CHAPTER 1- THE WIT THAT WON HEARTS

Let us do these activities before we read. (Page 1)

I. Select qualities of a person who uses wit from the box given below:

Now, discuss reasons for your choice of qualities.
Answer:
Qualities of a person who uses wit:-

Wise , Clever, Humorous, Observant, Charming, Creative, Confident

Discussion: Reasons for my choice of qualities:

• Wise – Uses knowledge smartly to handle situations.
• Clever – Thinks quickly and gives sharp replies.
• Humorous – Brings laughter even in tense moments.
• Observant – Notices details others often miss.
• Charming – Wins hearts with words and humor.
• Creative – Finds unique and out-of-the-box solutions.
• Confident – Speaks cleverly with self-assurance.

II. Work in pairs and answer the riddles that are given below. Share the answers with your classmates and teacher.

Answer:
1. Words
2. Future
3. Time
4. Secret

Discuss in Pairs (Page 2)

Question 1.
Why are qualities like humour and wit important in a person?
Answer:
Humour and wit help people face challenges with calmness and wisdom. They make conversations lively, ease tension, and allow problems to be handled in a peaceful way. These qualities also make a person more friendly and approachable.

Question 2.
Why do you think kings and queens preferred to have witty people among their courtiers?
Answer:
Kings and queens valued witty courtiers like Tenali Rama because they could lighten tense situations, provide clever solutions, and keep the court entertained. Their humour and intelligence helped maintain harmony and offered wise guidance.

Question 3.
If you were asked to solve a disagreement between two people, what approach would you take?
Answer:
I would begin by listening carefully to both sides without bias. Then, I would try to highlight their common ground and explain each perspective clearly. If required, I would use humour or relatable examples to reduce tension and guide them toward a fair solution.

Question 4.
Have you ever been in a situation where a small misunderstanding led to a big problem? How was it resolved?
Answer:
Yes, once I misread a friend’s message and assumed they were upset with me. This created distance between us for a few days. Later, when we spoke honestly, we realised it was just a small miscommunication. Open conversation and forgiveness helped us resolve the matter.

Let us discuss (Page 7)

I. Rectify the following false statements from the text.

Question 1.
The queen insulted the king by speaking against the quality of his poem.
Answer:
The queen yawned out of tiredness, not to insult the king.

Question 2.
Tenali Rama immediately went to the king and convinced him to talk to the queen.
Answer:
Tenali Rama carefully devised a clever plan before approaching the king.

Question 3.
The courtiers admired the king’s poem and praised his literary talent.
Answer:
The courtiers avoided praising the poem and made excuses instead.

Question 4.
The ministers in the court were eager to hear Tenali Rama’s idea about paddy cultivation.
Answer:
The ministers doubted Tenali Rama’s idea and mocked him.

Question 5.
The king never realised his mistake and continued to stay angry with the queen.
Answer:
The king understood his mistake and sincerely apologized to the queen.

Let us think and reflect (Pages 7-9)

I. Read the extracts given below and answer the questions that follow.

(i) Why does the queen believe that only Tenali Rama can help the king understand?
Answer:
The queen believes only Tenali Rama can help as he is witty, wise, and the king trusts him deeply.

(ii) What does the queen’s statement, “If I had known this would happen, I would have chosen another day”, suggest about her feelings?
A. She is angry at the king for overreacting.
B. She regrets the unintended misunder-standing.
C. She believes the poem was not worth listening to.
D. She is worried that the king might punish her.
Answer:
B. She regrets the unintended misunderstanding.

(iii) How does Tenali Rama’s response reflect his wisdom and problem-solving skills?
Answer:

Tenali Rama’s response reflects his patience, wisdom, and skill in planning thoughtfully before taking action.

(iv) Fill in the blank by choosing the correct option from those given in the brackets.
The king’s reaction shows that he is sensitive and ___________ (has a lot of faith/takes great pride) in his poetry.
Answer:
takes great pride

2. That evening, the king approached the queen with a softened expression. “Thirumalambal”, he began, his voice gentle, “I have been foolish. I see now that I overreacted. I let my pride blind me. I’m so sorry. ”
The queen, who had longed for this moment, smiled and replied, “If you like, we can leave this quarrel behind us. I would very much like to listen to your poem. ”
(i) Complete the following with a suitable explanation.
When the king said, “I let my pride blind me”, he means that ___________
Answer:

His pride stopped him from understanding the situation clearly.

(ii) Why does the queen say, “If you like, we can leave this quarrel behind us”?
Answer:

The queen says this because she wishes to forgive and move forward peacefully.

(iii) Fill in the blank by choosing the correct option from those given in the brackets.
The king acknowledges that his pride clouded his judgement, which shows ___________ (intelligence and courage/maturity and self-awareness)
Answer:
maturity and self-awareness

(iv) State any one characteristic that the queen’s response to the king’s apology shows about her. 
Answer:

The queen is compassionate and forgiving.

