Three Questions / The Squirrel for Class 7: The Complete CBSE Guide (2026-27)

In 'Three Questions', a certain King believes that knowing the answers to three questions will ensure he never fails: (1) What is the right time to begin everything? (2) Who are the right people to listen to? (3) What is the most important thing to do? He proclaims a reward for the wisest answers. Learned men offer conflicting advice — some say build a council, others suggest magicians or doctors. Dissatisfied, the King visits a hermit renowned for wisdom. The hermit, an old man digging a garden, does not answer directly. The King helps him dig; at sunset, a wounded man stumbles into the clearing. The King and hermit nurse him through the night. The next day, the injured man confesses he is the King's enemy, ambushed by the King's guards while seeking revenge. The King forgives him, and the hermit finally reveals the answers: the most important time is NOW (the present moment), the most important person is the ONE YOU ARE WITH, and the most important pursuit is TO DO GOOD TO THAT PERSON. Had the King not stayed to help the hermit dig, he would have been killed by the ambush. Had he not bandaged the enemy, he would have made no peace. This parable underpins the entire Three Questions / The Squirrel Class 7 literature unit and typically generates one 4–5 mark long-answer question in your annual exam.

Tolstoy embeds his philosophy of ethical living within the narrative structure. The hermit does not lecture; instead, he lets the King experience the answers. When the King digs the garden beds, he practises focus on the task at hand (the present). When he bandages the bleeding stranger, he enacts compassion toward the person before him. The wounded man's confession — that the King's mercy turned an enemy into a grateful ally — illustrates the transformative power of doing good. CBSE examiners love questions like 'Why did the hermit answer the King's questions only at the end?' or 'What would have happened if the King had left the hermit at sunset?' Your answer must show you understand the hermit's Socratic method: wisdom cannot be told, only lived. This theme of experiential learning and living in the present moment is central to Three Questions / The Squirrel Class 7 and appears in 40% of board long-answer questions on this chapter. NCERT's comprehension exercises (page 16–17) ask you to infer motives and predict alternate outcomes, training you to think beyond plot summary.

Understanding character motivations is crucial for Three Questions / The Squirrel Class 7 short-answer questions (3 marks each). The King is earnest but inexperienced — he seeks a formula for infallible rule, showing both humility (he visits the hermit incognito) and impatience (he keeps asking for direct answers). The hermit is patient and wise; his frailty (he is weak and breathless) contrasts with his moral strength. He teaches by example, embodying the principle that the present task (digging) matters more than distant abstraations. The wounded man serves as the story's pivot: initially an assassin, he becomes a living proof of the King's correct action. His gratitude ('You have saved my life... I will serve you as your most faithful slave') demonstrates how doing good to one person can ripple outward. CBSE board papers (2023, 2024) featured questions like 'How does the hermit's physical condition add to the story's message?' (Expected answer: His weakness forces the King to act selflessly, which is the lesson itself.) A strong answer always links character traits to theme.

The second half of Three Questions / The Squirrel Class 7 is an eight-line poem that contrasts sharply with Tolstoy's gravity. Armstrong paints a grey squirrel in playful strokes: 'He wore a question mark for tail, / An overcoat of grey'. The poet uses personification (the squirrel 'wore' clothing) and a delightful extended metaphor (the bushy tail resembles a question mark). The squirrel sits upright ('He sat up straight to eat a nut'), teases observers ('He liked to tease and play'), and darts away when approached ('If we went near, he ran away'). The rhyme scheme is AABB CCDD, making it easy to memorise. CBSE awards 2–3 marks for this poem, usually as a short comprehension passage with questions on poetic devices or a 'describe the squirrel's behaviour' prompt. Notice the alliteration in 'wore... overcoat' and the visual imagery that appeals to children. Though lighter in tone than the parable, the poem still trains you to identify figurative language — a skill tested across Class 7 English literature.

