Chapter 1, "The Wit That Won Heart!", from the NCERT Class 8 English textbook is a delightful and insightful story that explores the immense power of intelligence, quick thinking, and wisdom over brute force or material wealth. The chapter typically features an account, often a folk tale or a historical anecdote, where a character's sharpness and presence of mind help them overcome a seemingly impossible challenge or a formidable opponent, thereby winning respect and admiration—or, as the title suggests, a heart.
This story serves as a critical lesson for young readers, demonstrating that true strength lies in one's intellect and ability to navigate complex situations with cleverness. It encourages students to value and develop their critical thinking and communication skills.
We provide comprehensive NCERT Solutions to help students understand the nuances of the story, analyse character traits, and effectively prepare their answers to all textbook questions. These solutions are based solely on the NCERT Class 8 English syllabus and provide clear, concise, and informative explanations to improve students' writing and comprehension skills. These resources are perfect for homework assistance, test preparation, and chapter revision.
In Class 8 English – Chapter 1, "The Wit That Won Heart!"—students learn important lessons about the strategic use of intelligence. Our NCERT Solutions for Class 8 English help you understand the story's depth more clearly and analyse its themes and characters thoroughly.
Download the free PDF, so you can quickly review these solutions before your exams.
The central focus of this chapter is the triumph of wit and intellect over physical or hierarchical power. It highlights how a witty and ingenious person can successfully solve a problem or challenge a powerful figure without resorting to conflict. The story often reveals the character of the protagonist through their clever dialogue and actions, making the reader admire their wisdom.
Important Lessons from This Chapter:
Let us discuss
Tenali Rama first planned a clever strategy before acting.
Answer:
The courtiers avoided the king and made excuses.
Answer:
The ministers were sceptical and mocked Tenali Rama.
The king realised his mistake and apologized.
I Read the extracts and answer the questions that follow.
Rama nodded thoughtfully. “If you like, I will try my best
to resolve this matter, Your Highness. But this needs a
well-planned approach and I may need time to find the right
strategy.”
Answer:
The queen believes that only Tenali Rama can help because he is witty, wise, and trusted by the king.
A. She is angry at the king for overreacting.
B. She regrets the unintended misunderstanding.
C. She believes the poem was not worth listening to.
D. She is worried that the king might punish her. Answer:
B. She regrets the unintended misunderstanding.
Answer:
Tenali Rama’s response shows his patience, wisdom, and ability to plan carefully before acting.
The king’s reaction shows that he is sensitive and
(has a lot of faith/takes great pride) in his poetry. ]
Answer: takes great pride
“Thirumalambal”, he began, his voice gentle, “I have been foolish. I see now that I overreacted. I let my pride blind me. I’m so sorry.”
The queen, who had longed for this moment, smiled and replied, “If you
like, we can leave this quarrel behind us. I would very much like to listen to your poem.”
When the king said, “I let my pride blind me”, he means that .
Answer:
his pride prevented him from seeing the situation clearly.
Answer:
The queen says so because she wants to forgive and move on peacefully.
The king acknowledges that his pride clouded his judgement, which shows . (intelligence and courage/maturity and self-awareness)
Answer:
maturity and self-awareness
Answer:
The queen is forgiving and kind-hearted.
1. Why was the Vijayanagara Empire considered to be in its ‘Golden Era’ during Krishnadeva Raya’s reign?
Answer:
The Vijayanagara Empire was considered to be in its ‘Golden Era’ during Krishnadeva Raya’s reign because under Krishnadeva Raya, art, literature, and architecture flourished.
Answer:
Tenali Ramakrishna gained a special place in the king’s court through his quick wit, humour, and clever problem-solving skills.
Answer: The palace became dull and lifeless as the king stopped seeing the queen.
Answer: Tenali Rama used a humorous comparison with sowing seeds and yawning to make the king reflect on his actions.
Answer: When Tenali Rama introduced ‘special’ paddy seeds, the courtiers mocked him and doubted his claim.
Answer: The king apologizes and peace is restored. The story teaches the value of empathy, wit, and communication.
Focus on the Core Conflict: The story clearly establishes the conflict: a physical object (the handi) must be filled with an abstract concept (intelligence), thereby highlighting the absurdity of the challenge.
Birbal's Character Development: The chapter further solidifies Birbal's reputation as a man of unparalleled wisdom, resourcefulness, and humour.
Moral Lesson Imparted: It subtly teaches that wisdom and intelligence are not commodities to be sold or stored, but rather qualities that develop organically (as a pumpkin grows).
Comprehensive Question Coverage: The NCERT Solutions provide answers for all in-text and end-of-chapter questions, covering comprehension, vocabulary, and grammar.
Clarity and Simplicity: The explanations are written in plain language to ensure that Class 8 students can easily grasp complex literary themes.
Exam-Oriented Practice: The solutions help students formulate perfect, well-structured answers for subjective-type questions in their school examinations.v
(Session 2026 - 27)