Hello friends! This chapter is a super funny folktale like a cartoon story about silly rulers and two smart visitors. It's full of laughs and surprises – a thief dies, blame goes round and round, and brains win big time! No boring parts, just clever twists. Let's understand it step by step in easy words. You'll love it and remember for exams!
About the Author
A.K. Ramanujan was a smart Indian storyteller and poet born in Mysore, Karnataka, in 1929. He loved collecting old village tales from India and wrote them in simple English and Kannada books. He was also a teacher in big American colleges. People called him a genius for mixing fun stories with deep thoughts. He died in 1993, but his books still make us smile. This story comes from his famous collection "Folktales from India" – perfect for kids like you!
What’s the Story About?
This is a hilarious folktale about a crazy kingdom where everything is upside down! No heroes fighting dragons – just fools getting tricked by smarter fools. Let's see it like a movie in simple steps:
- Silly Kingdom Rules: The king and his minister are big idiots. They say: "Night is DAY and DAY is NIGHT!" Everyone sleeps all day (like lazy cats) and works all night (shops open at dark!). Plus, everything costs just 1 duddu (like 1 coin) – a handful of rice or a big drum, same price! People follow because they are scared.
- Guru and Disciple Arrive: Two travelers – a wise guru (saint) and his disciple (student) – come during "day" (real night). The town is empty and spooky! At "night" (real day), it's buzzing. They buy tons of cheap food. Disciple says: "Yummy! Let's stay!" Guru warns: "This is Kingdom of Fools – dangerous! Leave NOW!" Guru goes, but greedy disciple stays and eats like a pig. He gets super FAT!
- Thief's Bad Luck: One "night," a thief digs under a rich merchant's house. The old wall (weak from 40 years ago) CRASHES on him – DEAD! Guards take body to king.
- Blame Game Starts (Super Funny Part!): - Rich merchant: "Not my fault! Bricklayer built bad wall 40 years ago – my dad's time!" - Old bricklayer: "I was distracted! Dancing girl's anklets jingled while she walked up-down!" - Old dancing girl: "Goldsmith delayed my jewels – made me walk many times!" - Goldsmith: "I was busy making wedding jewels for... that same rich merchant!" Blame circles back! King says: "Punish merchant's son for dad's old sin!"
- Execution Plan: They make a stake (sharp pole to kill by piercing). Merchant is too thin – doesn't fit! King orders: "Find a FAT man!" They grab the disciple! He cries: "Save me, Guru!"
- Guru's Smart Trick: Guru sees in a magic dream, rushes back. He fools king: "This NEW stake is magic! First man killed = reborn as KING! Second = MINISTER!" King & minister panic: "We don't want to lose our jobs in next life!" They disguise as guru & disciple, free the real ones, and get killed themselves!
- Happy Ending: People shocked! They beg: "Guru, be our king! Disciple, be minister!" Guru agrees but changes rules: Day is DAY, night is NIGHT. Normal prices. Everyone cheers – kingdom becomes normal and happy!
In short: Fools make silly rules, but one smart trick ends it all. Like a game where brains beat power!
Who’s Who in the Story
Real folktale people – no superheroes, just everyday folks in funny trouble. Simple list:
- Guru (Wise Saint): Super smart hero! Saves disciple with magic eyes and clever plan. Becomes new king. (Like your wise grandpa!)
- Disciple (Student): Greedy food lover who stays and gets fat. Learns lesson, becomes minister. (Like you at a free sweet shop!)
- King: Big fool! Makes upside-down rules, gets tricked into death.
- Minister: King's silly sidekick – same as king, dies too.
- Rich Merchant: Blamed for everything old. Too thin to die!
- Thief: Sneaky guy who dies first – starts all fun.
- Bricklayer: Old wall builder who passes blame.
- Dancing Girl: Old lady whose anklets cause trouble.
- Goldsmith: Jewels maker in the blame circle.
- No winners among fools – guru's team wins!
Themes and Moral
Themes (Big Ideas – like story messages):
- Fools Everywhere: Silly leaders make life crazy – day-night mix-up, same price for all!
- Brains Beat Power: Guru's wit fools the king – no fight needed.
- Blame Never Ends: One bad wall leads to 40-year-old stories – funny but shows bad justice.
- Greed Brings Trouble: Disciple's food love almost kills him!
- Change is Good: Wise rulers fix everything quick.
Moral (Main Lesson): Stay smart and away from fools – use your brain to win! Don't follow silly rules blindly. Think clever like guru, and you'll rule your own "kingdom" (like exams or games)!
Important Vocabulary and Phrases
Tough words from story – explained like chatting with friends. Practice in sentences!
- Idiots – Super silly people with no brains. Example: “The king and minister were idiots – slept all day!”
- Disciple – Student of a guru or teacher. Example: “The disciple loved cheap food too much.”
- Duddu – Old coin (like 1 rupee). Example: “One duddu for a mountain of rice – wow!”
- Summoned – Called to court by the king. Example: “King summoned the merchant – run!”
- Bricklayer – A man who builds walls with bricks. Example: “Bricklayer made weak wall long ago.”
- Stake – Sharp wooden pole used for killing bad guys. Example: “Put him on the stake – ouch!”
- Execution – Killing as punishment. Example: “Execution at midnight – scary!”
- Disguised – Wearing fake clothes to hide who you are. Example: “King disguised as guru – caught!”
- Clamour – Shout and cry loudly. Example: “Disciple began to clamour for guru.”
- Reborn – Born again in the next life. Example: “First on stake reborn as king!”
- Bailiffs – King’s police helpers. Example: “Bailiffs dragged the fat man.”
- Hypnotise – Use magic or power to control someone’s mind. Example: “Guru could hypnotise anyone!”
Tip: Act out the blame game with friends – you'll never forget! Read aloud like a play. Share this guide – top marks guaranteed! 😂👑