Page 114 - English Expedition Class 2

TENALI : Your Majesty, these three dolls may look alike but they are
different.

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Whispers are heard in the court. King Krishnadevaraya and the ministers gaze expectantly at Tenali,
not quite understanding what he means.

13
TENALI : Allow me to demonstrate .
Tenali takes a small jug of water and pours it into the first doll’s ear. The water comes out from the
doll’s mouth. He does the same with the second doll and the water comes out of the doll’s other ear. In
the third doll, the water goes inside and does not come out.

KRISHNADEVARAYA : [surprised] What does this prove, Tenali?
TENALI : Your Majesty, the first doll represents people who gain

knowledge and spread it among others. The second doll
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represents people who do not take heed of what they hear
or what is taught. The third doll represents people who have
knowledge but keep it all to themselves. They do not share it

with others.
MERCHANT : Yes! Yes! Tenali Raman is right. This is the only difference in
the three dolls. You have solved the puzzle.

KRISHNADEVARAYA : [to Tenali] You have once again proved your wisdom, Tenali.
I am very proud of you. [To the merchant] So, merchant from

the foreign land, do you still doubt my courtiers’ intelligence?
MERCHANT : [pleased] No, Your Majesty. I accept that you have real gems 15
in your court.

Comprehension

A. Write whether the following statements are true (T) or false (F).

1. The merchant had come from a foreign land.

2. King Krishnadevaraya could spot the difference among the dolls.

3. The merchant gave the king a week’s time.

12 gaze expectantly: look on hoping for something to 14 take heed of: pay attention to
happen 15 gems: (here) gifted people
13 demonstrate: show clearly with proof
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