In-the-kingdom-of-fools–Class-9–English–Summary–questions-and-answers–CBSE-NCERT
Summary
“In the Kingdom of Fools” by A.K. Ramanujan is a humorous folktale about a strange kingdom ruled by a foolish king and his equally foolish minister. In this kingdom, people worked at night and slept during the day, and everything — from rice to gold — cost only one duddu.
A wise guru and his disciple visited the place. The guru quickly realized it was dangerous to live among fools and left, but the disciple stayed behind for the cheap food. Later, the disciple was wrongly chosen for execution after a thief’s accidental death. The guru returned and cleverly saved him by tricking the king and minister into executing themselves. The guru and disciple then became the new, wise rulers.
Moral: Wisdom and intelligence always triumph over foolishness and greed.
Glossary
Kingdom – a country ruled by a king or queen
Fool – a person who lacks good sense or judgment
Guru – a wise teacher or spiritual guide
Disciple – a student or follower of a guru
Duddu – a small coin or unit of money
Strange – unusual or odd
Minister – a high official who helps the king govern
Astonished – greatly surprised or amazed
Execution – killing someone legally as punishment
Blame – to hold someone responsible for something bad
Foolish – lacking wisdom or good sense
Complaint – an accusation or expression of dissatisfaction
Accused – a person charged with a crime
Innocent – not guilty
Cleverness – smartness or intelligence
Tempted – attracted or persuaded to do something wrong
Warned – cautioned about possible danger
Justice – fair and proper treatment under law
Greedy – wanting more than one needs or deserves
Wisdom – the quality of having experience, knowledge, and good judgment
Short Questions and Answers (Textbook-based)
Q1. Who wrote the story “In the Kingdom of Fools”?
A1. A.K. Ramanujan wrote the story “In the Kingdom of Fools.”
Q2. What was strange about the kingdom?
A2. People worked at night and slept during the day, and everything cost the same — one duddu.
Q3. What did the guru think about the kingdom?
A3. The guru thought it was a kingdom of fools and very dangerous.
Q4. Why did the guru decide to leave?
A4. He realized it was unsafe to live among fools.
Q5. Why did the disciple stay in the kingdom?
A5. He stayed because food was cheap and plentiful.
Q6. What happened to the thief who broke into the rich man’s house?
A6. The thief died when a wall fell on him.
Q7. Who was accused of the thief’s death?
A7. The rich man, the owner of the house, was accused.
Q8. How did the king conduct the trial?
A8. The king foolishly blamed one person after another without reason.
Q9. Whom did the king finally decide to hang?
A9. The king decided to hang the rich man’s son and later chose the disciple.
Q10. Why was the disciple chosen for execution?
A10. He was chosen because he was fat and fit the new stake.
Q11. What did the guru do when he heard about his disciple’s fate?
A11. He came back to save his disciple using his wisdom.
Q12. What trick did the guru play on the king?
A12. He said the person who dies first will become the king in heaven.
Q13. What did the king and minister do after hearing the guru’s words?
A13. They executed themselves, thinking they’d be kings in heaven.
Q14. Who became the new rulers after the king and minister died?
A14. The guru and his disciple became the new rulers.
Q15. What did the guru teach the people of the kingdom?
A15. He taught them to live and work wisely, following normal rules.
Q16. What was the moral of the story?
A16. Wisdom saves lives, and foolishness leads to destruction.
Q17. How did the disciple change by the end?
A17. He realized his mistake and valued his guru’s wisdom.
Q18. Why did the guru laugh at the end?
A18. Because the foolish king and minister had punished themselves.
Q19. What does the story teach about greed?
A19. Greed can lead to dangerous and foolish decisions.
Q20. How were prices fixed in the kingdom?
A20. Everything cost only one duddu, regardless of value.
Q21. What kind of justice did the king deliver?
A21. The king’s justice was foolish and unfair.
Q22. What did the people request the guru and disciple to do?
A22. They requested them to become their new rulers.
Q23. Why was the guru wiser than the king?
A23. Because he used intelligence and calm thinking to solve problems.
Q24. What mistake did the disciple make at first?
A24. He stayed in the foolish kingdom for cheap food.
Q25. How did the guru and disciple escape death?
A25. They tricked the king and minister into taking their place.
Q26. What did the guru warn the disciple about?
A26. He warned that foolish people can be dangerous.
Q27. What happened to the foolish king and minister in the end?
A27. They were executed by their own orders.
Q28. Why was the wall blamed in the case?
A28. Because the thief died when the wall fell on him.
Q29. What quality of the guru helped him?
A29. His wisdom and cleverness saved both their lives.
Q30. What change came to the kingdom after the guru ruled?
