NCERT Textbook: The Decision of the Panchayat | English Santoor Class 5 - New NCERT PDF Download

 Page 1


Let us Read
8
 The Decision of the 
Panchayat
Once upon a time, there lived a farmer in a small 
village. He had two fields. He used to work very 
hard. When he prospered, he bought another 
field. There was a well next to it. Since the farmer 
   needed a source of water for his fields, he 
      bought the well from his neighbour.
 The neighbour was a cunning man.  
He thought of a plan to cheat the farmer.
Chapter 8.indd   91 6/10/2025   4:32:14 PM
Page 2


Let us Read
8
 The Decision of the 
Panchayat
Once upon a time, there lived a farmer in a small 
village. He had two fields. He used to work very 
hard. When he prospered, he bought another 
field. There was a well next to it. Since the farmer 
   needed a source of water for his fields, he 
      bought the well from his neighbour.
 The neighbour was a cunning man.  
He thought of a plan to cheat the farmer.
Chapter 8.indd   91 6/10/2025   4:32:14 PM
92
Santoor  Grade 5
 The next day, when the farmer reached the 
well, he found the neighbour standing there. 
He refused to let the farmer take water from the 
well. On asking why, he replied, “I sold only the 
well to you, not the water. The water still belongs 
to me. You cannot take it.”
 The worried farmer didn’t know what to 
do. So, he went to the village chief and told her 
about his case, and said, “He is not letting me 
take the water.”
 The village chief fixed a day for a meeting of 
the Panchayat. 
 The day came, and the members of the 
Panchayat gathered under the banyan tree in 
the centre of the village. Both the farmer and his 
neighbour were summoned. Most of the villagers 
were present.
Chapter 8.indd   92 6/10/2025   4:32:16 PM
Page 3


Let us Read
8
 The Decision of the 
Panchayat
Once upon a time, there lived a farmer in a small 
village. He had two fields. He used to work very 
hard. When he prospered, he bought another 
field. There was a well next to it. Since the farmer 
   needed a source of water for his fields, he 
      bought the well from his neighbour.
 The neighbour was a cunning man.  
He thought of a plan to cheat the farmer.
Chapter 8.indd   91 6/10/2025   4:32:14 PM
92
Santoor  Grade 5
 The next day, when the farmer reached the 
well, he found the neighbour standing there. 
He refused to let the farmer take water from the 
well. On asking why, he replied, “I sold only the 
well to you, not the water. The water still belongs 
to me. You cannot take it.”
 The worried farmer didn’t know what to 
do. So, he went to the village chief and told her 
about his case, and said, “He is not letting me 
take the water.”
 The village chief fixed a day for a meeting of 
the Panchayat. 
 The day came, and the members of the 
Panchayat gathered under the banyan tree in 
the centre of the village. Both the farmer and his 
neighbour were summoned. Most of the villagers 
were present.
Chapter 8.indd   92 6/10/2025   4:32:16 PM
 The farmer explained the situation 
to the gathering. The chief asked the 
neighbour why he was not letting the 
farmer draw water from the well. The 
cunning man said the same thing again, 
“I sold only the well to him, not the water 
in it. The water still belongs to me. So, he 
cannot take my water.”
 The members of the Panchayat, as well 
as the villagers, tried to reason with him, 
but he was adamant. Finally, the Panchayat 
members discussed the matter among 
themselves. Then they stood up to give the 
judgment. The villagers also stood up.
Chapter 8.indd   93 6/10/2025   4:32:20 PM
Page 4


