Fair Play Class 6 Question Answer and Explanation

The chapter “Fair Play” is taken from Melody English for students of JKBOSE and Honeysuckle English for students of NCERT. It is a story written by Prem Chand. You have already been through the Summary and Word Meanings of Fair Play in my last post. This particular post is about Fair Play Class 6 Question Answer and Explanation. Let’s get started:

Fair Play Class 6 Question Answer and Explanation

Introduction

Fair Play is a story about two best friends Jumman Shaikh and Aglu Chowdary. It is written by Prem Chand. It tells us about how both of them realize that justice and doing the right things is above every relationship even friendship.

Fair Play Class 6 Question Answers

Working with the Text

A. Match the sentences under I with those under II.

I

1. Jumman and Algu were the best of friends.
2. Jumman’s aunt transferred her property to him.
3. The aunt decided to appeal to the panchayat.
4. Algu was unwilling to support the aunt.
5. Jumman was very happy to hear Algu’s name as head Panch.

II

1. He believed that his friend would never go against him.
2. She wanted justice.
3. In the absence of one, the other took care of his family.
4. The condition was that he would be responsible for her welfare.
5. The bond of friendship between him and Jumman was very strong.

Ans.

I	II
1. Jumman and Algu were the best of friends.	3. In the absence of one, the other took care of his family.
2. Jumman’s aunt transferred her property to him.	4. The condition was that he would be responsible for her welfare.
3. The aunt decided to appeal to the panchayat.	2. She wanted justice.
4. Algu was unwilling to support the aunt.	5. The bond of friendship between him and Jumman was very strong.
5. Jumman was very happy to hear Algu’s name as head Panch.	1. He believed that his friend would never go against him.

B. Who says this to whom and why?

C. Answer the following questions.

Working with Language

A. Replace the italicized portion of each sentence below with a suitable phrase from the box. Make necessary changes, wherever required.

look after swallow make it up keep mum go into ease one’s conscience as ill-luck would have it a tight spot take chances my heart sank

1. The best way to avoid an unnecessary argument is to remain silent.
2. Unfortunately, the train I was trying to catch was cancelled.
3. He has been told not to take risks while driving a car through
4. The patient needs to be properly taken care of.
5. Why don’t the two of you end your quarrel by shaking hands?
6. I was in a difficult situation till my friends came to my rescue.
7. When I saw a pile of dirty dishes, I felt very disappointed.
8. I will examine the matter carefully before commenting on it.
9. They criticised him in the meeting but he accepted without protest all the criticism.
10. It will free me from worry to know that I had done nothing wrong.

Ans.

1. The best way to avoid an argument is to keep mum.
2. As ill-luck would have it, the train I was trying to catch was cancelled.
3. He has been told not to take chances while driving a car through a crowded street.
4. The patient needs to be properly looked after.
5. Why don’t the two of you make it up by shaking hands?
6. I was in a tight spot till my friends came to my rescue.
7. When I saw a pile of dirty dishes, my heart sank.
8. I will go into the matter carefully before commenting on it.
9. They criticised him in the meeting but he swallowed all the criticism.
10. It will ease my conscience to know that I had done nothing wrong.

B. Look at the following phrases and their meanings. Use the phrases to fill in the blanks in the sentences given below.

set up — put in place or start

set aside — save or keep for a particular purpose

set down — write or record

set out — start on a journey

set in — begin and seem likely to continue

1. Why don’t you _________________ your ideas on paper?
2. A fund has been _________________ for the soldiers’ families.
3. We should _________________ a little money every month.
4. You should buy some woollens before winter _________________.
5. They _________________ on the last stage of their journey.

Ans.

1. Why don’t you set down your ideas on paper?
2. A fund has been set up for the soldiers’ families.
3. We should set aside a little money every month.
4. You should buy some woollens before winter set in.
5. They set out on the last stage of their journey.

Fair Play Class 6 Line by Line Explanation

Part I

JUMMAN Shaikh and Algu Chowdhry were good friends. So strong was their bond of friendship that when either of them went away from the village, the other looked after his family. Both were greatly respected in the village.

Explanation: Juman Shaikh and Algu Chowdhary were best friends. Their relationship was so strong that they took care of each other’s families whenever one of them remains away from the village. They were respected for their loyalty and sincerity to each other in the village.

Jumman had an old aunt who had some property. This she transferred to him on the understanding that she would stay with him and he would look after her. The arrangement worked well for a couple of years. Then the situation changed. Jumman and his family were tired of the old relative. Jumman became indifferent to her as his wife, who grudged even the little food that the old lady wanted every day. She swallowed these insults along with her food for a few months. But patience has its limits.