II. Answer the following questions.

Question 1.
Why was the Vijayanagara Empire considered to be in its ‘Golden Era’ during Krishnadeva Raya’s reign?
Answer:
The Vijayanagara Empire was called its ‘Golden Era’ during Krishnadeva Raya’s reign because art, literature, and architecture thrived under his rule.

Question 2.
How did Tenali Ramakrishna gain a special place in the king’s court?
Answer:
Tenali Ramakrishna earned a special place in the king’s court with his sharp wit, humour, and clever solutions to problems.

Question 3.
How did the quarrel between the king and the queen affect the palace?
Answer:
The palace turned dull and joyless as the king stopped meeting the queen.

Question 4.
What strategy did Tenali Rama use to make the king realise his mistake?
Answer:
Tenali Rama used a humorous example comparing seed sowing with yawning to make the king reflect on his behaviour.

Question 5.
What was the reaction of the courtiers when Tenali Rama introduced ‘special’ paddy seeds?
Answer:
The courtiers laughed at Tenali Rama and doubted the truth of his ‘special’ seeds.

Question 6.
How does the story conclude, and what lesson can be learnt from it?
Answer:
The story ends with the king realising his mistake, apologizing to the queen, and restoring peace. It highlights the importance of empathy, wit, and open communication.

Let us learn (Pages 9-12)

I. Fill in the blanks and complete the paragraph by choosing suitable expressions from the box given below.

My mother is quite witty, and her sense of humour always lightens stressful moments. Once, at a family dinner, an argument began over a minor issue, and 1. ______, making everyone feel uncomfortable. Just as things were getting serious, she made a clever remark and laughter 2. ______ the gathering, making everyone relaxed. The person who started the argument 3. ______. Everyone disapproved of the action and a 4. ______. My 5. ______ to how my mother had saved other situations like this. Without her, such moments would have 6. ______ over the gatherings. I hope that I grow up to be as witty as my mother.
Answer:
1. cast a shadow       2. rippled through          3. stormed off
4. hush fell over        5. mind raced back        6. cast a shadow

II. The writer uses words like ‘roared’, ‘murmur’ in the text to indicate the sound produced. Fill in the blanks with suitable sound words from the box given below. You may refer to a dictionary.

1. As the teacher began the riddle challenge, a ______ of excitement spread through the classroom.
2. Anaya ______ in relief—she loved riddles more than solving Mathematics problems.
3. Think carefully,’ the teacher began to ______, as she wrote a riddle on the board.
4. When the question was revealed, a few students ______, realising it wasn’t as easy as they had expected.
5. Some exchanged ______, wondering if anyone at all would be able to solve it.
6. Just then, Anaya tapped her book on the desk with a small ______, deep in thought.
7. ‘Ah, I see it now!’ she said stretching with a ______, as if it had taken her great effort.
8. A small breeze made the windows ______, adding to the suspense of the moment.
9. ‘So, what’s the answer?’ the students ______, their voices filled with playful enthusiasm.
10. Leaning forward with a smile, Anaya ______, “Sometimes, the trickiest questions have the simplest answers.”
Answer:
1. murmur     2. sighed      3. mumble       4. gasped     5. snickers
6. thud         7. groan       8. rattle     9. roared      10. whispered

III. As you have learnt, a compound word is formed when two or more words are combined to create a new word with a distinct meaning. These are of three types: closed compounds (sunlight, courtroom), hyphenated compounds (well-planned), and open compounds (paddy seeds).

Question 1.
Create new compound words by matching words in Column 1 with those in Column 2.

Answer:

Question 2.
Fill in the blanks with the words created in the previous question.
Ravi was (i) __________, always speaking calmly even in arguments. He grew up in a lively (ii) __________, where he learned to handle different personalities. His friend Arun, however, was (iii) __________ and often lost his patience. Despite this, Arun admired Ravi’s (iv) __________ thinking. One evening, as they passed a (v) __________, they saw some performers rushing out. Ravi noticed that one of them dropped a (vi) __________ book on the ground. “Is this yours?” he asked. “Oh thank you, young man!” the performer smiled. “It’s a recent purchase from the (vii) ________ round the corner.” True to his nature Arun promptly said to Ravi, “ It’s (viii) ________ that it’s not from a bakery but bookshop!” Ravi smiled and they walked on.
Answer:
(i) soft-tempered
(ii) house hold
(iii) ill-tempered
(iv) quick-witted
(v) dance hall
(vi) sky blue
(vii) book store
(viii) common sense

IV. Read the sentences from the text and their explanation given in the table below.

In sentence 1 ‘if you like’ is the subordinate clause (if clause) and ‘I will try my best to resolve this matter’ is the main clause. Identify the subordinate and main clauses in sentences 2 and 3.
Answer:
Sentence 2:
Subordinate clause: If, by chance, something were to go wrong,
Main clause: our farmers would suffer. 

