THE LETTER

BY
AARYAN
SHARMA

PPT
ON
X-A
About the author
Dhumaketu (18921965) was the pen
name of Gaurishankar Goverdhandas
Joshi, a prolific writer, who is considered
one of the pioneers of the Gujarati short
story. He published twenty-four collections
of short stories, as well as thirty-
two novels on social and historical
subjects, and plays and travelogues. His
writing is characterized by a dramatic
style, romanticism and powerful depiction
of human emotions.
Summary of the lesson
Part - I
The Letter is a story written by Gaurishankar Govardhandas
Josh, popularly known as Dhumaketu, a famous Indian writer.
The story tells How the feelings and emotions of a man should
be taken care of. What would be the consequences if anybodys
emotions are hurt? The patience exerted by an old man for
waiting letter from his daughter and hoping till his death.
The story begins with a man named Coachman Ali who is
walking towards a post office as usual in the cold morning
bearing tittered clothes. A deathly silence prevails all around.
SUMMARY
Part-II
On reaching the post office, he seems to be as happy as
a pilgrimage would be on reaching his destination. He
enters the office and sits at the corner where he was
accustomed to sit for the last five years.
The clerk begins sorting out the letters in his speed,
flinging the letters to the corresponding peons.
Ali was a clever hunter and derived pleasure from the
bewildered terror of the dying birds. As his skill increased,
so did his hunting. But this was probably disliked by his
daughter.
Part
Part-III
The day his daughter leaved him after marrying with a soldier, his
regiment in Punjab, he stopped hunting. He could no longer enjoy the
screams of dying birds. He had understood the meaning of love and
separation.
Since then, he had been regularly visiting post office in early morning
expecting a letter from his daughter Miriam, but it doesnt come and
returns home empty handed.
The post office staff often laughs at him when they see his habits. The
clerk even calls out his name; jokingly even there was no letter on his
name. Also there were often discussions on his lunacy.
For several days, Ali did not come to the post office. Everyone was
curious to know the reason behind this. At last, he comes again, but,
now it was difficult for him even to breathe and there were clear signs
of his approaching end.
Finally, he meets the post master and asks him for Miriams letter. As
the post master was in hurry and was about to leave the country, he
scolded him by saying that he would not eat his letter, if it would come.
Part-IV
Then Ali called a clerk and gave him five golden guineas and
asked him to deliver his letter, if it would come, to his grave. He
slowly left him and was not seen by any one after that.
One day, the post masters daughter fell ill and he was anxious
to hear from her. He searched for the letter from his daughter
from the pile of letters and picked up a letter of the name he
expected. It was addressed to Coachman Ali.
Now he realized about his haughty temper towards Ali. He
called Lakshmi Das, a clerk and asked him to find out Ali. That
day he did not receive his letter and decided that he would hand
over Alis letter to him, himself.
Next morning, he opened the door and saw Ali leaning on a
stick with tears in his eves. His eyes had a light so unearthly
that the post master was scared. But, suddenly he disappeared.
Part-V
Then Lakshmi Das came and told him that Ali had died
three months back.
Now the post master was bewildered and confused. He still
had Miriams letter in his hand. That evening he himself
went to Alis grave to place the letter.
Then, his attitude changed. He now saw the letters as the
essential human hearts, not just the pieces of paper. He
understood the essential human worth of a letter.
THANK YOU