1.4 The King’s Choice - Class 7 - Kumarbharati

Author: Shankar (from Folk Tales Retold)

Genre: Folk Tale / Moral Story

Textbook: English Kumarbharati – Class 7

Board: Maharashtra State Board

English Summary

The King’s Choice is a folk tale about a lion who was king of the forest. He appointed a fox as his adviser, a leopard as his bodyguard, and a vulture as his messenger. They enjoyed the king’s favour, but when the lion wished to eat camel’s meat, they foolishly followed the vulture into the desert. The lion’s paws burned in the hot sand and he was helpless. The clever fox tricked a camel into joining them, claiming the lion had freed it. The lion spared the camel’s life in gratitude and made it his friend. Later, when the lion was weak and hungry, the three courtiers schemed to sacrifice the camel. Each offered himself falsely, expecting the camel to do the same. When the camel truly offered his life, the lion punished the greedy courtiers and rewarded the camel with lifelong friendship. The story shows that kindness and loyalty are greater than selfishness and cunning.

Theme / Central Idea

The story highlights that true greatness lies in kindness and fairness. It shows that loyalty and honesty are valued, while selfishness and greed bring downfall.

Character Sketches

The Lion

• Strong and fierce, king of the forest.

• At first greedy, but later shows wisdom.

• Kind-hearted, spares the camel, and values loyalty.

• Learns that “To be king is good, but to be kind is better.”

  
  

The Fox

• Clever and cunning adviser.

• Thinks quickly in difficult situations.

• Selfish and greedy, ready to trick others for survival.

• Finally punished for his dishonesty.

  
  

The Leopard

• Brave and strong bodyguard.

• Shows loyalty to the lion but is greedy for food.

• Lacks wisdom and follows others.

• Runs away when punished.

  
  

The Vulture

• Messenger of the king.

• Proud of his knowledge but selfish.

• Suggests camel meat and leads others into danger.

• Later exposed and punished.

  
  

The Camel

• Innocent and loyal creature.

• Trusts the fox and agrees to join the lion’s court.

• Honest, grateful, and truly ready to sacrifice himself.

• Rewarded with protection and friendship by the king.

  
  

Word Meanings

Grammar Questions (5)

1. Infinitive / Gerund

   Sentence: “The fox planned to trick the camel.”

   Infinitive: to trick – shows purpose.

   
   

2. Passive Voice

   Active: The lion spared the camel’s life.

   Passive: The camel’s life was spared by the lion.

   
   

3. Modal Auxiliary

   Sentence: “The courtiers must obey the king.”

   Must shows duty and obligation.

   
   

4. Tense Change

   Direct: The lion said, “To be king is good.”

   Indirect: The lion said that to be king was good.

   
   

5. Wh-Question Framing

   Statement: The fox brought the camel to the lion.

   Question: Who brought the camel to the lion?

   
   

Personal Response Questions (5)

1. Why do you think the lion spared the camel’s life?The lion spared the camel’s life because he was grateful for being carried back safely to the forest. His kindness was greater than his hunger. It showed that true kingship means protecting the innocent.

   
   

2. What qualities of the camel do you admire?I admire the camel’s loyalty, innocence, and honesty. He was truly willing to sacrifice himself for the king. His gratitude and simplicity made him worthy of the lion’s protection.

   
   

3. Why did the courtiers turn against the camel?The courtiers turned against the camel because of greed and hunger. They had originally planned to eat him and tricked him into offering himself. Their selfishness contrasted with the camel’s loyalty.

   
   

4. What lesson does the lion learn at the end?The lion learns that kindness is greater than power. By sparing the camel and punishing the selfish courtiers, he realised that “To be king is good, but to be kind is better.”

   
   

5. How can this story be applied to human society?The story applies to human society by teaching that leaders must be kind, fair, and just. People who are loyal and honest should be respected. Greed and dishonesty always lead to downfall.

True or False (5)

1. The lion made the fox his adviser, the leopard his bodyguard, and the vulture his messenger. → True

2. The camel was forced to join the lion’s court against his will. → False (He was tricked but later agreed to serve.)

3. The courtiers were loyal and wanted to sacrifice themselves honestly. → False (They only pretended, expecting the camel to do so.)

4. The lion punished the greedy courtiers and spared the camel. → True

5. The moral of the story is “To be king is good, but to be kind is better.” → True

   
   

Probable Board / Exam Questions (5)

1. Why did the lion appoint advisers in his court?The lion appointed advisers to make his court more powerful and organised. He chose the fox for wisdom, the leopard for strength, and the vulture for speed.

   
   

2. How did the fox bring the camel to the lion?The fox tricked the camel by saying that the lion had killed his master and freed him. He invited the camel to live in the king’s court, which the camel innocently accepted.

   
   

3. Why were the courtiers shocked by the lion’s decision to spare the camel?The courtiers were shocked because they had risked their lives to get the camel for the lion’s dinner. They wanted to eat it themselves, but the lion decided to protect it instead.

   
   

4. How did the courtiers try to trick the camel into offering himself?The vulture, fox, and leopard each pretended to offer themselves to the lion. Their plan was to make the camel feel guilty and volunteer. The camel honestly offered his life, but the lion saved him.

   
   

5. What moral does the story The King’s Choice teach?The story teaches that true leadership requires kindness, loyalty, and justice. Greed and dishonesty lead to ruin, while honesty and gratitude are rewarded.

Appreciation / Reflection Paragraph

The King’s Choice is a folk tale with a strong moral message. It uses animal characters to highlight human qualities like greed, selfishness, loyalty, and kindness. The clever fox, greedy courtiers, innocent camel, and wise lion make the story engaging. The turning point, when the camel offers himself and the lion spares him, creates surprise and admiration. The memorable moral “To be king is good, but to be kind is better” makes the story timeless. It teaches readers that real greatness lies not in power but in compassion.

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