Who Will Be Ningthou Summary theme characters and moral
This is a story from Manipur named “Who Will be Ningthou,” which tells us about the qualities that a good ruler must-have. The story briefs certain qualities that every ruler needs to have to make the kingdom happy. In this story, we can learn about the qualities of a good ruler.
Detailed Summary of Who Will be Ningthou
There was a King and Queen in Manipur whose names were Ningthou and Leima. They ruled the land of Kangleipak in Manipur. Both of them are nice and kind rulers. They both wish that the kingdom stays happy. Similarly, the people in the kingdom also adore their royalty and love them dearly.
The King and Queen have four children- three sons and one daughter named Sanatombi, who is a beautiful soul with a pure heart. Everyone in the kingdom loves the daughter of the King. The king wants to choose an heir for the kingdom, and everyone thinks it’ll be one of the sons. However, he chooses his daughter as an heir.
As he is growing old, he wants someone kind and empathetic to rule the kingdom. The King did not follow old customs. He wanted the future heir of the kingdom to be very honest and one who can solve the problems of the people in the kingdom. He was worried about his kingdom. That’s why the King chose his daughter as an heir to keep the kingdom happy after him.
He wanted to decide as to who will be the rightful heir, so he proceeded to test all the three sons. He wished to see if any of his sons possessed the qualities required to be a good ruler. However, the King concluded that the three sons are worthless. The king didn't want any of his three sons to be the heir.
He does not see any good qualities in his sons to keep the kingdom happy without problems and help it prosper under any of their leadership. Then he decides that his daughter Sanatombi will be the next heir of the kingdom. The daughter Sanatombi is twelve years old. Although she was just twelve years old, the king still decided to make her the queen of the kingdom.
He does so because she is a kind-hearted person and has good leadership qualities. She is empathetic, one who can feel the pain of the people of the kingdom. She treats everyone equally and cares about animals, birds, and even the trees. Everyone in the kingdom loves and adores her. So the people in the kingdom also agreed with the King’s decision and were quite content with their future queen.
Conclusion of Who Will be Ningthou
This story tells us about what qualities make a good ruler. The story briefs that to be a great ruler, one must be kind towards anyone be it animals, nature or people. We all must be empathetic to everyone to make our world a better place to live in.
FAQs on Who Will Be Ningthou Short Summary and Explanation
1. What is the summary of Who Will Be Ningthou?
The short story “Who Will Be Ningthou?” by R.K. Narayan is about a Manipuri king who chooses his daughter as the next ruler because she shows true leadership qualities. The king and queen test their three sons and one daughter to decide who deserves to be the Ningthou (king). While the sons show pride and selfishness, Princess Sanajaoba shows kindness and compassion, especially toward animals and people. Impressed by her qualities, the king declares her the future ruler, proving that leadership depends on character, not gender.
2. Who are the main characters in Who Will Be Ningthou?
The main characters in “Who Will Be Ningthou?” are the royal family members of Manipur.
- The King – the wise ruler looking for a worthy successor
- The Queen – supports the king’s decision
- Sanajaoba – the compassionate princess
- The three princes – her brothers who expect to become king
3. Why did the king choose Sanajaoba as the next Ningthou?
The king chose Sanajaoba because she showed kindness, responsibility, and concern for others.
- She was gentle with animals.
- She cared about the suffering of people.
- She did not show pride or selfishness.
4. What does the word Ningthou mean?
The word Ningthou means king in the Manipuri language. In the story, it refers to the future ruler of the kingdom of Manipur. The title question, “Who Will Be Ningthou?”, asks who is most suitable to become the next king.
5. What is the central theme of Who Will Be Ningthou?
The central theme of “Who Will Be Ningthou?” is that true leadership is based on character, not gender. The story highlights important values such as:
- Compassion
- Kindness
- Responsibility
- Equality
6. How did the king test his children in Who Will Be Ningthou?
The king tested his children by observing their behavior rather than giving them formal exams.
- He noticed how they treated animals.
- He watched their reactions to difficult situations.
- He examined whether they were selfish or caring.
7. Why were the three princes not chosen as Ningthou?
The three princes were not chosen because they lacked compassion and humility.
- They were proud of their royal status.
- They did not show concern for others.
- They expected power simply because they were male heirs.
8. What lesson does Who Will Be Ningthou teach?
The story teaches that good leadership requires compassion and equality. It shows that:
- Gender does not decide capability.
- A ruler must care for people and animals.
- Kindness is more important than pride.
9. Is Who Will Be Ningthou a story about gender equality?
Yes, “Who Will Be Ningthou?” strongly promotes gender equality. The king breaks tradition by choosing his daughter instead of his sons as the next ruler. This decision proves that leadership qualities matter more than being male or female.
10. Who is the author of Who Will Be Ningthou?
The author of “Who Will Be Ningthou?” is R.K. Narayan, a well-known Indian writer. He is famous for writing simple yet meaningful stories that highlight human values, culture, and moral lessons.
