The Palindrome PDF - Summary & Questions

Detailed Summary of "The Palindrome" Tenali Raman was a clever and mischievous boy from a South Indian village. Despite his good looks and intelligence, he constantly irritated the villagers with his pranks and mockery. His humor was irreverent, often directed at the elders, who took themselves seri...

Detailed Summary of "The Palindrome" Tenali Raman was a clever and mischievous boy from a South Indian village. Despite his good looks and intelligence, he constantly irritated the villagers with his pranks and mockery. His humor was irreverent, often directed at the elders, who took themselves seriously. Angered by his behavior, the villagers warned Raman’s mother that he would face severe consequences if he didn’t change his ways. Fearing for her son’s future, his mother tried repeatedly to discipline him, but her efforts were in vain. Finally, she decided to send him to a holy man, hoping that spiritual discipline and learning would reform him and give him a purpose in life. The holy man, impressed by Raman's intellect, taught him diligently. When the time came for Raman to leave, the teacher advised him to seek divine guidance for his future. He taught Raman a mantra and instructed him to recite it three million times at a temple. By doing so, the goddess would reveal herself and guide him toward an appropriate occupation. Raman, determined to follow the instructions, prepared meticulously for the ritual. He bathed early, wore new clothes, and brought symbolic offerings, including a coconut, bananas, betel leaves, jasmine flowers, and camphor. At the temple, he chanted the mantra with unwavering focus. He was so absorbed in his task that he didn’t notice the passing of time or that the temple had been locked for the night. After completing the ritual, the goddess appeared before Raman in all her divine glory, with her thousand heads radiating magnificence. Instead of being terrified, Raman observed her curiously. A humorous thought struck him, and he burst into uncontrollable laughter. He imagined the difficulty the goddess must face if she caught a cold with so many noses. The goddess, insulted by Raman's audacity, thundered at him for daring to laugh in her presence. In her anger, she cursed him to earn his living as a "vikatakavi" or jester. Raman, however, was unperturbed. His sharp mind noticed that "vikatakavi" was a palindrome, a word that reads the same backward and forward, and he pointed this out with delight. His wit softened the goddess’s anger, and she revised her curse. Instead of being an ordinary jester, Raman would become a celebrated one, serving as the court jester for a great king. True to her words, Tenali Raman went on to serve as a renowned jester in the court of King Krishnadevaraya of Vijaynagar. His humor and intelligence made him a legend, turning what seemed like a curse into a rewarding and honorable career. The story highlights the importance of humor, resilience, and optimism. It shows how a sharp mind and positive attitude can transform challenges into opportunities, teaching valuable lessons about adaptability and creativity in life. 15 questions based on the chapter "The Palindrome": Short Questions 1. Who was Tenali Raman? 2. Why did the villagers dislike Tenali Raman? 3. What warning did the villagers give Raman’s mother? 4. Why did Raman’s mother send him to a holy man? 5. What advice did the holy man give Raman? 6. What offerings did Raman take to the temple? 7. How many times was Raman instructed to chant the mantra? 8. How did the goddess appear to Raman? 9. What thought made Raman laugh when he saw the goddess? 10. What was the curse given to Raman by the goddess? Long Questions 11. How did Raman’s mischief lead to a turning point in his life? 12. What does Raman’s preparation for the temple ritual reveal about his character? 13. How did the goddess react to Raman’s laughter, and why did she modify her curse? 14. In what way is the word "vikatakavi" significant to the story? 15. What life lessons can be drawn from Tenali Raman’s story?