Introducing the Author:
Leo Tolstoy, was Russian writer who is regarded as one of the greatest authors of all time. He received nominations for the Nobel prize in literature every year from 1902 to 1906 and for the Nobel peace prize in 1901, 1902 and 1909. That he never won is a major controversy.
Born to an arstrocratic Russian family in 1828, Tolstoy is best known for the novels "War and Peace' (1869) and 'Anna Karenina' (1878). He first achieved literary acclaim in his twenties with his semi-autobiographical triology 'childhood, boyhood and youth' (1852-1856) and Sevastopol Sketches (1855), based upon his experiences in crimean war. His function includes dozens of short stories and several novellas such as 'The death of Ivan Llyich' (1836), 'Family happiness' (1859), 'After the Ball' (1911) and 'Hadji Murad (1912). He also wrote plays and numerous philosophical essays.
In the 1870s, Tolstoy experienced a profound moral crisis, followed by what he regarded as an equally profound spiritual awakening, as outlined in his non-fiction work 'A confession' (1832). His literal interpretation of the ethical teachings of Jesus, centering on the 'Sermon on the Mount', caused him to become a fervent christian anarchist and pacifist. His ideas an non-violent resistance, expressed in such works as 'The Kingdom of God' is within you (1894), had a profound impact on such pivotal 20th century figures as Mahatma Gandhi and Martin Luther King jr. He also became a dedicated advocate of Georgism, the economic philosophy of Henry George, which he incorporated into his writing particularly Resurrection' (1899).
Introducing the Topic
Kings are strange people. Often absurd ideas come to their mind and they try to find out their solutions by other people. If the solution satisfies their mind, they give reward and if not, they give punishment.
In the story 'Three Questions', Leo Tolstoy presents the character of a medieval king who brooded over three significant questions which he thought were the key to success. He questioned several people got several answers but nothing could please him until the came across a hermit in the woods who logically provided suitable answers and made the king happy.
Introducing the Characters
The King
The Hermit
A Bearded Man
Introducing the Title of the Story
As the title shows the story revolves around three questions that occurred to the mind of a medieval king in Soviet Russia. The questions were-(1) What is the right time to do a work? (2) Who is the right person to consult with about the work? (3) What is the right work to do?
The king thought if he got the answer of the above three questions, his life would be happy and he would be treated as the best king of the world. Nobody could give satisfactory answer. Finally, he met with a hermit who solved his problem with satisfactory answer.
Summary of the Story
Once there was a very good king in Soviet Russia. He had three questions in his mind such as-(1) What is the right time to do a work? (2) Who is the right person to consult with about the work? (3) What is the right work to do? He thought, if he could get correct answer to his three questions, he would be treated as the best king of the world. He declared in his kingdom that who ever gave the correct answers to his questions would get rewards. Many people came to answer the king's questions but their answers varied, differed from each other so, the king gave no reward.
One day, the king came to know about a wise hermit in the woods in the last part of his kingdom. He could answer every question so, the king went to meet him. He left his horse, bodyguard at a distance and went to the hermit's ashram wearing simple dress. At that time, the hermit was digging soil. The king saluted him, put him three questions but he gave no answer. So, the king took the spade from the hermit's hand and started digging the soil.
When the king was tired, the hermit was digging soil and vice-versa. It became evening, the hermit gave no answer. The king was worried to return to palace. In the mean time, a bearded man came there pressing his stomach and shouting for help. He fell down near the Ashram and became unconscious. The king and the hermit saw that, there was a big wound in the stranger's stomach. They gave treatment to him. Towards midnight, his sense returned, he saw that the king was facing him. He told the king-"I am sorry. I am your deadly enemy. I have come to the jungle to murder you. But you saved my life. I am grateful to you." The king looked delighted.
It became morning. The king went to the hermit to take leave. For the last time, he repeated his questions. The hermit said "You have already got your answers. No work, no person and no time is always perfect. It changes in different situations. For example, whenyou met me yesterday, I was the right person for you. You started digging soil for me and that was right work. The time you spent with me was right time. When the bearded man came, he became right person for you. The treatment which you gave to him was right work. The time you spent with him was right time." The answer pleased the king and he returned home happily.