A30. The kingdom became peaceful, sensible, and prosperous.
Long Questions and Answers
Q1. What were the strange rules of the Kingdom of Fools?
A1. The Kingdom of Fools was a strange place where both the king and minister were foolish. They ordered that all people must work at night and sleep during the day. If anyone disobeyed, they would be punished. Another strange rule was that everything in the kingdom cost the same — one duddu, whether it was a measure of rice or a bunch of bananas or gold ornaments. The guru and his disciple were surprised to see this. Such rules made life seem easy but also dangerous because foolish rulers could take any wrong decision anytime. The guru realized this and left, but the disciple stayed behind for the cheap food.
Q2. Why did the guru want to leave the kingdom, and why did his disciple stay behind?
A2. The guru was a wise man who quickly understood that the kingdom was ruled by foolish people. The king and minister made senseless rules and had no understanding of justice or logic. The guru realized that such a place was unsafe because one could never predict what foolish rulers might do next. Therefore, he decided to leave immediately. However, his disciple did not listen to his advice. The disciple was tempted by the cheap food available for only one duddu and decided to stay in the kingdom. Later, this greed put his life in danger when he was chosen to be executed. Thus, the guru’s wisdom saved him, but the disciple’s greed nearly destroyed him.
Q3. How did the thief die and what happened after his death?
A3. One night, a thief tried to break into a rich man’s house. While he was making a hole in the wall, the wall suddenly collapsed and killed him. The thief’s brother went to the king and complained that the rich man should be punished because the wall was weak and caused the thief’s death. The foolish king agreed and called the rich man to court. The trial then turned into a comedy of errors where everyone kept blaming another person — from the rich man to the bricklayer, then to the dancing girl, and finally to the goldsmith. The king kept shifting blame without thinking wisely. This shows how foolish and unjust the king’s decisions were.
Q4. Describe how the trial of the thief’s death shows the foolishness of the king.
A4. The trial of the thief’s death in the story clearly shows the king’s foolishness. Instead of investigating properly, he believed whatever anyone said. When the rich man was accused, he blamed the bricklayer for making a weak wall. The bricklayer blamed the dancing girl for distracting him. The dancing girl, in turn, blamed the goldsmith for delaying her orders. The king kept calling each person and blaming the next one without using any logic or sense of justice. Finally, he decided that the execution must take place, even though nobody was truly guilty. His sense of justice was ridiculous and unfair. It highlights how dangerous a kingdom becomes under foolish rulers.
Q5. Why was the disciple chosen to be executed?
A5. After the foolish trial, the king decided to execute someone to prove justice had been served. The goldsmith was found guilty, but when he was measured for the stake, he was too thin. The king then ordered his men to find someone fatter who would fit the stake properly. The disciple, who had grown fat eating cheap food, was found suitable. Without any reason, he was chosen to be executed instead of the real culprit. This shows the king’s total lack of wisdom and fairness. The disciple realized the danger too late and regretted not listening to his guru. It was his greed for cheap food that brought him to this deadly situation.
Q6. How did the guru save his disciple from death?
A6. When the guru learned that his disciple was going to be executed, he immediately came to rescue him. He used his wisdom and intelligence to outsmart the foolish king. The guru told the king that whoever was executed first would become the king in heaven and the second one would become the minister there. Hearing this, the greedy king and minister wanted the honor for themselves. So they ordered the executioners to kill them instead of the guru and disciple. Thus, the guru’s clever plan saved his disciple’s life. This incident shows that wisdom and intelligence can overcome the greatest dangers, while foolishness and greed lead to one’s downfall.
Q7. What is the moral or message of “In the Kingdom of Fools”?
A7. The story “In the Kingdom of Fools” teaches that wisdom is more powerful than strength or wealth. It warns us that living among foolish people is dangerous because their senseless actions can harm others. The story also highlights the importance of listening to wise advice, as seen when the disciple ignores his guru’s warning and suffers the consequences. Furthermore, it teaches that greed and foolishness lead to destruction, while intelligence and presence of mind can save lives. The guru’s wisdom helps him escape danger and restore order in the kingdom. Thus, the story gives a strong moral about the value of wisdom, reason, and good judgment.
Q8. What role does greed play in the disciple’s life?
A8. Greed plays a central role in the disciple’s life and almost leads to his death. When the guru warned him that it was unsafe to live among fools, the disciple ignored the advice. He was greedy for the cheap food that cost only one duddu. His greed blinded him to the danger around him. He ate a lot and became fat, which later made him the perfect person for execution. In the end, he realized his mistake and understood that greed always leads to suffering. The story shows that a person should control their desires and listen to wise advice instead of running after temporary pleasures like food or money.
