Once, a lion was sitting beside a river. Suddenly he looked at his own reflection and thought “My mane is too old. I need a new hairstyle!”
The lion then roared “I’m the king of the jungle and this unruly mane does not fit a king.” He dipped his paw into the river and tried desperately to smooth his mane.
“Flap it all up. That will suit you!” the zebra said. “Yes, it will even look better with a bit of colour to match your moustache,” the giraffe added. “What about a few ribbons?” the vulture asked. Then cried the hyena “I know, a paper crown is what you need!” A snake was passing by silently. Seeing the king there he simply raised his head.
“What do you think I should do, snake?” The king asked.
“If a king is a wise king, nobody cares about his hairstyle,” The snake said with a hissing sound.
The king stared at the snake for some time. Then he smiled and kissed the snake.
“Oh, why am I so vain? Am I not the king of the jungle?” roared the lion. He shook his head from side to side to shake his mane back into place. “From now, on I promise to be a wise king and not bother about my looks!” the lion roared.
একদিন একটি সিংহ নদীর পাশে বসে ছিল। হঠাৎ সে তার নিজের প্রতিচ্ছবি দেখে ভাবল, “আমার কেশর অনেক পুরনো হয়ে গেছে। আমাকে নতুন হেয়ারস্টাইল দরকার!”
সিংহ তখন গর্জন করে বলল, “আমি জঙ্গলের রাজা, আর এই অবাধ্য কেশর কোনো রাজার উপযুক্ত নয়।” সে নদীতে পা ডুবিয়ে তার কেশর মসৃণ করার চেষ্টা করল।
“সব উল্টাপাল্টা করে ফেলো। এটা তোমাকে মানাবে!” জেব্রা বলল। “হ্যাঁ, তোমার গোঁফের সাথে মিলিয়ে একটু রঙ করলে আরও ভাল দেখাবে,” জিরাফ যোগ দিল। “কিছু রিবন লাগাবে কি না?” শকুন জিজ্ঞেস করল। তখন হায়েনা চিৎকার করে বলল, “আমি জানি, তোমার দরকার একটি কাগজের মুকুট!” একটি সাপ নিঃশব্দে পাশ দিয়ে যাচ্ছিল। রাজাকে দেখে সে শুধু মাথা উঁচু করল।
“তুমি কি মনে কর, সাপ?” রাজা জিজ্ঞেস করল।
“যদি একজন রাজা জ্ঞানী রাজা হয়, তাহলে কেউ তার হেয়ারস্টাইল নিয়ে মাথা ঘামায় না,” সাপ ফিসফিস করে বলল।
রাজা কিছুক্ষণ সাপের দিকে তাকিয়ে রইল। তারপর সে হেসে উঠল এবং সাপটিকে চুমু খেল।
“ওহ, আমি কেন এত অহংকারী? আমি কি জঙ্গলের রাজা নই?” সিংহ গর্জন করল। সে তার কেশর আগের অবস্থায় ফিরিয়ে আনতে মাথা ঝাঁকাল। “আজ থেকে আমি প্রতিজ্ঞা করছি, আমি একজন জ্ঞানী রাজা হব এবং আমার চেহারা নিয়ে আর মাথা ঘামাব না!” সিংহ গর্জন করে বলল।
Here is a Vocabulary Box based on the story about the vain lion and the wise snake:
Words | Bangla | Synonyms | Antonyms |
reflection (n) | প্রতিবিম্ব | image; mirror view | — |
mane (n) | কেশর | lion’s hair; tuft | — |
unruly (adj) | অবাধ্য; অগোছালো | messy; wild; disorderly | tidy; neat |
desperately (adv) | মরিয়া ভাবে | frantically; urgently | calmly; leisurely |
colour (n) | রং | hue; shade | colourlessness |
ribbon (n) | ফিতা | bow; strip of cloth | — |
crown (n) | মুকুট | headpiece; coronet | — |
silently (adv) | চুপচাপ | quietly; noiselessly | noisily; loudly |
wise (adj) | জ্ঞানী; বুদ্ধিমান | intelligent; thoughtful | foolish; unwise |
vain (adj) | অহংকারী; অতি আত্মমুগ্ধ | conceited; self-obsessed | humble; modest |
promise (v) | প্রতিশ্রুতি দেওয়া | vow; pledge | break (a promise); deny |
bother (v) | বিরক্ত হওয়া/হওয়া | worry; care about | ignore; neglect |
stare (v) | একদৃষ্টে তাকানো | gaze; look intently | glance; ignore |
hiss (v) | ফোঁস ফোঁস শব্দ করা | whisper; snake sound | — |
jungle (n) | জঙ্গল | forest; wilderness | city; plain |
Understanding the Story
- Where was the lion sitting at the beginning of the story?
