Rajendra was a landlord. He had made a lot of money by cheating and ill-treating his labourers who worked in the fields. One day, a young man named Mani came to Rajendra, asking for work. Rajendra was pleasantly surprised. No one had ever wanted to work for him because of his reputation and here was someone walking right into his house! Mani’s next few words surprised him even more. Mani said, “I will work for you for free. Only give me a place to sleep, two sets of clothes and two square meals a day.” Rajendra was beside himself with joy when he heard this and was about to agree, when Mani added, “I have only one condition: I will tell you the truth always, but one day in the year, I will lie.”
Rajendra, who lied happily every day of the year, agreed to this odd condition. So, Mani began working for him. He was a wonderful worker, hard-working and trustworthy. He was very honest and soon became Rajendra’s right-hand man. Because of Mani’s hard work, Rajendra had an excellent harvest. He and his wife, Manda, decided to have a big feast to celebrate. They invited all their relatives and friends, from the village and outside as well. Everyone was looking forward to the delicious feast being planned. On the morning of the feast, Rajendra decided he would also give away some gifts to his relatives, just to show off. So, he set off for the market in his cart.
As soon as, he was out of sight, Mani went running to Manda. He wept loudly and beat his chest. Then, he fell on the floor, sobbing and announced, “The master is dead! The cart overturned on the road. Our master has been flattened like a chapatti!’’ As soon as, Rajendra’s wife and relatives heard this, they started wailing’. Mani rushed out, saying he would bring back the body, while everyone started preparing for the last rites. Mani now went running to his master and said, “Master! Your wife is dead. A cobra bit her and she fell to the ground, as blue as the spring sky.” Rajendra was stunned. What! His beloved Manda, his partner in all his schemes, was dead! He hurried home shouting her name. Manda too was weeping loudly, sitting in the courtyard. When she saw her husband run in, she stopped mid-wail and Rajendra too stood open mouthed. Then, they fell into each other’s arms, unable to believe their eyes. As one, they turned to Mani. “What is the meaning of this, Mani?” his master angrily demanded. Mani smiled. “Remember my condition that I would lie once in the year? Well, I chose today. You see what lies can do? Now, think what happens to the people whom you lie to everyday of the year!” Saying this, he walked out, leaving behind a stunned and ashamed landlord.
Q.1. Why did Mani want to work for Rajendra?
(1) Rajendra offered him food, clothing and shelter
(2) To learn from Rajendra who was a successful businessman
(3) To earn his trust so he could take over the business one day
(4) He wanted to show Rajendra the error of his ways
(5) He was homeless and had no money
Q.2. Why did Rajendra shout at Mani one day?
A. Mani had lied to Rajendra and his wife causing them to fight
B. The feast had to be cancelled because of Mani and Rajendra suffered huge losses
C. He had insulted his wife and him in front of their friends and relatives
(1) Only A (2) Only B (3) A and B
(4) Only C (5) None of the above
Q.3. What was Rajendra’s immediate reaction on hearing the news of his wife’s death?
(1) He panicked because his wife was responsible for them being rich
(2) He ran home at once because he doubted Mani’s honesty
(3) He was very upset and rushed home at once
(4) He wanted to make funeral arrangements
(5) He was indifferent on hearing his wife’s death news
Q.4. Why did Rajendra go out on the day of the feast?
(1) He wanted to share his good fortune with his relatives
(2) He took gifts for his relatives who were not as well off as he was
(3) He wanted to boast about his prosperity to his relatives
(4) To purchase groceries required for the feast from the market
(5) Both 1 and 3
Q.5. Why did Rajendra accept Mani’s condition?
(1) He did not value honesty
(2) He had no intention of letting Mani fulfil it
(3) He was an expert at detecting when people lied
(4) He knew how difficult it was to stop lying
(5) He knew he will not keep Mani for long at his work
Q.6. Why did Mani lie to Manda?
(1) Out of revenge for not being invited to the feast
(2) To find out whether Rajendra’s relatives cared about him or his wealth
(3) To help her realise how much Rajendra meant to her
(4) To let Manda realize the circumstances of telling a lie
(5) To judge the loyalty of Manda for her husband
Q.7. Which of the following is true in the context of the passage?
(1) Rajendra was ashamed only because Mani had managed to trick him
(2) Mani had many friends who were cheated by Rajendra
(3) Rajendra was a miser because despite being wealthy he travelled by cart
(4) Mani was clever and a good actor
(5) All of the above
Q.8. Which of the following can be said about Manda?
A. She trusted Mani more than Rajendra
B. She had a good relationship with her husband’s relatives
C. She did not know the importance of honesty
(1) Only A (2) Only C (3) Both A and C
(4) Both B and C (5) Only B
Q.9-10. Choose the word most similar in meaning to the word printed in bold, as used in the passage.
Q.9. Right
(1) correct (2) straight (3) legal (4) appropriate (5) upright
Q.10. Wailing
(1) ignoring (2) shouting (3) sobbing (4) depressing (5) rushing
ANSWERS –
Q.1. (4)
Q.2. (5)
Q.3. (3)
Q.4. (3)
Q.5. (1)
Q.6. (4)
Q.7. (4)
Q.8. (2)
Q.9. (2)
Q.10. (3)