Q9. How does the story highlight the difference between wisdom and foolishness?
A9. The story beautifully contrasts wisdom and foolishness through the characters of the guru and the king. The guru represents wisdom — he is calm, thoughtful, and understands the danger of living among fools. On the other hand, the king and his minister represent foolishness — they make strange laws, deliver unjust judgments, and act without thinking. The disciple’s greed also shows temporary foolishness, but he learns from his mistake. The guru’s clever plan to save his disciple from execution proves that wisdom always prevails over foolishness. Thus, the story teaches that intelligence, reasoning, and experience are essential for leading a safe and meaningful life.
Q10. What changes took place in the kingdom after the guru and disciple became rulers?
A10. After the foolish king and minister died, the people requested the guru and his disciple to rule the kingdom. The guru accepted and became the new ruler. Under his wise rule, the strange and foolish laws were abolished. The people were told to work during the day and sleep at night, and proper justice was restored. The kingdom became peaceful, fair, and prosperous. The disciple, who had learned from his mistakes, assisted his guru wisely. Thus, the once foolish kingdom turned into a kingdom of wisdom and happiness. This shows how good leadership based on intelligence and fairness can transform a society completely.
Q11. Describe the character of the guru.
A11. The guru is a wise, patient, and intelligent man. He can easily recognize foolishness and danger. When he and his disciple visit the Kingdom of Fools, he immediately senses that living there is risky. He tries to guide his disciple, warning him to leave. Later, when his disciple is in trouble, he returns selflessly to save him. His clever trick about “becoming king in heaven” shows his presence of mind and wisdom. The guru’s actions reflect his compassion, intelligence, and quick thinking. Through him, the story conveys that a wise person always stays calm in difficulties and uses intelligence rather than force to solve problems.
Q12. Describe the character of the disciple.
A12. The disciple is simple, innocent, and somewhat foolish at first. He loves to eat and cannot resist the temptation of cheap food. Even though his guru warns him about the danger of living among fools, he chooses to stay for his greed. This shows his short-sightedness. However, when he faces death, he realizes his mistake and feels regret. He also learns the importance of wisdom and the value of his guru’s advice. By the end of the story, he becomes more mature and responsible. His transformation from a greedy person to a wiser ruler is an important lesson about learning from experience.
Q13. Why did the guru call the kingdom “the kingdom of fools”?
A13. The guru called it “the kingdom of fools” because the people and their rulers behaved without any sense or logic. The king and minister made absurd rules such as sleeping during the day and working at night. They also fixed the same price — one duddu — for everything, whether cheap or expensive. The guru knew that such senseless laws could lead to danger because foolish rulers could take wrong decisions anytime. His prediction came true when his disciple was chosen for execution for no valid reason. Hence, the guru rightly named it “the kingdom of fools,” as there was no wisdom or justice in that place.
Q14. How did the king and minister meet their end?
A14. The king and minister met their end because of their own foolishness and greed. When the guru told them that the person who died first would become the king in heaven, they immediately believed it without thinking. They ordered the executioners to kill them instead of the guru and disciple so they could get the reward of ruling in heaven. This blind belief in the guru’s trick led to their deaths. Their foolishness and lack of reasoning brought their downfall. This shows that greed and stupidity often lead to self-destruction, while wisdom and intelligence help one survive.
Q15. How does the story show the importance of listening to elders and teachers?
A15. The story teaches the importance of listening to elders and teachers through the relationship between the guru and his disciple. The guru advised his disciple to leave the kingdom because it was full of fools and therefore dangerous. However, the disciple ignored his teacher’s advice due to greed for cheap food. Later, he was chosen for execution and realized that his guru had been right all along. The guru’s timely wisdom saved him from death. This experience taught the disciple a valuable lesson — that teachers and elders have greater experience and wisdom, and one must always respect and follow their guidance.
Q16. How does the story combine humour and wisdom?
A16. “In the Kingdom of Fools” is both funny and wise. The humour comes from the foolishness of the king, minister, and the strange laws they create — like working at night and selling everything for one duddu. The trial of the thief’s death is also comical because everyone blames someone else. Yet, behind this humour lies a serious message — foolishness and greed lead to disaster, while wisdom and intelligence can save lives. The guru’s clever plan to save his disciple is an example of using wisdom to overcome foolishness. Thus, the story makes readers laugh while teaching them to value intelligence, logic, and wise thinking in life.
Q17. What lesson do we learn from the guru’s cleverness in saving his disciple?
A17. The guru’s cleverness in saving his disciple teaches us the value of wisdom and quick thinking in times of crisis. When his disciple was about to be executed, the guru didn’t argue or fight. Instead, he used his intelligence to trick the foolish king and minister by saying that whoever dies first would become the king in heaven. This made them eager to die, and they ordered the executioners to kill them instead. The guru’s calm and intelligent thinking saved both of them from death. It shows that being wise and using one’s mind can help overcome even the most dangerous situations.
