When it comes to learning English, it’s important to have access to comprehensive resources that can help students understand complex concepts and improve their language skills. That’s why solutiongyan.com has provided solutions for Class 9 English Chapter 1 – The Enchanted Pool.
Through this chapter, students can learn important vocabulary, practice reading comprehension skills, and develop their analytical thinking abilities.
However, it can be challenging for students to fully understand the nuances of the story without proper guidance and resources.
That’s where the KSEEB solutions for Class 9 English Chapter 1 come in. These solutions provide a step-by-step guide to understanding the chapter, including detailed explanations of the plot, character analysis, and exercises to reinforce learning.
With these solutions, students can gain a deeper appreciation of the story while improving their language skills.
Table of Contents
Before You Read
When we talk about people, we discuss their qualities. The box given below has some words which best describe people. Sit in small groups and classify them under ‘Desirable’ and ‘Not so desirable’ qualities. You may consult a good dictionary or your teacher.
courage, amicability, gentleness, sympathy, kindness, helpfulness, enthusiasm, wisdom, affection, honesty, selfishness, cruelty, humility, faithfulness, endurance, perseverance, determination, negligence, callousness, carelessness, arrogance.
| Desirable qualities | Not so desirable qualities |
| Amicability, courage, gentleness, sympathy, kindness, helpfulness, enthusiasm, wisdom, affection, honesty, humility, faithfulness, endurance, perseverance, determination. | selfishness, cruelty, negligence, callousness, carelessness, arrogance. |
Check your comprehension (Paragraph 1 to 3)
1. Who did Yudhistira ask to look for water?
Answer: Yudhistira asked Nakula to look for water.
2. Why do you think Nakula was happy when he got to the place?
Answer: When Nakula got to the place there was a pool of water. So, he was very happy to quench his thirst.
3. Can you give a word for ‘transparent’ which means almost the same?
Answer: Clear
4. Why do you think Nakula did not obey the voice?
Answer: Nakula wanted to drink water first to quench his thirst. That’s why he didn’t listen to Yaksha.
5. What happened to Nakula when he drank the water?
Answer: When Nakula drank the water, he felt horribly drowsy and fell down, looking as if he had died.
6. Why did Yudhistira send Sahadeva to see what the matter was?
Answer: Yudhishthira had sent Nakula to fetch water. But Nakula did not return for a long time. So, he sent Sahadeva to see what the matter was.
7. Why did Sahadeva meet the same fate as Nakula?
Answer: Sahdev also did not heed the warning of the bodiless voice. That’s why he also met the same fate as Nakula.
Check your comprehension (Paragraph 4 to 7)
1. What did Arjuna see when he got to the pool?
Answer: When Arjun reached the pool, he saw his brothers Nakula and Sahadeva lying dead.
2. Why do you think the voice did not allow Arjuna to drink water?
Answer: Voice wanted to test Arjun. It asked him to answer their questions first. Therefore, it did not allow Arjuna to drink water.
3. Why did the invisible being laugh at Arjuna?
Answer: Arjun got angry and shot sharp arrows in the direction of the voice, but the arrows could not kill it. Therefore, the invisible being laughed at Arjuna.
4. What was the warning of the Yaksha to Yudhistira?
Answer: The Yaksha warned Yudhishthira that his brothers had died because they did not heed his words. So, Yudhishthira should not follow him. He should first answer my questions and then quench his thirst.
5. Do you observe any difference between Arjuna and Yudhistira in their response to the invisible voice?
Answer: Yes, there was a great difference between Arjuna and Yudhishthira in their response to the invisible voice. Arjun became very angry on hearing the voice’s warning. He shot sharp arrows in the direction of the voice. He wanted to destroy the invisible enemy. But Yudhishthira was very calm. He realised that those were the words of a Yaksha. He saw a possible way of redeeming the situation. He politely requested the bodiless voice to ask the questions.
6. Why do you think all the brothers fell unconscious when they drank the water?
Answer: All the brothers ignored the warning of the invisible voice. Therefore, they fell unconscious when they drank the water.
