One World: Summary Meanings and Question Answers Class 6 English

The solutions of the lesson ‘One World’ are given together with the difficult word meanings and summary. Students can in this English Book Wind Chimes Class 6.

Summary

In an imagined conversation between Akbar and Birbal, Safdar Hashmi shares his perspective on the follies of vanity and the fleeting nature of material possessions and accomplishments. Akbar, the great Mughal emperor, had grown conceited and haughty, surrounded by immense power and luxury, believing himself wiser than all. He boasted of having experienced and achieved everything there was to offer. However, Birbal, his wise confidante, grew concerned and devised a plan to cure Akbar of his arrogance.

While strolling through the Fatehpur Sikri palace grounds, Akbar stumbled upon a dishevelled sadhu resting. Enraged, he launched into a boastful tirade, demeaning the sadhu and ordering him to leave. The sadhu, unfazed by Akbar’s tantrum, requested permission to ask a single question. In their ensuing conversation, the sadhu reminded Akbar that the imperial power and glory he possessed were once held by his father and grandfather. None of them could maintain it forever, and nor could he. He compared mortal life to a traveller’s inn, where one stays briefly before moving on, emphasizing the foolishness of pride in temporary worldly achievements.

As realization dawned on Akbar, he was left speechless. The sadhu then revealed himself to be Birbal, earning Akbar’s gratitude for imparting another crucial life lesson.

Textbook Exercise Solutions

Answers:A

1. a. ‘He’ is Birbal.
   b. The ‘bug’ is Akbar’s vanity.
   c. Birbal reasons that Akbar has been afflicted by pride and arrogance.
2. a. The casual manner of the sadhu made Akbar growl.
   b. Akbar exclaimed because the sadhu continued to lie down and not pay his respects to the king.
   c. Akbar meant that the sadhu made him angry.
3. a. ‘You’ refers to Birbal and ‘my’ refers to Akbar.
   b. ‘You’ and ‘the sadhu’ both refer to Birbal.
   c. By ‘puncturing my pride’, Akbar means that Birbal has made him aware of his human fallibility. Akbar has realised the foolishness of his past conceit.

Answers:B

1. While walking in the palace grounds, Akbar stumbled over a sleeping sadhu.
2. Despite Akbar’s status as king, the sadhu remained composed and did not offer him formal salutations, instead addressing him as “Akbarbhai” and even daring to question him.
3. The sadhu’s use of “Akbarbhai” demonstrates his belief in the equality of all human beings.
4. Like an inn, which provides temporary rest for its guests, the world is a temporary home for every individual, including the greatest of kings. The sadhu’s words serve as a reminder of this inevitable reality.
5. By acknowledging that Akbar’s forefathers once held the same positions of power that he currently holds, the sadhu emphasizes the temporary nature of worldly possessions, including dominion and wealth.
6. Akbar’s “key of life” was the realization that the blessings of human existence are meant to be shared among all individuals, rather than being owned by any one person.