman instead.
4. How did Tenali Raman plan to solve the issue with Raja Varma?
- Tenali Raman decided to show the king his mistake indirectly and cleverly by using a carpenter to cook a feast.
5. What happened during the lunch hosted by Tenali Raman?
- When the king and courtiers tasted the food, they were horrified by its poor quality and spicy taste, which led to much discomfort.
6. What was the king’s reaction after learning a carpenter had cooked the food?
- The king was shocked and laughed at the absurdity, realizing that a skilled person should only work in their area of expertise.
7. What message did Tenali Raman convey through the incident?
- He made the king realize that appointing an artist as chief minister was just as foolish as making a carpenter cook a royal meal.
8. What did Raja Varma do after hearing about the incident?
- Raja Varma understood the message and respectfully resigned from his post, happy to return to his art.
9. What does the story teach us about roles and responsibilities?
- It shows that talent in one field does not guarantee success in another and that jobs should be given based on ability and experience.
10. How did Tenali Raman handle the situation wisely?
- Without confronting the king directly or insulting anyone, he used humor and intelligence to correct a serious error and restore order in the kingdom.
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