Prose 11: The Three Vows
Prose • Author: Mulk Raj Anand • Original EG notes in simple English
The Three Vows — EG's own notes, in simple English
Book: Rainbow Bhag-1 (Purani pustak — 2025 se pehle wali) (BSEB, Class 11) | Prose 11 | Type: Prose | Author: Mulk Raj Anand
This page carries Educational Galaxy's own original notes — a theme-level summary in simple English, not a copy of the textbook. No official textbook PDF is given here.
Diagram (labels are printed on the image): Three stepping stones on a path — a general picture of the three vows, not a book scene.
Sharing food with a neighbour — a general picture of service in daily life.
What the chapter is about
A poor man makes three vows — promises to live honestly, to serve others and to stay true to his word. Life tests each vow: poverty tempts him to cheat, selfishness tempts him to turn away, and fear tempts him to break his word.
He holds firm, and the story shows that character is proved in hardship, not in comfort. A vow is easy to speak and hard to keep; keeping it is what makes a person trustworthy and respected.
What you should learn
Character is proved when a promise is kept in hardship, not merely spoken in comfort.
Key Terms
- Vow — A solemn promise.
- Honesty — Truthfulness in word and deed.
- Temptation — A pull to do wrong for gain or ease.
- Character — The moral quality of a person.
- Trustworthy — Worthy of others' trust.
Remember
- A poor man takes three vows: honesty, service and truth to his word.
- Poverty, selfishness and fear test each vow.
- He refuses to cheat even when tempted.
- He keeps his word despite hardship.
- Character is proved in difficulty, not comfort.
Exam Tip / Common Mistake
Common mistake: listing the vows without the TESTS. The story's point is holding firm when tested.
Chart / Table
| Point | Detail |
|---|---|
| Vow 1 | Honesty — tested by poverty |
| Vow 2 | Service — tested by selfishness |
| Vow 3 | Truth to word — tested by fear |
| Result | Trust and respect earned |
Practice set (try on your own)
- What three vows does the man take?
Hint: Think about honesty, service and keeping one's word. - How does poverty test his first vow?
Hint: Think about temptation to cheat for gain. - How is his second vow tested?
Hint: Think about selfishness versus service. - What tempts him to break his word?
Hint: Think about fear. - Why is a kept vow valuable?
Hint: Think about trust.
Questions with Answers
- What are the three vows?
To live honestly, to serve others, and to stay true to his word. They are simple promises that cover a whole moral life. - How is each vow tested?
Honesty is tested by poverty and the chance to cheat; service is tested by selfishness; keeping his word is tested by fear and hardship. - Why does the man not break his vows?
Because he believes a promise means nothing if it breaks at the first difficulty. His character holds him firm. - What does the story say about character?
That character is not shown in easy times. It is proved when a person does right although it costs him. - What lesson should students take?
Keep small promises — homework, truth, help to others. Small kept promises build a trustworthy character.
How to use this page: First read the summary, say the key terms in your own words, then try the practice set without looking. Finally check yourself with the questions and answers. Get your answers checked by your teacher or parents.
- A poor man takes three vows: honesty, service and truth to his word.
- Poverty, selfishness and fear test each vow.
- He refuses to cheat even when tempted.
- He keeps his word despite hardship.
- Character is proved in difficulty, not comfort.