The Decision of the Panchayat Chapter Notes | English Santoor Class 5 - New NCERT PDF Download

Introduction 

This story is a clever tale from a village, where honesty and fairness are put to the test. It revolves around a hardworking farmer, a cunning neighbour, and a wise village Panchayat. When a dispute arises over the use of water from a well, the story shows how justice is delivered not with anger, but with calm reasoning and wisdom. Through this, readers learn that truth and fairness always win in the end, even when someone tries to cheat.

Detailed Summary

Once there was a hardworking farmer who lived in a small village. He had two fields and worked very hard every day. Over time, he became successful and bought another field to grow more crops. Near this new field, there was a well. The farmer knew he would need water for his crops, so he bought the well from his neighbour. However, this neighbour was a cunning man who wanted to cheat the farmer.

The next day, when the farmer went to use the well, the neighbour stopped him. He told the farmer that he had only sold the well, not the water inside it. He claimed the water still belonged to him, and so the farmer couldn’t use it. The farmer was shocked and didn’t know what to do. So, he went to the village chief and explained everything. The chief listened carefully and said a Panchayat meeting would be held to solve the problem.

On the day of the meeting, the Panchayat members gathered under the big banyan tree in the middle of the village. Many villagers also came to watch. The farmer told everyone what had happened. When asked, the neighbour again said that the well was sold but the water was still his. The villagers and the Panchayat tried to make the neighbour understand that he was being unfair, but he refused to listen. The Panchayat members discussed the matter among themselves and then got ready to give their judgment.

The village chief first said that it was true the neighbour had only sold the well. The neighbour smiled, thinking he had won. But then the chief added that if the water still belonged to the neighbour, he had no right to keep it in someone else’s well. He must either remove all the water or use it up immediately. Otherwise, the water would belong to the farmer, who now owned the well. The farmer felt happy and relieved, while the neighbour realised his trick had failed. He had to pay a fine and say sorry to the farmer. The villagers praised the wisdom of the Panchayat and learned an important lesson about honesty and fairness.

Theme/ Message

• The theme of the story revolves around fairness. It shows that people should be fair in their dealings with one another.
• Another important theme is the idea that cleverness or cunningness can backfire. The neighbour tried to cheat the farmer, but in the end, he faced consequences.
• The story teaches the value of community and seeking help in difficult situations. The farmer went to the village chief for assistance, showing that it is okay to ask for help when needed.
• The message of the story is that honesty is always the best policy. Cheating others can lead to trouble, as seen with the neighbour who tried to trick the farmer.
• The story also emphasises the importance of standing up for oneself and seeking justice. The farmer did not give up, and he found a way to resolve the issue.
• Overall, the story encourages people to act with integrity and to resolve conflicts peacefully through discussion and community support.

Difficult Words

• Cunning: Very clever in a way that is dishonest or sneaky.
• Panchayat: A council of village elders who make decisions for the community.
• Prospered: To be successful or to have a lot of money because of hard work.
• Summoned: To be called to come to a meeting or gathering.
• Judgment: A decision made after considering the facts of a situation.
• Relieved: Feeling happy after a worry or problem is resolved.
• Apologise: To say sorry for something you did wrong.
• Gathering: A group of people coming together for a specific purpose.
• Adamant: Unwilling to change one's mind or position; very firm.
• Wisdom: The ability to make good choices based on knowledge and experience.
• Source: A place where something comes from, like water coming from a well.