PDF chapter test TRY NOW
The king’s bailiffs searched for the goldsmith, who was hiding in a corner of his shop. When he heard the accusation against him, he had his own story to tell.
“My Lord,” he said, “I’m a poor goldsmith. It’s true I made this dancer come many times to my door. I gave her excuses because I couldn’t finish making her jewellery before I finished the rich merchant’s orders. They had a wedding coming, and they wouldn’t wait. You know how impatient rich men are!”
“Who is this rich merchant who kept you from finishing this poor woman’s jewellery, made her walk up and down, which distracted this bricklayer, which made a mess of his wall, which has now fallen on an innocent man and killed him? Can you name him?”
“My Lord,” he said, “I’m a poor goldsmith. It’s true I made this dancer come many times to my door. I gave her excuses because I couldn’t finish making her jewellery before I finished the rich merchant’s orders. They had a wedding coming, and they wouldn’t wait. You know how impatient rich men are!”
“Who is this rich merchant who kept you from finishing this poor woman’s jewellery, made her walk up and down, which distracted this bricklayer, which made a mess of his wall, which has now fallen on an innocent man and killed him? Can you name him?”
Explanation:
The goldsmith was hiding in the corner of his shop when the guards from the king’s court went looking for him. He hid in a corner because he was afraid of being caught by the king’s guards. As he knew that the king was a foolish man, he would arrest him for any silly act. Later he was brought in front of the king. The goldsmith had his own story to tell after hearing the case against him. The goldsmith started to narrate his side of justification to the king.
The goldsmith said that “I’m a poor goldsmith”. He said that whatever the dancing girl stated was right. He made many excuses to her to visit his shop again and again. He gave her many reasons because he could not finish the jewellery on time. But it was not his fault. He had an order from a wealthy merchant, and he was in a hurry to get the things ready for a wedding at his home. In addition, he informed the king that the rich men were impatient. They would not wait like ordinary people. The goldsmith was aware that making jewels takes time, but the wealthy merchant was unconcerned about that. The merchant wanted the things to be ready on time. As a result, the dancing girl’s work got delayed.
After hearing the goldsmith’s story, the king wanted to know who was that rich merchant. Finally, the king judged that the wealthy merchant was to blame for everything. The goldsmith’s job was delayed as a result of him. When the goldsmith’s job was postponed, the dancing girl had no choice but to go to his shop. While she was running around, a careless bricklayer became distracted by her and built a weak wall. As a result, the weak wall had collapsed on the poor thief’s head, and he had died on the spot. Later the king asked the goldsmith to tell the name of the wealthy merchant.
The goldsmith said that “I’m a poor goldsmith”. He said that whatever the dancing girl stated was right. He made many excuses to her to visit his shop again and again. He gave her many reasons because he could not finish the jewellery on time. But it was not his fault. He had an order from a wealthy merchant, and he was in a hurry to get the things ready for a wedding at his home. In addition, he informed the king that the rich men were impatient. They would not wait like ordinary people. The goldsmith was aware that making jewels takes time, but the wealthy merchant was unconcerned about that. The merchant wanted the things to be ready on time. As a result, the dancing girl’s work got delayed.
After hearing the goldsmith’s story, the king wanted to know who was that rich merchant. Finally, the king judged that the wealthy merchant was to blame for everything. The goldsmith’s job was delayed as a result of him. When the goldsmith’s job was postponed, the dancing girl had no choice but to go to his shop. While she was running around, a careless bricklayer became distracted by her and built a weak wall. As a result, the weak wall had collapsed on the poor thief’s head, and he had died on the spot. Later the king asked the goldsmith to tell the name of the wealthy merchant.
When the goldsmith delayed the work, the dancing girl visited the shop frequently. The jingling sounds of her anklet distracted the poor bricklayer and so he built a weak wall
Meanings of the difficult words:
| S.No | Words | Meanings |
1 | Accusation | A statement saying that someone has done something morally wrong, illegal, or unkind, or the fact of accusing someone |
2 | Bailiff | A law officer who makes sure that the decisions of a court are obeyed |
3 | Impatient | Wanting something to happen as soon as possible |
4 | Innocent | Not guilty of a crime or offense |
Reference:
National Council of Educational Research and Training (2006). Moments. In the Kingdom of Fools– A K Ramanujan (pp. 19-24). Published at the Publication Division by the Secretary, National Council of Educational Research and Training, Sri Aurobindo Marg, New Delhi.
Register for free to see more content