Check your comprehension (Paragraph 8 to 15)
1. According to Yudhistira, mind is faster than the wind. Do you agree with him?
Answer: Yes, I agree with Yudhistira that the mind is faster than the wind. If we think of a distant place or person’s object, then immediately within a second we can get a vision in our mind.
2. What is that, abandoning which, man becomes loved by all?
Answer: It is Pride. By abandoning it man becomes loved by all.
3. What is the answer of Yudhistira to the question, ‘Who rescues man in danger?’
Answer: ‘Courage’ is the answer of Yudhistira to the question, ‘who rescues man in danger?’
4. Why do you think the Yaksha gave Yudhistira a boon?
Answer: The Yaksha granted Yudhishthira a boon when Yudhishthira confidently answered all the questions asked by the Yaksha intelligently and with great humility, which greatly pleased the Yaksha.
5. Why did Yudhistira choose Nakula in preference to Bhima?
Answer: Yudhishthira’s father had two wives named Kunti and Madri. He was the son of Kunti and was already alive. Nakula was the son of Madri who did not alive. So, he chose Nakula instead of Bhima, though he was his dearest brother. He was in favor of his fair justice.
6. If you were Yudhistira, how many questions would you be able to answer?
Answer: Had I been Yudhishthira, I would have been able to answer almost half the questions asked by the Yaksha.
7. Why did Yama take the form of a Yaksha?
Answer: Yama wanted to test the Pandavas and also wanted to meet his son Yudhishthira. That’s why he took the form of Yaksha.
KSEEB Solutions for Class 9 English Chapter 1 The Enchanted Pool
C1. The sequence of events has been jumbled up. Rearrange them and complete the given chart in pairs.
- The sun was hot overhead and the five brothers grew more and more thirsty.
- When Nakula did not return for a long time, Yudhistira sent Sahadeva to see what the matter was.
- Sahadeva also did not return for a long time.
- Yudhistira sent Nakula to fetch water.
- Yudhistira was anxious when Bhima and Arjuna did not return.
- The Yaksha was pleased and granted life to all his brothers.
- At last, Yudhistira himself got to the place where all his brothers were lying dead.
- Yudhistira obeyed the Yaksha and answered all his questions.
Answer:
- The sun was hot overhead and the five brothers grew more and more thirsty.
- Yudhistira sent Nakula to fetch water.
- When Nakula did not return for a long time, Yudhistira sent Sahadeva to see what the matter was.
- Sahadeva also did not return for a long time.
- Yudhistira was anxious when Bhima and Arjuna did not return.
- At last, Yudhistira himself got to the place where all his brothers were lying to all appearance dead.
- Yudhistira obeyed the Yaksha and answered all his questions.
- The Yaksha was pleased and granted all his brother’s lives.
C2. Hope you have enjoyed reading the story. Answer the following questions by choosing the correct option.
1. Arjuna wanted to destroy the unseen foe, but first he had to ___________
- ask permission from his brother.
- quench his terrible thirst.
- find out where it was.
Answer: quench his terrible thirst.
2. Yudhistira agreed to answer the questions of the Yaksha because ___________
- he was afraid of the Yaksha.
- he knew the Yaksha.
- he wanted to see a possible way of saving his brothers.
Answer: he wanted to see a possible way of saving his brothers.
3. According to Yudhistira, happiness is the ___________
- result of material comfort.
- result of good conduct.
- result of good friendship.
Answer: result of good conduct
C3. Here are some direct quotations from the story. Identify the speaker and write what each quotation suggests about the speaker. You can use the adjectives given in the box and may also add your own.
Answer:
1. Speaker: Yudhistira, Quality highlighted: Humility
2. Speaker: Arjuna, Quality highlighted: Arrogance
3. Speaker: Yudhistira, Quality highlighted: Selflessness
4. Speaker: Nakula, Quality highlighted: Prediction
5. Speaker: Yaksha, Quality highlighted: Commanding
C4. Discuss in pairs and answer each question below in a short paragraph (30- 40 words).
