Class 5 English Chapter 10 Summary Notes PDF Download
FAQs on Who Will Be Ningthou Class 5 English Chapter 10 CBSE Notes - 2025-26
1. Can you provide a quick summary of the Class 5 chapter, “Who Will Be Ningthou”?
This chapter tells the story of a king (Ningthou) and a queen (Leima) of Kangleipak in Manipur. They had three brave sons and a gentle daughter named Sanatombi. To choose their successor, the Ningthou held a contest for his sons. However, it was the daughter's profound empathy for all living beings, including a wounded tree, that proved she had the truest qualities of a leader, making her the future ruler.
2. What do the key Manipuri terms 'Ningthou', 'Leima', and 'Tunggi Ningthou' mean in the context of the story?
In the story, these terms are crucial for understanding the hierarchy and theme.
- Ningthou: This word means 'King'.
- Leima: This word means 'Queen'.
- Tunggi Ningthou: This term translates to 'Future King' or the chosen heir to the throne.
3. Why was Sanatombi chosen as the 'Tunggi Ningthou' over her strong and skilled brothers?
Sanatombi was chosen because she possessed a quality the Ningthou valued most in a ruler: empathy. While her brothers demonstrated their physical strength and skills by piercing a tree, Sanatombi felt the tree's pain and wept for it. This ability to feel the suffering of others—people, animals, and nature—showed that she would be a just and compassionate ruler for everyone in the kingdom.
4. How did the actions of the three sons contrast with Sanatombi's during the leadership contest?
The sons' actions were focused on demonstrating power and dominance. The eldest, Sanajaoba, rode his horse through the Khongnang (banyan tree). The second son, Sanayaima, jumped his horse over the tree. The youngest, Sanatomba, pierced the tree and jumped through it. In contrast, Sanatombi's action was one of quiet compassion; she felt the pain of the wounded tree and showed concern, which was a true test of leadership.
5. What is the central message or moral that the story “Who Will Be Ningthou” teaches for revision?
The key message for revision is that true leadership is not about power, strength, or might. Instead, it is defined by compassion, empathy, and the ability to care for all living things. A great ruler is one who can feel the pain of their subjects and their environment, and governs with a gentle and understanding heart.
6. How does the story show that a good ruler must care for nature and animals, not just people?
The story beautifully illustrates this concept through the king's test and Sanatombi's reaction. The people of Kangleipak, known as the 'Meeyam', were already loved by their rulers. The story expands this by showing that the birds, animals, and even trees are part of the kingdom. The final decision to make Sanatombi the heir was based on her ability to feel the pain of a non-human, living being—the banyan tree. This highlights the idea that a truly worthy ruler's responsibility extends to the entire ecosystem.
7. What is the main idea to remember when revising the concept of leadership from this chapter?
When revising this chapter, the main idea to remember is the shift from a traditional view of leadership (based on strength and power) to a more modern and humane one (based on empathy). The Ningthou's ultimate decision teaches that qualities like sensitivity and kindness are more powerful and essential for governance than mere physical prowess. A leader must be able to connect with and protect the weakest in their kingdom.
