Characters & Traits
Who were the rulers of the kingdom of fools?
A foolish king and his equally foolish minister.
What did the guru and his disciple find unusual in the kingdom?
They saw that everything, including food, was very cheap and the people were foolish.
What was humorous about the way people lived in the kingdom?
They worked at night and slept during the day, opposite to normal life.
What is the main theme of *The Kingdom of Fools*?
The story shows the dangers of foolishness and the value of wisdom.
What does the word 'disciple' mean in the story?
A follower or student of a teacher, here the guru’s follower.
What was strange about the people in the kingdom?
They worked during the night and slept during the day.
Why did the guru leave the kingdom?
He realized that foolishness could bring danger and did not want to stay there.
Why is it ironic that cheap food caused the disciple’s trouble?
Because his greed for cheap food almost cost him his life.
What lesson does the story give about greed?
Greed can cloud judgment and lead to trouble, as seen with the disciple.
What does the phrase 'kingdom of fools' imply?
A place where people act without sense or logic.
How is the guru described in the story?
The guru is wise, calm, and farsighted, unlike the people of the kingdom.
What crime was the rich merchant accused of?
He was accused of causing the death of a thief who died when the wall collapsed.
What is humorous about the king’s way of delivering justice?
He punishes people randomly without logic, making justice seem absurd.
How does the story highlight the importance of wisdom?
It shows that wisdom, like the guru’s, can save lives and overcome foolishness.
Find a synonym for 'greed' as used in the story.
Avarice or excessive desire.
What qualities of the disciple led him into trouble?
His greed and lack of foresight made him ignore the guru’s advice.
Why was the disciple chosen for execution?
Because he had grown fat eating cheap food and fit the size of the stake.
Why is the king’s and minister’s death ironic?
They executed themselves while trying to avoid death, showing foolishness.
What does the story suggest about justice in the hands of fools?
Justice becomes meaningless and dangerous when handled by the foolish.
Explain the expression: 'Justice was a mockery in the kingdom.'
It means justice was not real or fair but foolish and absurd.
How is justice depicted in the king’s character?
The king is shown as ignorant and irrational, punishing without logic.
How did the guru save the disciple?
The guru tricked the king and minister by saying the one to die first would rule the next life, leading them to sacrifice themselves.
How does the story use irony to create humor?
By showing how foolish decisions lead to unexpected and funny outcomes.
How does the ending reinforce the moral of the story?
The disciple becomes king but remembers the guru’s wisdom, showing the victory of sense over folly.
What is meant by 'wisdom prevails over folly' in the story?
That intelligence and foresight are stronger than foolishness.