Chapter the-decision-of-the-panchayat: The Decision of the Panchayat | Short Questions

The farmer went to the village chief because he was extremely worried and felt cheated. After paying for the well, he was shocked when the neighbor refused to let him draw water, using a tricky argument. The farmer realized that he could not solve this dispute through a simple conversation with such a dishonest man. He sought the help of the village chief to get justice and to have the matter settled fairly by the village council.

During the Panchayat meeting, the villagers did not just sit as silent observers. Many of them were present under the banyan tree and tried to reason with the neighbor. They attempted to explain why his behavior was unfair and illogical, hoping he would change his mind and let the farmer take the water. However, the neighbor remained adamant and refused to listen to their collective voice, showing how stubborn and committed he was to his dishonest plan.

The village chief delivered a clever judgment by accepting the neighbor's claim that only the well was sold. She then stated that if the water belonged to the neighbor, he had no business keeping it in the farmer's well. She ordered him to either remove the water immediately or pay for the space it occupied. If he failed to do so, the water would automatically become the property of the well's owner. This brilliant logic forced the neighbor to admit defeat.

The neighbor faced multiple consequences for his attempt to cheat the farmer. First, he was humiliated in front of the entire village as his cunning plan was exposed by the chief's wisdom. Second, he was forced to apologise to the farmer for his unfair behavior. Finally, the Panchayat ordered him to pay a fine as a penalty for his dishonesty. These punishments served as a warning to others in the village that cheating and greed would not be tolerated.

In the story, the banyan tree serves as the traditional meeting place for the Panchayat. It represents a place of shade, community, and ancient wisdom where important social decisions are made. By gathering under the banyan tree, the villagers follow a long-standing tradition of settling disputes in a public and fair manner. It highlights the rural setting of the story and emphasizes that justice is rooted in the common ground of the village, accessible to everyone regardless of their wealth.

Water is considered 'priceless' because it is an essential resource that is so valuable that a monetary price cannot truly represent its worth. Without water, life itself is not possible, and for a farmer, it is the fundamental requirement for growing food and surviving. The term suggests that some things in nature are far beyond the concept of buying and selling, and they must be shared fairly for the survival and well-being of the entire community.