Chapter 8: The Decision of the Panchayat
Chapter Introduction
“The Decision of the Panchayat” is a story about honesty, fairness, and wisdom. It tells us how a hardworking farmer was cheated by his cunning neighbour after buying a well. The matter was taken to the village Panchayat, which gave a clever and fair judgment. The story teaches us that truth always wins and cheating never succeeds.
Detailed Notes (Explanation)
This story is about a farmer and his neighbour.
The farmer was hardworking and owned two fields. When he became successful, he bought another field. There was a well next to it. Since he needed water for his crops, he bought the well from his neighbour.
The neighbour was a cunning man. The next day, when the farmer went to take water, the neighbour stopped him. He said, “I sold only the well, not the water. The water is still mine.”
The farmer became worried. He went to the village chief and explained the problem. The chief called a meeting of the Panchayat under the banyan tree. Many villagers gathered there.
Both sides told their story. The neighbour kept repeating that he had not sold the water. He was adamant and refused to change his words.
After listening carefully, the Panchayat gave its decision. The village chief said, “It is true that only the well was sold. But if the water is still yours, then you cannot keep your water in the farmer’s well. Remove the water at once. If you do not remove it, it will belong to the owner of the well.”
The neighbour realised his mistake. He had to apologise and pay a fine. The villagers praised the wisdom of the Panchayat.
Message of the Story:
Honesty is the best policy.
Wisdom and fairness solve problems peacefully.
Cheating never brings success.
Community leaders should be just and wise.
Word Meanings
| Word | Meaning |
|---|---|
| Panchayat | A village council that makes decisions |
| Cunning | Clever in a dishonest way |
| Adamant | Refusing to change one’s mind |
| Apologise | To say sorry |
| Wisdom | The ability to make good decisions |
| Judgment | A final decision |
Question & Answers
Q1. Why did the farmer buy the well?
Answer: The farmer bought the well because he needed water for his fields.
Q2. Why did the neighbour stop the farmer from taking water?
Answer: The neighbour said he had sold only the well, not the water.
Q3. What kind of person was the neighbour?
Answer: The neighbour was cunning and dishonest.
Q4. What did the farmer do when he was worried?
Answer: He went to the village chief to seek help.
Q5. Where did the Panchayat meeting take place?
Answer: The meeting took place under the banyan tree in the village.
Q6. What did the neighbour repeat again and again?
Answer: He said that he sold only the well, not the water.
Q7. Was the neighbour ready to change his decision?
Answer: No, he was adamant and refused to change his words.
Q8. What clever solution did the Panchayat give?
Answer: They said if the water belonged to the neighbour, he must remove it from the farmer’s well.
Q9. What would happen if the neighbour did not remove the water?
Answer: The water would belong to the farmer.
Q10. How did the farmer feel after the decision?
Answer: He felt relieved and happy.
Q11. What punishment did the neighbour receive?
Answer: He had to apologise and pay a fine.
Q12. Why did the villagers praise the Panchayat?
Answer: They praised the Panchayat for its wisdom and fair judgment.
Q13. What lesson do we learn from the story?
Answer: We learn that honesty and fairness always win.
Q14. Why is it important to listen to both sides before giving a decision?
Answer: It helps in making a fair and correct judgment.
Q15. What would you have done if you were the village chief?
Answer: I would have listened carefully and given a fair decision like the Panchayat.