Sentence 3:
Subordinate clause: If I had known this would happen,
Main clause: I would have chosen another day.

Now, match the subordinate clauses (if clauses) in Column 1 with the appropriate main clauses in Column 2 to make complete sentences.

Answer:

V. Complete the following sentences appropriately with either the main clause or the subordinate clause (if clause).
1. Your teacher will be unhappy if ______.
2. They would have caught the train if ______.
3. ______ if you continue to stay up late every night.
4. If she knew the answer, ______
5. ______ if she had studied harder.
6. If I had a million rupees, ______.
Answer:

1. Your teacher will be unhappy if you do not complete your homework.
2. They would have caught the train if they had left home earlier.
3. You will feel tired if you continue to stay up late every night.
4. If she knew the answer, she would have spoken confidently.
5. She would have passed the exam if she had studied harder.
6. If I had a million rupees, I would travel around the world.

VI. Complete the following sentences. One example has been done for you.
1. If I were a tree, I would play with the wind and talk to the birds.
2. If I were the Head Teacher of my school, ______
3. If I were a bird, ______
4. If I were a magician, ______
5. If I had studied harder, ______
Answer:

1. If I were a tree, I would play with the wind and talk to the birds.

2. If I were the Head Teacher of my school, I would make learning fun for every student.

3. If I were a bird, I would soar above mountains and oceans freely.

4. If I were a magician, I would make people’s wishes come true.

5. If I had studied harder, I would have scored excellent marks in the exam.

Let us listen (Page 12-13)

I. You will listen to a woman narrating a story. As you listen, fill in the blanks in the following sentences by selecting the correct options. (Refer to the Textbook Page-46 for transcript.)
1. The rope tying the bundle of sticks was ______.
(i) loose
(ii) thick
(iii) short
Answer: (i) loose

2. The scholar is finally referred to as ______
(i) irritable
(ii) mischievous
(iii) arrogant
Answer: (iii) arrogant

II. You will once again listen to the story.
As you listen, number the events of the story in the correct order of occurrence.
1. The great scholar was ashamed because he did not know what to say.
2. Rama accepted the challenge thrown by the visitor.
3. Rama had a bundle tied in silk when he came to the palace.
4. The king laughed at the explanation given by Rama.
5. The visitor wanted to show his superiority over others in the palace.
6. Rama showed the work to be a bundle of sticks tied together by a rope.
7. The king wanted to know more about the work mentioned by Rama.
8. The court scholars were afraid of the king’s anger.
Answer:
Correct order:
5 → 2 → 3 → 7 → 6 → 4 → 1 → 8

Let us speak (Pages 13-14)

I. While asking questions, it is important to use the appropriate tone to convey the correct meaning.
1. Yes’ or ‘No’ questions have a rising tone at the end.
Are you coming home?

2. ‘-Wh’ questions have a falling tone at the end.
When will you come home?

This rise and fall in tone is called intonation.
Now, work in pairs and mark the intonation in the questions given below.
Take turns to practise by saying them aloud with the correct intonation.
(i) Is this your cat?
(ii) What is the name of your cat?
(iii) Will you be going to your village?
(iv) Why are you going to your village?
(v) Is this where you live?
(vi) Where do you live?
(vii) Can I meet your parents?
(viii) How are your parents?
(ix) Do you have any plans for tomorrow?
(x) What are you going to do tomorrow?
Answer:

Here’s a simple table showing the intonation for each question with arrows for rise (↑) and fall (↓):

II. ‘What’, ‘Why’, ‘When’, ‘How’, ‘Where’, and ‘Who’ are the words used to ask questions. These words are called question words. Let us use these words and make some questions.
While making questions, remember the correct word order.

• Who is the cleverest character in the story? (Correct)
• Who the cleverest character is in the story? (Incorrect)

Work in pairs and take turns to ask and answer questions about a trip that you are planning. Remember to use the correct intonation while asking these questions.
Here are some prompts for you.

• The destination (Where…)
• Purpose (Why…)
• Mode of transport (How…)
• Duration (When…)
• Travel companions (Who…)
• Activities (What…)

Answer:

Here’s a set of sample questions using the prompts you provided, with correct word order and intonation:

Now, work in pairs and take turns to ask and answer the questions about witty characters in folktales or stories you have read. Use the correct intonation while asking questions.
For example: Your favourite character in the folktale (Who…?)
Who is your favourite character in the folktale?
1. The name of the witty character (Who…?)
2. The reason for her/his wit being important in the story (Why…?)
3. The most famous trick or clever idea she/he used (What…?)
4. The time.period or setting of the folktale/ story (When…?)
5. The way she/he used her/his intelligence to solve a problem (How…?)
6. The location where the stoiy takes place (Where…?)
Answer:
1. Who is the witty character in the story?
2. Why is their wit important in the story?
3. What is the most famous clever idea they used?
4. When does the story take place?
5. How did she/he use her/his intelligence to solve a problem?
6. Where does the story take place?

