Get complete, textbook-verified solutions for DAV Class 5 Moral Science Chapter 9: Dignity of Labour (Child & Society – Application). Explore the historic encounter between General George Washington and the proud corporal, understand the virtue of humility in leadership, and solve all textbook fill in the blanks and questions according to the DAV CMC curriculum.
Story Summary: George Washington and the Corporal
A truly great person is characterized by genuine humility. Just as the branches of a fruit-laden tree bow low toward the ground, a noble person treats every human being with dignity and respect. No honest labor is superior or inferior; it is our inner attitude toward duty that elevates work.
The Incident:
A stranger on horseback noticed a squad of soldiers struggling under the strain of moving a massive wooden log. Sitting mounted nearby, an immaculate corporal merely bellowed orders without lending a hand. When the stranger inquired why he didn’t assist his exhausted men, the corporal snapped: “Why should I help them? I am a corporal!” Without saying another word, the stranger dismounted, rolled up his sleeves, and exerted his full strength alongside the soldiers to push the heavy log into place. Before riding away, he handed the corporal his card with a pleasant smile, stating: “Call on me the next time your soldiers need help.” The stunned corporal read the card: George Washington — Commander-in-Chief of the Army!
Thought of the Day: “Honour and shame from no condition arise; act well, for in this all honour lies.” — Alexander Pope
Textbook Exercises & Solved Questions
A. Answer the Following Questions
Q1. What is the hallmark of a great person?
Answer: Humility is the unmistakable hallmark of a great person. A noble person respects everyone equally and never hesitates to perform manual tasks.
Q2. What were the soldiers trying to move?
Answer: The soldiers were trying to move a very heavy log of timber.
Q3. What was their corporal doing?
Answer: The corporal was sitting arrogantly on his horse, shouting orders at the soldiers without providing any physical assistance.
Q4. How did George Washington help the squad?
Answer: George Washington got down from his horse and physically pushed and lifted the heavy log alongside the exhausted soldiers until the task was accomplished.
Q5. Is any work high or low? What do you think?
Answer: No honest work is high or low, superior or inferior. Every form of constructive labour that serves society possesses innate dignity and deserves heartfelt respect.
B. Fill in the Blanks
“A great man is always humble. Just as the branches of a tree, laden with fruits bow down, in the same way a great man treats everybody with respect. No work is great or small. It is our attitude towards our work that matters.”
C. Shramdaan: Community Voluntary Labour
What is Shramdaan?
Shramdaan refers to voluntary contribution of manual labour for public welfare, such as cleaning village roads, desilting ponds, planting trees, and building schools. It fosters civic responsibility, eliminates social prejudices against manual work, and instills community pride.