Measure For Measure Lesson 3 Class 8 English

The story “Measure for Measure” emphasizes the importance of placing individuals in roles suited to their skills. Krishna Devaraya, a patron of the arts, appoints a talented artist, Raja Varma, as Chief Minister despite his lack of administrative experience. Raja Varma’s ineffectiveness disrupts the state’s administration, but people are hesitant to complain due to the king’s fondness for him. Tenali Raman, a wise and witty courtier, finds a clever solution to this problem. By hiring a carpenter to cook a meal for the king, he demonstrates the folly of misplacing talent. The king realizes his mistake, and Raja Varma willingly steps down, happy to continue as an artist. This tale highlights the importance of assigning tasks based on expertise.

All of us have scissors and blade at home. Yet we go to the barber to get a haircut. Why? Discuss.

Krishna Devaraya was known for his patronage of poets and scholars. He was equally fond of fine arts.
Once he came to know about a brilliant artist named Raja Varma. He invited Raja Varma to the court and asked him to draw his portrait.

कृष्ण देवराय कवियों और विद्वानों को संरक्षण देने के लिए जाने जाते थे। उन्हें ललित कलाओं से भी उतना ही प्रेम था।
एक बार उन्हें राजा वर्मा नाम के एक बहुत ही प्रतिभाशाली कलाकार के बारे में पता चला। उन्होंने राजा वर्मा को अपने दरबार में बुलाया और उनसे अपना चित्र बनाने को कहा।

The king was very pleased with the artist when his portrait was ready. In the portrait, the majestic and handsome king seemed to have come alive within the frame.
Do you think that the king rewarded him?

जब कलाकार का बनाया चित्र तैयार हो गया, तो राजा उससे बहुत प्रसन्न हुए। उस चित्र में, वह प्रतापी और सुंदर राजा मानो फ्रेम के भीतर ही जीवित हो उठे थे।
क्या आपको लगता है कि राजा ने उन्हें कोई इनाम दिया होगा?

Apart from this portrait, Raja Varma drew images of famous characters from Puranas, of men and women, and so on. He became well-known for his skills. He became close and dear to the king.
Overwhelmed by joy, Krishna Devaraya called the artist and asked him what he wanted. When Raja Varma did not reply, the king, on the spur of a generous impulse, rewarded him with chief ministership.

इस चित्र के अलावा, राजा वर्मा ने पुराणों के प्रसिद्ध पात्रों, पुरुषों और स्त्रियों आदि के भी चित्र बनाए। वे अपनी कला-कौशल के कारण बहुत प्रसिद्ध हो गए। वे राजा के बहुत करीब और प्रिय बन गए।
अत्यधिक प्रसन्न होकर, कृष्ण देवराय ने उस कलाकार को बुलाया और पूछा कि वह क्या चाहता है। जब राजा वर्मा ने कोई उत्तर नहीं दिया, तो राजा ने उदारता से प्रेरित होकर, उन्हें मुख्यमंत्रित्व का पद इनाम के तौर पर दे दिया।

Raja Varma will prove to be a very good Chief Minister." Give your comments.

Though Raja Varma was a good man and a brilliant artist, he had no experience whatsoever, of administration. Soon everything was thrown into disorder because of
his hasty decisions and bad management of state affairs. Though people were unhappy about his administration, they did not dare to complain to the king because the king was very fond of him.
The elders of the town finally approached and sought Tenali Raman’s help in getting rid of the new and inept Chief Minister.
Tenali Raman assured them, “I shall soon find a harmless way to remove the artist from the chief ministership.”
After a few weeks, Tenali Raman invited the king, the queens and some courtiers to his house for lunch. Meanwhile, he found a very good carpenter and put him on the
job of preparing a grand feast for the king.