Explanation: Jumman had an old aunt who had some property which she transferred to his name. The agreement was made according to which Jumman had to look after her for the rest of her life. This settlement worked in her favour for two years. After that Juman and his family’s behaviour towards her changed. They were fed up with her and started misbehaving with her. Juman showed no interest in her. His wife didn’t even like to give her food. She tolerated this insult for a few days but got fed up after a few days.

One day she spoke to Jumman, “My son, it is now obvious that I am not wanted in your house. Kindly give me a monthly allowance so that I can set up a separate kitchen.” “My wife knows best how to run the house. Be patient,” said Jumman shamelessly. This made his aunt very angry and she decided to take her case to the village panchayat.

Explanation: When she could not bear it any longer, she spoke to Jumman. She said that she knew clearly that nobody liked her in the house and she was unwanted. So it would be better if he could give her some amount of money every month so that she could manage her kitchen independently. Jumman shamelessly replied to her that his wife knew the house matters better. This kind of response made her angry and upset. She thought of taking the case to the village Panchayat.

For many days, the old lady was seen talking to the villagers explaining her case and seeking their support. Some sympathized with her, others laughed at her and a few others advised her to make it up with her nephew and his wife. At last, she came to Algu Chowdhry and spoke to him. “You know, Chachi, Jumman is my best friend. How can I go against him?” Algu said. “But is it right, my son, to keep mum and not say what you consider just and fair?” pleaded the old lady. “Come to the panchayat and speak the truth,” she said. Algu didn’t reply, but her words kept ringing in his ears.

Explanation: The old lady discussed the matter with the villagers, and asked for their help. Some people show sympathy towards her, some made fun of her and some others suggested sorting out the issues with her nephew and his wife. At last, she met Algu Chowdhry and told him about the whole matter. Since Jumman was his best friend Algu hesitated to go against his friend. Then old lady requested him and asked him if it was the right thing to keep quiet and not to speak anything for right and justice. She further requested him to come to the Panchayat and speak the truth. Algu didn’t answer her request but her words kept disturbing his mind.

Part II

The panchayat was held the same evening under an old banyan tree. Jumman stood up and said, “The voice of the Panch is the voice of God. Let my aunt nominate the head Panch. I will abide by her decision.”

Explanation: The Panchayat was held under an old Banyan tree on the same evening.  Jumman said that the voice of the Panch is like God’s voice. He asked his aunt to nominate a Head Panch for the case. He said he would agree with her decision.

“The Panch knows neither friend nor enemy. What do you say to Algu Chowdhry?” the old lady announced. “Fine,” replied Jumman hiding his joy over this unexpected piece of luck. “Chachi, you are aware of my friendship with Jumman,” said Algu. “I know that,” replied the aunt, “but I also know that you will not kill your conscience for the sake of friendship. God lives in the heart of the Panch, and his voice is the voice of God.” And the old lady explained her case.

Explanation: The old lady announced Aglu Chowdhry as his Panch and said that whether it is friend or enemy all are equal to a Panch. He is always impartial and unbiased. Jumman hiding his feeling of joy showed his acceptance of the fact. Algu spoke to Chachi asking her if she was aware of his friendship with Jumman.  She replied that she was well aware of their friendship but she also believed that he would not kill his inner voice for the sake of friendship. This is because the voice of Panch is the voice of God and God lives in the heart of the Panch. The old lady explained every detail of the matter to the Aglu Chowdhry. 

“Jumman,” said Algu, “you and I are old friends. Your aunt is as dear to me as you. Now I am a Panch. You and your aunt are equal before me. What have you to say in your defence?” “Three years ago,” began Jumman, “my aunt transferred her property to me. I promised to support her as long as she lived. I have done all I could. There have been a couple of quarrels between my wife and her but I can’t stop it. Now my aunt is claiming a monthly allowance from me. This is not possible. That’s all I have to say.”

Explanation: Algu asked Jumman to speak in his defence. He told him though they were best friends he and his aunt both were equal to him as at present he was sitting on the seat of a Panch. Jumman explained that his aunt had transferred her property to his name three years back. In return, he agreed to look after her till the last breath of her life He also said that he had done all he could do to support her. But she and his wife fought with each other over some issues which he was unable to control the situation. Due to this reason his aunt was asking for some amount of money from him monthly to run her kitchen separately. He said this was not possible for him.

Jumman was cross-examined by Algu and others. Then Algu announced, “We have gone into the matter carefully. In our opinion, Jumman must pay his aunt a monthly allowance, or else the property goes back to her.”

Explanation: Jumman was questioned by Algu and other people in this matter. After the questioning was over Algu declared that they had enquired everything deeply and they gave their judgement in favour of the old lady. According to this Jumman must pay a monthly allowance to his aunt otherwise the property would be given back to her.

Now, the two friends were seldom seen together. The bond of friendship between them was broken. In fact, Jumman was Algu’s enemy and wanted his revenge.

