This time’s story is ‘नीमको पात’ (neem ko paat) which translates to as ‘Leaves of Neem’. Neem (azadirachta indica) is also known as the Indian Lilac, Nim Tree amongst other names.
Neem is considered to be highly medicinal plant by the science of ayurveda (Alternative Medicine) among other things. However, the only thing you need to know is that its leaves are very, very bitter.
This story is a Grade 4 story.
Also, this time I have included an audio version for the story. The voice belongs to me and it might not be really ‘polished’ enough. Since this is my first time, I do ask for critical feedback and I hope you will make the best use of the audio!
Link to the audio here. (select the file and click ‘Download’)
Also, you can click here to go to my public cloud folder which contains resources that may be useful. Have fun!
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STORY
“तिमीले किन सबै बिरुवाहरु उखेलेर फ्याँक्यौ ?”
“सानै छँदा त यस बिरुवाको पात यस्तो तितो छ, ठूलो भएपछि त यसमा विष पो फल्ने हो कि! त्यसैले अहिले नै उखेलेर फ्याँकेको हुँ ।”
यदि तिमीलाई पनि मानिसहरुले बिरुवालाई जस्तै व्यवहार गरे भने त्यसको परिणाम के होला , भन त ।”
माथिको संवाद एउटा कथाबाट लिइएको हो । कथाको विषयवस्तु धेरै अघिको हो । कथा यस्तो छ । एक जना राजकुमार ज्यादै उद्दण्ड र घमण्डी थिए । उनी आफूभन्दा ठूलाका अपमान गर्दा रमाइलो मान्थे । राजकुमारको यस्तो बानीले सबैलाई चिन्तित पारेको थियो । राजकुमारको उपद्रवदेखि सबै हैरान भएका थिए । राजा स्वयम् पनि राजकुमारका चालचलनदेखि जनताका सामु लज्जित थिए । उनी राजकुमारको दुर्व्यवहारबाट कसरी मुक्ति पाउन सकिन्छ भन्ने उपाय सोचिरहन्थे । उनले कैयौँ पटक राजकुमारलाई नसम्झाएको पनि होईन तर राजकुमारमा सुधार भएन । राजकुमारको चाला सुध्रिने छाँट पनि देखिएन । राजालाई यही कुराको चिन्ताले सतायो ।
राजाको चिन्ताको कारण बुद्धको कानमा पुग्यो । राजालाई पिर परेको ठानी बुद्धले उनलाई डाक्न पठाए । राजाले पनि बुद्धलाई भेटी राजकुमारको सबै वृत्तान्त सुनाए । उनी राजकुमारको दुर्व्यवहारबारे सुन्न नपरोस् भन्ने चाहन्थे । राजाले बुद्धसँग बिन्ती गरे, “यो समस्या कसरी समाधान होला, म त साह्रै चिन्तित भइसकेँ ।” बुद्धले सान्त्वना दिँदै भने, “दु:खी नहोऊ राजन् । राजकुमार अवश्य पनि सुध्रिन्छन् । बरु उनलाई मकहाँ पठाऊ ।”
राजा खुशी हुँदै दरबारतिर फर्किए । उनले चिन्ताबाट मुक्ती पाइने भयो भन्ने ठाने । उनले राजकुमारलाई बुद्धको सन्देश पनि सुनाए । बुद्धको सन्देश भने राजकुमारले स्वीकार गरे ।
भोलिपल्ट नै राजकुमार बुद्धका अगाडि उभिए । बुद्धले पनि नीमका बिरुवाका केहि पातहरु टिपेर ल्याउ भनी उनलाई आदेश दिए । उन ले पनि तुरुन्तै पातहरु टिपेर ल्याए । यसपछि बुद्धले भने, ‘राजकुमार, तिमी ज्यादै आज्ञाकारी रहेछौ, अब तिमीले ल्याएका पातहरु चपाऊ त ।” राजकुमारले पातहरु मुखमा हाले । उनी पात चपाउन थाले । एकैछिनपछि उनले मुख बिगारे । उनले पातहरु चपाउन नसकी थुके । राजकुमार नीमका पातहरुको स्वाद थाहै थिएन । तीताले गर्दा उनी एक्छिन रन्थनिए । उनलाई बेस्सरी रिस उठ्यो ।
आफ्नो रिस नियन्त्रण गर्न नसकी उनी सबै नीम का बिरुवा उखेलेर फ्याँक्न थाले । आफूले देखेजति नीमका बिरुवाहरु उखालेर उनी बुद्धका सामु उभिए ।
बुद्धले राजकुमारसँग सोधे, “तिमीले किन नीम का सबै बिरुवा हरु उखेलेर फ्याँकेको ?” राजकुमारले जवाफ दिए, “सुन्नुहोस्, सानै छँदा त यस बिरुवाको पात यस्तो तितो छ, ठूलो भएपछि त यसमा विष पो फल्ने हो कि! त्यसैले अहिले नै उखेलेर फ्याँकेको हुँ ।”
