📘 Maharashtra State Board – Std. VIII (English Medium)

Chapter 4.5 – A Battle to Baffle

🌟 WARMING UP!

1. Form suitable groups and discuss the following.

You have heard or read stories of Akbar and Birbal, Tenali Raman, and Mulla Nasruddin. Recollect and write down the names of those stories.
Pick out those aspects of a story that you find common in all their stories:

  1. Humour
  2. Supernatural events
  3. Wisdom
  4. Suspense
  5. Magic
  6. Beauty of Nature
  7. Wit
  8. Play upon words
  9. Sad end
  10. Violence

Ans: The common aspects found in their stories are humour, wisdom, wit, suspense, play upon words, and sometimes elements of magic or clever trickery.

2. Read the different types of sentences in Reported Speech and note the differences in the Direct and Indirect forms.

  1. (a) Direct: The old man said, “What is the time?”
    (b) Indirect: The old man asked what the time was.
  2. (a) Direct: Mother said to her, “Are you hungry now?”
    (b) Indirect: Mother asked her if she was hungry then.
  3. (a) Direct: The teacher said, “Be quiet, students.”
    (b) Indirect: The teacher ordered the students to be quiet.
  4. (a) Direct: Mother said, “How pretty she looks!”
    (b) Indirect: Mother exclaimed with delight that she looked very pretty.

You will observe that:

  1. The reporting verb changes according to the type of sentence.
  2. There is a change in tense.
  3. The word order changes in indirect speech.

3. Use a dictionary and find the differences in the following terms related to ‘Drama’.

(1) A Play

Ans: A dramatic work performed on stage before an audience.

(2) One-act Play

Ans: A play that consists of only one act.

(3) Skit

Ans: A short, humorous play that makes fun of a person or situation.

(4) Mime

Ans: A form of drama performed without speech, using only gestures and facial expressions.

(5) Farce

Ans: A humorous play involving exaggerated and unlikely situations, often using physical comedy.

(6) Opera

Ans: A dramatic work in which the story is told entirely through songs set to music.

(7) Tragedy

Ans: A serious play that deals with tragic events and usually has a sad ending.

(8) Comedy

Ans: A play characterized by humour and having a happy or cheerful ending.

📖 IN BETWEEN THE LESSON

Q1. What announcement unnerved the Courtiers and Pundits?

Ans: The announcement that Pundit Shahane had come to challenge all the Pundits in the kingdom unnerved the courtiers and scholars.

Q2. What suggestion was proposed by the first scholar?

Ans: The first scholar suggested calling Tenali Raman to find a solution to the problem.

Q3. What was the condition put forth by Tenali Raman?

Ans: Tenali Raman put forth the condition that he should be made the Chief Pundit of the empire.

Q4. How did Mantriji introduce Pundit Shahane?

Ans: Mantriji introduced Pundit Shahane as the most revered and honoured master scholar of the ancient scripture, The Pride of India.

Q5. How did Tenali Raman make his entry into the Emperor’s court?

Ans: Tenali Raman was carried in a palanquin. Two pundits followed him, carrying a huge bundle wrapped in silken cloth. Thus, he made a grand entry into the court.

Q6. What scripture did Tenali Raman wish to debate upon?

Ans: Tenali Raman wished to debate upon the merits of “tila-kashta-mahisha-bandhana.”

Q7. Why was Pundit Shahane defeated?

Ans: Pundit Shahane had read thousands of scholarly works, but he had never heard of “tila-kashta-mahisha-bandhana.” Unable to understand the term, he became confused and finally conceded defeat.

Q8. What explanation did Tenali Raman give about the name of the strange scripture?

Ans: Tenali Raman explained that “til” meant sesame, “kashta” meant sticks, “mahisha” meant buffalo, and “bandhana” meant rope. The bundle contained sesame sticks and rope used to tie a buffalo.

Q9. How did the Emperor and courtiers react?

Ans: The Emperor and courtiers burst into laughter when they understood the meaning of the strange term.

✏️ ENGLISH WORKSHOP

1. Use the following words in sentences.

Renown

The chief guest at our function was a person of great renown.

Defiance

The protesters showed defiance against the new rules.

Exiled

The king ordered that the criminal be exiled from the kingdom.

Predicament

The Pundits found themselves in a difficult predicament.

Diffident

The student felt diffident while speaking on stage.

Benign

The doctor assured the patient that the tumour was benign.

2. Use the following phrases in sentences.

Voice something

Many parents have voiced their concerns about safety.

A tight corner

He handled the situation calmly even when he was in a tight corner.

Outwit

Tenali Raman managed to outwit Pundit Shahane.

