2.3 Abdul Becomes a Courtier – Class 7 – Balbharati

Author: Adapted from Enter Mulla Do-Piaza by Pratibha Nath

Genre: One-Act Play / Historical Tale

Textbook: English Balbharati – Class 7

Board: Maharashtra State Board

English Summary

Abdul Becomes a Courtier is the story of a poor but intelligent boy named Abdul who loved books and knowledge. His father, a schoolmaster, could not afford to buy books, so Abdul decided to serve the rich in return for access to their libraries. A merchant employed him as a clerk, and Abdul worked with honesty and dedication. He gained knowledge in philosophy, astronomy, Arabic, and Persian. Later, he was appointed to look after the royal poultry house (Murgikhana). Using his intelligence, he fed the hens with kitchen scraps instead of costly food, saving the Emperor’s wealth while keeping the birds healthy. Impressed, the Emperor put him in charge of the royal library. Abdul again used waste silk and velvet bags to cover books instead of spending money. This cleverness and honesty won the Emperor’s respect, and finally Abdul was appointed as a courtier. The story highlights intelligence, resourcefulness, and perseverance.

Theme / Central Idea

The play conveys that wit, intelligence, and honesty help achieve success. It teaches that even poor people can rise high through perseverance, presence of mind, and practical wisdom.

Character Sketches

Abdul

• Poor boy but intelligent and hardworking.

• Loved books and knowledge.

• Found clever solutions to problems (feeding hens, covering books).

• Honest, resourceful, and determined, finally rewarded as courtier.

Abdul’s Father

• Schoolmaster, poor but supportive of Abdul’s thirst for knowledge.

• Encouraged his son to borrow books and learn.

The Merchant

• Rich trader who employed Abdul as a clerk.

• Recognised Abdul’s honesty and allowed him to read books.

The Emperor

• Powerful ruler, observant and fair.

• Impressed by Abdul’s intelligence and rewarded him.

• Valued resourcefulness and talent over wealth.

Word Meanings

Grammar Questions (5)

1. Infinitive / Gerund

   Sentence: “Abdul wanted to read books.”

   Infinitive: to read – shows purpose.

   
   

2. Passive Voice

   Active: Abdul saved the Emperor’s wealth.

   Passive: The Emperor’s wealth was saved by Abdul.

   
   

3. Modal Auxiliary

   Sentence: “We must make the best use of resources.”

   Must shows necessity.

   
   

4. Tense Change

   Direct: Abdul said, “I love books.”

   Indirect: Abdul said that he loved books.

   
   

5. Wh-Question Framing

   Statement: The Emperor made Abdul a courtier.

   Question: Who made Abdul a courtier?

   
   

Personal Response Questions (5)

1. What qualities of Abdul do you admire?

   I admire Abdul’s intelligence, honesty, and determination. His clever use of resources and love for books helped him rise in life. His character inspires us to value knowledge.

   
   

2. Do you think intelligence is more important than wealth? Why?

   Intelligence is more important than wealth because it helps solve problems and gain respect. Wealth can be lost, but wisdom and learning stay forever. Abdul’s success proves this truth.

   
   

3. Why do you think the Emperor rewarded Abdul?

   The Emperor rewarded Abdul because he was impressed by his resourcefulness and honesty. Abdul saved royal expenses without harming quality. His actions showed wisdom and loyalty.

   
   

4. What lesson does Abdul’s journey teach students?

   Abdul’s journey teaches that hard work, learning, and presence of mind can change one’s life. It shows that poverty is not a barrier if one has determination and wisdom.

   
   

5. Would you like to be like Abdul? Why?

   I would like to be like Abdul because he valued knowledge and honesty above everything. His courage, cleverness, and perseverance are qualities worth following.

   
   

True or False (5)

1. Abdul wanted gold for food and clothes. → False (He wanted books.)

2. The merchant gave Abdul money as a reward. → False (He allowed him to read books.)

3. Abdul saved money by feeding hens with scraps. → True

4. Abdul wasted money on costly cloth for book covers. → False (He reused waste fabrics.)

5. The Emperor finally made Abdul a courtier. → True

   
   

Probable Board / Exam Questions (5)

1. Why did Abdul want gold from his father?

   Abdul wanted gold to buy books and gain knowledge. He valued learning more than material comforts.

   
   

2. How did Abdul manage the royal poultry house?

   Abdul managed it by feeding the hens with scraps and waste from the royal kitchen. This kept them healthy and reduced expenses.

   
   

3. How did Abdul cover the royal library books without spending money?

   Abdul used discarded silk and velvet bags of royal documents. He got the royal tailors to stitch them into covers, saving money.

   
   

4. What qualities helped Abdul become a courtier?

   His honesty, intelligence, resourcefulness, and perseverance helped him win the Emperor’s favour and become a courtier.

   
   

5. What moral does the play Abdul Becomes a Courtier teach?

   The play teaches that true success comes from intelligence, hard work, and honesty. Wealth and position may follow, but wisdom is the real treasure.

   
   

Appreciation / Reflection Paragraph

Abdul Becomes a Courtier is an inspiring play about wit, wisdom, and perseverance. It shows how a poor boy’s love for books and clever solutions earned him a high position in the royal court. The characters of Abdul, his father, and the Emperor highlight values of honesty and intelligence. The humour in the poultry and book-cover episodes adds interest, while the chorus enhances the moral. The story is memorable because it conveys the timeless lesson that knowledge and presence of mind can transform one’s destiny.

About BhashaLab

BhashaLab is a dynamic platform dedicated to the exploration and mastery of languages - operating both online and offline. Aligned with the National Education Policy (NEP) 2020 and the National Credit Framework (NCrF), we offer language education that emphasizes measurable learning outcomes and recognized, transferable credits.

We offer:

1. NEP alligned offline language courses for degree colleges - English, Sanskrit, Marathi and Hindi

2. NEP alligned offline language courses for schools - English, Sanskrit, Marathi and Hindi

3. Std VIII, IX and X - English and Sanskrit Curriculum Tuitions - All boards

4. International English Olympiad Tuitions - All classes

5. Basic and Advanced English Grammar - Offline and Online - Class 3 and above

6. English Communication Skills for working professionals, adults and students - Offline and Online

Contact: +91 86577 20901, +91 97021 12044

Mail: info@bhashalab.com

Website: www.bhashalab.com