What was the role of Hermit in Three Questions?
Introduction to the Story
This story is about the king who wants to make his kingdom better so that to help his people in a better way. To do so, he seeks the advice of a hermit who lives in the woods. The hermit explains to him the way he should make his kingdom better.
Role of the Hermit in the Story
The story “Three Questions” has
been written by Leo Tolstoy. There are many characters in the story, but the
hermit plays a very important role in the story. The story begins with a thought
of three questions that arise in the mind of the King. He thought that he would
never fail if he knew three things. These three things were: What is the right
time to begin something? Which people should he listen to? What is the most
important thing for him to do?
To seek the answers to these three questions, the king sent his messengers throughout his kingdom. Many wise men came but answered differently to these questions. The king was not satisfied with these answers. He decided to seek the advice of a certain hermit, who was widely known for his wisdom.
Begins the Role of the Hermit
The role
of the hermit in the story begins from here. The hermit lived in the forests.
He was a poor man and has never left his place so he had seen only simple
people. The king met him in ordinary clothes. When the king reached the hut, he
saw the hermit digging the ground in front of his hut. The hermit greeted the
king and continued digging. The answer to three questions begins here. The
hermit did not answer the questions verbally but answers the questions practically.
The king puts his questions in front of the hermit and wants to seek his advice. The hermit listens to the king and says nothing instead he goes on digging. For a while, the king watches him patiently and after that asks him for the spade so that to help him in digging. The king begins digging and after a while repeats his questions but the hermit remains mum. By the time the king is tired enough and stuck’s his spade to the ground. The king asks the hermit whether he is not able to give him the answers, he will return to his home then.
Three Questions | Free NCERT Solutions, Answers and Notes Here
The Entrance of Wounded Man in the Story
Soon a wounded bearded man comes and fells to the ground. Both help him putting off his clothes. The king washes his wounds and looks after him till he recovers. The king was unaware of the strange bearded man. The stranger reveals his story by begging pardon in front of the king. The king is surprised to know whom he looked after had come to kill him. He not only forgives him but promises him to give back his property.
The King Gets His Questions Answered
For the last time, the king wished answers to his questions from the hermit. The king had already been answered but he was unaware of the answers. Here the hermit plays the main role in explaining the king of his answers he had himself solved. He said that the most important time was when he saw him digging the beds, and he (the hermit) was the most important man for him and to do good with him was the most important business for him. He again explained to him by giving the example of the strange bearded man. He said that the strange bearded man was the most important man to him, and the most important time was when you were caring for him, and what he did for him was the most important business of him.
The Advice of the Hermit to the King
At last,
the hermit advises him to remember that there is only one time, that is
important and that time is ‘Now’. It is the most important time because it is
the only time we have any power to act.
The most important person is the person you are with at a particular moment, for no one
knows what will happen in the future and whether we will meet anyone else. The
most important business is to do that person well because we were sent to this world, for that purpose alone.
The actual role of the hermit in the story is to show the king the real path so that he could do good with his people. This answer is not for the king only but for the people living in the whole world.
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