"The Cabuliwallah" is a short story written by Rabindranath Tagore.
The story involves the life of a cabuliwallah, a term that refers to a
fruit seller from Kabul, named Rahaman. He meets a young girl named Mimi
who makes a great impression on him. The story's main themes are the
relationship between a father and daughter and the struggles of
adjusting to a new place.
"The Cabuliwallah"
begins with a father describing his very curious and talkative daughter,
Mimi. The story is interrupted by the arrival of a cabuliwallah. Mimi
is initially frightened of the man, believing he is carrying children in
the large bag he is holding; however, the man soon gives Mimi some
treats, and the two begin a lively discussion. The man returns
periodically over time to visit Mimi.
One day, however, the cabuliwallah disappears. The father learns that
he became angry when a customer did not pay for a purchase made on
credit, and he killed the customer. This event is attributed to the
cabuliwallah being frustrated by the customs of Calcutta, a city he has
only lived in for a short amount of time.
Years later, the man gets out of jail and returns to visit Mimi.
Coincidentally, he arrives on the day she is getting married. Her father
speaks with the cabuliwallah and learns that he too has a daughter, but
he lost her long ago. Understanding the bond between father and
daughter, Mimi's father warmly welcomes him into the home and gives him
money.