i) Under a tree
ii) Beside a river
iii) On a mountain
iv) In a cave - What did the lion see in the river?
i) A fish
ii) His reflection
iii) Another lion
iv) A crocodile - Why was the lion unhappy with his mane?
i) It was too short
ii) It looked too old
iii) It was full of dirt
iv) It was falling out
Animal Suggestions
- What did the zebra suggest for the lion’s mane?
i) Cut it short
ii) Flap it all up
iii) Dye it black
iv) Braid it - What did the giraffe recommend adding to the lion’s mane?
i) Ribbons
ii) A hat
iii) Some color
iv) Flowers - What did the vulture propose for the lion’s look?
i) A new scar
ii) A paper crown
iii) A tattoo
iv) Sunglasses - How did the hyena think the lion could improve his appearance?
i) By wearing a necklace
ii) With a paper crown
iii) By shaving his mane
iv) With a wig
The Snake’s Wisdom
- How did the snake react when it saw the lion?
i) It ran away
ii) It raised its head
iii) It hissed loudly
iv) It hid in the grass - What did the snake say makes a true king?
i) A fancy mane
ii) Physical strength
iii) Wisdom
iv) A golden crown - How did the lion respond to the snake’s advice?
i) He got angry
ii) He ignored it
iii) He smiled and kissed the snake
iv) He roared at the snake
Lion’s Realization
- What did the lion realize about himself?
i) He was the strongest
ii) He was too vain
iii) He needed a haircut
iv) He was not a real king - What did the lion promise at the end?
i) To get a new mane
ii) To be a wise king
iii) To eat the snake
iv) To leave the jungle
Character Roles
- Which animal gave the most practical advice?
i) Zebra
ii) Giraffe
iii) Snake
iv) Hyena - Who suggested the most ridiculous idea?
i) Vulture
ii) Hyena
iii) Zebra
iv) Giraffe
Theme & Moral
- What is the main lesson of the story?
i) Looks are everything
ii) Wisdom is more important than appearance
iii) Always listen to hyenas
iv) Rivers make good mirrors - Why did the lion stop worrying about his mane?
i) He found a barber
ii) He accepted his natural look
iii) He became bald
iv) The other animals laughed at him
Critical Thinking
- If the lion had followed the zebra’s advice, what might have happened?
i) His mane would look messy
ii) He would become more popular
iii) The other animals would fear him
iv) He would win a fashion contest - How might the story change if the snake hadn’t spoken?
i) The lion would stay vain
ii) The lion would attack the animals
iii) The lion would leave the jungle
iv) The lion would drown in the river - What does the lion’s kiss to the snake symbolize?
i) Gratitude for good advice
ii) A threat
iii) Romantic affection
iv) A sign of hunger - Why did the other animals give silly suggestions?
i) They wanted to mock the lion
ii) They were afraid of the lion
iii) They genuinely wanted to help
iv) They were bored
Sequencing Events
- What did the lion do first in the story?
i) Roared at his reflection
ii) Asked for advice
iii) Sat by the river
iv) Kissed the snake - What was the last animal to speak to the lion?
