Important Questions Class 8 Chapter 3.1 Balbharati English Maharashtra Board

The Plate of Gold

Short Questions

1. What is the central theme of the poem “The Plate of Gold”?

• The central theme is that true love and kindness come from selfless actions, not just material charity.

2. Who were the first people to claim the plate of gold?

• Nobles, scholars, hermits, and those known for their charity and virtue.

3. How did the priests decide who should receive the plate of gold?

• They listened to each claimant’s deeds of kindness and judged who deserved it most.

4. Why did the plate turn into lead when given to the claimants?

• Because their acts of charity were not driven by true selflessness.

5. What did the poor beggars outside the temple do?

• They waited outside in hopes that the claimants’ charity would help them.

6. Who was the person that finally received the plate of gold?

• A simple peasant who showed true kindness and compassion to a blind beggar.

7. How did the peasant show kindness before entering the temple?

• He comforted a blind beggar and held his hands with love and care.

8. What happened when the peasant touched the plate of gold?

• It shone even brighter than before, proving his true love for mankind.

9. What lesson does the poem teach about love and kindness?

• True kindness comes from the heart and is not done for rewards or recognition.

10. What did the priests and other claimants say when the peasant received the plate?

• They agreed that he truly deserved it and accepted the decision.

Long Questions

1. How did the news of the plate of gold spread, and what was its impact?

• The news spread quickly across the land, and soon many nobles, scholars, and holy men came to the temple, each hoping to prove their worthiness by recounting their acts of charity. The temple became a center for people displaying their good deeds, yet their kindness was not always sincere.

2. Why did Heaven refuse to grant the plate to the initial claimants?

• Despite their grand acts of charity, the claimants failed the true test of kindness as they never showed genuine love and concern for the poor. Their giving was done for recognition rather than from the heart, so when they touched the plate, it turned into lead, revealing their selfishness.

3. What effect did the presence of beggars have on the claimants?

• The beggars outside the temple served as a test of true compassion, but most claimants only gave them alms without looking into their eyes or acknowledging their pain. Their actions were more about proving their worthiness for the golden plate than about genuinely helping the needy.

4. How did the peasant’s behavior differ from that of the other claimants?

• Unlike the others, the peasant did not come seeking a reward but simply to pray. His kindness was spontaneous and heartfelt, as he stopped to comfort a blind beggar, holding his hands and speaking words of encouragement, showing that true love is in small, selfless actions.

5. What message about charity does the poem convey?

• The poem emphasizes that real charity is not just about giving money or wealth but about showing empathy and love. True kindness comes from a sincere heart, without expecting anything in return, and only such acts are recognized by Heaven.

6. How does the transformation of the plate reflect the idea of divine justice?

• The plate of gold acted as a divine test, turning into lead for those who gave with pride and self-interest but remaining golden for the peasant, who helped out of pure love. This transformation symbolizes that only genuine goodness is valued in the eyes of God.

7. Why was the peasant surprised when he was chosen to receive the plate?

• The peasant did not come to the temple expecting a reward; he was there simply to pray. When the priest called him forward, he obeyed out of humility, and he was shocked when the plate remained golden in his hands, proving that his love was the purest of all.

8. How does the poem define the concept of love?

• The poem suggests that love is not just about giving but about truly understanding and feeling for others. It shows that love is demonstrated through simple acts of kindness, like comforting a suffering person, rather than through grand displays of generosity.

9. What role did the priests play in deciding the rightful owner of the plate?

• The priests carefully listened to the claimants and judged their deeds over two years, but they could not decide the true owner of the plate. In the end, it was Heaven itself that made the choice, proving that divine wisdom goes beyond human judgment.

10. How does the poem contrast material wealth with spiritual wealth?

• The poem illustrates that material wealth does not define a person’s goodness, as many rich and charitable claimants failed the test. True spiritual wealth lies in compassion, kindness, and selflessness, as demonstrated by the humble peasant who ultimately received the plate.