Complete, textbook-grounded solutions for DAV Class 5 Moral Science Chapter 10: Being Courteous (Child & Society – Courtesy). Discover the inspiring true story of George C. Boldt and hotel magnate William Waldorf Astor, understand why politeness and empathy yield immense rewards, and solve all evaluation exercises according to the DAV CMC curriculum.
Story Summary: George and the Waldorf Astoria
Courtesy costs nothing, yet it wins the goodwill of everyone. True courtesy is demonstrated by extending kindness and assistance to strangers, especially the elderly, the sick, and those in distress.
The Story of George the Hotel Clerk:
George was an honest, attentive clerk in a small hotel in Philadelphia. On a stormy, torrential night, an elderly couple arrived desperate for shelter, only to learn that every room in town was fully booked. Rather than turning them out into the fierce storm, George cheerfully offered them his own private bedroom. He had the room neatly prepared, served them warm cups of coffee, and slept on the lobby couch himself. Months later, the elderly gentleman—multimillionaire William Waldorf Astor—invited George to New York City. There, Astor had built the most grand and luxurious hotel in the world, the Waldorf Astoria, and presented George with the keys as its inaugural General Manager!
Thought of the Day: “The small courtesies sweeten life, the greater, ennoble it.”
Textbook Exercises & Solved Questions
A. Answer the Following Questions
Q1. Who was George? What kind of a person was he?
Answer: George was a clerk working in a small hotel. He was exceptionally honest, loving, compassionate, and unfailingly courteous, always eager to go out of his way to help people in need.
Q2. How did he help the old couple who came to his hotel on a rainy night?
Answer: Because the hotel had no vacant rooms, George gave them his own personal room, ensured it was tidy and comfortable, and sent them two cups of hot coffee before bedtime.
Q3. Who were the old couple whom George had helped on the rainy night?
Answer: The elderly gentleman was Mr. William Waldorf Astor (along with his wife), one of the wealthiest and most prominent men in America.
Q4. How did Jacob Astor reward George for his courtesy?
Answer: Mr. Astor appointed George as the General Manager of the world-famous Waldorf Astoria Hotel in New York City, turning a humble hotel clerk into the manager of the world’s finest luxury hotel.
B. Five Lines on ‘Courtesy Costs Nothing But Wins Everybody’
- Courtesy is the polite, respectful, and considerate behaviour we show toward others.
- It requires neither money nor physical effort, yet it leaves an unforgettable impression.
- Polite words such as ‘Please’, ‘Thank you’, and ‘Excuse me’ resolve tension and spread joy.
- Courtesy creates goodwill, builds lifelong friendships, and commands universal respect.
- As demonstrated by George, sincere courtesy opens unexpected doors to prosperity and success.
C. Character Traits of George
Words describing George’s nature: Courteous, Honest, Kind, Helpful, Loving, Polite, Humble.