In the Kingdom of Fools
1. What are the two strange things the guru and his disciple find in the Kingdom of Fools?
Ans: The guru and his disciple notice two unusual features in the kingdom:
All goods are sold at the same price, one duddu, regardless of their value.
The people follow a strange routine of sleeping during the day and working at night, as ordered by the king.
2. Why does the disciple decide to stay in the Kingdom of Fools? Is it a good idea?
Ans: The disciple chooses to stay because he is attracted by the extremely cheap food available at one duddu. He enjoys eating freely without spending much. However, it is not a wise decision, as living in a foolish kingdom proves to be risky and leads him into trouble later.
3. Name all the people who are tried in the king’s court, and give the reasons for their trial.
Ans: Several people are brought to the court in a chain of blame:
The Merchant: Accused because a thief died when his wall collapsed.
The Bricklayer: Blamed for constructing a weak wall.
The Dancing Girl: Accused of distracting the bricklayer with her anklets.
The Goldsmith: Blamed for delaying the dancing girl’s order.
The Merchant’s Father: Considered responsible for placing the order that caused the delay.
The Disciple: Finally chosen for execution simply because he is fat and fits the stake.
4. Who is the real culprit according to the king? Why does he escape punishment?
Ans: The king considers the merchant responsible for the chain of events leading to the thief’s death. However, the merchant escapes punishment because he is too thin to fit the execution stake. As a result, the disciple is selected instead.
5. What are the Guru’s words of wisdom? When does the disciple remember them?
Ans: The guru had warned that a kingdom ruled by fools is unsafe and unpredictable. The disciple recalls these words when he is unfairly selected for execution, realizing the danger of his decision to stay.
6. How does the guru manage to save his disciple’s life?
Ans: The guru uses his intelligence to outsmart the king. He pretends that dying on the execution stake at that moment would bring great fortune, even making one the next ruler. Hearing this, the greedy and foolish king, along with his minister, chooses to be executed first, thereby saving the disciple.