1. “There must certainly be water there.” How do you think Nakula came to that conclusion?
Answer: It was very hot the Pandavas were thirsty. Yudhistira was in need of water. He wanted water and rest so he told Nakula to look for water so Nakula climbed the tree and noticed water, plants and cranes, so he predicted that there could be water there.
2. “Arjuna wanted to destroy this unseen foe.” Why do you think he wanted to do so?
Answer: When the warrior Arjuna heard the warning voice of Yaksha, he became very angry. It was arrogant. At once he was furious and was ready to kill Yaksha. Apart from this, he was thirsty se he wanted to quench his terrible thirst.
3. “Yudhistira himself proceeded in the direction his brothers had taken.” What made Yudhistira take that decision?
Answer: Yudhishthira was thirsty. He needed water. So, he asked his brother Nakula to fetch water, but he did not return. Then he sent Sahadeva, Arjuna and Bhima. They also did not return, so he was apprehensive. With great anxiety, he went in the direction his brothers had gone.
4. “Happiness is the result of good conduct.” Do you agree with this? Support your answer with an example.
Answer: When Yaksha asked Yudhishthira what is happiness? Yudhishthira replied that happiness is the result of good conduct. It is true. If our conduct is good, we move towards happiness. We should be needy, but not greedy. When we desire more, our behavior gets corrupted and hence we face many problems.
To give an example of this, the four Pandavas were not in a position to answer the Yaksha’s questions. He was not polite, but Yudhishthira was more polite so he answered all the questions politely. This is the result of his character. This made him revive his dead brothers.
5. “May the cloud-complexioned Nakula, arise.” Why did Yudhistira choose Nakula in preference to Bhima and Arjuna?
Answer: Yaksha was pleased to know the answers given by Yudhishthira. So, he asked him which of the dead brothers he wanted to bring back to life. Then Yudhishthira thought for a moment and replied that he wanted Nakula to be revived. He was selfless and did not want Madri to suffer. He thought it appropriate, so he chose Nakula.
Vocabulary
Study the words
V1. From the text find the words or phrases that match these definitions and write them down. The number of the paragraph where you will find the words/phrases has been given in brackets.
1. a small area of still water in a hollow place ___________ (1)
2. to be so excited, angry or interested etc. that you forget everything else ___________ (3)
3. a feeling that you are better than other people ___________ (8)
4. leave a place or habitat forever __________ (8)
5. alone or single __________ (8)
Answer: (1) pool (2) overwhelmed (3) pride (4) abandon (5) solitary
V2. Read the dialogue between Yudhistira and the Yaksha carefully and match the items in ‘A’ with the items in ‘B’.
| A | B |
| 1. earth | (a) learning |
| 2. friend of a traveler | (b) god |
| 3. power behind the sun | (c) mother |
| 4. faster than the wind | (d) mind |
| 5. result of good conduct | (e) happiness |
Answer: 1. (c), 2. (a), 3. (b), 4. (d), 5. (e)
After matching, frame appropriate sentences. One example is done.
Answer:
- A mother who brings up her children is more nobly sustaining than the Earth.
- Learning is the best friend of a traveler.
- The power of God makes the sunshine every day.
- The mind is imagined to be faster than wind.
- Happiness is the result of good conduct.
V3. We can form the opposites by adding prefixes to words. Now replace the highlighted words with appropriate words beginning with ‘un’, ‘in’ or ‘im’.
- Bindu was not happy because she could not get good marks.
- It is not possible to sing like Bhimsen Joshi.
- Anusha could not go to school because she was not well.
- It is not wise to study overnight during exams.
- The officer dismissed the clerk because he was not competent.
- Man is mortal but great work of art is not mortal.
Answer:
- Bindu was unhappy because she could not get good marks.
- It is impossible to sing like Bhimsen Joshi.
- Anusha could not go to school because she was unwell.
- It is unwise to study overnight during exams.
- The officer dismissed the clerk because he was incompetent.
- Man is mortal but great work of art is immortal.
