CHAPTER NOTES

THE THREE QUESTIONS

By Leo Tolstoy

Full Chapter Summary (Detailed )

“The Three Questions” is a philosophical and moral story written by Russian writer Leo Tolstoy. The
story revolves around a king who believes that if he gets answers to three important questions, he can
become a perfect and successful ruler. His three questions are:

1) What is the right time to begin any work?

2) Who is the most important person to work with?

3) What is the most important thing to do?

To find the answers, he consults scholars, ministers, and wise men, but all of them give different
answers. Unsatisfied, the king goes to meet a hermit who is known for his wisdom. The king asks his
questions repeatedly, but the hermit does not answer him directly. Instead, the hermit keeps digging
the ground. The king helps him in digging.

Suddenly, a wounded man comes running out of the forest. The king helps him and saves his life by
cleaning and dressing his wounds. Later, the man reveals that he was his enemy and had come to kill
the king, but because the king saved him, he regrets his actions and asks for forgiveness.

The next day, the hermit finally explains the real answers through practical experience:

The right time to do anything is *now*, because it is the only moment we have control over.

The most important person is *the one you are with at the moment*, because future is uncertain.

The most important work is *to do good to the person you are with* because kindness helps life and
builds peace.

Thus, the king learns that one can lead a successful life not through power or theories but through
*kindness, awareness of present time, and helpful actions toward others*.

MORAL / VALUES / MESSAGE OF THE CHAPTER

 Live in the present moment, not in the past or future.
 The most important person is the one who needs you now.
 Doing good to others is the most important work.
 True wisdom is gained through actions, not only words.
 Forgiveness and kindness can change enemies into friends.
 Leadership becomes successful through patience, empathy, and service.
2 MARK QUESTIONS

Q1. Who wrote the story “The Three Questions”?

Leo Tolstoy, a famous Russian writer, wrote the story.

Q2. What were the king’s three questions?

Right time, right people, and most important work.

Q3. Why did the king visit the hermit?

To find wise and correct answers to his questions.

Q4. What was the hermit doing when the king met him?

He was digging the ground and planting seeds.

Q5. Who was the wounded man?

He was the king’s enemy who came to kill the king.

Q6. What did the king do for the wounded man?

He cleaned his wounds, bandaged him, and saved his life.

Q7. What did the wounded man confess?

He wanted to kill the king but was saved by him.

Q8. What is the most important time according to the hermit?

The present moment (now).

Q9. Who is the most important person according to the hermit?

The one who is with you at that moment.

Q10. What is the most important work according to the hermit?

To do good to others.

5 MARK QUESTIONS

Q1. Explain the three questions of the king and why they were important.

The king wished to become a perfect ruler. To rule successfully, he believed he must know the
answers to three questions: What is the right time for every action? Who are the most important
people to work with? What is the most important task? He asked many scholars, but their answers
differed. These questions are important because they deal with decision-making, leadership, and
human behavior. A king’s actions affect the lives of many people, so he wished to avoid mistakes and
work for the welfare of all. Thus, the questions reflect the importance of wisdom in leadership.

Q2. How did the king gain true wisdom from the hermit?

The hermit did not answer the king directly. Instead, he made the king help him in digging.
Meanwhile, a wounded man arrived seeking help. The king saved his life. Later, the hermit explained
that by helping him and saving the wounded man, the king unknowingly found the answers. He
learned that the present time is most important, the most important person is the one around us, and
helping others is the most important work. Thus, wisdom is gained through actions, not words.

Q3. What is the significance of saving the wounded man? Saving the wounded man proved how
kindness can transform enemies into friends. The man had come to kill the king, but after being saved
by him, he felt ashamed and asked for forgiveness. This incident taught that doing good to others can
change their hearts and remove hatred. The king avoided future danger by helping and forgiving the
man. Hence, kindness ensures peace and safety more than violence.

Q4. How did the hermit teach the king without speaking?

The hermit taught the king through actions instead of words. When the king asked his three questions,
the hermit neither responded nor discussed theories. He continued digging the ground and made the
king help him. This practical situation taught that work must be done at the correct time and not
postponed. Later, when the wounded man arrived, the king helped him instinctively, without waiting
for instructions. He cleaned his wounds, applied bandages, and saved his life. The next day, the hermit
revealed that by helping him and saving the wounded man, the king had found his answers. Thus, the
hermit silently taught that wisdom is learned through real-life experience and practical actions. True
knowledge does not come only from spoken words but through doing good at the right time.