Explanation: After this judgement two of them were rarely seen together. Their friendship was broken. They were no longer friends and Jumman became Aglu’s enemy after this and wanted to take revenge.

Part III

Days passed and, as ill-luck would have it, Algu Chowdhry found himself in a tight spot. One of his fine pair of bullocks died, and he sold the other to Samjhu Sahu, a cart driver of the village. The understanding was that Sahu would pay the price of the bullock in a month’s time. It so happened that the bullock died within a month.

Explanation: After some time, unfortunately, Algu Chowdhary was in a difficult situation. He had a fine pair of bullocks and one of them died. So, he sold the other one to Samjhu Sahu a cart driver of the village. Aglu and Samjhu Sahu had a word that later would pay the price of the bullock within a month. But unfortunately, the bullock died within a month before Sahu made the payment.

Several months after the bullock’s death, Algu reminded Sahu of the money he hadn’t yet paid. Sahu got very annoyed. “I can’t pay you a penny for the wretched beast you sold me. He brought us nothing but ruin. I have a bullock. Use it for a month and then return it to me. No money for the dead bullock,” he said angrily.

Explanation: Many months after the death of the bullock, Algu asked Sahu to pay the money. Sahu was very angry at this demand. He spoke with anger he will not pay him even a single penny for the poor animal which he sold him because it brought him nothing. Sahu offered him to take his bullock to use for a month and return. But he would not pay any money for the dead bullock.

Algu decided to refer the case to the panchayat. For a second time in a few months, preparations for holding the panchayat were made, and both the parties started meeting people seeking their support.

Explanation: Algu decided to take the whole matter to the Panchayat. The Panchayat was held twice in the period of a few months at the same place. Both the parties started meeting people to ask for support and help for the case.

The panchayat was held under the old banyan tree. Algu stood up and said, “The voice of the Panch is the voice of God. Let Sahu nominate the head Panch. I will abide by his decision.”

Explanation: The panchayat was held under the same old banyan tree. Algu stood up and declared that the voice of the Panch is the voice of God. He suggested Sahu nominate the head Panch for the case. He also said that he would accept whatever would be the decision of the Panch.

Sahu saw his chance and proposed the name of Jumman. Algu’s heart sank and he turned pale. But what could he do?

Explanation: Sahu took it as an opportunity and suggested Jumman’s name. Algu felt disheartened at this because Jumman was his enemy now. But he was completely helpless.

The moment Jumman became head Panch, he realized his responsibility as judge and the dignity of his office. Could he, seated in that high place, have his revenge now? He thought and thought. No, he must not allow his personal feelings to come in the way of speaking the truth and doing justice.

Explanation: As soon as Jumman became head Panch, he realized the responsibility of the judge and the respect and decorum this office held. He asked himself if it was the right thing to take revenge while being seated in such a high position. His inner voice did not permit his personal feelings to overpower the way of justice and truth.

Both Algu and Sahu stated their cases. They were cross-examined and the case was considered deeply. Then Jumman stood up and announced, “It is our opinion that Sahu should pay Algu the price of the bullock. When Sahu bought the bullock, it suffered from no disability or disease. The death of the bullock was unfortunate, but Algu cannot be blamed for it.” Algu could not contain his feelings. He stood up and said loudly over and over again, “Victory to the panchayat. This is justice. God lives in the voice of the Panch.”

Explanation: Both Algu and Sahu presented their case in front of the panchayat and kept their view and concern. They were questioned and every small detail of the case was discussed. After hearing everything Jumman stood up and gave his judgement in favour of Aglu. He said Sahu should pay Algu the price of the bullock because the bullock was healthy and had no suffering or disability of any kind at the time of sale and purchase. The death of the bullock was unfortunate and Algu could not be blamed for this. Algu became emotional and he stood up and announced that it was the victory of the panchayat and it was justice. God is in the voice of the Panch.

Soon after, Jumman came to Algu, embraced him and said, “Since the last panchayat, I had become your enemy. Today I realized what it meant to be a Panch. A Panch has no friend nor enemy. He knows only justice. Let no one deviate from the path of justice and truth for friendship or enmity.” Algu embraced his friend and wept. And his tears washed away all the dirt of misunderstanding between them.

Explanation: Soon after the judgement Jumman went to Algu, hugged him and felt sorry for being his enemy from the time of the last Panchayat. He also told him that he had understood the importance of being a Panch. A Panch is an unbiased figure he could not afford to favour his friends or avenge his enemies. He knows only one thing and that is justice. Nobody should ever move away from the path of justice and truth for anything either friendship or enmity. They hugged each other and cried and the tears cleaned up all the misunderstandings between the two friends.

That’s all we have about Fair Play Class 6 Question Answer and Explanation. Hope it has helped. Do share your views about this post in the comment section.