Read the following passage carefully and answer the questions given below it. Certain words have been printed in the bold to help you locate them while answering some of the questions.
Long ago, the Kingdom of Gandhara was ruled by a just and good King. His subjects were very content, but as the King grew older, everyone wondered anxiously what would happen to the Kingdom. After all the King did not have any children who could take over the reins to the Kingdom.
Now, the King was an avid gardener and put lots of time and effort into tending his garden and planting the finest flowers, fruits and vegetables. One day, he proclaimed, “Tomorrow, I shall distribute seeds to the children of the Kingdom. The one who is able to grow the biggest, healthiest plant within three months will be the prince or the princess.” The next day, there was a long line of parents and children outside the palace. Everyone was eager to get a seed and have the opportunity to be the next King. A poor farmer’s son was among these children. Like the King, he too was fond of gardening. His backyard was full of beautiful plants. He took the seed from the King and planted it in a pot with great care. The weeks passed and he piled it with water and manure, but no plant appeared. He tried changing the soil and even transferred the seed to another pot, but at the end of three months, nothing had grown.
At last, the day came when the children had to go to the King to show him their plants. They started walking to the palace, dressed in their best, holding beautiful plants in their hands. The farmer’s son stood sadly, watching them go by. His father had watched him working hard with the seed and felt sorry for him. “Why don’t you got to the King with the empty pot?” he suggested. At least he will know you tried your best. So the farmer’s son too wore his best clothes and joined the others outside the palace, holding his empty pot in his hand and ignoring the laughter of those who saw him. Soon the King arrived and began his inspection. “I have watered this beautiful flower with the water from the sacred river,” said one. “I have kept my plant in a beautiful glass house to protect it from bad weather,” said another. “I have spent all my spare time caring for this plant,” said a third. Thus the children came forward one by one holding flowers of different shades, which were both beautiful and healthy. The King however did not look happy. At the end of the line stood the farmer’s son, and when the King reached him he stopped in surprise “Child, why have you come with an empty pot? Could you not grow anything?”
The boy looked down and said, “Forgive me, Your Highness. I tried my best, I gave it the best soil and manure I had, but the plant would not grow.” The King’s face broke into a smile. He enveloped the farmer’s son in his arms and announced, “Here is the crown prince! I had given everyone roasted seeds, which would never grow. I wanted to see which child would admit he or she had not been able to grow anything. Only this boy told the truth. I am sure he will rule our Kingdom with integrity.” And that was what happened.
When the King grew old and died many years later, the farmer’s son, who had learnt everything from him, came to the throne and ruled Gandhara justly.
Why did the King choose the farmer’s son as Gandhara’s future King?