Kabuliwala by Rabindranath Tagore

Rabindranath Tagore was a Bengali poet, novelist, playwright, and short story writer. He is considered one of the greatest writers of the 20th century. Tagore won the Nobel Prize in Literature in 1913, becoming the first non-European to receive the award. He is best known for his poems, but he also wrote extensively in other genres. Kabuliwala is one of Tagore's most popular short stories. It has been translated into many languages and adapted into several films.

Kabuliwala is a short story by Rabindranath Tagore, first published in 1892. It is about the unlikely friendship that forms between a Pashtun dry fruit seller, Abdur Rahman, and a five-year-old girl, Mini, from a middle-class aristocratic family in Calcutta. Rahman comes to Calcutta each year to sell his goods, and Mini is fascinated by him. She loves to hear his stories about his homeland, and she develops a special bond with him. Rahman, for his part, is reminded of his own daughter back in Kabul, and he comes to love Mini like a granddaughter.

One day, Rahman is arrested by the police on suspicion of theft. Mini's father, the narrator of the story, is outraged and he goes to the police station to secure Rahman's release. The police chief tells him that Rahman has been accused of stealing a necklace from a young woman. Mini's father knows that Rahman is innocent, but he is also aware of the prejudice that exists against Muslims in Calcutta. He is afraid that Rahman will be found guilty and sentenced to prison.

Mini's father begs the police chief to release Rahman, and he eventually agrees. Rahman is released, but he is deeply shaken by the experience. He tells Mini's father that he will never return to Calcutta. He says that he is afraid of being falsely accused again, and he does not want to put Mini in danger.

Mini is heartbroken when Rahman leaves. She cries for days, and she refuses to eat or play. Her father is also sad, but he knows that Rahman has made the right decision. He tells Mini that Rahman will always be her friend, even though he is far away.

Kabuliwala is a story about the power of love and friendship. It shows how two people from different cultures can come together and form a deep bond. The story also explores the themes of prejudice and discrimination. It shows how these forces can tear people apart, but it also shows how love can overcome them.