Wisdom Paves the Way Summary and Explanation
CBSE Class 8 English Unit 1 – Wit And Wisdom Chapter 3 – Wisdom Paves the Way Summary, Explanation along with Difficult Word Meanings from Poorvi Book
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CBSE Class 8 English Unit 1 Wit And Wisdom Chapter 3 – Wisdom Paves the Way
The play shows how the intelligence of the four men helps them get a suitable job in the king’s royal court.
- Wisdom Paves the Way Summary
- Wisdom Paves the Way Summary in Hindi
- Wisdom Paves the Way Theme
- Wisdom Paves the Way Explanation
Related:
- Wisdom Paves the Way Question Answers
- Wisdom Paves the Way Character Sketch
- Class 8 English Poorvi Book Lesson Notes
Wisdom Paves the Way Summary
The first scene of the play is set on a road leading to Ujjain. Four men are walking towards the city in search for a suitable job. They are feeling sad because it has been ten days since they left home. However, one of them says that they should not lose hope because ten days is nothing in the larger scene of things that they are aiming for.
The men come across a camel’s track and start analysing it as they walk. They make some keen observations about the camel. They are approached by a merchant who seems to be in trouble for having lost something, perhaps a camel.
All the four men present their observations about the camel which turn out to be true. Ram Datt says that the camel is lame, Shiv Datt says that it is blind, Har Datt claims that iyt has a short tail while Dev Datt points out that the camel has been ailing from stomach ache. The merchant gets curious when he hears so many accurate details and asks them where his camel is but the men reply that they haven’t seen it. This seems to be false and so, he accuses them of selling his camel. However, the men deny it. He forces them to go to the king. The king asks the merchant what his problem is. The merchant says that the four men have cheated him by selling his camel. They know the camel’s details while they claim that they have never seen it. The king asks each of the four men about their observation and how they concluded it. Ram Datt says that he observed the tracks and found that three footmarks were deep while the fourth was faint which showed that the camel was lame. Shiv Datt observed the path walked by the camel and saw that the camel ate leaves of trees only on his left side, the trees on the right side were left untouched. This proved that it was blind by the right eye. Har Datt had observed blood marks on the track which indicated small mosquito bites. If the camel would have had a long tail, it would remove the insects, however, it had a short tail which disabled him from shoving away the insects. Dev Datt observed that the camel suffered from stomach pain because the marks of the front feet were visible while the back feet were light, as if it had been dragging itself due to stomach pain.
The king was impressed by their deep observations. He scolded the merchant for making baseless accusation and sent him away to search his camel. He offered the four men to be his royal advisors and contribute in the prosperity of Ujjain. The men were glad and thankful to the king. They readily accepted the offer. Thus, they men got their worth.
Summary of the Lesson Wisdom Paves the Way in Hindi
