Gopal and the Hilsa-fish

Summary

-by Narendra Bijweall 

The story “Gopal and the Hilsa-fish” begins with the fact that it was the season for the Hilsa-fish. People all over the place had nothing to speak except Hilsa. However, the king was irritated after hearing the discussion about the fish. When the courtier came in front of the king to talk about the fish, the king burst out in anger. Later on, the king realised his mistake and apologised to him. The reason behind his anger was that everyone was speaking about Hilsa. The king stated that not even Gopal can stop anyone from talking about Hilsa-fish, not for even about five minutes. Later on, Gopal agreed that he would accept the task. After a few days, Gopal decided to go to the market in a disguise. He had applied ash on his face and seemed to be half-shaven and dressed in torn clothes. Everybody noticed his appearance and judged him as a madman. When Gopal reached the palace, he was stopped by the guards. He danced and sang to seek the attention of everyone and distract them from noticing the fish in his hand. Later on, the king heard his call, and so he ordered his guards to bring the crazy man inside the palace.

One of the courtiers  instantly recognised him. Finally, Gopal revealed that no one had spoken about the fish because people were busy judging him.

They were discussing Gopal’s appearance rather than looking at the fish in his hand. Thus, Gopal won the challenge, and the king appreciated him for his victory.

~Conclusion~

Gopal was one of the wise men in the king’s court. When the king was fed up with ongoing talks about Hilsa fish he challenged Gopal. Gopal happily accepted the challenge of buying a huge Hilsa fish from the market and to ensure on the way from the market to the palace no one should talk to him about the fish.

NCERT SOLUTIONS

Questions (Page No. 42)

(Working with the Text)

Answer the following questions:

Question 1. Why did the king want no more talk about the hilsa-fish?

Answer: The king did not want to listen any more talk about the hilsa-fish because everyone in the entire kingdom kept talking only about the hilsa-fish and this irritated the king.

Question 2. What did the king ask Gopal to do to prove that he was clever?

Answer: The king asked Gopal to prove that he was clever so that while Gopal was on this challenge, he would try as much as possible that people didn’t speak anything about the Hilsa-fish.

Question 3. What three things did Gopal do before he went to buy his hilsa-fish?

Answer: The three things that Gopal did before he went to buy his hilsa-fish were:

1. He half-shaved his face.
2. He smeared ash on his body.
3. He wore rags.

Question 4. How did Gopal get inside the palace to see the king after he had bought the fish?

Answer: When he reached the palace, he told the guards that he wanted to meet the king. The guards stopped him from going inside. Gopal began to dance and sing loudly. The king heard the noise and ordered to get the man inside the palace. That’s how he got inside the palace.

Question 5. Explain why no one seemed to be interested in talking about the hilsa-fish which Gopal had bought.

Answer: The reason why no one seemed to be interested in talking about the hilsa-fish which Gopal had bought was that people were more surprised by his appearance- half-shaved face, ash on the body and rugs instead of proper clothes. This made them wonder what had happened to him.

 Question 6. Write ‘True’ or ‘False’ against each of the following sentences.

1. The king lost his temper easily. _________
2. Gopal was a madman. _________
3. Gopal was a clever man. _________
4. Gopal was too poor to afford decent clothes. _________
5. The king got angry when he was shown to be wrong. _________

Answer:

1. The king lost his temper easily. True
2. Gopal was a madman. False
3. Gopal was a clever man. True
4. Gopal was too poor to afford decent clothes. False
5. The king got angry when he was shown to be wrong. False

Questions (Page No. 42-43)

(Working with language)

Question 1. Notice how in a comic book, there are no speech marks when characters talk. Instead what they say is put in a speech ‘bubble’. However, if we wish to repeat or ‘report’ what they say, we must put it into reported speech.

Change the following sentences in the story to reported speech. The first one has been done for you.

1. For e.g. How much did you pay for that hilsa?

The woman asked the man how much he had paid for that hilsa.

2. Why is your face half-shaven?

Gopal’s wife asked him _________________.

3. I accept the challenge, Your Majesty.

Gopal told the king _________________.

4. I want to see the king.

Gopal told the guards _________________.

5. Bring the man to me at once.

The king ordered the guard _________________.

Answer:

2. Gopal’s wife asked him why his face was half-shaven.
3. Gopal told the king that he accepted the challenge.
4. Gopal told the guards that he wanted to see the king.
5. The king ordered the guard to bring the man to him at once.

Question 2. Find out the meaning of the following words by looking them up in the dictionary. Then use them in sentences of your own.

Challenge; mystic; comical; courtier; smearing

Answer:

Challenge: Radhika challenged Kshama for the debate competition.

Mystic: The Gods are considered to be mystic.

Comical: Shinchan is a comical character.

Courtier: The courtier had to obey the orders of the king.

Smearing: Smearing oil before playing holi helps in getting the colour off the skin easily.

Questions (Page No. 46-47)

(Picture Reading)

Question 2. Now ask your partner questions about each picture.

2. Where is the stag?
3. What is he doing?
4. Does he like his antlers (horns)?
5. Does he like his legs?
6. Why is the stag running?
7. Is he able to hide in the bushes?
8. Where are the hunters now?
9. Are they closing in on the stag?
10. Is the stag free?
11. What does the stag say about his horns and his legs?

Answer:

2. The stag was by the side of a pond.
3. He is watching his reflection in the water of the pond.
4. Yes, he liked his antlers.
5. No, he does not like his legs as they are very thin.
6. The stag is running because hunters are chasing it.
7. No, he is not able to hide in the bushes because his horns get stuck in the bushes.
8. The hunters are behind the stag.
9. Yes, they were getting closer to the stag.
10. Yes, the stag is free.
11. The stag says that he was proud of his horns but it could have caused the stag’s death. The legs it was ashamed of, saved his life.

Question 3. Now write the story in your own words. Give it a title.

Answer: Horns and the Legs

Once upon a time, there lived a stag. One day he was about to drink water when he saw his reflection in the water of the pond. He felt proud to have such beautiful horns. Then, he looked at his legs and thought that they were so thin and ugly.

One day, some hunters came in the jungle and began chasing the stag. The stag started to run but his horns got stuck in the bushes. He then put in more effort and ran away fast.

When he was out of danger, he thought that the horns that he was so proud of, could have got him killed. Moreover, the legs which he considered to be ugly, were his saviour.

Question 4. Complete the following word ladder with the help of the clues given below.

1. Mother will be very ________ if you don’t go to school.
2. As soon as he caught ________ of the teacher, Mohan started writing.
3. How do you like my ________ kitchen garden? Big enough for you, is it?
4. My youngest sister is now a ________ old.
5. Standing on the ________, he saw children playing on the road.
6. Don’t make such a ________. Nothing will happen.
7. Don’t cross the ________ till the green light comes on.

Answer:

1. Mother will be very cross if you don’t go to school.
2. As soon as he caught sight of the teacher, Mohan started writing.
3. How do you like my tiny kitchen garden? Big enough for you, is it?
4. My youngest sister is now a year old.
5. Standing on the roof, he saw children playing on the road.
6. Don’t make such a fuss. Nothing will happen.
7. Don’t cross the street till the green light comes on.