हालाँकि राजा वर्मा एक अच्छे इंसान और एक बेहतरीन कलाकार थे, लेकिन उन्हें प्रशासन का ज़रा भी अनुभव नहीं था। जल्द ही उनके जल्दबाज़ी भरे फ़ैसलों और राज-काज के बुरे प्रबंधन की वजह से सब कुछ अस्त-व्यस्त हो गया। हालाँकि लोग उनके प्रशासन से नाखुश थे, फिर भी उनमें राजा से शिकायत करने की हिम्मत नहीं थी, क्योंकि राजा उन्हें बहुत पसंद करते थे।
शहर के बड़े-बुज़ुर्गों ने आखिरकार तेनाली रमन से संपर्क किया और इस नए और नाकाबिल मुख्यमंत्री से छुटकारा पाने में उनकी मदद माँगी।
तेनाली रमन ने उन्हें भरोसा दिलाया, “मैं जल्द ही उस कलाकार को मुख्यमंत्री के पद से हटाने का एक ऐसा तरीका ढूँढ़ लूँगा जिससे किसी को कोई नुकसान न हो।”
कुछ हफ़्तों बाद, तेनाली रमन ने राजा, रानियों और कुछ दरबारियों को अपने घर दोपहर के भोजन के लिए बुलाया। इस बीच, उन्होंने एक बहुत ही बढ़िया बढ़ई ढूँढ़ा और उसे राजा के लिए एक शानदार दावत तैयार करने के काम पर लगा दिया।

The king and others sat for lunch and at Tenali Raman’s order, the carpenter began serving them. As soon as they put the first morsel of food in their mouths, the people began to request water again and again.
Soon after tasting the food, the king realized that the food was badly cooked and was unbearably hot. He was angry.
“Raman, who has cooked this food? Do you want us all to suffer and die by eating this horrible food?”
In his usual humble way, Tenali Raman said, “I beg Your Majesty’s forgiveness.”
Then he showed the carpenter to the king. “I have never come across such an excellent carpenter and I have put him on the job of cooking the lunch for today’s feast.”
The king began laughing loudly. “Have you lost all sense, Raman? A good carpenter should be employed to work on wood but not on food. How did you get this funny idea?”
Tenali Raman asked the king, “Lord! If an artist can become a Chief Minister, can’t a carpenter become a cook?”
Did the king become angry when he heard this?

राजा और बाकी लोग भोजन के लिए बैठे और तेनाली रमन के आदेश पर, बढ़ई ने उन्हें खाना परोसना शुरू कर दिया। जैसे ही उन्होंने खाने का पहला निवाला अपने मुँह में डाला, लोग बार-बार पानी माँगने लगे।
खाना चखते ही, राजा को एहसास हो गया कि खाना बहुत ही बुरा बना है और उसमें मिर्च इतनी ज़्यादा है कि उसे खाया नहीं जा सकता। उन्हें गुस्सा आ गया।
“रमन, यह खाना किसने बनाया है? क्या तुम चाहते हो कि हम सब यह घटिया खाना खाकर बीमार पड़ जाएँ और मर जाएँ?”
अपने हमेशा के विनम्र अंदाज़ में, तेनाली रमन ने कहा, “महाराज, मैं आपसे क्षमा चाहता हूँ।”
फिर उन्होंने राजा को वह बढ़ई दिखाया। “मुझे आज तक इतना बेहतरीन बढ़ई कभी नहीं मिला था, इसलिए मैंने आज की दावत के लिए दोपहर का खाना बनाने का काम उसे ही सौंप दिया।”
राजा ज़ोर-ज़ोर से हँसने लगे। “क्या तुम्हारा दिमाग़ खराब हो गया है, रमन? एक अच्छे बढ़ई को लकड़ी का काम करने के लिए रखा जाना चाहिए, न कि खाना बनाने के लिए। तुम्हें यह अजीब-सा विचार कहाँ से आया?”
तेनाली रमन ने राजा से पूछा, “महाराज! अगर एक कलाकार मुख्यमंत्री बन सकता है, तो क्या एक बढ़ई रसोइया नहीं बन सकता?”
क्या यह सुनकर राजा को गुस्सा आया?

The king at once understood that Tenali Raman got a carpenter to cook the food to make him realize his error in making Raja Varma the Chief Minister.
The king was saved from the embarrassment of removing Raja Varma from the post because when Raja Varma came to know about the awkward incident at Raman’s house, he immediately resigned from his post.
Later Raja Varma told Tenali Raman that he was happy to remain an artist!

राजा तुरंत समझ गए कि तेनाली रमन ने बढ़ई से खाना इसलिए बनवाया था, ताकि उन्हें यह एहसास दिला सकें कि राजा वर्मा को मुख्यमंत्री बनाकर उन्होंने कितनी बड़ी गलती की थी। राजा, राजा वर्मा को उनके पद से हटाने की शर्मिंदगी से बच गए, क्योंकि जब राजा वर्मा को रमन के घर हुई उस अजीब घटना के बारे में पता चला, तो उन्होंने तुरंत अपने पद से इस्तीफ़ा दे दिया।
बाद में राजा वर्मा ने तेनाली रमन से कहा कि वे एक कलाकार बनकर ही खुश हैं!