नाटक का पहला दृश्य उज्जैन जाने वाली एक सड़क पर आधारित है। चार आदमी एक उपयुक्त नौकरी की तलाश में शहर की ओर चल रहे हैं। वे उदास हैं क्योंकि उन्हें घर से निकले दस दिन हो गए हैं। हालाँकि, उनमें से एक कहता है कि उन्हें उम्मीद नहीं छोड़नी चाहिए क्योंकि जिस बड़े परिदृश्य में वे लक्ष्य बना रहे हैं, उसमें दस दिन कुछ भी नहीं हैं।
ये आदमी एक ऊँट के पदचिह्न देखते हैं और चलते हुए उसका विश्लेषण करने लगते हैं। वे ऊँट के बारे में कुछ गहन अवलोकन करते हैं। उनके पास एक व्यापारी आता है जो किसी चीज़, शायद एक ऊँट, के खो जाने के कारण परेशानी में लगता है।
चारों आदमी ऊँट के बारे में अपने अवलोकन प्रस्तुत करते हैं जो सच साबित होते हैं। राम दत्त कहते हैं कि ऊँट लंगड़ा है, शिव दत्त कहते हैं कि यह अंधा है, हर दत्त का दावा है कि इसकी पूँछ छोटी है जबकि देव दत्त बताते हैं कि ऊँट पेट दर्द से पीड़ित है। इतनी सटीक जानकारी सुनकर व्यापारी उत्सुक हो जाता है और उनसे पूछता है कि उसका ऊँट कहाँ है, लेकिन आदमी जवाब देते हैं कि उन्होंने इसे नहीं देखा है। यह बात झूठी लगती है, इसलिए वह उन पर अपना ऊँट बेचने का आरोप लगाता है। हालाँकि, वे लोग इससे इनकार करते हैं। वह उन्हें राजा के पास जाने के लिए मजबूर करता है। राजा व्यापारी से उसकी समस्या पूछता है। व्यापारी कहता है कि चारों लोगों ने उसका ऊँट बेचकर उसके साथ धोखाधड़ी की है। वे ऊँट के बारे में पूरी जानकारी रखते हैं, जबकि उनका दावा है कि उन्होंने उसे कभी देखा ही नहीं। राजा चारों व्यक्तियों से उनके अवलोकन और इस निष्कर्ष पर पहुँचने के तरीके के बारे में पूछता है। राम दत्त कहता है कि उसने पैरों के निशान देखे और पाया कि तीन पैरों के निशान गहरे थे, जबकि चौथा निशान हल्का था, जिससे पता चलता है कि ऊँट लंगड़ा था। शिव दत्त ने ऊँट के चलने के रास्ते पर ध्यान दिया और पाया कि ऊँट केवल बाईं ओर के पेड़ों के पत्ते खा रहा था, दाईं ओर के पेड़ों को छुआ तक नहीं था। इससे साबित होता है कि वह दाईं आँख से अंधा था। हर दत्त ने पैरों के निशान पर खून के निशान देखे थे, जो मच्छरों के छोटे-छोटे काटने के निशान थे। अगर ऊँट की पूँछ लंबी होती, तो वह कीड़ों को भगा देता, लेकिन उसकी पूँछ छोटी थी, जिससे वह कीड़ों को भगा नहीं पाया। देवदत्त ने देखा कि ऊँट के पेट में दर्द हो रहा है क्योंकि उसके अगले पैरों के निशान दिखाई दे रहे थे जबकि पिछले पैरों के निशान हल्के थे, मानो पेट दर्द के कारण वह घसीट रहा हो।
राजा उनकी गहरी टिप्पणियों से प्रभावित हुए। उन्होंने व्यापारी को निराधार आरोप लगाने के लिए डाँटा और उसे अपने ऊँट की तलाशी लेने के लिए भेज दिया। उन्होंने उन चारों को अपना शाही सलाहकार बनने और उज्जैन की समृद्धि में योगदान देने का प्रस्ताव दिया। वे लोग खुश हुए और राजा के प्रति कृतज्ञ हुए। उन्होंने तुरंत प्रस्ताव स्वीकार कर लिया। इस प्रकार, उन्हें अपना मूल्य मिल गया।
Theme of the Lesson Wisdom Paves the Way
The play throws light on the importance of wisdom in one’s life. If one acts wisely, he can overcome life’s challenges and gain success. Hoever, foolish decisions can lead to failure and add difficulties in one’s life.
Wisdom Paves the Way Lesson Explanation
Passage:
Characters
The King of Ujjain: a young King
Four Young Men: Ram Datt, Shiv Datt, Har Datt, and Dev Datt
The Merchant
Two Sentries
Setting: A road leading to Ujjain, visible in the distance. Later, the King’s court, adorned with rich tapestries, tall pillars, and regal decor. The time is midday.
Word meanings:
adorned: beautified
tapestries: heavy decorative fabrics woven with pictures or patterns
Regal: suitable for kings
Explanation – The play is set on a road leading to the city, Ujjain and later the scene shifts to the court of the king which is decorated with decorative fabrics, tall pillars and royal interiors. It was afternoon.
