Class 6 Lesson 12 English

Lesson -12

Birbal and the Washerman

1.  Do you know any story about Akbar and Birbal?

2.  What was Birbal known for?

Characters:

1.  Akbar

2.  Birbal

3.  Courtiers

4.  The town-crier

5.   Messenger

6.   Denu, the washerman

7.   Kusum, the washerman's wife

8.   Denu and Kusum's children

Scene 1

(Morning. It's winter. Akbar and Birbal are pacing the floor in the palace balcony. The balcony offers a good view of the river.)

Akbar         : Birbal, I have heard that the water of this river is extremely cold. Is that true?

Birbal         :  Yes, Your Majesty, I have also heard the same.

Akbar         :  What do you think will happen, if a man stands in the cold water all through the night? Will he die?

Birbal         :  Certainly, Your Majesty, no ordinary man can survive after staying for such a long time in the cold water.

Akbar         :  (Thinks for a while and says) I have an idea!

(The emperor whispers something in Birbal's ear. Birbal is surprised at the Emperor's words.)

Scene-2

(Afternoon. Town market place. A town-crier beats his drum loudly and people come, leaving their work and gather around him.)

Town-crier           : (loudly) Listen! Listen! By the order of the Emperor, anyone who stands in the cold water of the river in front of the King's palace all through the night will be amply rewarded. Listen! Listen!

(He    moves  to  another  busy  area  to  make  the  same announcement.)

          

(People stand in groups and discuss the announcement. Nobody is ready to accept the challenge. A poor washerman also listens to the announcement and whispers in his wife's ear.)

Denu           :  Kusum, this is a good opportunity. I should try my luck. If I succeed in standing in the river, I'll get the big reward and we'll be able to live well.

Kusum        :  No! No! Don't ever think of taking such a risk.

Denu           :  You needn't worry. Nothing will happen to me. After all, I am used to washing clothes in cold water everyday.

Scene - 3

(Night. The washerman goes and stands in the middle of the river. Some people come and ask him not to risk his life.)

One man     :  I feel sorry for this poor man. Why does he want to kill himself?

Another      :  He is crazy! Doing such a foolish thing for money! Well, let us pray for his safety.

(Next morning, Denu is shivering badly, He stood in the river all

through the night. He has successfully reached the target. People congratulate him on his wonderful achievement.)

Kusum        :  (happily) Oh! so you have done it! Thank God, you are alright! I was so worried. I kept on praying for your safety the whole night. At last God has heard our prayers and you are the luckiest person to get the big reward. I am really proud of you.

Scene - 4

(Akbar's court. The Emperor is sitting on his throne. Birbal is beside him. The courtiers and guards are standing in the Darbar.

Denu and his family enter the Darbar. They bow before the king).

Denu :  Salutations. Your Majesty.

Akbar         :  Come, You are indeed a brave young man. You certainly deserve the reward.

(A maid brings a silver tray laden with gold coins.)

(As Akbar is about to give the reward to Denu, a courtier interrupts).

Courtier      : Your Majesty, what are you doing? This man does not deserve the reward, as he did not stand in the cold water without any help.

All the courtiers were surprised and wanted an explanation.

Courtier      : Your Majesty, actually the lights from your palace kept the washerman warm all through the night.

Akbar         : (thoughtfully) Hmm - you have a point. Well, in that case, there is no question of a reward.

(Poor Denu goes away sadly with his family. Birbal is unhappy about this.)

Seene -5

(The next day, at Akbar's court. All are sitting, but Birbal's seat is empty.)

Akbar         :  Why has Birbal not come yet. He is usually punctual.

(A messenger arrives).

Messenger  : Your majesty, the Minister is in his house, and he says he will be late today.

Akbar         :  Why?

Messenger  S: Your Majesty, he is cooking food and will take long.

Akbar         :  (angrily) What nonsense! Why? We shall go and find out.

(Akbar gets up and walks quickly towards Birbal's house followed by some courtiers and guards).

Scene - 6

(Birbal's House. Birbal is sitting near a fire on the ground.

Far above it, balanced on a tall tripod, is a cooking pot.

Akbar         :  Birbal ! How stupid !!! You have kept the pot so far above the fire.

How can this fire cook your food?

Birbal         :  (with a twinkle in his eye). If this fire can't cook food in this cooking pot, how can the lights of your palace warm Denu in the cold water of the Yamuna?

(Akbar immediately realizes his wrong decision and calls for the washerman.)

Scene - 7

(Next day at Akbar's court. Denu comes with his family to the

Darbar. Akbar hands the tray of coins to Birbal, who gives it to Denu. Denu as well as his family are very happy. People cheer and clap. People appreciate the justice done to Denu.)