Multiple Choice Questions with Answers

Why did Krishna Devaraya invite Raja Varma to his court?
a) To discuss state affairs
b) To paint his portrait
c) To become the Chief Minister
d) To write poetry
Answer: b) To paint his portrait

How did the king react to Raja Varma’s portrait?
a) He was disappointed
b) He ignored it
c) He was very pleased
d) He criticized it
Answer: c) He was very pleased

What was Raja Varma’s profession?
a) Chief Minister
b) Artist
c) Carpenter
d) Poet
Answer: b) Artist

What reward did the king initially give Raja Varma?
a) Land and wealth
b) Chief Ministership
c) A palace
d) Jewelry
Answer: b) Chief Ministership

Why was Raja Varma unsuitable as Chief Minister?
a) He was dishonest
b) He lacked administrative experience
c) He was too old
d) He refused to work
Answer: b) He lacked administrative experience

Who approached Tenali Raman for help with Raja Varma’s mismanagement?
a) The king
b) The queen
c) The town elders
d) Raja Varma himself
Answer: c) The town elders

What plan did Tenali Raman devise to solve the issue?
a) He convinced the king directly
b) He hired a carpenter to cook a meal
c) He wrote a letter to Raja Varma
d) He held a debate in court
Answer: b) He hired a carpenter to cook a meal

What was the king’s reaction to the meal prepared by the carpenter?
a) He enjoyed it
b) He was angry
c) He ignored it
d) He praised the carpenter
Answer: b) He was angry

What lesson did Tenali Raman want to teach the king?
a) Artists should only paint
b) People should do jobs suited to their skills
c) Everyone deserves a chance at any job
d) Carpentry is a noble profession
Answer: b) People should do jobs suited to their skills

What did Raja Varma do after the incident at Tenali Raman’s house?
a) He improved his administration
b) He resigned as Chief Minister
c) He argued with the king
d) He left the court
Answer: b) He resigned as Chief Minister

What was Tenali Raman’s role in the court?
a) Chief Minister
b) Artist
c) Wise courtier
d) King’s bodyguard
Answer: c) Wise courtier

Why did the king laugh during the feast at Tenali Raman’s house?
a) The food was delicious
b) He found the situation funny
c) He appreciated Tenali Raman’s wit
d) He realized his mistake
Answer: d) He realized his mistake

What did Tenali Raman compare the carpenter’s cooking to?
a) Raja Varma’s painting
b) Raja Varma’s chief ministership
c) The king’s judgment
d) The town elders’ complaints
Answer: b) Raja Varma’s chief ministership

What did Raja Varma express after resigning?
a) Relief and happiness to continue as an artist
b) Anger at the king
c) A desire to leave the court
d) Regret for his decisions
Answer: a) Relief and happiness to continue as an artist

Who was responsible for resolving the issue of Raja Varma’s administration?
a) The town elders
b) The king
c) Tenali Raman
d) The Queen
Answer: c) Tenali Raman

What does this story teach us?
a) Artists can do any job
b) Skills should match responsibilities
c) Kings should not reward people
d) Always trust carpenters
Answer: b) Skills should match responsibilities

What made Raja Varma famous?
a) His administrative skills
b) His paintings of the king and Puranic characters
c) His poetry
d) His generosity
Answer: b) His paintings of the king and Puranic characters

Why did the town elders hesitate to complain to the king?
a) They were afraid of Raja Varma
b) The king was fond of Raja Varma
c) They supported Raja Varma
d) They disliked Tenali Raman
Answer: b) The king was fond of Raja Varma

What quality of Tenali Raman helped solve the problem?
a) His wit and wisdom
b) His administrative skills
c) His artistic talent
d) His fearlessness
Answer: a) His wit and wisdom

What genre does this story belong to?
a) Mythology
b) Folktale
c) Biography
d) Drama
Answer: b) Folktale

Word Meanings

brilliant =extremely good / highly intelligent
portrait= picture or sketch
majestic= royal, very grand
prominent =famous/noticeable, easily seen
impulse= sudden wish to do something
reward =an award or a prize in return for services
disorder =confusion or mess
hasty= quick
fond =of liking somebody or something very much
assure =promise
grand =impressive
morsel =a small quantity of food
horrible= unpleasant, feeling of dislike
humble =simple
courteous= polite
awkward= uncomfortable
genius =great powers of thought, skill and imagination
spur= an event that encourages action
chaos= disorder, confusion
approached= came near
sumptuous= grand, expensive
generous =readiness to give, kindness
inept= unable to do work properly, unfit, unsuitable

