The Decision of the Panchayat Class 5 English Chapter 8 CBSE Notes 2025-26

In this chapter, "The Decision of the Panchayat", students read the story of a hardworking farmer who faces an unfair situation when he buys a well from his cunning neighbour, only to be told he does not own the water inside it. The tale explores how community decisions and wise leadership from the village chief help solve problems in rural life. The text provides valuable lessons in fairness, truthfulness, and the importance of peaceful conflict resolution.

Summary of the Story The chapter begins with a farmer in a small village who owns two fields. Through his hard work, he becomes prosperous and purchases another field, along with a well next to it to water his crops.

However, his neighbour, who was the previous owner of the well, tries to trick him. The neighbour claims he sold only the well and not the water inside, and stops the farmer from using any water. The farmer becomes distressed and seeks the help of the village chief.

The issue is taken to the Panchayat for resolution. The Panchayat, a group of village elders, listens to both sides under the village banyan tree. The neighbour remains stubborn, repeating that only the well was sold.

The village chief, with wisdom and fairness, gives a clever judgment: since the water is not sold, the neighbour cannot keep his water in someone else's well. Unless the neighbour removes the water immediately, it will belong to the new owner of the well. The judgement exposes the neighbour’s dishonesty, making him apologise and pay a fine.

Key Characters and Qualities

• The Farmer: Hardworking, honest, and trusting. His perseverance helps solve his problem peacefully.
• The Neighbour: Cunning and dishonest, trying to cheat the farmer by using tricky words.
• The Village Chief: Wise, patient, and just. Uses logical reasoning to ensure a fair solution.
• Panchayat Members: Represent the collective wisdom and authority of the village, supporting fair decisions.

New Words and Their Meanings

• Panchayat: Village council or group handling local issues.
• Adamant: Refusing to give in or change one’s mind.
• Cunning: Clever in a tricky or dishonest manner.
• Apologise: To say sorry for a mistake or wrongdoing.
• Wisdom: Using knowledge and good sense to make fair decisions.

Comprehension Questions and Activities The chapter includes several important exercises to check if students have understood the story. Some main questions ask:

• Why did the farmer buy the well and how did he feel when stopped from using it?
• How did the Panchayat handle the dispute and what decision was finally given?
• Students are also encouraged to think and discuss the fairness of the Panchayat’s decision and role-play solutions for real-life classroom conflicts.

Vocabulary: Match the Meanings The chapter gives a table to match key words from the story with their meanings. This activity helps students build vocabulary with words like prospered, cunning, worried, summon, adamant, and judgment. For example, "prospered" means to grow wealthy, and "judgment" means a decision by a group.

Grammar Practice: Prepositions and Word Formation Students fill in blanks using suitable prepositions such as in, at, by, after, under, with, to, and for. This exercise improves sentence formation and grammar understanding. There is also a section on suffixes, especially adding 'less' to form words like useless, careless, hopeless, fearless, and colourless. Learners are encouraged to make their own sentences using these words.

Letter Writing and Speaking Skills The chapter asks students to imagine themselves as the farmer and write a letter to a friend, explaining the incident. This develops creative expression and confidence. There is also a speaking section where students discuss picture-based situations in groups and share their own endings, promoting communication abilities.

Listening and Additional Reading Comprehension Listening comprehension is practiced through a short passage about Sri Ramakrishna Paramahamsa, who inspires kindness and teaches that all religions are like rivers reaching the same ocean. This segment has multiple-choice questions for practice. In addition, a reading comprehension passage on "The Neem Tree" asks about the uses of neem, why it’s called a magic tree, and how its different parts serve people in daily life.

Fun Activities and General Knowledge For a fun challenge, the chapter includes a "spot the difference" activity to encourage careful observation. The "Did You Know?" section gives interesting facts about the Banyan tree, including its long lifespan and status as the national tree of India, helping students learn more about their natural environment.

Moral and Life Lessons from the Story The story helps students reflect on important values: honesty always wins over cleverness used for cheating; unfair actions lead to negative results; and community wisdom is valuable in solving problems. Learners come to understand that peaceful talk and logical thinking lead to better outcomes than arguments and tricks. The Panchayat’s role shows the significance of justice and collective judgement in society.

Conclusion "The Decision of the Panchayat" is more than a village tale—it encourages students to think critically, understand the importance of community, and build good communication, grammar, and comprehension skills. The exercises reinforce English language abilities through engaging activities, while also inspiring learners to be fair, wise, and responsible in their own lives.

CBSE Class 5 English Notes Chapter 8 – The Decision of the Panchayat: Complete Revision Guide

These CBSE Class 5 English Chapter 8 notes make revision simple by organising all key events from "The Decision of the Panchayat" in clear points and lists. Illustrations of grammar, vocabulary, and life lessons help reinforce concepts for better retention. Use these notes to boost confidence before exams.

The chapter-wise structure ensures you won’t miss any important questions or vocabulary from the CBSE Class 5 syllabus. With these revision notes, students gain quick summaries, practice activities, and clear answers for classroom and exam preparation.