THREE QUESTIONS

Introducing the author Leo Tolstoy (1828-1910) was a Russian writer who primarily wrote hovels and short stories. Later in life, he also wrote plays and essays Hip War and Peace and Anna Karenina, are acknowledged as two of the greatest novels of all time. Unit Warm Up Can you guess from the title what the story is about? To what time does the story belong? Read the following unit of the text, note the questions that occurred to a certain king and see if they are still relevant today:

The Text It once occurred to a certain king, that if he always knew the right time to begin everything; if he knew who were the right people to listen to, and whom to avoid, and, , if he always knew what was the most important thing to do, he would never above all, i fail in anything he might undertake. And this thought having occurred to him, he had it proclaimed throughout his kingdom that he would give a great reward to anyone who would teach him what was The right time for every action, and who were the most necessary people, and how he might know what was the most important thing to do. And learned men came to the King, but they all answered his questions differently. Invitation to Eng In reply to the first question, some said that to know the right time for every one must draw up in advance, a table of days, months and years, and must live s according to it Only thus, said they could everything be done at its proper te declared that it was impossible to decide beforehand the right time for every action that not letting oneself be absorbed in idle pastimes, one should always attend to a was going on and then do what was most needful Others, again, said that how attentive the King might be to what was going on it was impossible for one man to de coy the right time for every action but that he should have a Council of wise- who would help him to fix the proper time for everything Th But then again others said there were some things which could not wait to laid before a Council, but about which one had at once to decide whether to under them or not. But in order to decide that one must know beforehand what was happen. It is only magicians who know that, and, therefore, in order to know the ro time for every action, one must consult magicians going Equally various were the answers to the second question. Some said, the people the King most needed were his councillors; others, the priests, others, the doctor while some said the warriors were the most necessary. To the third question, as to what was the most important occupation: some replies that the most important thing in the world was sence. Others said it was skill in warfare and others, again, that it was religious worship. All the answers being different, the King agreed with none of them, and gave the reward to none. But still wishing to find the right answers to his questions, he decided to consult a hermit, widely renowned for his wisdom. Glossary Occurred came to mind proclaimed pastimes made known publicly or officially things done to pass time pleasantly THREE QUESTIONS Think it out What were the three questions that occurred to the king? What did he do get the answers to his questions? 2. What answers did the wise men give to his first question? 3 How did the wise men answer his second question? 4. What answers did the king get for his third question? 5. Why did he decide to consult a hermit? Unit II Warm Up Do you think the king called for the hermit to answer his questions? Did he call on the hermit for answers to his questions? Read the following unit of the text and follow what the king does The Text The hermit lived in a wood which he never quitted, and he received none but mmon folk. So the King put on simple clothes, and before reaching the hermit's cell mounted from his horse, and, leaving his body-guard behind, went on alone. When the King approached, the hermit was digging the ground in front of his Seeing the King, he greeted him and went on digging. The hermit was frail and ak, and each time he stuck his spade into the ground and turned a little earth, he athed heavily. The King went up to him and said: "I have come to you, wise hermit, to ask you swer three questions: How can I learn to do the right thing at the right time? Who me people I most need, and to whom should I, therefore, pay more attention than to est? And, what affairs are the most important, and need my first attention?" ermit listened to the King, but answered nothing. He just spat on his hand and menced digging. "You are tired," said the King, "let me take the spade and work awhile for you."