Let us write (Pages 15-16)

A narrative essay is written on a personal experience or an imagined experience.

I. Read the narrative essay given below.
A Lesson in Responsibility
One bright Monday morning, I woke up to the sounds of birds chirping loudly. For once, I wasn’t late for school. My uniform was neatly laid out, and my homework was already packed in my bag. I felt proud of myself for being so organised. But little did I know, the day would still teach me an important lesson.

During the morning assembly, our teacher, Mrs. Rao, announced a surprise Science quiz. My heart skipped a beat. I had studied the chapter a week ago, but I had forgotten to revise it over the weekend. As I sat at my desk with the question paper in front of me, I froze. The questions looked familiar, yet I couldn’t recall the answers clearly. I tried my best to focus, but it wasn’t enough. Later, when the results were announced, I scored much lower than I expected. Disappointed, I spoke to Mrs. Rao after the class. She smiled and said, “It’s not about how much you know but how consistently you prepare. Small efforts add up every day.”

Her words stayed with me. From that day on, I made it a habit to revise my lessons regularly, even if there wasn’t an immediate test. Responsibility isn’t just about being on time or finishing tasks—it’s about being ready for what’s unexpected.

Now, work in pairs and check (✓) if the following features are present in the narrative essay.
1. Introduction

• The essay begins with a clear and engaging opening.
• The introduction sets the context for the narrative.
• The central idea or purpose is clear.

2. Body of the essay

• Events are narrated in a logical sequence.
• Descriptive details are used.
• Characters and settings are clearly described.
• The narrator’s emotions or thoughts are shared.
• The essay includes a challenge or a problem or a turning point.

3. Conclusion

• The essay ends with an outcome.
• A lesson or a message is clearly stated.

4. Writing Style

• The tone is personal and engaging.
• First person narration is used (for example, ‘my’).

5. Language

• The essay uses simple and clear language.
• Grammar, punctuation, and spellings are correctly used.

Note: A narrative essay focuses on sharing a personal experience to convey a specific lesson, a reflection, or an idea. It has an introduction, a body, and a conclusion.
Answer:
All the mentioned features are present in the given narrative essay.

Now, write a narrative essay based on any one of the situations given below.

• The Day I Learnt the Value of Teamwork
• A Small Act of Kindness that Made a Difference

Answer:

1. The Day I Learnt the Value of Teamwork

Our school held a tug-of-war competition, and our team struggled in the first round. Some of us pulled too hard, others lost balance, and we were defeated. Our coach reminded us that winning is about working together, not just strength.

We practised as a team, coordinating our pulls and encouraging each other. In the final match, we worked together perfectly and won. That day, I learnt that teamwork means cooperation, trust, and support, and it makes success even more rewarding.

2. A Small Act of Kindness that Made a Difference

One rainy afternoon, I saw an elderly man shivering on a bench, lost and alone. I offered to help and walked him to the bus stop, listening to his stories along the way.

He thanked me warmly, and I felt happy and proud. I realised that even small acts of kindness—like offering help or a listening ear—can make a big difference in someone’s life.

Let us explore (Page 16)

I. Limericks are poems in five lines that have a twist in the last line. Read and enjoy the following limericks and create one on your own.
Raju flew his kite in the sky so wide,
It soared with grace, full of pride.
But a crow came along,
Singing its song,
And now it’s the crow on a joyride!
Answer:

Here’s a limerick I created for you:

Meena baked a cake, oh so sweet,
She decorated it with a treat.
But a gust of wind blew,
The icing it knew,
And now the cake danced down the street!

II. Go to the library and read a story of your choice. Share its theme and the interesting parts of the story with your classmates and teacher.

Answer:

Book Chosen: The Magic Finger by Roald Dahl

Theme of the Story:
The story teaches the importance of kindness, empathy, and thinking before taking action.

Interesting Parts:

• The main character has a “magic finger” that can punish people when they are mean.
• When she points it at a family who hunts animals, they magically turn into birds and experience life from the animals’ perspective.
• The story is funny, imaginative, and full of surprises, showing how important it is to treat others with care.

III. You must have read stories of wit, humour, and wisdom in your own language or English. Make a list of these stories that you have read on a chart paper. Each student should read at least one new story from the list.
Answer:

Here’s a sample list of stories of wit, humour, and wisdom that you can put on a chart paper:

Instructions for students:

• Pick at least one new story from the list.
• Read it carefully.
• Share the moral, interesting events, or funny moments with the class.