In the following question, a sentence is given in Direct speech. Out of the four alternatives, select the option that best expresses the same sentence in Indirect (reported) speech: He said to me, "Please be kind and help me."

Introduction / Context:
This question tests the rules for reporting polite requests in Indirect speech. The original sentence is: He said to me, "Please be kind and help me." You must understand how the word "please" is handled, how "said to" changes, and how the infinitive structure is used to express the request.

Given Data / Assumptions:

- Reporting clause: He said to me. - Reported words: "Please be kind and help me." - Tone: polite request (indicated by "please"). - The person being addressed is "me".

Concept / Approach:
When a Direct speech sentence expresses a request or plea, the reporting verb is usually changed from "said to" to "requested", "begged", or a similar verb that reflects politeness. The word "please" is normally dropped, and its sense is carried by the verb "requested". The rest of the sentence is typically restructured using an infinitive construction such as "to be kind and help him". The pronoun "me" becomes "him" inside the reported clause because "he" refers back to the original speaker and "me" refers to that same person when mentioned indirectly.

Step-by-Step Solution:
Step 1: Replace "said to me" with "requested me" to show that a request is being reported. Step 2: Omit "please" and let the verb "requested" carry the polite tone. Step 3: Convert the imperative "be kind and help me" into the infinitive structure "to be kind and help him". Step 4: Change the pronoun "me" to "him" to refer back to the speaker "he". Step 5: Combine the elements into a single reported sentence: He requested me to be kind and help him.

Verification / Alternative check:
To check correctness, imagine converting the Indirect sentence "He requested me to be kind and help him" back to Direct speech. A natural reconstruction is: He said to me, "Please be kind and help me." The core meaning of a polite request for assistance is preserved, and the pronouns all point to the correct participants in the conversation.

Why Other Options Are Wrong:
Option A uses "requested to me", which is grammatically incorrect; the verb "request" takes a direct object, so it should be "requested me". Option B keeps "told me" with "kindly help him", which does not clearly express the polite request "be kind and help me" and slightly alters the nuance. Option C has awkward phrasing: "to be kind to help him" is not idiomatic and does not flow naturally in English.

Common Pitfalls:
Exam candidates often either keep "please" in the reported clause or forget to change "said to" into a more suitable reporting verb like "requested" or "begged". Another common error is mishandling pronouns: the first person or object pronouns in the Direct speech must be changed according to who is speaking and who is reporting. Remember that requests and commands are usually reported with an infinitive construction ("to do something") instead of a full finite clause.

Final Answer:
He requested me to be kind and help him.