i) Zebra
ii) Hyena
iii) Snake
iv) Vulture
Inferential Questions
- How did the lion probably feel after hearing the snake?
i) Embarrassed
ii) Relieved
iii) Angry
iv) Confused - What might the other animals think of the lion’s vanity?
i) They admired it
ii) They found it silly
iii) They were jealous
iv) They didn’t notice
Hypothetical Scenarios
- If the lion had worn a paper crown, what might have happened?
i) It would blow away
ii) He would look majestic
iii) The hyena would steal it
iv) The snake would approve
Textual Evidence
- Which animal spoke the wisest words?
i) Giraffe
ii) Snake
iii) Zebra
iv) Vulture - Which animal’s suggestion was the most impractical?
i) Hyena
ii) Snake
iii) Zebra
iv) Giraffe
Author’s Purpose
- Why did the author include multiple animals giving advice?
i) To show different perspectives
ii) To make the story longer
iii) To confuse the lion
iv) To teach about animal habitats
Character Motivation
- Why did the zebra suggest flapping the mane?
i) To make the lion look funny
ii) Because zebras have stripes
iii) It thought it was helpful
iv) To impress the giraffe - Why did the snake give honest advice?
i) It wanted to trick the lion
ii) It cared about the lion’s wisdom
iii) It was afraid of the lion
iv) It wanted to be king
Predictive Questions
- What will the lion most likely do next time he sees his reflection?
i) Ignore it
ii) Roar at it
iii) Ask for more advice
iv) Dive into the river
Comparative Analysis
- How was the snake’s advice different from the others’?
i) It was about inner qualities
ii) It was about fashion
iii) It was funny
iv) It was confusing
Tone & Mood
- What tone does the snake use when speaking?
i) Harsh
ii) Humorous
iii) Wise
iv) Sarcastic
Conflict Resolution
- How was the lion’s internal conflict resolved?
i) By accepting himself
ii) By changing his mane
iii) By scaring the animals
iv) By leaving the jungle
Symbolism
- What might the river symbolize?
i) Life
ii) Self-reflection
iii) Danger
iv) Food - What was the lion doing at the beginning of the story?
Sleeping under a tree
ii. Sitting beside a river
iii. Hunting for food
iv. Playing with other animals - What made the lion look at his reflection?
The clear water of the river
ii. Another lion’s roar
iii. The animals’ laughter
iv. A sudden gust of wind - What did the lion think about his mane?
It was too colorful
ii. It was too old-fashioned
iii. It was too small
iv. It was perfect - How did the lion try to fix his mane?
By cutting it with his claws
ii. By dipping his paw in water
iii. By asking the zebra for help
iv. By shaking his head violently - What was the zebra’s suggestion?
To braid the mane
ii. To flap it all up
iii. To dye it black
iv. To shave it off - What did the giraffe recommend?
Adding some color
ii. Making it curly
iii. Cutting it short
iv. Covering it with leaves - What did the vulture propose?
A golden crown
ii. Some ribbons
iii. A hat made of leaves
iv. A necklace of bones - What was the hyena’s idea?
A flower garland
ii. A paper crown
iii. A tattoo
iv. A leather collar - How did the snake react initially?
It ran away scared
ii. It raised its head
iii. It started laughing
iv. It hid in the grass - What question did the lion ask the snake?
“Do I look handsome?”
ii. “What should I eat today?”
iii. “What do you think I should do?”
iv. “Where can I find a barber?” - What was the snake’s advice?
“Change your mane completely”
ii. “A wise king doesn’t need fancy hair”
iii. “You should wear a golden crown”
iv. “Ask the monkey for help” - How did the lion react to the snake’s words?
He got angry
ii. He laughed loudly
iii. He smiled and kissed the snake
iv. He ignored the advice - What did the lion realize about himself?