Q5. Explain the transformation of the wounded man and its importance.
The wounded man initially came to kill the king because he believed that the king was responsible for
punishing his brother. His hatred pushed him toward revenge. However, his plan failed, and he was
wounded by the king’s guards. When he arrived at the hermit's hut, the king saved him by washing
and bandaging his wounds. This unexpected kindness changed his heart completely. The man realized
that the king was not cruel but compassionate. He felt ashamed of his intention and apologized
sincerely. The king forgave him, and the man promised to serve him in the future. This transformation
highlights that kindness is powerful enough to change hatred into friendship. It proves that
forgiveness brings peace, while revenge creates suffering. Helping others is the key to creating
harmony and reducing conflicts.

Q6. How is the story relevant to modern life?

The story is highly relevant in modern times because people are busy worrying about the future or
regretting past mistakes and often forget to live in the present. Tolstoy emphasizes that focusing on
the present moment makes life more effective and peaceful. The lesson that the most important person
is the one who is with us reminds us to value relationships over technology and distractions. In
today’s world full of stress, competition, and digital communication, the story teaches the importance
of humanity, compassion, and responsible actions. The third message—doing good to others—
encourages ethical behavior in professional life, family, and society. These lessons help us become
better human beings and more responsible citizens. Therefore, the story guides modern society to live
wisely, calmly, and with empathy.

10 MARK QUESTIONS

Q1. Describe in detail how the king found answers to his questions and explain the moral lesson.

The king wanted to become perfect and successful, so he asked three questions related to the right
time, right people, and right work. He consulted scholars who gave different answers. Unsatisfied, he
went to meet a hermit known for wisdom. The hermit ignored his questions and continued digging the
ground. The king helped him. Meanwhile, a wounded man arrived. The king saved him. The wounded
man later revealed that he came to kill the king but was saved by him. The next day, the hermit
explained the answers:

The right time is “now,” because the present moment is the only time we have control over.

The most important person is the one who is with you, because the future is uncertain.

The most important work is to do good to others, because life is meaningful only when we help
people.

The king understood that wisdom lies in action and kindness, not theories. Leadership demands
patience, compassion, and focus on present duties. The story gives the message of humanity,
forgiveness, peace, and living in the present. It teaches that helping others builds true success and
harmony.

Q2. Discuss the role of the hermit in the story. How does he guide the king to wisdom?
The hermit plays a central guiding role in the story. He is known for his wisdom, simplicity, and
peaceful lifestyle. Unlike the scholars and advisers who answered the king with theories, the hermit
believed that wisdom must be experienced, not explained. When the king approached him with his
questions, the hermit did not reply directly. Instead, he continued digging, forcing the king to help
him, which taught the value of practical action and humility. A true leader should work equally with
others.

When the wounded man arrived, the hermit again remained silent and allowed the king to help him.
This demonstrated that the most important time is the present moment, as it demands immediate
action. By saving a man who intended to kill him, the king discovered that doing good to others is the
most important duty. The hermit later explained the hidden meaning behind these actions:

The most important time is *now*, because it is the only time we can act.

The most important person is *the one who is with us*, because we can only help them at that
moment.

The most important work is *doing good to others*, because kindness ensures peace and trust.

Thus, the hermit guided the king to wisdom through silence, experience, and real-life situations,
proving that true wisdom comes from actions, not words.

Q3. Explain how the theme of leadership is expressed in “The Three Questions.”

The story presents leadership as a responsibility based on humility, wisdom, and kindness. The king
wants to become a perfect ruler and therefore seeks answers to three important questions. His strong
desire to rule wisely shows that true leaders constantly try to improve themselves. When the scholars
fail to satisfy him with theoretical answers, he goes to the hermit, which reflects that leadership
requires open-mindedness and patience.

The hermit teaches the king through experience. By helping to dig the ground, the king learns that
leadership requires participation, not authority. A good leader must be humble and willing to work
alongside others. When the wounded man arrives, the king saves him without hesitation. This action
shows that leaders must protect and serve everyone, including enemies. The king’s decision to forgive
the man instead of punishing him further reflects that peace is created through compassion, not power.

The hermit’s answers reveal deeper leadership values:

*A true leader acts in the present* instead of worrying or delaying.

*A true leader values people around them* because their cooperation determines success.

*A true leader always does good to others*, which builds respect, loyalty, and a peaceful society.

Therefore, the story teaches that leadership is not about ruling with authority; it is about service,
empathy, right action, and moral responsibility. True leadership inspires love, not fear. It brings unity,
not conflict. Tolstoy’s message is universal: a great leader leads through example, kindness, and wise
decisions.