Class 8 English - ICSE
The Invention of Shoes - Rabindranath Tagore (Poetry)
The Invention of Shoes by Rabindranath Tagore is a delightful, humorous poem adapted from a Bengali folk tale. It tells the story of King Hobu, who foolishly commands his minister Gobu to rid his kingdom of dust without altering the earth. After failing many sweeping attempts that fill the skies with dust and blind the citizens, a wise leather worker suggests a simple solution: covering the king's feet with leather instead of the entire earth. This poem matters for ICSE Class 8 board exams as it tests narrative comprehension, poetic devices, and critical thinking regarding themes of wisdom versus vanity.
Start Learning FreeKey Concepts
Satire and Humour
Tagore uses gentle satire to mock the absurdity of absolute monarchs and sycophantic ministers who complicate simple problems.
King Hobu and Minister Gobu
The primary characters whose impractical demands and frantic, panicked solutions drive the comedic plot of the poem.
The Dust Dilemma
The central conflict where the king's feet getting dusty leads to an impossible royal decree to cover the whole kingdom in dust-free surfaces.
The Leather Solution
The clever turning point introduced by an ordinary artisan, proving that simple, practical wisdom often trumps royal power.
Allegory of Wisdom
The underlying message that true intelligence lies in adapting oneself to the environment rather than trying to change the entire world.
Important Formulas
Board Exam Info
In ICSE Class 8 English Literature exams, this chapter typically carries 5 to 10 marks. Common question types include reference to context (RTC), character sketches of King Hobu and Minister Gobu, short answer questions about the plot progression, and value-based questions on practical wisdom.
Frequently Asked Questions
What was King Hobu's foolish command?
King Hobu commanded that all the dust in his kingdom be cleared away so that his royal feet would never get dirty again.
How did the initial cleaning attempts affect the kingdom?
Sweeping the dust raised massive clouds of dust that filled the sky, blinded citizens, choked rivers, and completely ruined daily life.
Who finally solved the king's problem and how?
A simple leather worker solved the problem by suggesting that instead of covering the whole earth in leather, they should just cover the king's feet with leather shoes.
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