Q1. Guess the meaning of ‘fierce’ in this context.

Ans: angry and aggressive

Q2. Think and answer :

(a) Why must a king have a court?

Ans: A King must have a court to discuss his ideas and plans with his courtiers. He also has to get advice from the wise men of the court on how to handle various matters in his own kingdom and other kingdoms.

(b) What qualities are necessary in the following? Why?

(i) king

Ans: A king should have the qualities of leadership, ability, and kindness. He should be able to lead his country during times of war and conflict. He should be capable in matters of organization and kind-hearted and generous while dealing with his subjects.

(ii) adviser

Ans: An adviser should be intelligent, knowledgeable, and have foresight. An adviser should be intelligent and know what is good and bad for his king and country. He should also be able to foresee how his advice will affect the future of his country.

(iii) bodyguard

Ans: A king should have strength, courage, and loyalty. A bodyguard should be fit and strong to protect his king from harm. He should be courageous and face dangerous situations bravely. He should also be loyal to his king.

(iv) messenger

Ans: A messenger should show speed, punctuality, and strength. He should be quick to deliver any messages. He should be punctual and begin his work without delay. He should be strong and agile to go wherever necessary.

Q3. What is the oath of loyalty?

Ans: An oath of loyalty is a formal promise made by someone to be loyal to somebody or something.

Q4. Write and read aloud the oath that each of the courtiers must have taken?

Ans: 

(a) The oath of loyalty taken by the fox:

I will be wise and clever and always give advice that will benefit my king.

(b) The oath of loyalty taken by the leopard:

I will be watchful and swift and always protect my king, even at the cost of my own life.

(c) The oath of loyalty taken by the vulture:

I will be quick and punctual, and I will always deliver and bring messages quickly.

Q5. Why was the vulture told to lead the way?

Ans: The fox and the leopard did not know the desert. But they did not want the vulture to seem wiser than them. So they said that since it was the vulture’s idea, he should lead the way.

Q6. Think and answer :

(a) Why had the lion never seen a camel?

Ans: The lion lived in the forest and the camel in the desert. The lion had never been to the desert. Hence he had never seen a camel.

(b) What advice did the fox and the leopard give? Was it based on good and sound thinking?

Ans: The fox and the leopard indirectly advised the lion to hunt for the camel, and told the vulture to lead the way. No, the advice was not based on good and sound thinking.

Q7. Do you think the vulture was enjoying the search?

Ans: Yes, the vulture was enjoying the search.

Q8. Do you think the king’s decision to go back was right? 

Ans: Yes, the king’s decision to go back was right.

Q9. Can you guess the plan that the fox had thought of?

Ans: The fox had thought that he would take the camel to the lion and then kill the camel. They would all be able to taste camel meat and also have their fill. The lion would thus be happy with his adviser.

Q10. Why does the fox address the camel as ‘friend camel’?

Ans: The fox addresses the camel as ‘friend camel’ so that the camel thinks of him as a friend and follows him without getting suspicious.

Q11. What qualities of the courtiers emerge in this part of the story?

Ans: The qualities that emerge are: the cleverness of the fox, the cowardice of the leopard and the disloyalty of the vulture.

Q12. The fox, the leopard and the vulture have the same thought about the camel. Why is it so?

Ans: The fox, the leopard and the vulture were all very tired hungry. They had travelled far into the desert just so that they could find the camel and kill it. Besides, the vulture had said that its meat was very tasty. They had now managed to bring the camel for the king’s dinner, and it was time for all of them to feast.

Q13. Did you expect the lion to be kind to the camel? Do you think his decision right?

Ans: No. I did not expect the lion to be kind to the camel. Yes. I think his decision was right. for the camel had saved his life.

Q14. Why did the courtiers have to obey the king?

Ans: The courtiers had to obey the king for they were probably afraid that he would otherwise kill them.

Q15. Were the courtiers being loyal to their king? Discuss.

Ans: No, the courtiers were not being loyal to their king, as by getting the camel killed by the lion, they would force the lion king to go against his own promise of protecting the camel, thereby spoiling the king’s image.

Q16. What qualities of the camel are seen in his speech?

Ans: The qualities of the camel seen in his speech are his foolishness, his kind-heartedness and his spirit of self-sacrifice.

Q17. Think and answer :

(a) Why did the lion laugh to see the courtiers go?

Ans: The lion laughed to see the courtiers go because he had not actually meant to kill them. He had merely wished to show them that he had seen through their plan. He laughed at their foolishness and cowardice.

(b) Is ‘friend’ a position at a court? How is it different?

Ans: No. I think a friend is a position in one’s heart, not the court. Positions at a court are very formal and have to follow certain rules. This is not so in the case of friendship. A friend can do and say whatever he or she wishes informally. Also, a courtier works for money, whereas friendship is a selfless relationship without expecting anything in return.