राजकुमारको उत्तर सुनेपछि बुद्धले भने, “राजकुमार, तिमी पनि अहिले नीमका यी बिरुवा जस्तै साना छौ । तिमी मानिसहरुसँग तीतो र मन नपर्ने व्यवहार गर्छौँ। यदि तिमीलाई पनि मानिसहरुले बिरुवालाई जस्तै व्यवहार गरे भने त्यसको परिणाम के होला, भन त ।”
यी कुरा सुनेपछि राजकुमार छाँगाबाट खसेजस्ता भए । उनलाई आफूले ज्यादै नराम्रो काम गरेको रहेछु भन्ने लाग्यो। उनलाई आफ्नो भुलको पछुतो भयो । पछि उनको बानीबेहोरा असल हुँदै गयो । अनि उनी सबै मानिसहरुका मन पर्ने पनि भए ।
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TRANSLATION
“तिमीले किन सबै बिरुवाहरु उखेलेर फ्याँक्यौ ?” (timi`le kina sabai biruwa`haru ukhelera phyakyau?)
= Why did you pull and throw away all the saplings?
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“सानै छँदा त यस बिरुवाको पात यस्तो तितो छ, ठूलो भएपछि त यसमा विष पो फल्ने हो कि! त्यसैले अहिले नै उखेलेर फ्याँकेको हुँ ।” (sanai chada ta yas biruwa`ko paat yasto tito cha, thulo bhaepachi ta yas`ma bish po phalne ho ki! tyasaile ahile nai ukhelera phyakeko hu)
= (This) sapling’s leaves are so bitter when it is (this) small, when (it) is big poison might just fruit! That’s why I pulled and threw it away now.
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“यदि तिमीलाई पनि मानिसहरुले बिरुवालाई जस्तै व्यवहार गरे भने त्यसको परिणाम के होला , भन त ।” (yadi timi`lai pani maanus`haru`le biruwa`lai jastai byawahaar gare bhane tyasko parinaam ke hola, bhana ta)
= If people did the same thing to you as you did to the saplings, what would be its consequences, tell?“
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माथिको संवाद एउटा कथाबाट लिइएको हो । (mathi`ko sambaad euta katha`bata liieko ho)
= The above passage is taken from a story.
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कथाको विषयवस्तु धेरै अघिको हो । (katha`ko bishayabastu dherai aghi`ko ho)
= The story’s theme is from many times back.
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कथा यस्तो छ । (katha yasto cha)
= The story is like this.
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एक जना राजकुमार ज्यादै उद्दण्ड र घमण्डी थिए । (ek jana raajkumar jyaadai uddanda ra ghamandi thie)
= (There used to be) A Prince (who) was very unruly and haughty.
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उनी आफूभन्दा ठूलाका अपमान गर्दा रमाइलो मान्थे । (uni aafubhanda thula`ka apamaan garda ramaailo maanthe)
= He found dishonouring his elders fun.
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राजकुमारको यस्तो बानीले सबैलाई चिन्तित पारेको थियो । (rajkumar`ko yasto baani`le saba`lai chintit paareko thiyo)
= This kind of habit of the Prince made everyone worry.
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राजकुमारको उपद्रवदेखि सबै हैरान भएका थिए । (rajkumar`ko upadraw`dekhi sabai hairaan bhaeka thie)
= Everyone was tired of the Prince’s nuisance.
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राजा स्वयम् पनि राजकुमारका चालचलनदेखि जनताका सामु लज्जित थिए । (raja swayam pani rajkumar`ka chaalchalan`dekhi janata`ka saamu lajjit thie)
= The King himself was also ashamed (to appear) in front of the public due to the Prince’s behaviour.
