3.6 Writing and Speaking

Writing

1. A detective paragraph

Pick an everyday object or scene (a half-eaten tiffin, muddy shoe-prints in the corridor, an open window). In about 100 words, describe the clues and the conclusions you can draw from them, just as the four friends did with the camel.

2. A dialogue

Write a short scene (8–10 lines) in play form between the merchant and one friend, where the merchant accuses him and the friend defends himself with reasoning. Use the play format: NAME: dialogue, with stage directions in brackets.

3. A paragraph

In about 100 words, answer: “Observation and reasoning are more reliable than guessing.” Do you agree? Support your view with the play and one example from real life.

4. Diary entry

Imagine you are one of the friends on the night you became a royal adviser. Write a diary entry (80–100 words) about the day’s events and your feelings.

Format tip When you write in play format, put the character’s name in capitals followed by a colon, then the dialogue. Put any actions or feelings in brackets as stage directions: RAM DATT (smiling): The answer is simple, Your Majesty.

Speaking

Enact the play

In a group, act out the court scene: the king, the merchant, the four friends, and a sentry. Show how the friends stay calm and confident while explaining their reasoning, and how the king’s mood shifts from doubt to admiration.

Discuss

  1. Should the merchant have apologised to the friends? What would you have done in his place?
  2. “Wisdom paves the way.” What other qualities, besides cleverness, helped the friends succeed?

Speaking tip In a court scene, status matters. The king should speak slowly and with authority; the accused friends should sound respectful but confident. Let your posture and tone show each character’s position.