He was the strongest
ii. He was too vain
iii. He needed new friends
iv. He should leave the jungle - What did the lion do with his mane at the end?
Cut it off completely
ii. Dyed it a new color
iii. Shook it back into place
iv. Braided it neatly - What promise did the lion make?
To be a wise king
ii. To never look at his reflection again
iii. To punish the other animals
iv. To find a real crown - Which animal gave the most sensible advice?
Zebra
ii. Giraffe
iii. Snake
iv. Hyena - What was the main problem in the story?
The lion’s hunger
ii. The lion’s vanity
iii. The river drying up
iv. The animals’ fear - What lesson did the lion learn?
Appearance isn’t everything
ii. Snakes are wise
iii. Rivers make good mirrors
iv. Hyenas are funny - How did the lion feel after his realization?
Angry
ii. Embarrassed
iii. Satisfied
iv. Confused - What might happen next in the story?
The lion will change his mane again
ii. The animals will elect a new king
iii. The lion will focus on being wise
iv. The snake will become king - Why did the animals give suggestions?
They wanted to help
ii. They were afraid
iii. They wanted to mock him
iv. They were bored - What does the lion’s mane symbolize?
His age
ii. His royal status
iii. His strength
iv. His pride - Which suggestion was most ridiculous?
Flapping the mane
ii. Adding color
iii. Using ribbons
iv. Paper crown - How is the snake different from others?
It’s poisonous
ii. It’s wise
iii. It’s silent
iv. It’s small - What literary device is used when the lion talks to his reflection?
Metaphor
ii. Simile
iii. Personification
iv. Hyperbole
Here are 50 WH questions based on the lion’s story:
Basic Comprehension Questions
- Where was the lion sitting at the beginning of the story?
- What did the lion see in the river?
- Why was the lion unhappy with his appearance?
- How did the lion try to fix his mane initially?
- What animals gave suggestions to the lion?
Character-Specific Questions
- What did the zebra suggest the lion do with his mane?
- Why did the giraffe think adding color would help?
- What ridiculous idea did the hyena propose?
- How did the vulture think ribbons would improve the lion’s look?
- Why did the snake remain silent at first?
Plot Development Questions
- When did the lion realize he was being vain?
- How did the lion react to the snake’s advice?
- What made the lion change his mind about his appearance?
- Why did the lion kiss the snake?
- What promise did the lion make at the end?
Theme and Moral Questions
- What is the main lesson of this story?
- Why is wisdom more important than appearance for a king?
- How does this story show the danger of vanity?
- What does the lion’s mane symbolize in the story?
- Why did the author choose a snake to give the wisest advice?
Character Motivation Questions
- Why was the lion so concerned about his mane?
- What motivated the other animals to give suggestions?
- Why did the snake give different advice than the others?
- What made the lion finally accept his natural look?
- Why did the animals suggest impractical solutions?
Hypothetical Situation Questions
- What might have happened if the lion followed the hyena’s advice?
- How would the story change if the snake hadn’t spoken?
- What if the lion never looked at his reflection?
- How might the story be different if the lion was female?
- What would happen if the lion took all the animals’ advice?
Literary Analysis Questions
- What type of story is this (genre)?
- Why did the author use animals instead of humans?
- What literary device is used when the lion talks to his reflection?
- How does the setting (river/jungle) contribute to the story?
- What’s the significance of the lion being king in this fable?
Comparative Questions
- How are the zebra’s and giraffe’s suggestions similar?
- How does the snake’s advice differ from the others’?
- Compare the lion’s behavior before and after the snake’s advice
- How is this lion different from typical portrayals of lions?
- How are the vulture and hyena’s suggestions alike?
Critical Thinking Questions
- Why do people often worry about unimportant things like appearance?
- What makes someone a true leader – looks or wisdom?
- Why did the other animals give silly suggestions?
- What does the lion’s reaction to the snake reveal about his character?
- How might this story apply to real-life situations?