Passage:
Scene I: The Road to Ujjain
(Four young men—Ram Datt, Shiv Datt, Har Datt, and Dev Datt—are walking along a dusty road leading to Ujjain. They appear travel-worn but resolute, their eyes fixed on the city that looms ahead. The sun is high, and the distant noise of the bustling city faintly reaches them.)
Word meanings:
resolute: determined
looms: becomes visible
bustling: busy
Explanation: In the first scene, we see four young men walking up the road leading to the city of Ujjain. They are tired but determined to reach the city. It is a hot afternoon and the noises of Ujjain can be slightly heard.
Passage:
Ram Datt: (Wiping his brow) We have journeyed far from home, yet the prospect of finding work still eludes us.
Har Datt: How long has it been since we left our village?
Shiv Datt: I believe it has been over a week— perhaps even longer.
Ram Datt: Ten days, to be precise. Every day feels longer than the last.
Dev Datt: Ten days are but a short span in the grand scheme of things. We may still have many more roads to wander before we find employment befitting all four of us.
Word meanings:
Prospect: the possibility or likelihood of some future event occurring
eludes: difficult to obtain
Precise: exact
Befitting: suitable
Explanation: One of the four men, Ram Datt wipes the sweat from his eyebrow and says that they have gone far from home but the possibility of getting any work seems difficult to get. Another man named Har Datt asks that how many days had passed since they left their village to which Shiv Datt replied that it had been more than a week. Ram Datt added that it had been ten days since they had left their village and that everyday feels longer than the previous one. This implies that with each passing day, the journey is getting tougher for them. Dev Datt added that they should not loose heart, ten days was a short duration in comparison to the grand future that they had. They would have had to walk on many roads before they could find suitable jobs.
Passage:
Ram Datt: If only we could secure an audience with the King of Ujjain. I am confident he would recognise our talents and appoint us to his service.
Shiv Datt: I share your belief.
Dev Datt: Indeed, we ought to be united in this hope. That is why we press on towards Ujjain.
Har Datt: (Pausing thoughtfully) Gaining an audience with the King is no simple task. We need to devise a strategy.
Word meanings:
Secure: get
devise: (here) to think of
Press on: to start or continue doing something in a determined way, often despite problems
Explanation: Ram Datt expresses his desire of meeting the king of Ujjain. He is confident that the king would identify their talent and give them a suitable employment. Shiv Datt shared this belief and Dev Datt added that they were together in their hope of meeting the king and so they were rushing towards the city. Har Datt paused and said that meeting the king was not a simple task and they should make a plan for it.
Passage:
Dev Datt: Let us reach the city gates first. We can deliberate once we are closer.
(As they walk, Ram Datt notices something on the ground.)
Shiv Datt: Look there, friends. A camel has passed this way. The tracks are fresh.
Ram Datt: (Studying the tracks) Yes, let us observe them as we continue. They may tell us more than meets the eye.
(The four men continue walking, occasionally stopping to examine the camel’s tracks. They scrutinise every detail, exchanging glances but saying little.)
Word meanings:
deliberate: to think carefully
scrutinise: to look carefully at
Explanation – Dev Datt suggested that they should reach the entry point of the city of Ujjain and then decide over the plan. As they were walking, Ram Datt noticed some marks on the road. Shiv Datt called his friends to see the footmarks of a camel that had passed the path sometime back. Ram Datt suggested that they should observe the track carefully and it would give them more information than what they could otherwise see. So, the men continue walking and examining the marks, look at each other when they observe something but do not speak anything.
Passage:
Ram Datt: I have discovered something peculiar about this camel.
Shiv Datt: So have I.
Har Datt: I, too, have noticed a strange detail.
Dev Datt : (Smiling) It seems each of us has learnt something unique, yet I believe my discovery is unlike any of yours.
Har Datt: Let us rest beneath a large tree and share our findings. But wait—someone approaches in haste!
Shiv Datt : (Peering ahead) It appears to be a merchant, running as if pursued by trouble.
