Page 111 - English Expedition Class 2

SCENE 1

The court of Krishnadevaraya. The king is sitting on his throne discussing important matters with
his ministers. A soldier enters.

SOLDIER : [bows] Your Majesty, a merchant from a foreign land has
come to visit.

KRISHNADEVARAYA : Send him in.

The soldier bows and leaves. A man dressed in fine clothes and jewels enters the court. He has a
big box in his hand. He bows to greet the king.

KRISHNADEVARAYA : Introduce yourself to the court.

MERCHANT : Your Majesty, I am a merchant and I have come from a
3
distant land. I have heard that there are many wise ministers
in your court. With your permission, I would like to test
their wisdom.
KRISHNADEVARAYA : My ministers are the wisest in the world. Be my guest. You

4
have my permission to test their wisdom howsoever you
please.

5
The merchant opens the big box and brings out three identical
dolls. Then he walks up to the king and presents them to him.
6
The king looks at the dolls, puzzled .
MERCHANT : Your Majesty, can you spot
any difference among these

dolls?
KRISHNADEVARAYA : [looking closely at the dolls]

I do not see any difference in
them. They look quite alike.
MERCHANT : Your Majesty, these dolls

may look similar but they’re
clearly different. I would like
to challenge your ministers to

find out what the differences
are. If they are able to find
out, I shall accept that the

3 distant: far away 5 identical: exactly the same
4 howsoever: by whatever way 6 puzzled: confused
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