The Wit that Won Hearts: Summary, Word-Meanings, MCQs & NCERT Solution | Unit 1 | Wit & Wisdom | Class VIII | Poorvi | NCERT

M
Jul 23
4 min read

"When wit sows seeds of laughter, even the proudest hearts learn to bloom – discover how Tenali Rama’s cleverness mended a royal quarrel in 'The Wit that Won Hearts'.

Theme

The story highlights how intelligence and wit are more powerful than pride and arrogance. It shows that quick thinking, humor, and wisdom can solve conflicts, win respect, and bring harmony. Tenali Rama’s clever approach emphasizes that true intellect lies in understanding situations and responding smartly rather than engaging in arguments.

SUMMARY

The story "The Wit That Won Hearts" is set during the reign of King Krishnadeva Raya, a renowned and wise ruler of the Vijayanagara Empire. Known as the golden era of the empire, his court was home to celebrated poets and scholars, including the witty and intelligent Tenali Ramakrishna. Tenali Rama was known for his sharp sense of humor and clever problem-solving skills, which often helped resolve difficult situations.

The story begins with a disagreement between the king and his queen, Thirumalambal, over a seemingly trivial issue. The king, proud of his poetic abilities, composed a poem filled with metaphors. When he recited it to the queen, she inadvertently yawned due to exhaustion. Misinterpreting her action as disrespect, the king became angry and stopped speaking to her, leaving the palace atmosphere tense and gloomy.

Distressed by the situation, the queen approached Tenali Rama for help. Understanding the delicate nature of the problem, Rama devised a clever plan to make the king realize his mistake. During a court session, he presented a plate of paddy seeds, claiming they would yield triple harvests, but only if sown with proper attention and care. Using humor and an indirect reference to yawning while sowing seeds, Rama subtly reminded the king that yawning is natural and not an insult.

The king soon realized his folly and reconciled with the queen, apologizing for his overreaction. The story concludes with joy returning to the palace. The narrative highlights the power of wit, tact, and intelligence in resolving conflicts and emphasizes the importance of humility and understanding in relationships.

Word-Meanings

Word	Meaning	Sentence
Renowned	Famous and well-known	The king was a renowned patron of arts.
Illustrious	Distinguished and respected	The court was filled with illustrious poets.
Patron	A supporter or sponsor	Krishnadeva Raya was a patron of literature.
Eminent	Important and famous	Tenali Rama was an eminent poet.
Insurmountable	Too great to be overcome	Rama’s wit solved even insurmountable problems.
Trivial	Small and unimportant	Their quarrel was over a trivial matter.
Forlorn	Lonely and sad	The palace looked forlorn during their silence.
Distraught	Very upset or worried	The queen was distraught by the king’s anger.
Vague	Unclear or imprecise	The king’s poem was filled with vague expressions.
Profusely	In large amounts	The queen thanked Rama profusely for his help.
Bustling	Full of busy activity	The royal court was bustling with ministers.
Intricately	In a detailed way	The pillars were intricately carved.
Exquisite	Beautiful and delicate	The rugs in the court were exquisite.
Ornate	Highly decorated	The king’s throne was ornate and majestic.
Sarcasm	Mockery or irony	A courtier spoke with sarcasm about Rama’s seeds.
Unfazed	Not disturbed or worried	Rama was unfazed by the courtiers’ comments.
Absurd	Ridiculous and illogical	The king dismissed the idea as absurd.
Furrowed	Wrinkled or creased	The king’s eyebrows furrowed in doubt.
Sceptical	Doubtful or unconvinced	The courtiers were sceptical of Rama’s plan.
Keenly	Sharply or intensely	Rama observed the king keenly.
Gesture	Movement expressing an idea	The king misunderstood the queen’s gesture.
Orchestrated	Arranged skillfully	Rama orchestrated the reunion.
Brimmed	Overflowed	The palace brimmed with laughter again.

NCERT Solution ( Page No. 7) Let us discuss I Rectify the following false statements from the text. 1. The queen insulted the king by speaking against the quality of his poem. 2. Tenali Rama immediately went to the king and convinced him to talk to the queen. 3. The courtiers admired the king’s poemandpraisedhisliterary talent. 4. The ministers in the court were eager to hear Tenali Rama’s idea about paddy cultivation. 5. The king never realised his mistake and continued to stay angry with the queen. Answers Let us discuss – Answers

The queen did not insult the king; she only yawned due to tiredness.
Tenali Rama first planned a strategy instead of going to the king immediately.
The courtiers avoided commenting on the king’s poem.
The ministers were discussing paddy cultivation, not eager for Rama’s idea.
The king realised his mistake and apologised to the queen.

Let us Think and Reflect – I ( Page 7-8)

1. Why does the queen believe that only Tenali Rama can help the king understand?

The queen trusts Tenali Rama’s wit and problem-solving skills. She knows his humour can make the king realise his mistake without hurting his pride.

2. What does the queen’s statement, “If I had known this would happen, I would have chosen another day”, suggest about her feelings?

B. She regrets the unintended misunderstanding.

3. How does Tenali Rama’s response reflect his wisdom and problem-solving skills?

Rama plans a humorous yet indirect strategy to make the king understand, showing both patience and cleverness.

4. The king’s reaction shows that he is sensitive and ________. (has a lot of faith/takes great pride) in his poetry.

Answer: The king’s reaction shows that he is sensitive and takes great pride in his poetry.

Let us Think and Reflect – II | Page 8-9

1. Why was the Vijayanagara Empire considered to be in its ‘Golden Era’ during Krishnadeva Raya’s reign?

It was called the Golden Era because art, literature, and architecture flourished under the wise and powerful rule of Krishnadeva Raya.

2. How did Tenali Ramakrishna gain a special place in the king’s court?

His quick wit, humour, and clever solutions to problems made him the king’s trusted poet and advisor.

3. How did the quarrel between the king and the queen affect the palace?

The palace became silent and gloomy as the king stopped speaking to the queen.

4. What strategy did Tenali Rama use to make the king realise his mistake?

He used the example of sowing paddy seeds and linked it humorously to yawning, making the king reflect on his behaviour.

5. What was the reaction of the courtiers when Tenali Rama introduced his ‘special’ paddy seeds?

The courtiers laughed and mocked his claim, thinking it was impossible.

6. How does the story conclude, and what lesson can be learnt from it?

The king apologized to the queen, and harmony returned. The story teaches that wit, patience, and understanding resolve conflicts.