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उनी राजकुमारको दुर्व्यवहारबाट कसरी मुक्ति पाउन सकिन्छ भन्ने उपाय सोचिरहन्थे । (uni raajkumar`ko durbyawahaar`bata kasari mukti paauna sakincha bhanne upaaya sochirahanthe)
= He (the King) used to think of ways on how to get rid of the Pince’s erratic behaviour.
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उनले कैयौँ पटक राजकुमारलाई नसम्झाएको पनि होईन तर राजकुमारमा सुधार भएन । (un`le kayau patak rajkumar`lai nasamjhaaeko pani hoina tara rajkumar`ma sudhaar bhaena)
= It is not that he did not persuade him enough but still there was no improvement on the Prince.
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राजकुमारको चाला सुध्रिने छाँट पनि देखिएन । (raajkumar`ko chala sudhrine chaat pani dekhiena)
= Not an indication of improvement was seen on the Prince’s behaviour.
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राजालाई यही कुराको चिन्ताले सतायो । (raja`lai yahi kura`ko cihnta`le sataayo)
= The King was haunted by this very thing.
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राजाको चिन्ताको कारण बुद्धको कानमा पुग्यो । (raja`ko chinta`ko kaaran buddha`ko kaan`ma pugyo)
= The reason for the King’s plight came to Buddha’s ears.
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राजालाई पिर परेको ठानी बुद्धले उनलाई डाक्न पठाए । (raja`lai pir pareko thani budhha`le un`lai daakna pathaae)
= Thinking the King was distressed, Buddha summoned him.
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राजाले पनि बुद्धलाई भेटी राजकुमारको सबै वृत्तान्त सुनाए । (raja`le pani buddha`lai bheti raajkumar`ko sabai brittanta sunaae)
= The King also met Buddha and told an overview of the Prince.
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उनी राजकुमारको दुर्व्यवहारबारे सुन्न नपरोस् भन्ने चाहन्थे । (uni raajkumar`ko durbyawahaar`bare sunna naparsos bhanne chahanthe)
= He desired that he would not never hear about the prince’s erratic behaviour again.
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राजाले बुद्धसँग बिन्ती गरे, “यो समस्या कसरी समाधान होला, म त साह्रै चिन्तित भइसकेँ ।” (raja`le buddha`sanga binti gare, “yo samasya kasari samaadhaan hola, ma ta sahrai chintit bhaisake)
= The King requested with Buddha, “How will this problem resoulve, I am really worried”
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बुद्धले सान्त्वना दिँदै भने, “दु:खी नहोऊ राजन् । (buddha`le santwana didai bhane, “dukhi nahou raajan)
= Buddha said…giving comfort, “Don’t be sorrowful, crowned head.
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राजकुमार अवश्य पनि सुध्रिन्छन् । (raajkumar awashya pani sudhinchan)
= The Prince will surely improve.
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बरु उनलाई मकहाँ पठाऊ ।” (baru un`lai ma`kaha pathaau)
= Rather, send him to me.“
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राजा खुशी हुँदै दरबारतिर फर्किए । (raja khusi hudai darbar`tira pharkie)
= The King returned to his castle, happy.
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उनले चिन्ताबाट मुक्ती पाइने भयो भन्ने ठाने । (un`le chintaa`bata mukti paaine bhayo bhanne thane)
= He thought he would (finally) be free of his worries.
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उनले राजकुमारलाई बुद्धको सन्देश पनि सुनाए । (un`le raajkumar`lai buddha`ko sandesh pani sunaae)
= He also told of Buddha’s message to the Prince.
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बुद्धको सन्देश भनेर राजकुमारले स्वीकार गरे । (buddha`ko sandesh bhanera raajkumar`le swikaar gare)
= The Pince accepted for it was Buddha’s message.
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भोलिपल्ट नै राजकुमार बुद्धका अगाडि उभिए । (bholipalta nai raajkumar budhha`ka agaadi ubhie)
= By Tomorrow only the Prince stood before Buddha.