Detailed Comprehension Questions
- What exact words did the snake use to advise the lion?
- How exactly did the lion try to smooth his mane?
- What specific change did the lion make to his mane at the end?
- What exact promise did the lion make about his future behavior?
- How specifically did the lion’s attitude change from beginning to end?
Here are concise 2-sentence answers to your WH questions:
Basic Comprehension Questions
- The lion was sitting beside a river. He saw his reflection in the water.
- The lion saw his own reflection in the river. He was looking at his mane.
- He thought his mane looked too old. He wanted a new hairstyle.
- He dipped his paw in the river. He tried to smooth his messy mane.
- The zebra, giraffe, vulture and hyena gave suggestions. Later the snake gave advice.
Character-Specific Questions
- The zebra suggested flapping it all up. It thought this would suit the lion.
- The giraffe thought color would match his mustache. It believed this would improve his look.
- The hyena proposed a paper crown. This was the most ridiculous suggestion.
- The vulture thought ribbons would decorate his mane. It suggested this as an accessory.
- The snake was quietly observing first. It only raised its head initially.
Plot Development Questions
- When the snake gave wise advice. He realized his vanity was foolish.
- He smiled and kissed the snake. He appreciated its wisdom.
- The snake’s words made him reflect. He understood looks weren’t important.
- He kissed it to show gratitude. The snake helped him gain wisdom.
- He promised to be a wise king. He wouldn’t focus on looks anymore.
Theme and Moral Questions
- True leadership needs wisdom, not looks. Vanity is unimportant for rulers.
- Subjects respect wise decisions, not appearance. Leadership comes from judgment.
- His vanity wasted time on trivial matters. It distracted from important kingly duties.
- It represents his royal status. Also shows his pride and vanity.
- Snakes symbolize wisdom in fables. Its quiet nature contrasted others’ foolishness.
Character Motivation Questions
- He wanted to maintain royal dignity. His reflection made him self-conscious.
- They wanted to help their king. Some suggestions were playful or mocking.
- The snake understood true leadership. Others focused only on superficial fixes.
- The snake’s wisdom enlightened him. He realized his natural look was fine.
- They didn’t understand real leadership. Some wanted to humor or flatter him.
Hypothetical Situation Questions
- He would look ridiculous and childish. The crown might blow away easily.
- He might keep seeking vain solutions. His foolishness could continue longer.
- He wouldn’t have become vain. The story’s conflict wouldn’t happen.
- Gender stereotypes might change suggestions. Maybe beauty standards would differ.
- He’d look absurd with all changes. The mixed styles would clash badly.
Literary Analysis Questions
- It’s a moral fable. Uses animals to teach human lessons.
- Animals represent human traits simply. Makes the moral more universal.
- Personification – animals talk human-like. Also uses symbolism.
- The river provides reflection literally. Jungle setting establishes natural hierarchy.
- Tests what makes true royalty. Challenges traditional power symbols.
Comparative Questions
- Both suggested physical changes. Their ideas were about styling.
- Snake focused on inner qualities. Others suggested external fixes.
- First he was vain and insecure. Later became confident and wise.
- Usually lions are confident. This one showed vulnerability.
- Both proposed artificial additions. Their ideas were impractical.
Critical Thinking Questions
- People often judge by appearances. Society emphasizes looks too much.
- Wisdom earns lasting respect. Looks fade but good judgment remains.
- Some meant well but were unwise. Others might have mocked him.
- Shows he’s open to learning. Capable of self-improvement.
- Applies to leaders obsessed with image. Teaches substance over style.
Detailed Comprehension Questions
- “If a king is wise, nobody cares about hairstyle.” Spoke with a hissing sound.
- Dipped his paw in water. Tried to pat his mane smooth.
- He shook it back naturally. Didn’t change it artificially.
- To be a wise king always. Not bother about looks anymore.
Started vain about appearance. Ended focused on wisdom.