Let us Read
8
 The Decision of the 
Panchayat
Once upon a time, there lived a farmer in a small 
village. He had two fields. He used to work very 
hard. When he prospered, he bought another 
field. There was a well next to it. Since the farmer 
   needed a source of water for his fields, he 
      bought the well from his neighbour.
 The neighbour was a cunning man.  
He thought of a plan to cheat the farmer.
Chapter 8.indd   91 6/10/2025   4:32:14 PM
92
Santoor  Grade 5
 The next day, when the farmer reached the 
well, he found the neighbour standing there. 
He refused to let the farmer take water from the 
well. On asking why, he replied, “I sold only the 
well to you, not the water. The water still belongs 
to me. You cannot take it.”
 The worried farmer didn’t know what to 
do. So, he went to the village chief and told her 
about his case, and said, “He is not letting me 
take the water.”
 The village chief fixed a day for a meeting of 
the Panchayat. 
 The day came, and the members of the 
Panchayat gathered under the banyan tree in 
the centre of the village. Both the farmer and his 
neighbour were summoned. Most of the villagers 
were present.
Chapter 8.indd   92 6/10/2025   4:32:16 PM
 The farmer explained the situation 
to the gathering. The chief asked the 
neighbour why he was not letting the 
farmer draw water from the well. The 
cunning man said the same thing again, 
“I sold only the well to him, not the water 
in it. The water still belongs to me. So, he 
cannot take my water.”
 The members of the Panchayat, as well 
as the villagers, tried to reason with him, 
but he was adamant. Finally, the Panchayat 
members discussed the matter among 
themselves. Then they stood up to give the 
judgment. The villagers also stood up.
Chapter 8.indd   93 6/10/2025   4:32:20 PM
94
Santoor  Grade 5
 The village chief began, “After hearing both 
sides, we agree that it is correct to say that only 
the well was sold.” The neighbour gave a satisfied 
smile. “However,” continued the village chief, “if 
you have NOT sold the water and the water is 
yours, then you have no business keeping your 
water in his well. Remove the water or use it all 
up immediately. If not, the water will belong to 
the owner of the well.”
 The farmer was relieved and gave a shout 
of joy. The cunning neighbour realised that 
cheating will not lead 
anywhere. He had to 
pay a fine as well as 
apologise to the farmer. 
The villagers praised 
the wisdom of the 
Panchayat.
New Words
panchayat adamant cunning
apologise wisdom
Chapter 8.indd   94 6/10/2025   4:32:22 PM
Page 5


Let us Read
8
 The Decision of the 
Panchayat
Once upon a time, there lived a farmer in a small 
village. He had two fields. He used to work very 
hard. When he prospered, he bought another 
field. There was a well next to it. Since the farmer 
   needed a source of water for his fields, he 
      bought the well from his neighbour.
 The neighbour was a cunning man.  
He thought of a plan to cheat the farmer.
Chapter 8.indd   91 6/10/2025   4:32:14 PM
92
Santoor  Grade 5
 The next day, when the farmer reached the 
well, he found the neighbour standing there. 
He refused to let the farmer take water from the 
well. On asking why, he replied, “I sold only the 
well to you, not the water. The water still belongs 
to me. You cannot take it.”
 The worried farmer didn’t know what to 
do. So, he went to the village chief and told her 
about his case, and said, “He is not letting me 
take the water.”
 The village chief fixed a day for a meeting of 
the Panchayat. 
 The day came, and the members of the 
Panchayat gathered under the banyan tree in 
the centre of the village. Both the farmer and his 
neighbour were summoned. Most of the villagers 
were present.
Chapter 8.indd   92 6/10/2025   4:32:16 PM
 The farmer explained the situation 
to the gathering. The chief asked the 
neighbour why he was not letting the 
farmer draw water from the well. The 
cunning man said the same thing again, 
“I sold only the well to him, not the water 
in it. The water still belongs to me. So, he 
cannot take my water.”
 The members of the Panchayat, as well 
as the villagers, tried to reason with him, 
but he was adamant. Finally, the Panchayat 
members discussed the matter among 
themselves. Then they stood up to give the 
judgment. The villagers also stood up.
Chapter 8.indd   93 6/10/2025   4:32:20 PM
94
Santoor  Grade 5
 The village chief began, “After hearing both 
sides, we agree that it is correct to say that only 
the well was sold.” The neighbour gave a satisfied 
smile. “However,” continued the village chief, “if 
you have NOT sold the water and the water is 
yours, then you have no business keeping your 
water in his well. Remove the water or use it all 
up immediately. If not, the water will belong to 
the owner of the well.”
 The farmer was relieved and gave a shout 
of joy. The cunning neighbour realised that 
cheating will not lead 
anywhere. He had to 
pay a fine as well as 
apologise to the farmer. 
The villagers praised 
the wisdom of the 
Panchayat.
New Words
panchayat adamant cunning
apologise wisdom
Chapter 8.indd   94 6/10/2025   4:32:22 PM
95
The Decision of the Panchayat
A. Answer the following questions.
 1. Why did the farmer buy the well?
 2. Why did the farmer become upset?
 3. How did the Panchayat solve the problem?
 4. What was the final judgment given by the 
Panchayat?
Let us Think
B. Think and discuss
 1. Do you think the decision of 
the Panchayat was correct?
 2. You have an extra painting 
box which you wish to share 
with your friends in the 
class to complete an activity. 
Two of your best friends, 
Radha and Sita, fight for the 
box. How would you deal 
with the situation so that 
you are fair to both of them?
 3. Who said to whom:
  a. “I sold only the well, not 
the water.”
  b. “Remove the water 
or use it all up 
immediately.”
  c. “He is not letting me 
take the water.”
Chapter 8.indd   95 6/10/2025   4:32:23 PM