In the Kingdom of Fools – Detailed Summary
From NCERT Class 9 English Supplementary Reader Moments
Written by A. K. Ramanujan
Introduction
In the Kingdom of Fools is a humorous and thought-provoking story. It tells about a strange kingdom where the king and his minister are foolish and make silly laws. The story teaches us that foolish rulers and meaningless decisions can create danger and confusion in society. It also shows the importance of wisdom and intelligence.
Detailed Summary
A Strange Kingdom
Once there was a kingdom ruled by a foolish king and his equally foolish minister. Both of them did not care about justice or wisdom. They made strange laws according to their own silly ideas.
One day, they decided to change the system of day and night. They ordered that everyone should sleep during the day and work at night. Shops remained open only at night, and people had to carry on all activities after sunset. Anyone who disobeyed the order would be punished.
The people of the kingdom were afraid of the king, so they obeyed his foolish order.
Arrival of the Guru and Disciple
A guru and his disciple were travelling through different places. One evening, they reached this strange kingdom. They were surprised to see that the streets were empty during the day and became crowded at night.
The guru soon understood that the kingdom was ruled by fools. He warned his disciple not to stay there because such places are dangerous. He advised him to leave immediately.
However, the disciple noticed something unusual in the market. Everything cost the same amount — a single duddu (a small coin). Bananas, rice, vegetables, sweets, and even expensive items were sold at the same price.
The disciple became very happy. He thought he could eat delicious food cheaply and live comfortably. Though the guru warned him again, the disciple refused to leave. Finally, the guru went away alone after telling him that he would come back if needed.
The Disciple Becomes Fat
The disciple stayed in the kingdom and enjoyed cheap food every day. Since all items cost the same, he ate a lot and soon became very fat.
Meanwhile, one day a thief entered a rich merchant’s house through a hole in the wall. While escaping, the weak wall suddenly collapsed and killed the thief.
The thief’s brother went to the king and demanded justice. The foolish king agreed and ordered that someone must be punished for the thief’s death.
The Chain of Blame
The king began investigating the case in a foolish manner.
The merchant was blamed because his wall was weak.
The merchant said the bricklayer built the wall badly.
The bricklayer blamed the dancing girl because he was distracted by her movements while building the wall.
The dancing girl blamed the goldsmith because he delayed her jewellery order.
The goldsmith blamed the rich merchant’s father because he had given him many orders.
Thus, the blame moved from one person to another in a ridiculous way.
Finally, the king decided that the merchant must be punished.
The Problem of the Stake
The punishment was death by hanging. But there was another problem. The merchant was too thin, and the noose did not fit his neck properly.
The king then ordered his men to find a fat man for execution so that the stake and rope could be used properly.
The soldiers searched the kingdom and found the disciple because he had become very fat from overeating. They arrested him and brought him to the king.
The disciple was shocked and begged for mercy, but the foolish king refused to listen.
The Guru Saves the Disciple
The frightened disciple remembered his guru and prayed for help. Suddenly, the guru appeared there.
The guru whispered something into the disciple’s ear. Then both the guru and disciple started arguing loudly, each wanting to be executed first.
The king became curious and asked the reason.
The clever guru explained that according to astrology, the person who died on the stake at that special moment would become the ruler of heaven and enjoy great fortune in the next life.
The foolish king became greedy. He did not want anyone else to get such good luck. Therefore, he ordered that he himself and his minister should be executed first.
As a result, both the foolish king and the minister were hanged.
Ending of the Story
After the death of the king and minister, the people of the kingdom requested the guru and his disciple to rule the kingdom wisely. The guru accepted the request and corrected all the foolish laws.
Thus, wisdom defeated foolishness.
Themes of the Story
1. Foolish Leadership
The story shows how foolish rulers can create disorder and injustice.
2. Wisdom and Intelligence
The guru’s cleverness saves the disciple from death.
3. Blind Obedience
The people obeyed silly laws because they feared the king.
4. Justice and Injustice
The king’s method of justice was completely unreasonable.
Important Characters
The King
The Minister
The Guru
The Disciple
Moral of the Story
Foolish rulers can destroy justice and order.
Wisdom and intelligence are more powerful than greed and foolishness.
One should avoid staying in dangerous and foolish environments.
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