CBSE Class 9 English NCERT Solutions: In the Kingdom of Fools

Reviewed by NCERT Help Editorial Team · Updated on 29 Jul 2026

NCERT Solutions PDF Class 9 PDF

CBSE Class 9 English, Chapter 4, 'In the Kingdom of Fools' introduces a bizarre kingdom where the sun rises at night and sets in the morning, and every single item costs just one 'dudu'. This chapter highlights the stark contrast between a wise Guru and his gullible disciple. The story unfolds as they encounter this topsy-turvy land with its absurd laws. The solutions explore the Guru's wisdom and his disciple's initial fascination with the cheap goods, which nearly leads to his downfall. It details the Guru's ingenious strategy to outwit the foolish king and his minister, ultimately saving his disciple from a wrongful execution. The chapter serves as a cautionary tale about the dangers of blind obedience and the importance of critical thinking, offering valuable lessons on prudence and foresight.

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Board	CBSE
Class	Class 9
Subject	English
Session	2026
Language	English
Type	NCERT Solutions
Chapter	4. In The Kingdom Of Fools

Chapter summary

NCERT Solutions for 'In the Kingdom of Fools' (Class 9 English) cover the narrative of a bizarre kingdom ruled by a foolish king. The solutions explain the kingdom's peculiar customs, such as working at night and sleeping during the day, and the unusual currency. They focus on the Guru's wisdom in recognizing the danger and his disciple's initial infatuation with the cheap goods, leading to their near-execution. The solutions detail the Guru's clever trick to save them and how they ultimately escape the kingdom's absurd justice system.

Learning outcomes

Understand the concept of a 'kingdom of fools' and its characteristics.
Analyze the contrasting wisdom of the Guru and the foolishness of the disciple.
Explain the Guru's strategy to escape the unjust execution.
Identify the moral lessons about greed and wisdom presented in the story.
Summarize the events leading to the Guru and disciple becoming rulers and their subsequent departure.

Topics covered

Paper topics

The Kingdom of Fools
Guru and Disciple characters
Unjust Laws and Foolish Rulers
Clever Planning and Escape
Moral Lessons
Character Analysis
Story Summary
Short Answer Questions

Important topics

The Guru's wisdom and foresight
The disciple's initial foolishness and eventual realization
The Guru's plan to save the disciple
The absurdity of the Kingdom of Fools
The contrast between wisdom and foolishness

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Questions and Solutions

Q.1. Why were the people of the kingdom confused when they saw the dead bodies of the king and his minister?

Why were the people of the kingdom confused when they saw the dead bodies of the king and his minister? (SA-1,2014)

Solution: The people of the kingdom were bewildered because the Guru and the disciple were supposed to be executed. Instead, they found their king and minister dead. They could not comprehend the clever trick that the Guru had played on their rulers to save himself and his disciple.

Q.2. When does the disciple remember the words of his Guru?

When does the disciple remember the words of his Guru? (SA-1, DDE-2014)

Solution: The disciple had initially ignored his Guru's advice to leave the dangerous 'Kingdom of Fools'. He only remembered his Guru's cautionary words when the king, in his foolishness, decided that the disciple was the right person to be executed, making him realize the peril they were in.

Q.3. How was the kingdom of fools different from any other place?

How was the kingdom of fools different from any other place? (SA-1,2014-15)

Solution: The Kingdom of Fools was vastly different from other places because of its absurd customs. Night was treated as day, and day as night, with everyone, including animals, sleeping during the day and working at night. Furthermore, every single item, regardless of its value, could be bought for a single 'dudu'.

Q.4. Why did the Guru want that he and his disciple should die first?

Why did the Guru want that he and his disciple should die first? (Board Term Sept 1,2013, K2G41GH)

Solution: The Guru did not actually want to die. He devised a plan to save himself and his disciple. When the king ordered the execution of a rich merchant, and later the disciple was chosen to fit the stake, the Guru, having foreseen this through his vision, planned to be executed first to save his disciple's life.

Q.5. On what conditions did the Guru and his disciple agree to rule that kingdom?

On what conditions did the Guru and his disciple agree to rule that kingdom? (Board Term Sept 1,2013, GKK73AP)

Solution: The Guru agreed to rule the kingdom on the condition that he would be allowed to change all the old and foolish laws that governed the kingdom. He insisted on restoring normalcy, making night the time for sleep and day the time for work, and ensuring that prices reflected the actual value of goods.

Q.6. Why did the Guru not want to stay in the Kingdom of fools?

Why did the Guru not want to stay in the Kingdom of fools? (Board Term 1,2012, ELI- 013)

Solution: The Guru did not want to stay in the Kingdom of Fools because he recognized the inherent foolishness of its inhabitants and their unpredictable nature. He felt unsafe and uncertain about their actions, fearing they could cause harm to him and his disciple.

Q.7. Why does the disciple not want to leave the Kingdom of the fools?

Why does the disciple not want to leave the Kingdom of the fools? (Board Term 1,2012, ELI-014)

Solution: The disciple was reluctant to leave the Kingdom of Fools because he enjoyed the abundance of cheap food and other goods available there. Life seemed incredibly easy and simple, as everything he needed was readily accessible at very low prices.

