The Shepherd's Treasure: Class 6 English Supplementary Chapter 3

Summary of The Shepherd's Treasure

In a village in Iran, there lived a poor shepherd who had never been to school but was famous for his wisdom and kind nature. The king of that country heard about him and decided to meet him. Disguised as a common traveler, the king visited the shepherd's humble cave. The shepherd welcomed the stranger warmly, shared his simple meal, and let him rest for the night. The king was very impressed by the shepherd's hospitality and wise conversation. He was so pleased that he appointed the shepherd as the governor of a small district. The shepherd governed so wisely and kindly that people loved him. However, the other governors became jealous. They told the king that the new governor was dishonest and carried a chest with the treasure he had secretly collected. The king, wanting to know the truth, summoned the shepherd to the palace. The shepherd arrived, carrying his iron chest. When the king ordered him to open it, everyone was shocked to find only an old, worn-out blanket inside. The shepherd explained it was his oldest friend and his only treasure, which would protect him if the king ever took away his new position. It reminded him of his humble beginnings. The king was overjoyed by the shepherd's honesty and humility and made him the governor of a much bigger district.

Character Analysis

The Shepherd

A poor, uneducated but extremely wise, humble, and honest man. His character is his greatest strength, earning him respect and high office.

The King

A just and wise ruler who values character more than status or wealth. He tests his subjects to find the truth and rewards honesty.

The Other Governors

They are jealous, envious, and dishonest. They cannot stand the shepherd's success and try to ruin his reputation with false stories.

How the Story Unfolds: Key Events

1. The King Hears of the Wise Shepherd — The story begins with a poor shepherd in Iran becoming famous for his wisdom and helpful nature, despite being uneducated.
2. A Royal Visit in Disguise — The king decides to test the shepherd's reputation. He disguises himself as a traveler and is deeply impressed by the shepherd's warm hospitality and intelligence.
3. Promotion to Governor — Pleased with the shepherd, the king appoints him the governor of a small district. The shepherd proves to be a fair and kind ruler.
4. The Seeds of Jealousy — The other governors become envious of the shepherd's fame and popularity. They spread rumors that he is dishonest and carries his stolen riches in an iron chest.
5. The Final Test — The king summons the shepherd to the palace to investigate the claims. The shepherd arrives, carrying the mysterious iron chest with him.
6. The Truth Revealed — When the chest is opened, it contains only an old blanket. The shepherd explains it is his most valuable possession, a reminder of his humble life. The king, delighted with his honesty, rewards him by making him the governor of an even larger district.

The Moral of the Story: What is Real Treasure?

• Honesty and Wisdom are the Greatest Riches: The story shows that a person's good character is more valuable than any amount of money or gold.
• Humility is a Virtue: The shepherd never forgot where he came from. His old blanket was a symbol of his humility, which kept him grounded even when he became powerful.
• Character Over Possessions: The king chose to reward the shepherd not for what he had, but for who he was. This teaches us that inner qualities are what truly matter.
• Jealousy Leads to Downfall: The envious governors tried to harm the shepherd but ended up exposing their own mean-spirited nature.

Practice Questions with Solutions

• Q: Why did the other governors grow jealous of the shepherd? A: Step 1: Identify the shepherd's qualities and success. The shepherd, despite being poor and uneducated, was appointed governor and became very famous. He was loved by the common people for his wisdom, sympathy, and goodness. Step 2: Connect this success to the feelings of others. The existing governors at the court were not as loved or respected. They saw the shepherd's rise in fame and the king's favour towards him as a threat to their own position. Final answer: The other governors grew jealous of the shepherd because he became very popular and was loved by the people for his wisdom and fairness. They were envious of the honour and power the king had given him, which overshadowed them.
• Q: Why was the new governor called to the palace? A: Step 1: Recall the actions of the jealous governors. The other governors were constantly telling the king that the new governor was dishonest. They reported that he was saving money for himself and carried it in an iron chest. Step 2: Understand the king's reaction. The king was not someone who would blindly believe these stories, but he needed to find out the truth. Final answer: The new governor was called to the palace because the other governors had complained to the king that he was dishonest and was storing stolen treasure in an iron chest. The king wanted to investigate these accusations and see for himself what the shepherd was hiding.
• Q: What did the iron chest contain? Why did the shepherd always carry it? A: Step 1: Describe the contents of the chest. When the king ordered the chest to be opened, everyone was surprised to find that it did not contain gold or silver. The iron chest contained only an old, worn-out blanket. Step 2: Explain the shepherd's reason for carrying it. The shepherd explained that the blanket was his oldest friend and his real treasure. It would still protect him if the king took away his power and possessions. Final answer: The iron chest contained an old blanket. The shepherd always carried it because it was a reminder of his humble beginnings. It symbolised his humility and kept him prepared for any change in fortune, ensuring he would never forget his past as a poor shepherd.
• Q: How did the king reward the new governor for his honesty? A: Step 1: Analyze the king's feelings after the truth was revealed. The king was extremely pleased and moved by the shepherd's honesty, wisdom, and humility. He realised that the shepherd was indeed the humblest and wisest man in the land. Step 2: State the specific reward given by the king. Instead of punishing him, the king decided to promote him. Final answer: The king was delighted with the shepherd's honest and wise explanation. As a reward for his honesty and humility, the king made him the governor of a much bigger district that very day.

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