Quint, Rona U.

BSEd-Social Studies

Activity 5
The Cabuliwallah is a story written by the legendary Bengali writer
Rabindranath Tagore. The Cabuliwallah revolves around the stories of two friends
a peddler and a small stunning girl Mini. The peddler, Abdur Rahman is from
Kabul, Afghanistan and he used to sell seasonal goods in India. One day Mini,
the 5 years old daughter of the writer saw him and called him “Oh!
Cabuliwallah”. When Cabuliwallah visited her house she got afraid. She used to
get afraid of the giant look of that peddler (Cabuliwallah). Many days after that
she used to tease peddler calling “Oh Cabuliwallah” and used to run towards her
mom for hiding.

One day the writer himself introduced Mini with him. The Cabuliwallah
gave her some nuts and resins. After that Cabuliwallah started visiting her more
often and offered her something to eat. They both felt comfortable with the
company of each other. The writer too was quite happy with the duo however,
Mini’s mother was pretty disappointed watching their friendship. She thought
that Cabuliwallah would kidnap Mini one day. However, on the contrary Mini
and Cabuliwallah became friends by heart. They started loving their company
and use to do fun and were very happy.

One day the writer (Mini’s father) was writing his novel and suddenly his
eyes fell on Mini. She was very sad sitting in one corner. The writer then asks
for Mini’s disappointment. She furiously said that the Cabuliwallah hasn’t come
to meet her. That day she even denies having the food as she misses her beloved
friend’s companion.

Two policemen have arrested Cabuliwallah and there is blood all over him.
The writer finds the truth that the Cabuliwallah has sold one of his Rampuri
Shawl to a customer in credit. And when the customer refused to pay the due,
Cabuliwallah in anger stabbed him. Cabuliwallah was then sentenced to 8 years
of jail for stabbing his customer.
 After 8 years when Cabuliwallah was freed from jail he directly the
Cabuliwallah visits Mini’s house. It was the wedding day of mini. So, the writer
didn’t allow Cabuliwallah to meet Mini. Then he gave some nuts and raisins
which he has brought for Mini. He then took out a handprint of his daughter
from his pocket and explains that he also has a daughter like Mini; whom he
misses very much. The eyes of the writer get filled with tears. Finally, the writer
realizes that the Cabuliwallah misses his daughter very much and that’s why he
felt close to Mini.

After that, he calls Mini, who was in her wedding dress and introduces her
with Cabuliwallah. Cabuliwallah was quite surprised seeing mini so grown up.
At the same time, he also felt sad when he didn’t find any excitement on Mini.
Even she didn’t recognize him.

The writer got sentimental by the scene and he offered hundred rupees to the
Cabuliwallah and asked him to go back to his daughter in his own country.