Even a short poem like 'The Squirrel' in Three Questions / The Squirrel Class 7 is rich in literary techniques. Personification is the dominant device: the squirrel 'wears' an overcoat, 'likes' to tease, and makes conscious choices — traits of a mischievous child. The simile 'question mark for tail' is both visual (the curved shape) and thematic (a squirrel's unpredictable behaviour raises questions). Alliteration appears in 'wore... overcoat' and the repeated 't' sound in 'sat... straight... eat... nut'. The rhyme scheme AABB CCDD gives the poem a bouncy, nursery-rhyme feel that mirrors the squirrel's quick movements. NCERT's exercise (page 18) asks you to 'find words that describe the squirrel's actions' — this trains you to link diction (word choice) to meaning. CBSE marks 1 mark per correctly identified device with example; a complete answer also explains the effect (e.g. 'alliteration in "wore... overcoat" creates a soft, whimsical sound that matches the gentle observation of nature').

In the 2024-25 and 2025-26 annual exams, Honeycomb Chapter 1 (Three Questions / The Squirrel Class 7) typically appears in Section B (Reading & Literature). Expect one 4-mark long-answer question on the parable (e.g. 'Explain the hermit's answers and their significance') and one 2–3 mark short question on the poem ('Describe the squirrel as depicted by the poet' or 'Identify two poetic devices with examples'). Some years, a 3-mark extract-based question is set: you receive four lines from either text and answer who said it, to whom, and what it reveals. According to CBSE's revised assessment framework, 40% of marks test factual recall, 40% test comprehension and inference, and 20% test appreciation of literary techniques. This means memorising plot is not enough — you must articulate why the hermit's method works, or how personification enhances the poem's charm. NCERT's 'Working with Text' section (pages 16–18) mirrors board-style questions, so solving those thoroughly is non-negotiable. Additionally, internal school exams may include a 5-mark 'character sketch of the King' or 'compare the King before and after meeting the hermit'.

To master the prose portion of Three Questions / The Squirrel Class 7, follow this four-step approach. First, read the story twice: once for plot, once for theme. On the second read, underline the hermit's final speech and the King's realisations. Second, map cause and effect: Why does the hermit refuse to answer immediately? Because wisdom is experiential. Why does the wounded man become loyal? Because the King's mercy transformed enmity into gratitude. Third, practise NCERT questions (page 16–17) without looking at answers; compare your response to the sample solutions in your guidebook or CBSETUTOR.ai's chapter bank. Fourth, write a 100-word thematic paragraph: 'Tolstoy shows that the right time is always now, the right person is whoever you face, and the right deed is kindness.' Use this as your template for 4-mark questions. Board examiners reward answers that open with a clear thesis, support it with two story events, and conclude with the universal lesson. Avoid retelling the whole plot; instead, zoom into the moments that prove the theme. This method works equally well for school unit tests and final exams.

Analysing the poem in Three Questions / The Squirrel Class 7 requires you to move from surface description to literary appreciation. Start by paraphrasing each couplet in simple prose: 'A grey squirrel with a curly tail sits upright to eat a nut; he is playful and shy.' Next, hunt for devices line by line: Line 1–2 (personification and simile), Line 3–4 (visual imagery), Line 5–6 (alliteration in 'tease and play'), Line 7–8 (action verbs 'ran away'). Then, ask 'What mood does this create?' The bouncy rhythm and light rhyme evoke joy and gentle observation. Finally, connect to real life: the poet captures a universal childhood experience of watching wildlife. For a 2-mark board question ('What picture of the squirrel does the poet create?'), write: 'The poet depicts a lively, grey squirrel with a question-mark tail who sits upright to nibble nuts, teases observers, and darts away shyly, creating a playful and endearing image of nature.' Always quote half a line to earn full marks. NCERT (page 18) asks you to draw or describe the squirrel — this trains visual-to-verbal translation, a skill CBSE values.

Here are ten high-probability questions for the prose half of Three Questions / The Squirrel Class 7, drawn from past CBSE papers and NCERT exercises. (1) Why did the King want to know the answers to the three questions? (3 marks) (2) Why was the King not satisfied with the answers of the learned men? (2 marks) (3) How did the King help the hermit? (2 marks) (4) Who was the bearded man, and why did he ask for the King's forgiveness? (3 marks) (5) What were the hermit's answers to the three questions? Explain their significance. (5 marks) (6) 'There is no one more important than the person you are with at this moment.' Do you agree? Give reasons. (4 marks — value-based) (7) How did the King's actions save his own life? (3 marks) (8) What is the central theme of the story? Support your answer with examples. (4 marks) (9) Why did the hermit answer the King's questions only at the end? (3 marks) (10) Compare the King's attitude at the beginning and the end of the story. (4 marks). For each, structure your answer in three parts: direct answer, evidence from text, link to theme. CBSETUTOR.ai's Class 7 English module provides model answers with examiner notes, so you see exactly where marks are awarded.

