Understanding
- In what ways was the King’s palace going to be different from any other palace in the Himalayan foothills?
The King’s palace was going to be unique because it would be supported by only one column made from the tallest tree in the kingdom, instead of many columns or walls like other palaces. - Which were the tallest and strongest trees in the Himalayas?
The tallest and strongest trees in the Himalayas were the deodars. - Who objected to the King’s plan to build the palace on the Deodar tree? And why?
The King’s daughter objected to his plan because the deodar is a sacred tree and is usually only used for building temples. - Why did the King at last decide to have a Deodar tree from his own park?
The King decided to use a deodar tree from his own park because it was too difficult to bring a tree from the forest—all the efforts with men, horses, oxen, and elephants failed. - What did the worshippers of the Deodar tree do when they learnt about the King’s plan to pull it down?
The worshippers came with garlands, lamps, and music to show respect to the Tree-Goddess and to tell her that her tree would be cut down. - Why did the King begin to call the Deodar tree as ‘Tree-Goddess’? Make a list of all those who benefited from the Deodar tree.
The King called the deodar tree ‘Tree-Goddess’ because people believed a goddess lived in the tree, which gave the tree its strength, size, and beauty.
Those who benefited from the tree were:- Birds (they nested in the tree)
- People (rested in its shade)
- Wild animals (rubbed against it)
- The earth (new plants grew under it)
- Children (played at its foot)
- Women (rested after working in the fields)
- What request did the Goddess of Deodar tree make to the King? And why?
The Tree-Goddess requested the King to cut the tree in three parts instead of one, so that the young deodar trees around her would not be crushed if the big tree fell all at once. - Why did the King decide to build his palace on a column of stone, and not of wood from the Deodar tree? What other things did he add to the palace?
The King changed his mind after the vision with the Tree-Goddess. He realized the spirit in the deodar tree was nobler than his own, so he decided to use stone instead of wood. He also created a beautiful park around his palace for everyone to enjoy.
Words: Choose the correct meaning
- My home shall be as magnificent as any temple!
b. grand - Animals were brought from the plains, but the hills were too steep for them.
a. high - After much searching, the King’s men found a splendid deodar tree not far from the city.
a. excellent - They came…to warn her that she must leave her abode.
b. home
- And he shared his vision, and they all marvelled.
a. surprised - Let me be cut in three parts.
d. separated - …my weight will crush all of them.
d. destroy - …the children from nearby villages flocked to the field to sit on the grass.
b. ran together
Grammar
2. “But the deodar is a sacred tree,” his daughter objected. “It is used in the construction of temples.”
Reported Speech:
His daughter objected that the deodar was a sacred tree and said that it was used in the construction of temples.
3. “That’s exactly why I want one,” replied the King. “My palace should be as grand as any temple.”
Reported Speech:
The King replied that this was exactly why he wanted one and added that his palace should be as grand as any temple.
4. “No, my decision is final,” said the King in his vision. “Your tree is the only one in all my lands strong enough to bear the weight of my palace, so I must have it.”
Reported Speech:
The King said in his vision that his decision was final and explained that the tree was the only one in all his lands strong enough to bear the weight of his palace, so he had to have it.
5. “But think carefully, O King! For centuries, I have been revered by the people of all the nearby villages, and only good has come from me to them.”
Reported Speech:
The Tree-Goddess asked the King to think carefully and told him that for centuries she had been revered by the people of all the nearby villages, and only good had come from her to them.