Do you think a chance encounter between people can sometimes change their lives? Write about such an instance in your own words.

A chance encounter between people can indeed sometimes change their lives. There are numerous such examples in the history of the world, One such incident known to all of us is the chance encounter between Sri Ramakrishna and Swami Vivekananda. Swami Vivekananda was then a young college student named Narendranath Datta. Once in the English class, Professor William Hastie mentioned Shri Ramakrishna. So Narendranath went to meet this great mystic saint at Dakshineswar Kali Temple. The first meeting, cast such a deep impression on him that he started visiting the temple frequently and this changed his life completely. The young boy who was once a critic of idolatry became a devoted worshipper of Goddess Kali and realized the greatness of Hinduism which he later preached throughout the world and revived the lost sense of pride in national culture and religion. Thus he became, the great Swami Vivekananda.



What lessons can we learn from the story “Thank You Ma’am”?


Langston Hughes portrayed through “Thank You Ma’am” that how a small boy turned into a thief out of need. But the other character in the story, Mrs Jones, made the boy aware of the fact that how things earned by devilish means would burn one’s peace. Roger would have remained a thief to satisfy his wants if he had not been caught by Mrs Jones. Her motherly affection and sensitive nature touched Roger and brought a positive change him. Roger understood that earning through hard work is the right way of living life. Mrs Jones’ selfless attitude moved Roger so much that he became dumbfounded not knowing what to say. Therefore through “Thank You Ma’am” we learn how love can reform a sinner.



Discuss the significance of the title of the story, “Three Questions”.

Assess how much successful is “Three Questions as a short story. | Analyse the character of the Tsar.


What were the questions that had occurred to the Tsar? Why did he need correct answers to those questions? What did he do when he was not satisfied with the answers of the learned men?

Draw a character sketch of the hermit in the story ‘Three Questions’. | What role did the bearded man play in “Three Questions”?


“You are tired,”-Who said this and to whom? Why did the speaker come to the listener? Why did the speaker offer to help? How was he benefitted by this?

How did the Tsar go to the wood where the wise hermit lived ? What was the hermit doing then ? What did the Tsar say to the hermit?

What answers did the learned men give to the three questions? Or, How did the learned men answer to Tsar’s questions? 


“Here comes someone running”-Who is the speaker? Who was coming? Why did he come running? What happened to him? Describe his condition? How was he received at the hermit’s cottage?

“I am that enemy of yours who swore to revenge himself on you.”-Who was the speaker? To whom was it spoken? How did he become enemy of the person spoken to? Why did he confess so before him?

“Now rest awhile and let me work a bit.”-Explain with reference to the context.


“I resolved to kill you …” – Why did the speaker want to kill the Tsar? How was the man wounded? Was he successful in his mission?

What was the first question? How did the learned men give answers to this question? | Why had the bearded man requested the Tsar to forgive him?


What was the second question? What answers did the learned men give to that question?

What was the third question? How did the learned men answer the question? | Why was the Tsar not satisfied with the answers of the learned men?


Why did the Tsar not agree with the answers of the learned men? Who did the Tsar decide to consult again? What was this person famous for? How did the Tsar go to visit this person?

Why did the Tsar decide to meet the hermit? After meeting him, how did the Tsar assist him in his work | Describe the meeting of Tsar with the hermit?


Why did the bearded man become an enemy of the Tsar? What did the man swear and resolve to do? Why did he ask forgiveness of the Tsar and what did he promise him?

 “You do not know me, but I know you” – Who said this to whom? What else did the speaker say? How did the other person react to these words?

How did the Tsar nurse the wounded man?