Q18. How did the people of the kingdom react after the king and minister died?
A18. After the foolish king and minister were executed, the people were shocked and scared. They realized that they had been living under foolish rulers and that their kingdom could not survive without wise leadership. So, they immediately requested the guru and his disciple to become their new rulers. The guru agreed but only on the condition that the people would live wisely and follow normal human rules — working during the day and sleeping at night. The people happily accepted, and the kingdom soon became peaceful and prosperous. This shows that people respect wisdom once they understand its true value.
Q19. How does the story warn us about the dangers of foolishness?
A19. The story clearly warns that foolishness can be dangerous and even deadly. In the kingdom, both the king and minister act without any logic. Their strange rules and unfair judgments create chaos. When the king orders the disciple’s execution for no reason, it shows how dangerous foolish leadership can be. Even ordinary people obey foolish laws blindly. The guru calls it a “kingdom of fools” because living there means living without safety or sense. The end of the story proves that foolishness leads to destruction, as the king and minister die due to their own stupidity. Thus, the story is a warning to always think wisely and act with reason.
Q20. What was the guru’s plan to outsmart the king and minister?
A20. The guru’s plan was based on clever psychological trickery. When he saw that the king and minister were planning to execute his disciple, he pretended to want to die first. He told the king that whoever was executed first would become the king in heaven, and the second person would become his minister there. The greedy and foolish king believed the story and decided that he and his minister should die instead. They both got executed in place of the guru and disciple. The guru’s quick thinking turned the situation around and saved their lives. His intelligence proved that wisdom is more powerful than foolish authority.
Q21. How does “In the Kingdom of Fools” show that appearances can be deceptive?
A21. The story shows that appearances can be deceptive in several ways. The disciple thought that the kingdom was a paradise because everything was cheap and life seemed easy. However, beneath this comfort lay danger due to foolish rulers and strange laws. The apparent peace and happiness of the kingdom were false because the people had no safety or justice. Similarly, the king appeared powerful but was actually foolish and weak-minded. Only the guru, who looked simple, possessed true strength through wisdom. The story reminds us not to judge things by their outward appearance but to understand their real nature before making decisions.
Q22. Compare and contrast the king and the guru.
A22. The king and the guru are complete opposites. The king is foolish, greedy, and lacks judgment. He makes strange laws like working at night and selling everything for one duddu. His sense of justice is absurd — he changes his decision every minute without logic. On the other hand, the guru is wise, calm, and intelligent. He quickly realizes that foolishness leads to danger and leaves the kingdom. Later, when his disciple is in trouble, he saves him using clever thinking. While the king’s foolishness causes his own death, the guru’s wisdom ensures safety and order. The contrast shows that true power lies in wisdom, not authority.
Q23. How does the disciple’s experience change him as a person?
A23. At the beginning of the story, the disciple is greedy, careless, and a little foolish. He ignores his guru’s advice and stays in the kingdom just for cheap food. His greed leads him into serious danger when the foolish king decides to execute him. However, when he faces death, he realizes his mistake and understands the value of his guru’s wisdom. After being saved, he learns that greed and foolishness bring harm, while wisdom brings safety and respect. By the end of the story, he becomes more mature, wise, and responsible. His experience changes him completely from a greedy learner to a thoughtful and capable ruler.
Q24. How is the title “In the Kingdom of Fools” appropriate for the story?
A24. The title “In the Kingdom of Fools” is perfectly suitable because the story revolves around a kingdom where everyone — from the king to the citizens — acts foolishly. The king and his minister make silly laws, such as working at night and fixing one price for everything. The people obey these orders without question. The trial of the thief’s death is also absurd and full of illogical decisions. The guru rightly calls it a “kingdom of fools.” The story humorously exposes the dangers of ignorance and stupidity. Therefore, the title perfectly reflects the theme and the main idea of the story — that foolishness leads to destruction.
Q25. What does the story teach us about wisdom, justice, and leadership?
A25. The story teaches that wisdom, justice, and good leadership are essential for a happy and safe society. The foolish king and minister create chaos through their senseless laws and unfair judgments. They show how lack of wisdom leads to injustice and destruction. In contrast, the guru represents true leadership — he is calm, fair, and intelligent. When he becomes ruler, he brings peace and order back to the kingdom. The story also shows that people should value reasoning and not follow foolish rules blindly. A wise leader uses logic, kindness, and fairness to guide people. Thus, the story gives a timeless lesson about the importance of wisdom in leadership.