Q.8. Why did the king decide to postpone the execution of the Guru and his disciple?

Why did the king decide to postpone the execution of the Guru and his disciple? (Board Term 1,2012, ELI-015)

Solution: The king postponed the execution because the Guru cleverly tricked him. The Guru told the king that whoever was executed on the stake would be reborn as the king in the next life, and the next person executed would become the minister. The foolish king, wanting to be king again, decided to wait and be executed himself.

Q.9. What was so strange about the Kingdom of fools?

What was so strange about the Kingdom of fools? (Board Term 1,2012, ELI-017)

Solution: The strangest aspect of the Kingdom of Fools was its inverted daily routine. Not only humans but also animals were made to sleep during the day and were active only at night. Additionally, every single item in the kingdom was sold for a mere 'dudu', regardless of its actual worth.

Q.10. Who is the real culprit according to the king? Why does he escape from the punishment?

Who is the real culprit according to the king? Why does he escape from the punishment? (Board Term 1,2012, ELI-018)

Solution: According to the king, the real culprit was the rich merchant, whose house wall had collapsed and killed a thief. The merchant escaped punishment because he was too thin to fit properly onto the newly made stake intended for execution. The king, obsessed with executing someone on the stake, then searched for a fat person instead.

Q.11. What advice did the Guru give to the disciple before going out of the city?

What advice did the Guru give to the disciple before going out of the city? (Board Term 1,2012, ELI-019)

Solution: Before leaving the city, the Guru advised his disciple that it was extremely dangerous to remain in the Kingdom of Fools. He explained that there was no real justice, only unpredictable and foolish behavior from the rulers and citizens. The Guru believed the kingdom was unstable and wouldn't last long.

Q.12. What is the Guru's wisdom? When does the disciple realize this?

What is the Guru's wisdom? When does the disciple realize this? (Board Term 1,2012, ELI-020)

Solution: The Guru's wisdom lay in his understanding that the Kingdom of Fools lacked justice and was governed by unpredictable, irrational behavior, making it a dangerous place. The disciple realized the truth of his Guru's words when the king decided he was the suitable person for execution, making him remember the Guru's warning about the kingdom's perils.

Q.13. Why did the king want to punish the merchant?

Why did the king want to punish the merchant? (Board Term 1,2012, ELI-020)

Solution: The king wanted to punish the merchant because the wall of the merchant's house had fallen and killed a thief. The king believed that since the merchant had inherited his father's wealth, he had also inherited his father's sins, and therefore, he was responsible and deserved punishment for the death caused by his property.

Q.14. Who became the king and the prime minister of the kingdom?

Who became the king and the prime minister of the kingdom? (Board Term 1,2012, ELI- 023)

Solution: After the foolish king and his minister executed themselves, the kingdom found itself without a ruler. The people of the kingdom then persuaded the wise Guru and his disciple to take over the throne. Consequently, the Guru became the new king, and his disciple assumed the role of the Prime Minister.

Common mistakes

Confusing the Guru's wisdom with the disciple's foolishness.
Underestimating the danger of the 'Kingdom of Fools'.
Not understanding the Guru's plan to outsmart the king.
Focusing only on the disciple's temptation by cheap goods without considering the Guru's advice.

Revision tips

Reread the story focusing on the Guru's warnings and the disciple's reactions.
List the unique rules and customs of the Kingdom of Fools.
Trace the sequence of events from the Guru and disciple's arrival to their escape.
Discuss the Guru's clever plan and how it saved them.
Consider the moral of the story regarding wisdom versus foolishness.

Practice MCQs

Q1. What was the primary reason the people of the kingdom were confused by the dead bodies?

Q2. When did the disciple finally remember his Guru's warning?

Q3. What made the Kingdom of Fools unique?

Q4. Why did the Guru want to die first?

Q5. On what condition did the Guru agree to rule the kingdom?

Frequently asked questions

What is the main theme of the chapter 'In the Kingdom of Fools'?

The main theme is the contrast between wisdom and foolishness, highlighting how cleverness and foresight can overcome unjust and absurd situations, as demonstrated by the Guru.

Why did the Guru and his disciple get into trouble in the Kingdom of Fools?

They got into trouble because they were mistaken for thieves and the disciple was chosen to be executed. The Guru had to devise a plan to save them from the king's foolish decree.

What was the Guru's clever plan to escape the execution?

The Guru convinced the king that whoever died on the stake would be reborn as the king in the next life, and the one who died after would be the minister. This led the king and his minister to sacrifice themselves instead of the Guru and disciple.

Why did the disciple initially like the Kingdom of Fools?

The disciple was tempted by the kingdom's cheap prices. Everything, including food, was sold for a single 'dudu', making life seem easy and affordable for him.

How do these NCERT Solutions help Class 9 students?

These solutions provide clear, rewritten answers to all questions, helping students understand the story's plot, character motivations, and underlying messages, which is crucial for their English exam preparation.

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