The king is the speaker of the above lines.
Key Concepts Covered
This question tests your understanding of the following concepts from the chapter Gopal and the Hilsa Fish: Speaker, Lines, Gopal and the Hilsa Fish, English. These are fundamental topics in English that students are expected to master as part of the CBSE Class 7 curriculum.
A thorough understanding of these concepts will help you answer similar questions confidently in your CBSE examinations. These topics are frequently tested in both objective and subjective sections of English papers. We recommend revising the relevant section of your textbook alongside practising these solved examples to build a strong foundation.
How to Approach This Question
Read the question carefully and identify what is being asked. Break down complex questions into smaller parts. Use the terminology and concepts discussed in this chapter. Structure your answer logically — begin with a definition or key statement, then provide supporting details. Review your answer to ensure it addresses all parts of the question completely.
Key Points to Remember
- Use quotations from the text to support your points.
- Analyse literary devices and their effects on the reader.
- Structure essays with a clear introduction, body, and conclusion.
- Proofread for grammar, spelling, and punctuation.
Practice more questions from Gopal and the Hilsa Fish — English, Class 7 CBSE
Chapter Overview: Gopal and the Hilsa Fish
This folk tale is about the clever Gopal, a courtier of a king (likely based on Gopal Bhand). The king challenges Gopal to buy a Hilsa fish from the market and bring it to the palace without anyone talking about the fish. Gopal disguises himself in a comical way and succeeds, proving that he can make people talk about anything other than the fish.
Author: Folk tale | Book: Honeycomb
Key Themes
- Cleverness and wit
- Humour
- Overcoming challenges through intelligence
- Courtier and king relationship
Common Mistakes
- Not understanding why the challenge was difficult (Hilsa season)
- Thinking Gopal hid the fish instead of hiding in plain sight
- Missing the element of humour in the story
- Not recognizing Gopal as a historical/folk figure
FAQs
What was the king's challenge to Gopal?
The king challenged Gopal to buy a Hilsa fish from the market and bring it to the palace without anyone on the way talking about the fish. This seemed impossible because it was Hilsa season and the whole town was talking about Hilsa fish.
How did Gopal succeed in the challenge?
Gopal disguised himself in a ridiculous way — he wore torn, dirty clothes, smeared ash on his face, and made himself look like a madman. When he walked through the market with the Hilsa fish, everyone was so busy talking about his strange appearance that nobody mentioned the fish. His clever disguise diverted all attention from the fish to himself.
What does this story tell us about Gopal's character?
The story shows that Gopal was extremely clever, witty, and resourceful. He understood human psychology — people are easily distracted by unusual sights. Instead of trying to hide the fish, he made himself so conspicuous that the fish became invisible. He also had a good sense of humour and wasn't afraid to look foolish to achieve his goal.