Word meanings:
in haste: in a hurry
pursued: (here) chased
Explanation – Ram Datt says that he had discovered something strange about the camel. The other men also add that they too have similar observations. Har Datt suggested that they sit under a tree and discuss their observations. Someone came up to them in a hurry. Shiv Datt looked at him and said that the man seemed to be a businessman and the manner of his running indicated that he was in trouble.
Passage:
Ram Datt: A merchant indeed, and judging by his countenance, he has lost something of great value—perhaps his camel.
(The Merchant, panting and distressed, reaches the group. He pauses to catch his breath, then addresses them anxiously.)
Merchant: (Breathlessly) Good day, kind sirs.
All Four: Good day, brother.
Merchant: I seek your help. My camel has gone astray. Have you, by chance, seen it?
Word meanings:
distressed: worried
countenance: facial expression
astray: away from the correct path
Explanation – Ram Datt confirmed that the man was a businessman and his facial expression indicated that he had lost something valuable, perhaps a camel. The businessman is short of breath and stops a bit to breathe. Then he wishes the men and asks their help as his camel has got lost. He asks them if they have seen it.
Passage:
Ram Datt: Is your camel lame in one leg, by any chance?
Merchant: (Surprised) Yes, yes, it is!
Shiv Datt: Is it blind in the right eye?
Merchant: Precisely! It is blind in one eye—the right one, as you say.
Har Datt: And does it have a short tail?
Merchant: (Astonished) You describe it perfectly! Yes, it has a short tail.
Dev Datt: Tell me, sir, has it not been suffering from a pain in the stomach?
Merchant: (Taken aback) How could you possibly know that?
The poor creature has been unwell for two weeks now. Surely you are a healer! I will gladly pay your fee if you can cure it. But tell me, where is my camel?
Word meanings:
Lame: not able to walk properly because of an injury to the leg or foot
Precisely: exactly
Explanation – Ram Datt asks if the camel cannot walk properly and the man confirms that. Shiv datt asks if the camel is blind and the man confirms that too. Har Datt inquires if the camel has a short tail which is also confirmed by the merchant. Dev Datt asks if the camel has been suffering from stomach pain and this is also confirmed by the owner. He is astonished that how did the men know so many details about his camel, perhaps they were healers. He asks where his camel is.
Passage:
Ram Datt: We regret to inform you that we do not know where it is.
Shiv Datt: We have not seen your camel, not even once.
Merchant: (Indignant) How can that be? You speak of my camel as if it stood before you, yet you dare to claim not to have seen it! You are deceivers! You must have stolen it and sold it off. I will take this matter to the King himself.
Word meanings:
Regret: sorry
indignant: angry
Explanation – Ram Datt was sorry to tell him that they did not know where the camel was. Shiv Datt added that they had not seent he camel even once. The man got angry and said that they were lying. They had described the camel so well as if it had stood in front of them. He accuses them of being cheats who had sold his camel and threatens to take them to the king.
Passage:
Dev Datt: You are free to do as you wish, sir. If the King desires our presence, we shall be waiting under that banyan tree yonder.
Merchant: I do not trust your words. I will not leave you here to slip away. You shall come with me to face the King!
All Four: Very well. We shall go to the King.
(They follow the Merchant towards the city gates. As they arrive at the palace, the Merchant speaks urgently to a Sentry. The Sentry leads the Merchant inside.)
Word meanings:
yonder: over there
Slip away: escape
Explanation – Dev Datt said that he could do as he wished. If the king ordered them, they would appear in the royal court and till then would wait under the banyan tree. The merchant refused to trust them as they could escape. He ordered them to accompany him to the king. They went along. At the gates of the city, the businessman spoke to the king’s guard and he took him inside the palace.
Scene II: The King’s Court
Passage:
(The King of Ujjain sits upon his throne, surrounded by courtiers. The grand hall is adorned with rich draperies, tall columns, and a golden canopy. The King, regal in his bearing, watches intently as the Merchant and the Sentry bow before him.)