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बुद्धले पनि नीमका बिरुवाका केहि पातहरु टिपेर ल्याउ भनी उनलाई आदेश दिए । (buddha`le pani neem`ka biruwa`ka kehi paat`haru tipera lyaau bhani un`lai aadesh di`e)
= Buddha had also told him to pick up and bring some Neem Leaves from its saplings.
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उनले पनि तुरुन्तै पातहरु टिपेर ल्याए । (un`le pani turuntai paat`haru tipera lyaae)
= He also brought the Neem Leaves immediately.
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यसपछि बुद्धले भने, ‘राजकुमार, तिमी ज्यादै आज्ञाकारी रहेछौ, अब तिमीले ल्याएका पातहरु चपाऊ त ।” (yaspachi buddha`le bhane, ‘raajkumar, timi jyaadai aagyaakari rahechau, aba timi`le lyaaeka paat`haru chapaau ta)
= After this, Buddha said, “Prince, you are very diligent, now chew the leaves you have brought.”
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राजकुमारले पातहरु मुखमा हाले । (raajkumaar`le paat`haru mukh`ma haale)
= The Prince put some leaves in (his) mouth.
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उनी पात चपाउन थाले । (uni paat chapaauna thale)
= He started to chew the leaves.
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एकैछिनपछि उनले मुख बिगारे । (ekaichinpachi uni mukh bigaare)
= Immediately he frowned his mouth.
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उनले पातहरु चपाउन नसकी थुके । (un`le paat`haru chapaauna nasaki thuke)
= He spat the leaves without being able to chew.
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राजकुमार नीमका पातहरुको स्वाद थाहै थिएन । (raajkumar neem`ka paat`haru`ko swaad thahai thiena)
= The Prince did not know of the taste of the Neem’s leaves.
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तीताले गर्दा उनी एक्छिन रन्थनिए । (tita`le garda uni ekchin ranthanie)
= The Prince became dizzy for some time due to the bitterness.
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उनलाई बेस्सरी रिस उठ्यो । (un`lai bessari ris uthyo)
= He became extremely irate.
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आफ्नो रिस नियन्त्रण गर्न नसकी उनी सबै नीमका बिरुवा उखेलेर फ्याँक्न थाले । (aafno ris niyantran garna nasaki uni sabai neem`ka biruwa ukhelera phyaakna thaale)
=For he could not control his anger, he started to pick up the saplings of Neem and started to throw them.
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आफूले देखेजति नीमका बिरुवाहरु उखालेर उनी बुद्धका सामु उभिए । (aafu`le dekhejati neem`ka biruwa`haru ukhaalera uni buddha`ka saamu ubhie)
= He picked up all the Neem Saplings he could see and then he stood in front of Buddha.
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बुद्धले राजकुमारसँग सोधे, “तिमीले किन नीम का सबै बिरुवा हरु उखेलेर फ्याँकेको ?” (buddha le raajkumar`sanga sodhe, “timi`le kina sabai biruwa`haru ukhelera phyakyau?)
= Buddha asked the Prince, ” Why did you pull and throw away all the saplings?”
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राजकुमारले जवाफ दिए, “सुन्नुहोस्, सानै छँदा त यस बिरुवाको पात यस्तो तितो छ, ठूलो भएपछि त यसमा विष पो फल्ने हो कि! (raajkumar`le jawaaph die, “sanai chada ta yas biruwa`ko paat yasto tito cha, thulo bhaepachi ta yas`ma bish po phalne ho ki!)
= The Prince replied, “Listen, (These) saplings’ leaves are so bitter when it is (this) small, when (it) is big poison might just fruit!
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त्यसैले अहिले नै उखेलेर फ्याँकेको हुँ ।” (tyasaile ahile nai ukhelera phyakeko hu)
= That’s why I pulled and threw it away now.
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राजकुमारको उत्तर सुनेपछि बुद्धले भने, “राजकुमार, तिमी पनि अहिले नीमका यी बिरुवा जस्तै साना छौ । (raajkumar`ko uttar sunepachi buddha`le bhane, “raajkumar, timi pani ahile neem`ka yi biruwa jastai sana chau)
= After hearing the Prince’s reply Buddha said, “Prince, right now you are small just like these Neem saplings.
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तिमी मानिसहरुसँग तीतो र मन नपर्ने व्यवहार गर्छौँ। (timi maanis`haru`sanga tito ra man naparne byawahaar garchau)
= You do bitter and dislikable actions with people.
