3.3 Understanding the Text
Answer each question yourself first, then check the model answer.
A. Reading for details
1. Why were the four young men travelling to Ujjain?
They were going to Ujjain in search of work or employment.
2. What did Ram Datt and Shiv Datt each conclude about the camel?
Ram Datt concluded the camel was lame, because its footprints were uneven — one print dragged and was fainter. Shiv Datt concluded it was blind in one eye, because grass had been eaten from only one side of the road.
3. Why did the merchant accuse the friends of stealing his camel?
The friends described his lost camel so accurately that the merchant could not believe they had only seen its tracks. He assumed that such exact knowledge meant they must have seen — and stolen — the animal.
4. How did the king finally treat the four friends?
Once they explained their reasoning, the king realised they were wise observers, not thieves. He cleared them of the charge and appointed them as his royal advisers.
B. Reading between the lines
5. “The friends were nearly punished for being too clever.” Explain.
Their detailed description, which came purely from observation, seemed impossible to the merchant. Because he could not imagine such accuracy without seeing the camel, their very cleverness made them look guilty. They were almost punished for a skill, not a crime.
6. What saved the friends from punishment?
They were saved by their ability to explain, step by step, the clue behind each conclusion. Once the king understood their reasoning, he saw they were innocent and wise.
7. What does the play tell us about the difference between guessing and reasoning?
The friends did not guess; every statement was backed by a visible clue and a logical link. Reasoning means drawing a conclusion supported by evidence — which is exactly why their claims turned out to be true and could be defended.
C. Thinking about values
8. What qualities make the four friends admirable?
They are observant, logical, calm under accusation, honest, and able to explain themselves clearly. They stay composed even when wrongly accused and let their reasoning prove their innocence.
9. What lesson does the play teach us?
It teaches the value of careful observation and logical reasoning over hasty assumptions. It also shows that patience and clear thinking can overcome prejudice and false accusation.