Read and respond
Task 1. Read the following newspaper clipping carefully and answer the questions that follow. Check your answers with those of your friends.
1. Who has issued these guidelines?
Answer: Government of India.
2. When did these guidelines come into effect?
Answer: From Nov. 9th, 2012.
3. What is the full form of CAF?
Answer: Customer Application Form.
4. How many connections can a customer hold in a single name?
Answer: Not more than nine connections.
5. Name some of the original proofs of identity. (You may ask your teacher.)
Answer: PAN Card, Adhar Card, Voter ID, Ration Card.
6. These guidelines are applicable to ___________. ((a) old customers (b) new customers (c) teenagers.)
Answer: new customers.
Task 2. Read the given story and answer the questions that follow:
Once Akbar and his minister Birbal were [ walking in the palace garden. The king saw a huge flock of crows flying around. He wondered who could ever count the number of crows in the city. He immediately ordered his men to count the crows. The king’s men went to all parts of the city to count the crows. They counted the crows on the rooftops. They counted the crows in the trees. They counted the crows near the riverbanks. But still they were not sure about the number of crows in the city.
All the men counted the crows. But no one was sure of their number. The king thought it was the right time to ask Birbal. King sent for Birbal and the matter was, told. Birbal laughed and answered.
Birbal: It is very simple. There are two hundred crows in the city.
King: But people told that there were two hundred and forty.
Birbal: That’s right, some crows have come to visit the city.
King: But I counted a hundred and sixty-five!!
Birbal: You are correct your Majesty, some crows have gone, to visit their friends.
Akbar: You are a very clever man!!! King Akbar gave Birbal a bag of gold for the answer.
Work in pairs. Match the words in the boxes with their meanings given below.
Answer:
| 1. group of birds | flock |
| 2. very big | huge |
| 3. intelligent | clever |
| 4. a title of respect used when speaking to a king/queen | your majesty to a king/queen |
| 5. certain | sure |
Choose the correct answer.
- Akbar and Birbal were walking ___________ (in the field, in the palace garden, on the riverbank)
- The king’s men gave ___________ (different answers, the same answer, the correct answer)
- Birbal’s answer was ___________ (the correct answer, a clever answer, the wrong answer)
Answer: (1) in the palace garden (2) different answers (3) a clever answer
The Enchanted Pool Practice Writing
Task 1. Can you imagine the Pandava brothers sharing their experience after coming back to life? Write a conversation in which they talk about their experience to each other. You can pick out and use such lines from the story which will make the conversation natural and interesting. You can begin with something like this…
Yudhistira : I can’t tell you how happy I am! I could not imagine what happened to you.
Nakula: I don’t remember what happened when I drank the water.
Sahadeva: I too experienced the same.
Arjuna: I didn’t understand anything but I wanted to kill the foe.
Bhima: My strength did not come to my help. I just felt sorry.
Yudhistira: I didn’t feel anything strange. I answered the questions asked by Yaksha with reverence and with a cool mind. I was happy to make you all revive.
Task 2: Here is Vaishak talking about something very strange that happened when he was on his way to school one morning.
It was Monday morning and as usual I got up late. As a result, I missed the school bus and so I decided to cycle to school. I started off. I had barely gone five metres when I went over a large piece of stone.
Suddenly I heard a voice saying, ‘Hey, watch out, Vaisu!’
I was so startled I stopped. I looked around but there was no one near me. Only then I realized it was my cycle that had just spoken…….
You can use the following expressions:
(Could not believe, would like to, surprising, take care.)
Answer: Startled: Surprising, there was no one: Couldn’t believe, watch out: take care, as usual: would like to
Language in use
Task 1: complete the sentences with the right form of the verbs given in brackets.
1. The Pandavas chased (chase) the animal but it was a magic deer which speed (speed) in great leaps and bounds decoying the Pandavas far into the forest and then disappeared (disappear). The Sun was hot overhead and the brothers grew (grow) more and more thirsty.