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यदि तिमीलाई पनि मानिसहरुले बिरुवालाई जस्तै व्यवहार गरे भने त्यसको परिणाम के होला, भन त ।” (yadi timi`lai pani maanis`haru`le biruwa`lai jastai byawahaar gare bhane tyas`ko parinaam ke hola, bhana ta)
= If people did the same thing to you as you did to the saplings, what would be its consequences, tell?“
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यी कुरा सुनेपछि राजकुमार छाँगाबाट खसेजस्ता भए । (yi kura sunepachi raajkumar chaaga`bata khase`jasta bhae)
= After hearing this, The Prince felt as if he fell from a waterfall.
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उनलाई आफूले ज्यादै नराम्रो काम गरेको रहेछु भन्ने लाग्यो। (un`lai aafu`le jyaadai naraamro kaam gareko rahechu bhanne laagyo)
= He felt he did really terrible things (to people).
.
उनलाई आफ्नो भुलको पछुतो भयो । (unlai aafno bhul`ko pachuto bhayo)
= He felt regret over his mistakes.
.
पछि उनको बानीबेहोरा असल हुँदै गयो । (pachi un`ko baanibehora asal hudai gayo)
= After that his Behaviour started to improve.
.
अनि उनी सबै मानिसहरुका मन पर्ने पनि भए । (ani uni sabai maanis`haru`ka man parne pani bhae)
= He soon became everyone’s favourite.
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VOCABULARY
बिरुवा (biruwa) = Sapling
छँदा (chada) = Variation of हुँदा (huda), a form of the verb hunu
तितो (tito) = Bitter
विष (bish) = Poison
व्यवहार (byawahaar) = Behaviour
परिणाम (parinaam) = Consequence
संवाद (sambaad) = Dialogue; Passage
विषयवस्तु (bishayabastu) = Theme
राजकुमार (rajkumar) = Prince
उद्दण्ड (uddanda) = Aggressive; Unruly
घमण्डी (ghamandi) = Haughty; Proud
अपमान (apamaan) = Dishonour; Disrespect; Insult
चिन्तित (chintit) = Worroed
हैरान (hairaan) = Fed up; Sick of
सुधार (sudhaar) = Improvement
उपाय (upaaya) = Solution
मुक्ति (mukti) = Salvation; Liberation; Freedom
दुर्व्यवहार (durbyawahaar) = Bad Behaviour (literally)
सामु (saamu) = In front
जनता (janata) = Citizens; People
चालचलन (chaalchalan) = Conduct; Deportment
स्वयम् (swayam) = Itself
चाला (chaalaa) = Behaviour; Actions
छाँट (chaat) = Indication
कारण (kaarran) = Reason
पिर (pir) = Anxiety; Worry
डाक्न (daakna) = Form of verb डाक्नु (daaknu), which means ‘To summon’
वृत्तान्त (brittanta) = Outline; Summary
बिन्ती (binti) = Request
समाधान (samaadhaan) = Solution
समस्या (samasyaa) = Problem
सान्त्वना (saantwanaa) = Comfort
अवश्य (awashya) = Certainly; Surely; Of course
सन्देश (sandesh) = Message
स्वीकार (swikaar) = Accept
भोलिपल्ट (bholipalta) = By tomorrow
आदेश (aadesh) = Command
आज्ञाकारी (aagyaakari) = Dilligent
रन्थनिए (ranthanie) = Form of verb रन्थनिनु (ranthaninu), which means ‘To get dizzy’
बेस्सरी (bessari) = Heavily; Extremely
नियन्त्रण (niyantran) = Control
छाँगा (chaga) = Waterfall
पछुतो (pachuto) = Remorse; Regret
बानीबेहोरा (baanibehora) = Habits; Behaviour
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QUESTIONS
1. Give a synonym of the word छाँगा (chaga).
2. Was the Prince’s behaviour that important or was it trivial? Did the people worry for nothing?
3. There are many words which can be translated into behaviour. List them.
4. Suppose the Prince loved bitter things. What would be Buddha’s reaction then?
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ANSWERS (for illustrative purposes only)
1. झरना (jharana)
3. बानीबेहोरा (banibehora), चाला (chala), चालचलन (chaalchalan), व्यवहार (byawahaar)