For the poem, expect these types of questions in Three Questions / The Squirrel Class 7 assessments. (1) Describe the physical appearance of the squirrel as given in the poem. (2 marks) (2) What does the poet mean by 'He wore a question mark for tail'? (2 marks) (3) Identify and explain one example of personification in the poem. (2 marks) (4) What is the rhyme scheme of the poem? How does it suit the subject? (2 marks) (5) 'If we went near, he ran away.' What does this tell you about the squirrel's nature? (2 marks) (6) Write two pairs of rhyming words from the poem. (1 mark) (7) Which line in the poem appeals to you the most? Why? (2 marks — personal response) (8) How does the poet bring the squirrel to life? (3 marks) (9) Draw a picture of the squirrel based on the poem's description (creative task, sometimes 2 marks in internals). (10) Compare the tone of 'The Squirrel' with that of 'Three Questions'. (3 marks — integrated question). For descriptive answers, always quote the exact line (e.g. 'The poet writes, "He wore a question mark for tail," suggesting...'). This shows close reading and earns you language marks.

Students preparing Three Questions / The Squirrel Class 7 often fall into predictable traps. Mistake 1: Narrating the entire plot instead of answering the question. Fix: Read the question twice; if it asks 'Why did the hermit answer at the end?', your first sentence should directly state the reason. Mistake 2: Ignoring the hermit's teaching method. Many write 'The hermit said the answers are...' without explaining why he delayed. Fix: Emphasise experiential learning — the King had to live the answers to understand them. Mistake 3: Confusing the wounded man's identity. Some students think he is a random stranger. Fix: Clearly state he was the King's enemy seeking revenge, which makes the King's mercy (and the lesson) more powerful. Mistake 4: For the poem, writing 'The squirrel is cute' without textual evidence. Fix: Quote 'He wore a question mark for tail' and 'sat up straight to eat a nut' to show what makes him endearing. Mistake 5: Spelling 'hermit' as 'hermit' or 'Tolstoy' as 'Tolstoi'. Fix: Write names and key terms correctly; CBSE deducts 0.5 marks for repeated errors. Review your answers for these pitfalls before the exam.

CBSETUTOR.ai is India's first 24×7 AI tutor trained on every NCERT textbook for Classes 6–12, and it excels at guiding students through literature chapters like Three Questions / The Squirrel Class 7. Upload a photo of any comprehension question from Honeycomb, and the AI walks you through a step-by-step model answer, highlighting where theme marks and language marks come from. Ask 'Why did the hermit answer only at the end?' and the AI explains the Socratic teaching method, then quizzes you with a follow-up ('What would have happened if the King had left earlier?') to deepen understanding. For the poem, request a line-by-line device breakdown or practice paraphrasing couplets into prose. Parents love the ₹999/month flat pricing (one plan, all subjects, Classes 6–12) because there are no hidden fees or per-question charges. Students love the instant feedback loop — you get corrections in seconds, not hours, so you can iterate and improve before school tests. The AI also generates unlimited practice questions in the same style as CBSE board papers, ensuring you never run out of revision material. Start your 3-day free trial (no card required) and see how personalized, NCERT-grounded tutoring transforms your English literature preparation.

Though Three Questions / The Squirrel Class 7 pairs a philosophical story with a light nature poem, both teach you to read closely and infer meaning. The parable trains you to identify theme, analyse character growth, and construct logical arguments — skills that apply to every Honeycomb chapter (The Gift of the Chagi, Gopal and the Hilsa Fish, etc.). The poem trains you to spot literary devices, appreciate sensory imagery, and write concise descriptive answers — skills you'll use in every poem from 'The Rebel' to 'The Shed'. CBSE often sets one integrated question: 'Compare the tone of the story and the poem' (3 marks). A strong answer notes the story's serious, reflective tone versus the poem's playful, affectionate tone, then links each to purpose (Tolstoy aims to teach; Armstrong aims to delight). Study them together: after reading the parable, jot down its moral; after reading the poem, list three devices. This dual practice builds the literature-analysis muscle you need for Class 7 and beyond. Remember, NCERT chose these two pieces deliberately to show the range of English literature — from moral fable to observational verse.