Question

Ranji is not at all eager for a second fight. Why does he go back to the pool, then?

Answer 1

Ranji is feeling weak and tired. He knows that he will be beaten if he has a second fight. But he thinks if he does not go to take up the challenge, he will lose his claim to the pool forever. He decides that it is better t o lose a fight than to lose his respect. So he goes back to the pool.

Answer 2

Explanation:

Ranji was not eager for a second fight, but he still went back to the pool because if he had not turned up, it would have been an acknowledgement of his defeat. He could not quietly accept his defeat. If he surrendered, he would be beaten forever. However, if he fought and got beaten, he could come again to fight and be beaten again. As long as he fought, he had the right to the pool in the forest.