Fair Play: Class 6 NCERT English Chapter Guide

Summary of 'Fair Play'

The story is divided into three parts. In Part I, we meet two inseparable friends, Jumman Shaikh and Algu Chowdhry. Their friendship is a model for the entire village. Jumman has an old aunt who owns some property. She transfers this property to Jumman on the condition that he will take care of her. For a while, things go well. But soon, Jumman and his wife become tired of the old lady. They become rude and don't give her enough food. Fed up with the disrespect, the aunt asks for a monthly allowance to set up her own kitchen. When Jumman refuses, she decides to take her case to the village Panchayat.

In Part II, the Panchayat is held. The old aunt nominates Algu Chowdhry, Jumman's best friend, as the head Panch. Jumman is happy, thinking his friend will rule in his favour. However, Algu knows that as a Panch, he must not let his friendship cloud his judgement. He listens to both sides and delivers a verdict: Jumman must either pay his aunt a monthly allowance or return her property. This fair decision breaks their friendship, and Jumman becomes Algu's enemy, waiting for revenge.

In Part III, Algu is in a tight spot. He sells one of his bullocks to Samjhu Sahu, who promises to pay later. Sadly, the bullock dies because Sahu overworked and underfed it. When Algu asks for his money, Sahu refuses to pay. Algu takes the case to the Panchayat, and Sahu nominates Jumman as the head Panch! Algu's heart sinks. But as soon as Jumman sits in the Panch's seat, he realises the great responsibility of the position. He understands that justice is the voice of God. He sets aside his personal anger and gives a fair verdict, asking Sahu to pay Algu the money. Algu is overjoyed and embraces Jumman, and their friendship is restored, stronger than ever.

Meet the Characters

Jumman Shaikh

One of the main characters. He is a good friend to Algu initially but becomes selfish when dealing with his old aunt. He later understands the importance of justice when he becomes a Panch.

Algu Chowdhry

Jumman's best friend. He is an honest and upright man who values justice above his friendship. He acts as the head Panch in the case of Jumman's aunt.

Jumman's Aunt

An old woman who seeks justice from the Panchayat when her nephew, Jumman, mistreats her after taking her property.

Samjhu Sahu

A cart driver who buys a bullock from Algu but refuses to pay for it after the animal dies due to his negligence.

Understanding the Village Panchayat

1. Step 1: Bringing a Case — When a person in the village feels they have been wronged, like Jumman's aunt or Algu, they can bring their complaint to the Panchayat for a fair hearing.
2. Step 2: Nominating the Panch — The person bringing the case gets to nominate the head Panch (judge). In the story, the aunt nominates Algu, and later, Sahu nominates Jumman. This shows the trust people have in the system.
3. Step 3: The Hearing — The Panchayat, usually held under an old banyan tree, listens to both sides of the story. Both the complainant and the defendant get to present their arguments and evidence.
4. Step 4: The Verdict — After hearing everyone, the head Panch gives the final decision or verdict. The story teaches that at that moment, the voice of the Panch is considered the voice of God, meaning they must be completely impartial and just. The decision of the Panchayat is binding on everyone.

The Moral of the Story: Justice Above All

• The position of a judge (Panch) is sacred and demands absolute honesty and impartiality.
• Justice is bigger than any personal relationship, including friendship or enmity.
• The story's key phrase, 'The voice of the Panch is the voice of God,' means a judge must be guided by truth and fairness, not personal feelings.
• True friendship can be tested, but it is ultimately strengthened by honesty and mutual respect for what is right.

Practice Questions with Solutions

• Q: Why did Jumman's aunt decide to go to the Panchayat?
  A: Step 1: Initially, the aunt transferred her property to Jumman with the understanding that he would take care of her.
  Step 2: After a few years, Jumman and his wife started mistreating her. They became indifferent and did not give her enough food.
  Step 3: The aunt asked for a monthly allowance to set up her own kitchen, but Jumman insulted her and refused.
  Final answer: Since she was being disrespected and her request for an allowance was denied, she had no other choice but to seek justice from the village Panchayat.

• Q: How did Algu Chowdhry feel when he was nominated as the head Panch in the first case? Why did he give a verdict against his friend Jumman?
  A: Step 1: When Algu was nominated, he was in a difficult position. Jumman was his best friend, but his conscience told him he must speak the truth.
  Step 2: As the head Panch, he understood that he was in a position of great responsibility. He believed that the 'voice of the Panch is the voice of God'.
  Step 3: After listening to both sides, he realized that the aunt's claim was just. He had to put his duty as a judge above his personal friendship.
  Final answer: Algu felt conflicted but chose to be fair. He gave the verdict against Jumman because the evidence and principles of justice showed that Jumman was in the wrong.

• Q: What was the turning point in the story that led to Jumman and Algu's friendship being restored?
  A: Step 1: The turning point occurs in the story's third part when Jumman is nominated as the head Panch in Algu's case against Samjhu Sahu.
  Step 2: As soon as Jumman sat in the seat of the Panch, he realized the immense responsibility of the role. He understood what Algu must have felt.
  Step 3: Despite his anger towards Algu, Jumman set aside his personal feelings and delivered a fair judgment, ordering Sahu to pay Algu.
  Final answer: The turning point was when Jumman himself became a judge and had to make a fair decision. This act of justice made him understand Algu's earlier decision, leading to forgiveness and the restoration of their friendship.

• Q: What is the meaning of the title 'Fair Play'?
  A: Step 1: The title 'Fair Play' refers to the idea of being just, honest, and impartial, especially when in a position of power or judgment.
  Step 2: In the story, both Algu and Jumman demonstrate 'fair play' when they act as the head Panch. They rise above their personal feelings of friendship and enmity.
  Step 3: They both deliver verdicts based on truth and righteousness.
  Final answer: The title 'Fair Play' perfectly captures the central theme of the story, which is that justice and fairness must always be upheld, no matter the personal cost.

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