1.     Word power

Complete the word puzzle given below with the help of the clues given:

Ans.

							2
1	c	o	u	r	t	i	e	r
							m
							p
							e
					3	c	r	o	w	n
							o
				4	T	h	r	o	n	e

Clues:        

1.  A person who works in a King's court

2.  He is also a King.

3.  Kings wear this on their head.

4.  A King's seat.

2.  Comprehension questions

1)      Answer these questions in 'Yes/No.':

Q.1.   Birbal was the King.

Ans. - No

Q.2.   Akbar was a generous King.

Ans. - Yes

Q.3.   Denu was a minister.

Ans. - No

Q.4.   The washerman was a greedy man.

Ans. - Yes

Q.5.   Kusum does not help her husband.

Ans. - Yes

2)  Say, who said to whom:

1.  "Water of this river is very cold".

Ans. – Akbar said to Birbal.

2.  "Win a hundred gold coins, challenge from the King."

Ans. – The Town – Carier said to people.

3.  "I kept on praying for your safety the whole night."

Ans. – Kusun said to Denu.

4.  "Your majesty, he is cooking food."

Ans. – Messenger said to Akbar.

5.  "Salutations. Your Majesty."

Ans. – Denu said to Akbar.

3)  Answer these questions:

Q.1.  What was Akbar's challenge?

Ans. - Akbar announced that if anyone stood in the cold water the river in front of his palace throughout the night would amply rewarded.

Q.2.  Why was Denu ready to accept the challenge?

Ans. - Denu was a poor washerman. He did not wanted to miss this golden opportunity, therefore he accepted the challenge to become rich.

Q.3.  Why didn't Denu's wife want to accept the challenge?

Ans. – It is because Denu's wife did not wanted to take the risk of her husband's life.

Q.4.  What was the courtier's objection?

Ans. - One of the courtiers was against the Emperor's decision. In his opinion Denu did not deserve the reward, because he did not stand in the cold water without any help.

5.  How did Birbal bring justice to Denu?

Ans. – Birbal was a wise minister. He knew that the Emperor's decision was wrong in case of Denu, therefore he played a trick to realize Akbar about his wrong decision and finally he succeeded to bring justice to Denu.

6.  Why was Denu very happy at the end?

Ans. – Denu was very happy at the end because he got the reward ultimately.

3.  Grammar in use

1)      Complete the chart:

Adjective	Adverb
happy loud quick proper successful thoughtful beautiful helpful	happily loudly quickly properly successfully thoughtfully beautifully helpfully

2)  Fill in the blanks using correct adverbs given below:

loudly,   comfortably,  happily,  really,  sadly,  thoughtfully,  quickly.

1.  "Are you really going away to America, Rohan?" said mother.

2.  The teacher said really, "I will find a way to help you."

3.  The cap seller said thoughtfully, "All my caps are gone."

4.  The patient slept comfortably after the doctor gave him some medicine.

5.  Ramesh went home quickly after watching the play.

6.  Once he got his money he went home happily.

7.  The lion roared loudly, "Who woke me up?"

4.  Let's talk

Talk to your friends in the class and find out who has...

1.  seen a snake.

2.  visited the Tajmahal.

3.  travelled in a train.

4.  sailed in a boat.

5.  helped someone in need.

Ans. -

Q.1.  Who has seen a snake ?

Ans. - Savita has seen a snake.

Q.2.  Who has visited the Tajmahal?

Ans. – Mohan has visited the Tajmahal.

Q.3.  Who has travelled in a train?

Ans. - Shyam has travelled in a train.

Q.4.  Who has sailed in a boat?

Ans. - Ram has sailed in a boat.

Q.5 .  Who has helped someone in need.

Ans. - Ravi has help someone in need.

5.  Let's write

Write a story of Akbar and Birbal in your own words.

Ans. -

Akbar and Birbal

Akbar was a great emperor. He was wise, brave and courageous. Birbal was the wisest minister of his court and cabinet. Akbar was a great admirer of Birbal. Once in winter, Akbar made an announcement- any one who stood in the cold water of the river in front of his palace throughout the night, would be amply rewarded. A poor washerman accepted this challenge and finally he succeeded. When the poor washerman went to Darbar to collect his reward a courtier made an objection against Denu (washerman). Birbal was very sad to see the injustice happened with the poor Denu. He played a trick to realize the Akbar about his wrong decision and ultimately Birbal succeeded in bringing justice to Denu.

6. Let's do it

Complete the following chart about Akbar's qualities, by adding words that describe him best: