Three Questions

Discuss the significance of the title of the story, "Three Questions".

Assess how much successful is “Three Questions as a short story. | Analyse the character of the Tsar.


What were the questions that had occurred to the Tsar? Why did he need correct answers to those questions? What did he do when he was not satisfied with the answers of the learned men?

Draw a character sketch of the hermit in the story 'Three Questions'. | What role did the bearded man play in "Three Questions"?


"You are tired,"-Who said this and to whom? Why did the speaker come to the listener? Why did the speaker offer to help? How was he benefitted by this?

How did the Tsar go to the wood where the wise hermit lived ? What was the hermit doing then ? What did the Tsar say to the hermit?

What answers did the learned men give to the three questions? Or, How did the learned men answer to Tsar's questions?


"Here comes someone running"-Who is the speaker? Who was coming? Why did he come running? What happened to him? Describe his condition? How was he received at the hermit's cottage?

"I am that enemy of yours who swore to revenge himself on you."-Who was the speaker? To whom was it spoken? How did he become enemy of the person spoken to? Why did he confess so before him?

"Now rest awhile and let me work a bit."-Explain with reference to the context.


"I resolved to kill you ..." - Why did the speaker want to kill the Tsar? How was the man wounded? Was he successful in his mission?

What was the first question? How did the learned men give answers to this question? | Why had the bearded man requested the Tsar to forgive him?


What was the second question? What answers did the learned men give to that question?

What was the third question? How did the learned men answer the question? | Why was the Tsar not satisfied with the answers of the learned men?


Why did the Tsar not agree with the answers of the learned men? Who did the Tsar decide to consult again? What was this person famous for? How did the Tsar go to visit this person?

Why did the Tsar decide to meet the hermit? After meeting him, how did the Tsar assist him in his work | Describe the meeting of Tsar with the hermit?


Why did the bearded man become an enemy of the Tsar? What did the man swear and resolve to do? Why did he ask forgiveness of the Tsar and what did he promise him?

"You do not know me, but I know you" - Who said this to whom? What else did the speaker say? How did the other person react to these words?

How did the Tsar nurse the wounded man?


"You have already been answered" - Who said this and to whom? How had the person referred to been answered?

How did the enemy of the king become friend with the king in Leo Tolstoy's "Three Questions?

Why do you think the Tsar forgive the bearded man instead of his attempt to kill the Tsar?


Why do you think that the hermit did not give the Tsar answers to the Tsar's questions till the end?

Do you agree with the hermit's answers to the Tsar's three questions? If yes, state why giving examples from the text to support your argument. If not, state three reasons why you do not agree.

"For the last time, I pray you to answer my questions."-Who was the speaker? Whom did he speak to? What were the questions? Why did the speaker ask for the last time?

The hermit spoke only to common people, so the Tsar 'put on simple clothes' -Do you think the Tsar hoped to be mistaken for a common man? Do you think that the hermit knew the person to be the Tsar? Justify your answer.

Though the hermit did not say anything to the king for some time, he did not ignore the king, or treat him rudely in anyway'-Do you agree? What evidences of his politeness can you point out in the text?


How could you apply the answers to the three questions in your life?

What is the moral message embedded in the short story 'Three Questions'?

Choose any one of the three characters of the story and write a diary entry of about 300 words explaining the day's events from the perspective of that character.

Imagine that you were present at that time of that event and write a blog post explaining the lessons you indirectly learned or were taught, using details from the story.


(Report Writing)