Concede defeat

The scholar had to concede defeat at last.

3. Pick out dialogues of Tenali Raman that show the following qualities:

(a) Wit and Wisdom:
“So, let us begin by discussing the merits of tila-kashta-mahisha-bandhana.”

(b) Self-confidence:
“I am ready to take up the challenge.”

(c) Politeness:
“I have one small request, Your Highness.”

(d) Humility:
“Your words of praise are my greatest reward, Your Highness.”

4. Answer the following questions in short.

(a) What was Pundit Shahane’s claim as a scholar?
Ans: He claimed that he had mastered all the scriptures.

(b) Why did Pundit Shahane visit Vijaynagar?
Ans: He visited Vijaynagar to challenge the knowledge of the Pundits.

(c) What do you learn about the Pundits of Vijaynagar?
Ans: They were nervous and lacked confidence when challenged.

(d) What punishment did the Emperor threaten them with?
Ans: He threatened to exile them if they lost the debate.

(e) Why was Tenali Raman summoned?
Ans: He was summoned to solve the crisis.

(f) On what condition did he accept the challenge?
Ans: He agreed on the condition that he be honoured as Chief Pundit.

(g) Why was he taken in a palanquin?
Ans: It was a mark of honour and respect.

(h) How did he outwit Pundit Shahane?
Ans: He used a clever, made-up term that confused the scholar.

(i) What did the bundle contain?
Ans: It contained sesame sticks and a rope used to tie a buffalo.

(j) Explain the significance of the title.
Ans: The story shows a battle of wits where Tenali Raman baffled the proud scholar. Hence, the title A Battle to Baffle is appropriate.

5. Elements of the Drama Script

Characters:
Krishnadevaraya, Mantriji, Tenali Raman, Pundit Shahane, and courtiers.

Background Scene:
The royal court of Krishnadevaraya.

Crisis:
Pundit Shahane challenges the scholars of Vijaynagar.

Steps Taken:
Tenali Raman is called to solve the problem.

Climax:
Tenali Raman confuses Pundit Shahane and makes him concede defeat.

The End:
The scholar leaves defeated. Tenali Raman is praised by the Emperor.

6. Do as Directed

(a) Tenali Raman proved to be wittier than Pundit Shahane.
(Rewrite using ‘as witty as’)
Ans: Pundit Shahane proved to be not as witty as Tenali Raman.

(b) Pundit Shahane has come here. He wishes to challenge all the Pundits in our kingdom.
(Combine the two sentences using ‘so’. Now combine the same sentences using ‘because’.)
Ans:

  • Pundit Shahane wishes to challenge all the Pundits in our kingdom, so he has come here.
  • Pundit Shahane has come here because he wishes to challenge all the Pundits in our kingdom.

(c) How can I discuss its merits?
(Make it Assertive)
Ans: I cannot discuss its merits.

(d) I have not read that scripture.
(Rewrite using ‘unaware’)
Ans: I am unaware of that scripture.

(e) Your words of praise are my greatest reward.
(Begin the sentence with ‘No other…’)
Ans: No other reward is as great as your words of praise.

(f) I am proud of you.
(Rewrite using the noun form of the underlined word.)
Ans: I have pride in you

(g) The Emperor said, “But tell me, Raman, to what great work did you refer?”
(Convert into Indirect Speech)
Ans: The Emperor asked Raman what great work he had referred to

(h) Tenali Raman was a poet scholar and jester in Vijaynagar in Krishnadevarayas court.
(Punctuate.)
Ans: Tenali Raman was a poet, scholar, and jester in Vijaynagar, in Krishnadevaraya’s court.

(i) Mantriji said Maharaj Pundit Shahanes visit to our court is an open challenge.
(Punctuate.)
Ans: “Mantriji,” said Maharaj, “Pundit Shahane’s visit to our court is an open challenge.”

7. Formal Letter

Mumbai Public School
G.S. Road
Mumbai – 400090
30 January 2023

Subject: Invitation to be the Chief Guest at our Annual Function

Respected Sir,

We are delighted to learn about your success in clearing the UPSC examination and your appointment as the Collector of our district. The Principal, teachers, and students extend their heartfelt congratulations on this remarkable achievement.

It fills us with pride that a former student of our school has reached such a prestigious position.

Our Annual Function will be held on 10 February 2023 from 12:00 p.m. to 5:00 p.m. We cordially invite you to grace the occasion as the Chief Guest and share your inspiring journey with our students. Your presence will greatly motivate them.

We sincerely hope you will accept our invitation.

Thanking you.

Yours faithfully,
XYZ
Cultural Secretary
Mumbai Public School

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