A comprehensive lesson on Leo Tolstoy's 'The Three Questions', focusing on plot, character development, and theme through interactive Word Splash vocabulary and collaborative analysis.
To feel sorry for or dissatisfied with something one has done.
3
VOCABULARY CHALLENGE
The man waited in ambush to kill the King. What is an ambush?
A) A peaceful meeting
B) A surprise attack
C) A large celebration
D) A royal decree
Correct Answer: B
Ambush (Noun/Verb)
A surprise attack by people lying in wait.
4
VOCABULARY CHALLENGE
The King spoke with the hermit. What is a hermit?
A) A person who lives alone
B) A leader of an army
C) A rich merchant
D) A court jester
Correct Answer: A
Hermit (Noun)
A person living in solitude as a spiritual discipline.
5
VOCABULARY CHALLENGE
The King wanted to know who the most necessary people were. What does necessary mean?
A) Optional or extra
B) Required to be present
C) Extremely annoying
D) Very old
Correct Answer: B
Necessary (Adj.)
Required to be done, achieved, or present; essential.
6
VOCABULARY CHALLENGE
The hermit told the King that the only important moment is now. What is a moment?
A) A long period of years
B) A very brief period
C) A heavy stone
D) A royal crown
Correct Answer: B
Moment (Noun)
A very brief period of time; the present time.
Entering the Story
Setting
A hermit’s house on the outskirts of the King’s village. Rustic, simple, and isolated.
Important Characters
A King: Seeking three universal truths.
A Hermit: A wise man living in solitude.
A Wounded Man: A former enemy seeking revenge.
Key Themes
Finding Purpose
True Leadership
Living in the Present
The Power of One
This reenactment of the famous starfish legend, about a man who questions why someone would attempt to help solve a problem so big it seems impossible to overcome, teaches students about the power of one small step toward change.
"The most important affair is to do [others] good, because for that purpose alone was man sent into this life!"
In the starfish legend, the man questions why the boy is bothering with a problem that seems "too big." How does the boy's response illustrate the Hermit's lesson that the "only important time is now"?
Plot Summary: The Quest for Answers
Beginning
A King believes success lies in three questions: When is the right time? Who are the most necessary people? What is the most important thing to do? Wise men fail to satisfy him.
Middle
The King visits a hermit in disguise. A wounded enemy arrives; the King and hermit save his life. The man, once an assassin, begs for the King's forgiveness.
End
The hermit explains the answers were revealed through the King's actions: the most important time is Now, the most important person is the one you are with, and the most important task is to do good.
Reflect & Discuss
Which of the three answers provided by the hermit do you think is the hardest for a leader to follow today? Why?
READING MISSION
CommonLit Access
1
Open CommonLit and find "The Three Questions" by Leo Tolstoy.
2
Read and annotate for evidence of character growth.
3
Complete all online assessment questions to fulfill the quest.
Collaborative Quest: Digital Synthesis
Your Mission:
Work with a partner to create one high-impact slide that synthesizes the story’s wisdom.
Slide Title Idea:
"The Wisdom of the Hermit"
Must Include:
1Thematic Statement: One powerful sentence.
2Plot Summary: 3-5 concise bullet points.
3Evidence: One "Gold Medal" quote.
4Reflection: Team response to prompts.
Quest Rubric
Total: 9 Points
Category
Mastery (3)
Progressing (2)
Needs Work (1)
Theme
Universal statement.
Statement is a topic.
Missing or unclear.
Evidence
Includes B/M/E & quote.
Missing section or quote.
Brief or incomplete.
Impact
Professional design.
Hard to read.
Lacks clarity.
Team
Reflection
"Include the answer to ONE of these prompts on your quest slide..."
A
Personal Connection
How could applying the hermit’s advice change a typical day in your life at school?
B
Character Analysis
If the King had not helped the wounded man, would he have ever found his answers?
SAMPLE STUDENT SLIDE
"The Wisdom of the Hermit"
Thematic Statement
The most important work a person can do is to help those who are in front of them right now.
Plot Summary
King seeks answers to three universal truths.
He visits a wise hermit and helps dig a garden.
They save a wounded man who was the King's enemy.
The man repents, and the King finds his answers through action.
Gold Medal Quote
"Remember that there is only one time that is important—Now! It is the most important time because it is the only time when we have any power."
Team Reflection (Option B)
Without helping the man, the King would have stayed a target. Helping his enemy showed his character grew from selfish king to compassionate human.
The Wisdom Pilgrimage
It is time to share your counsel with the Kingdom!
Display your slide on your device.
Grab your Pilgrimage Handout.
Protocol
Visit three other teams. Record their thematic statements and evidence insights.
"Journey far, gather wisdom!"
Final Wisdom
"Every detail in this story—from the King's disguise to the hermit's shovel—reveals the final theme."
