Reading Comprehension Grade 9.4

Summary

In this story, an African king, proud and stern, declares that all men are his servants. Popo, a villager, challenges this claim, arguing that all men serve one another. He proposes a test: if the king can force him to serve, Popo will dig three wells in his village. The king accepts, and through their interaction, Popo proves his point by showing that true power lies in mutual service. Impressed by Popo's wisdom, the king not only has wells dug in Popo’s village but also makes him his advisor.

Takeaways

• 😀 The king in Africa was a proud and stern ruler, feared by his subjects.
• 😀 One day, while surrounded by people in his palace, the king declared himself as the master of the world, asserting that all men were his servants.
• 😀 A person named Popo, from a village with no water, challenged the king's declaration by claiming that all men are servants of one another.
• 😀 The king questioned Popo, calling him a beggar for asking for a well to be dug in his village.
• 😀 Popo responded with a daring statement, claiming that he would prove that all men serve one another before nightfall.
• 😀 The king, in his arrogance, accepted the challenge and threatened Popo with jail if he failed to prove his point.
• 😀 In the cultural exchange, Popo demonstrated that when someone accepts a challenge, they touch the other person's feet as a gesture of respect.
• 😀 Popo touched the king's feet as per the custom, and the king gave Popo's stick back when asked, thus illustrating the point of mutual service.
• 😀 The king realized that even though he was a ruler, he too was a servant to others in certain ways, as demonstrated by the exchange with Popo.
• 😀 Impressed by Popo's wit and courage, the king not only had wells dug in Popo's village but also kept him as an advisor in his court.

Q & A

What was the king's attitude at the beginning of the story?

The king was proud, stern, and feared by all his subjects. He saw himself as the ruler of the world and declared that all men were his servants.

What led the king to question his own declaration of being 'Master of the world'?

The king was suddenly challenged by a man named Popo, who disagreed with his statement and suggested that all men are servants of one another, which made the king reconsider his position.

Who is Popo, and what did he ask the king for?

Popo was a man from a village with no water. He asked the king to have a well dug in his village to provide water for his people.

How did the king react when Popo challenged him?

The king initially dismissed Popo as a beggar but was intrigued by his boldness. The king then accepted the challenge, stating that if Popo could prove that all men serve one another, the king would dig three wells in his village.

What did Popo do to prove his point about men serving one another?

Popo demonstrated that all men are servants to each other by asking the king to touch his feet, which he did. Popo then asked the king to hold his stick and return it, showing that even the king served him in these simple actions.

How did the king react after Popo's demonstration?

The king was impressed by Popo's wit and daring. He agreed that all men are indeed servants of one another and decided not only to have wells dug in Popo's village but also to retain Popo as his advisor.

What was the king's initial belief about his role in society?

The king initially believed that he was the master of the world and that all people were his servants.

What challenge did the king set for Popo?

The king challenged Popo to prove that all men are servants of one another by making him wait on Popo. If Popo succeeded, the king would dig three wells in his village; if Popo failed, he would be sent to jail.

What cultural practice is mentioned in the story when accepting a challenge?

The story mentions that when one accepts a challenge, they touch the person's feet as a sign of respect.

What did Popo's actions teach the king?

Popo's actions taught the king that power and superiority are not absolute, and that everyone, regardless of their status, serves others in different ways. It demonstrated that mutual respect and service are essential values.