Reading Comprehension

A. Tick the correct answer: (टीक द करेक्ट आन्सर)

1. Who was invited to draw the King’s Portrait:

(हु बॉस इन्वाइटेड टु ड्रॉ द किंग्ज पोर्ट्रेट)

(a) Tenali Raman

(b) Carpenter

2. What did the artist get as a reward:

(वॉट डिड दि आर्टिस्ट्स गेट एज अ रिवॉड )

(a) Money

(b) Praise

(c) Chief ministership

(d) Kingdom. (किंगडम)

3. The artist’s administration made the people of the kingdom :

(द आर्टिस्ट्स अमिनिस्ट्रेशन मेड द पीपल ऑफ द किंगडम:)

(a) Happy (हैपि)

(c) Satisfied (सैटिस्फाइड)

(b) Unhappy (अनर्हेपि)

(d) Pleased. (प्लीज़्ड)

Ans. 1. (c), 2. (b), 3. (b).

Answer the following questions

1. Why were the people unhappy with Raja Varma’s administration?

(वाइ वर द पीपल अनहैपि विद राजा वर्माज अड्मिनिस्ट्रेशन ?)

(लोग राजा वर्मा के प्रशासन से नाखुश क्यों थे ?))

Ans. People were unhappy with Raja Varma’s ad- ministration because everything was thrown into a disorder. It so happened because of his hasty decisions and bad management of state affairs. (पीपल वर अनहैपि विद राजा वर्मा अड्मिनिस्ट्रेशन बिकॉज एवरिचिंग वॉज थ्रोन इनटु डिसऑर्डर। इट सो हैपन्ड बिकॉज ऑफ हित हेस्टि डिसिजन्स एण्ड बैड मैनेजमेंट ऑफ स्टेट अफेयर्स।)

(लोग राजा वर्मा के प्रशासन से नाखुश थे क्योंकि हर चीन अव्यवस्था का शिकार हो गयी थी। ऐसा हुआ उनके जल्दबाजी में लिये गये निर्णयों और राज्य के मामलों के बुरे प्रबंधन के कारण।)

What was Tenali Raman’s plan to remove the artist from his new job?

(वॉट वॉज़ तेनालीरमन्ज प्लॅन टु रिमूव दि आर्टिस्ट फॉम हिज्ञ न्यू जॉब ? ).

(कलाकार को उसके नये कार्य से हटाने के लिये तेनाली रमन की क्या योजना थी ?)

Ans. To remove the artist from his new job Tenali Raman made a plan. He appointed a carpenter to cook food and organized a lunch. He invited the king, queen and some courtiers, to his house for lunch.

3. Why did Tenali Raman ask a carpenter to cook food for his feast? (वाइ डिड तेनालीरामन आस्क अ कारपेंटर टु कुक फूड फॉर हिज फीस्ट ? )

(तेनाली रामन ने एक बढ़ई को भोज के लिये खाना पकाने को क्यों कहा ? )

Ans. Tenali Raman asked a carpenter to cook food for his feast because he wanted to convince the king about the necessity of appointing people on the basis of competence. (तेनाली रामन ऑस्कूड अ कारपेंटर टु कुक फूड फॉर हिज़ फीस्ट बिकॉज हि वाँटेड टू कन्विन्स द किंग अबाउट द नेसेसिटि ऑफ अप्वाइन्टिंग पीपल ऑन द बेसिस ऑफ कांपिटेंस ।)

(तेनाली रामन ने एक बढ़ई को भोजन के लिये खाना ने पकाने को कहा क्यों कि वह राजा को यह समझाना चाहता था कि लोगों की नियुक्ति उनकी क्षमता के अनुसार करना आवश्यक है।)

What does the title ‘Measure for Measure’ mean?

(वॉट इज द टाइटल ‘मेजर फॉर मेजर’ मीन ? )

(पाठ के शीर्षक का क्या अर्थ है ?)

Ans. The title of the lesson means to make a plan to achieve an objective. (द टाइटल ऑफ द लेसन मीन्स टु मेक अ प्लान टु अचीव एन ऑब्जेक्टिव ।)

(पाठ के शीर्षक का तात्पर्य है किसी उद्देश्य को हासिल करने के लिये बनायी गयी योजना।)