The Cabuliwallah

                                                                                          Rabindranath Tagore (1861 – 1941)
Summary in English

"The Cabuliwallah" by Rabindranath Tagore is a psychological story that deals with the nature of the children, parents and vendor. It also talks about domestic matter in which the parents should understand the nature (psychology) of the children. In addition, it tries to shows the class and caste discrimination, too. This story also reflects that we do have friendly relationship with stronger in the assumptions that helping to mankind is helping to ourselves.
Tagore has 5 years old daughter named Mini who is very talkative. She often comes to ask questions while he is busy in his work of writing. She also asks nonsensical questions to her father, Tagore. One day she sees a Cabuliwallah walking slowly along the street. Really, there is a Cabuliwallah, (fruit seller from Cabul) in dirty clothes carrying a bag on his back and box of grapes in his hand. As Cabuliwallah looks up, she runs to her mother.
The real name of Cabuliwallah is Abdur Rahman. He comes to the house of the writer in Calcutta. The writer buys some dry fruits for Mini. The Cabuliwallah gives Mini some nuts and raisins. Then, every time he comes to the writer's house and gives her something as a gift. Gradually, they become close friends. They talk and laugh for a long time. The writer is happy but his wife doubts. In her view, vendors are bad people because they may also steal the children. So, she does not like Mini's friendship with the Cabuliwallah.
One morning Tagore sees the Cabuliwallah walking blood stained. Two policemen are following him. The reason is that Cabuliwallah has punished a man to death when that man refuses to pay the money of the fruits. Mini arrives in the scene and asks whatever he is going to his father-in-law's house. He laughs and replies that he is going there. Then, he spends many years in the prison.
Mini grows up and forgets Cabuliwallah. After few years, Cabuliwallah is released from the jail. He comes to meet Mini. He observes there is the marriage ceremony in the house of writer. He could not believe that it is little Mini in the beautiful weeding aspiration. Unfortunately, he looks Mini in beautiful bride's dress. He finds everyone busy in the house. He gives a token of gift to the writer but the writer tries to pay. Rahman refuses to take money saying that he has also daughter like Mini names Parbati. When Rahman shows the letter to the writer, the writer is touched by his grief and tears. Rahman is surprised to see Mini. He imagines he could not bring back their past friendship. However, he asks her whether she is going to her father-in-law house and she feels ashamed because she now knows the meaning of the father-in-law. At the end of the story, Tagore gives him 100 rupees and tells him to go back to his house and join a company with his daughter.