Word meanings:
draperies: long thick curtains
canopy: (here) a cover fixed over a seat for decoration
Explanation – The second scene is set in the court of the king of Ujjain. The king is seated on his throne. There are courtiers around him. The hall is decorated with curtains, pillars and a golden cover. The king is royal in his behaviour and sees the man and the guard greet him.
Passage:
King: (Commanding) What is the matter that brings you to my court?
Sentry: Your Highness, this merchant has come with a grievance against four travellers. He accuses them of stealing his camel.
King: Bring forth the accused.
(The Sentry bows and exits, returning shortly with the four young men. They bow respectfully before the King, maintaining calm despite the accusations against them.)
Word meanings:
grievance: complaint
accusations: claims that someone has done something wrong
Explanation – The king speaks in an ordering manner and asks the matter that brings the man to his court. The guard says that the man has a complaint against the four men whom he has blamed for stealing his camel. The king orders to call the accused four men. The guard brings them and they also greet the king. They are peaceful despite the false blame put on them.
Passage:
King: (To the Merchant) Speak your accusation clearly. I shall not tolerate any confusion in my court.
Merchant: Your Majesty, these men know every detail of my missing camel, yet they insist they have never seen it. They are undoubtedly the thieves. How else could they know so much about it?
King: (Turning to Ram Datt) You, speak. What do you know of this camel?
Ram Datt: Your Highness, I discovered that the camel is lame in one of its legs.
King: And how did you deduce this?
Word meanings:
Accusation:a claim that someone has done something wrong or illegal
deduce: to determine by reasoning
Explanation – The king ordered the businessman to explain his complaint, and he would not accept any confusion in his court. The man explained that the four men knew every detail of his lost camel yet they claimed that they had never seen it. However, he claimed that they were thieves who had stolen it otherwise they would not have known so many details. The king turned to Ram Datt and asked him what he knew about the camel. Ram Datt said that he found out that the camel cannot walk with one of its legs. The king asked how he had reached this conclusion.
Passage:
Ram Datt: From its tracks on the road, I observed that only three feet left distinct impressions. The fourth was faint, indicating a limp. The pattern of the tracks told the tale of a creature struggling to bear its weight evenly.
King: (Nodding thoughtfully) Impressive observation. You have sharp eyes, indeed. (To Shiv Datt) And what of you? What did you discern about this camel?
Shiv Datt: I observed that the camel was blind in its right eye, Your Majesty.
King: How did you arrive at this conclusion?
Word meanings:
discern: to see or notice something
Explanation – Ram Datt replied that the track on the path showed clear marks of only three feet while the fourth foot had a light mark which indicated that the camel limped. The track showed that the camel was not able to carry its weight evenly. The king accepted his observation and remarked that he was a keen observer. Then he asked Shiv Datt about his observation. He commented that the camel was blind in the right eye. The king asked how he had concluded this.
Passage:
Shiv Datt: It had nibbled only on the foliage to the left of the road, leaving the right side untouched. The leaves on the right hung undisturbed, as if unseen. From this, I deduced it could not see with its right eye.
King: (Smiling) Well-reasoned indeed. Such detail is not easily noticed by a casual traveller. (To Har Datt) And your finding?
Har Datt: I discovered that the camel’s tail is short, Your Highness.
King: Explain how you came to such a conclusion.
Har Datt: I noticed small droplets of blood along the track, likely from mosquito bites. A camel with a long tail would have fended off these pests with ease. These small specks told me of an animal lacking such defence, hence the short tail.
Word meanings:
foliage: green leaves and plants
fended off: guarded against
Speck: tiny mark or particle
Explanation – Shiv Datt replied that on the way, the camel had eaten leaves from trees that were on its left side while those on its right had been left undisturbed as if it could not see them. This made him conclude that the camel was blind from the right eye. The king was amused and said that a common traveller would not make such deep observation. Then he asked Har Datt about his observation. Har Datt replied that he noticed that the camel had a short tail. The king asked for the reason and Har Datt replied that he saw tiny marks of blood which indicated that the camel had mosquito bites on his body. If the camel would have had a long tail, he would have shooed the mosquitoes away but the bites indicated that it had a short tail.