2. According to the condition of the game, the Pandavas spent (spend) twelve years in the forest and the thirteenth year in disguise. When they returned (return) and demanded (demand) Duryodhana their kingdom, he refused (refuse) to return it. War followed (follow) as a consequence. The Pandavas defeated (defeat) the Kauravas and regained (regain) their kingdom.
3. The Pandavas ruled (rule) the kingdom for 36 years. Afterwards, they transfered (transfer) the crown to their grandson Parikshitha.
Task 2: Choose some sentences in the positive form and change them into the negative form.
1. Yudhistira sent Arjuna to fetch some water to drink first.
Answer: Yudhistira did not send Arjuna to fetch some water to drink first.
2. Arjuna wanted to destroy the unseen foe.
Answer: Arjuna did not want to destroy the unseen foe.
3. The sun was hot overhead.
Answer: The sun was not hot overhead.
4. Man will be loved by all if he abandons “Pride”
Answer: Man will not be loved by all if he abandons Pride.
5. Yaksha embraces Yudhistira.
Answer: Yaksh does not embrace Yudhistira.
Task 3: Choose some sentences in the positive form and rewrite them in the question form.
1. Nakula climbed the tree.
Answer: Did Nakula climb the tree?
2. I will kill you.
Answer: Will you kill me?
3. The voice put questions rapidly one after another.
Answer: Did the voice put the questions rapidly one after another?
4. Yaksha posed many questions.
Answer: Did Yaksha pose many questions?
Task 5: Work in pairs. Take turns to ask questions to your partner using the incomplete questions in the table below. You will need to use appropriate wh-words. Answer your partner’s questions.
a. ____________ did India become independent?
b. ____________ would you spend your holidays?
c. ____________ was, the world’s first woman Prime Minister?
d. ____________ is the biggest flower in the world?
e. ____________ years does a millennium have?
f. ____________ can you find lions in India?
g. ____________ colours are there in the rainbow?
h.____________ does oil float on water?
I. ____________ do you think a mermaid can be found?
j. ____________ do you stay in holiday?
Answer: (a) When (b) How where (c) Who (d) Which (e) How many (f) Where (g) What (h) Why (i) Where (j) Where
Task 6: India’s first woman commercial pilot Durba Banerjee, was interviewed by some students. Her answers to the questions are given below. Can you guess the questions that she was asked.
1. Why did you want to become a pilot?
Answer: In my time, girls were just becoming teachers and doctors. I thought I should be completely different.
2. When did your first flying start?
Answer: I first started flying in 1951.
3. How much was your salary?
Answer: My salary was only Rs. 356 when I first joined as pilot.
4. How did the male pilots accept you?
Answer: The male pilots accepted me almost immediately.
5. Where did you go as the Indian representative?
Answer: I went to the US as the Indian representative at the World Lady Pilot’s Association gathering.
6. Why did you not marry?
Answer: I never married as I thought my career would not allow me to devote sufficient time to family life.
7. Many girls think that a pilot’s life is glamrous. What do you say about this?
Answer: Many girls think that a pilot’s life is glamorous but they have to be willing to sacrifice a lot. It is a hard life with no fixed hours.
8. When did you stop flying?
Answer: I stopped flying in 1989 when I retired from IA.
Task 7: replace the underlined clauses with an infinitive construction.
We were pleased when we heard the news.
Answer: We were pleased to hear the news.
1. The doctor told him that he should rest for a few days.
Answer: The doctor told him to rest for few days.
2. I hope that I shall build a new house soon.
Answer: I hope to build a new house soon.
3. The boy promised that he would not make the mistake once again.
Answer: The boy promised not to make the mistake again.
4. The people were shocked when they saw the accident.
Answer: The people were shocked to see the accident.
5. Shreya was told that she must report for duty the next day.
Answer: Shreya was told to report for duty the next day.
6. The teacher told the students that they should do their work carefully.
Answer: The teacher told the students to work carefully.
Task 8: Now complete these sentences using infinitives.
1. I cannot decide where to find the solution.
2. Bindu wants to know how to study.
3. I do not know what to do.
4. Ranjan is learning how to speak English.
5. Please tell me where i would get good food.
good satisfied