Read the story. A famous guru had followers all over the country, who often came to see him with costly gifts. Now and then he toured the regions himself in a comfortable, expensive palanquin, with a long line of followers walking behind. One day, as the procession passed through a village, a simple-looking man jumped in front of it and shouted, "Stop! Stop!" He would not let it move on. The sudden halt jolted the palanquin and the guru hit his head. He had a short temper, and he snapped, "What do you want, you fool?" "Teach me something wise," said the man. "Tell me how to get to heaven." "That's easy," sneered the guru. "Stand right there and lift your arms to the sky. You'll be in heaven in no time." The procession moved on, and the followers laughed as they looked back and saw the man doing exactly that. Years later the procession came through the same village. In the middle of the road stood a ragged, worn-out man, his arms still raised. "Who is that fool with his arms in the air?" asked the guru. His followers went to ask. "A guru told me this is how I would reach heaven," the man said, "so I have stood here ever since." The guru felt deeply ashamed. Moved by the man's simple, steady faith, he suddenly saw a vision of him rising to heaven. He stepped down from the palanquin and said, "Friend, you are a truly good man. Let me touch your feet. It is you who will take me to heaven." Illustrate any three key scenes from the story. Under each, describe what matters most in that scene in no more than two lines.
- Time limit
- 30 minutes
- Marks
- 20
What mentors look for
- Concept & originality
- Storytelling / communication
- Visual expression
- Observation
- Sketching skill
Source: NID B.Des DAT Prelims 2026, as recalled by students; reworded by Dnerd Studio