Passage:
King: (Impressed) You reasoned with great insight, showing both observation and deduction. (Turning to Dev Datt) And you, what did you observe that set you apart from your companions?
Dev Datt: I noticed, Your Majesty, that the prints of the camel’s forefeet were deep and clear, while those of the sound hind foot were faint. This indicated that the camel was drawing up its hind legs, likely due to discomfort. It moved cautiously, burdened by a pain in its belly, trying to spare itself further suffering with every step.
Word meanings:
insight: a clear/deep understanding
Deduction: a conclusion based on reason
sound: healthy
Spare: excuse
Explanation – The king was happy to see his valid reason. He asked Dev Datt about his observation which was different from that of his friends. Dev Datt replied that the marks of the camel’s front feet were deeper while those of the back feet were lighter which indicated that the camel was dragging the back portion of the body, perhaps due to stomach pain. Thus, he concluded that it was suffering from stomach pain and suffered with each step that it took.
Passage:
King: (Marvelling) Extraordinary! You have not seen the camel, yet you know it intimately. Your reasoning is flawless and speaks of wisdom that goes beyond mere sight. (Turning to the Merchant) Your accusations are baseless and misguided. These are men of wisdom, not thieves. Go, and continue your search for your camel, and be mindful of whom you accuse in the future.
(The Merchant, chastened and embarrassed, bows deeply and exits, his face red with shame.)
King: (To the four men) You have demonstrated remarkable intelligence and the ability to see beyond the obvious. Such minds are rare and highly valued in my court. I extend to you the honour of becoming my advisers. Your counsel shall guide my decisions, and your wisdom shall be a beacon for my kingdom. What do you say to my offer?
Word meanings:
intimately: in a detailed way
flawless: perfect
chastened: felt sorry
counsel: advice
beacon: guiding light
Explanation – The king was so happy at the valid reasons presented by all four men who had not seen the camel, yet could tell so much about it. He told the businessman that his blame was baseless, the four were men of intelligence and not thieves. He ordered him to go and search his camel and be careful in future before accusing someone. The man was sorry, bowed to the king, his face was red due to shame at accusing innocent men as he left the court. The king addressed the four men and said that they were very intelligent which was unusual. He valued such people and so, he wanted them to be his royal advisors. Their advice would guide him. He asked if they accepted his offer.
Passage:
Ram Datt: (Stepping forward) Your Highness, it is an honour we had not dared to dream of.
Shiv Datt: We are humbled and deeply grateful for your trust in our abilities.
Har Datt: To serve a wise and just ruler like yourself is a privilege we accept with all our hearts.
Dev Datt: We shall dedicate ourselves to your service, offering our insights and counsel in all matters you see fit.
King: (Rising from his throne) Then let it be known across the kingdom that four new advisers stand by my side. May your wisdom shine upon Ujjain and guide us to prosperity.
(The court erupts in applause as the King steps down to greet his new advisers. The four men stand proud and humbled, their journey fulfilled in a manner they had never anticipated.)
Word meanings:
Humbled: having a low esteem of one’s importance
Privilege: a special right or advantage
Anticipated: expected
Explanation – Ram Datt replied that it was such a great honour that they had never dreamt of it. Shiv Datt replied that they felt thankful to him for recognizing their ability. Har Datt added that serving a wise king was a special right which they accepted. Dev Datt said that they shall be devoted and serve the king, providing advice where the king asked for. The king stood and announced that his royal court had four advisors who would shine upon Ujjain to grow. The court stood and clapped and the king welcomed the men. They stood proud of their achievement, thankful for the recognition. Their journey had been fruitful in an unexpected way.
CURTAIN
Conclusion
This post on the lesson Wisdom Paves the Way from unit 1 Wit and Wisdom of class 8 , Poorvi Book will help students get a summary and explanation of the story.