‘The child’ is a beautiful story written by the famous writer

Premchand. He brought a new sense of social awareness in people

through is novels and short stories. He is respected as an outstanding
short story writer and considered to be one of the prominent Hindi-
Urdu writers of the early 20th century. Due to his versatility,
Premchand has bee referred to as the “Upanyas Samrat” (Emperor of
Novels) by Hindi writer.
‘The child’ is a story which is narrated by the employer of a
Brahmin servant named Gangu. The story places Gangu’s
compassion, courage and acceptance of human nature as the
embodiment of goodness and shows the readera way of casting
aside all kinds of pressures that society exerts on us. Gangu was one
of the servants who served his master. Gangu was a Brahmin. He was
different from many other servants in the household. He was away
from all the vices. Of course he showed no characteristics of an ideal
Brahmin.
Once he went to the narrator in private. The narrator thought that
he must have come to either ask for money or to complain about
another servant. But the narrator was surprised when Gangu
declared that he wanted to leave the job because he was going to
marry. Gomati Devi who had been driven away twice by her two past
husbands. She lived in the same mohalla and she was respected by
name. All believed her to be low in character. But Gangu’s opinion
was different. The narrator tried to stop but Gangu said that it was
not fault. Nobody understood her. Finally, he left the job. The
narrator thought that very soon Gomatidevi and Gangu will get
separated but they lived happily.
But once Gomati run away. The narrator was happy thinking that he
proved true. Gangu was upset but still had faith in her. After one
month when the narrator returned from nainital, Gangu came to him
again. He had a newborn baby in his hand. He was extremely happy.
He searched and found Gomati out. She had runaway because she
was going to be the mother and Gangu was not father of that child.
But Gangu was very generous. The narrator tried hard to provoke
him against Gomati, but he was firm in his love. He accepted the
child as a gift from the god.
Finally, seeing Gangu’s feeling and generosity, the narrator was
touched and offered his blessing to the baby. We are impressed by
the courage and sincerely of Gangu here. He proved to be a noble
human being.
The interesting part of this story is change in the psychology of
characters, first Gangu was a rigid Brahmin and was not allowing
anyone to disrespect him but when he falls in love with Gomti, he
forgets everything and marry her.
The character of Gangu is practically the embodiment of goodness
and nobility, almost too perfect in his acceptance of Gomti and his
forgiveness of her. Throughout the story, he is a paragon of kindness
and generosity. Gangu was a Brahmin servant boy. He was very
much different from other servants. He did not bow to his master
which shows his character of not doing something just to please
people. Unlike the Brahmans he was not educated, did not take bath
in the river or pray regularly. His broad social mind is exposed in the
way he marries Gomti, a widowed women in-spite of people's
criticism and resent from his master. He was not bothered about her
past. His pure love for others is revealed when he accepts Gomti with
the child of her previous husband.
Thus, Gangu is a good man with a kind and generous heart.