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The Play in One Problem
Four young men describe a missing camel perfectly - even though they have never seen it.
The camel's merchant decides that such knowledge can mean only one thing:
they must be the thieves.
Think before you read: How can the four men prove that they used observation and reasoning, not theft?
Meet the people who matter
Ram Datt
Confident and sharp-eyed. He reads the camel's uneven footprints.
Shiv Datt
Notices which side of the road the camel has eaten from.
Har Datt
Uses tiny drops of blood to work out that the camel has a short tail.
Dev Datt
Calm and hopeful. He studies the depth of the camel's footprints.
The Merchant
Distressed about his camel and too quick to accuse the four travellers.
The King of Ujjain
Listens to evidence, judges fairly, and rewards wisdom.
Where are we?
- Scene I: a dusty road leading to Ujjain at midday.
- Scene II: the King's grand court, with courtiers, pillars, draperies and a golden canopy.
- The four friends have travelled for ten days because they hope to find suitable work in Ujjain.
The Real Challenge
The four men do not need to guess where the camel is. They must explain
how each small clue led to one exact conclusion
. Their future depends on whether the King accepts evidence instead of the Merchant's assumption.
- Ram Datt, Shiv Datt, Har Datt and Dev Datt travel towards Ujjain in search of work. They are tired, but they remain hopeful and determined.
- They notice fresh camel tracks and study them carefully. Each man finds a different clue.
- A distressed Merchant arrives looking for his missing camel.
- The four men correctly say that the camel is lame, blind in the right eye, short-tailed and suffering from stomach pain.
- Because they know so much, the Merchant assumes they stole the camel and takes them to the King.
- In court, each young man explains the clue behind his conclusion.
- The King sees that their reasoning is clear and the Merchant's accusation has no proof.
- The Merchant leaves ashamed. The King appoints the four men as advisers.
- The journey that began as a search for ordinary work ends with a place of honour in the royal court.
Play Flow
Journey to Ujjain
hardship · hope · search for work
▼
Camel Tracks
observation · four different clues
▼
The Accusation
knowledge without sight looks suspicious
▼
The King's Court
evidence · reasoning · fair judgement
▼
Wisdom Opens the Way
innocence proved · advisers appointed
Topics We Will Study in This Chapter
Topics We Will Study
Scene I · The Road to Ujjain
1.1 The Road and the Four Travellers
1.2 Ten Days Without Work
1.3 Hope of Serving the King
1.4 A Plan Is Needed
1.5 Fresh Camel Tracks
1.6 Four Different Discoveries
1.7 The Merchant Asks for Help
1.8 The Camel's Other Problems
1.9 Suspicion Becomes an Accusation
1.10 They Go to the King
Scene II · The King's Court
2.1 The Court and the Complaint
2.2 The Merchant Repeats His Charge
2.3 Ram Datt Explains the Limp
2.4 Shiv Datt Explains the Blind Eye
2.5 Har Datt Explains the Short Tail
2.6 Dev Datt Explains the Pain
2.7 The King Gives His Judgement
2.8 The King Offers Them Work
2.9 The New Advisers
Summary & Revision
Play Summary Map
Quick Revision Table
How the Camel Clues Work
Character Sketches
Key Themes
Features of a Play
Title
Glossary
NCERT Questions and Activities
Before We Read
Scene I · Let us Discuss
Scene II · Let us Discuss
Let us Think and Reflect
Let us Learn
Let us Listen
Let us Speak
Let us Write
Let us Explore
Extra Practice Questions
Characters and Setting — from the Play
Characters
| The King of Ujjain | : a young King |
| Four Young Men | : Ram Datt, Shiv Datt, Har Datt, and Dev Datt |
| The Merchant | |
| Two Sentries | |
| Setting | : A road leading to Ujjain, visible in the distance. Later, the King's court, adorned with rich tapestries , tall pillars, and regal decor. The time is midday. |
