Chapter: 01. The Cabuliwallah
A. Answer these questions.
Mini’s mother was often vexed at Mini’s chattering and would try to stop her prattle. The Cabuliwallah managed to overcome Mini’s initial terror by a judicious bribery of nuts and almonds. The neighbor was accused of falsely denying buying a Rampuri shawl from Rahmun. On Mini’s wedding day, Rahmun tried to revive their old bond by asking, “Little one, are you going to your father-in-law’s house?” The sounds described as part of the wedding preparations were the wedding-pipes sounding and the tinkling chandeliers. B. Answer these questions with reference to the context.
“This was their first meeting.”
a. Who are “their” referring to in this sentence?
* “Their” refers to Mini and the Cabuliwallah.
b. What was Mini’s primary emotion during this first meeting?
* Mini’s primary emotion was terror; she was overcome by fear and fled to her mother’s protection.
c. How did the Cabuliwallah try to interact with Mini during this meeting?
* He offered her nuts and raisins. “Even my light-hearted Mini, I am ashamed to say, forgot her old friend.”
a. What event had caused Rahmun to be absent from Mini’s life for this period?
* Rahmun had been imprisoned for several years on a charge of murderous assault.
b. What does the phrase “light-hearted Mini” suggest about her nature during her childhood?
* It suggests that she was cheerful, carefree, and not prone to holding onto worries or past events for long.
c. Why does the narrator say he is “ashamed” that Mini forgot her old friend?
* He is ashamed because he implies that Mini’s forgetting Rahmun was a normal, perhaps shallow, reaction of childhood, whereas he, as an adult, should have remembered Rahmun and the deeper connection, especially given Rahmun’s suffering. “I took them and was going to pay him, but he caught my hand and said: ‘You are very kind, sir! Keep me in your recollection. Do not offer me money!’”
a. What “them” is the narrator referring to here?
* “Them” refers to the almonds, raisins, and grapes that Rahmun had brought as a gift for Mini.
b. Why did Rahmun refuse the money from the narrator?
* Rahmun refused the money because he brought the fruits out of affection for Mini, seeing her as a proxy for his own daughter, not to make a profit.
c. What deeper sentiment does Rahmun convey by asking the narrator to “Keep me in your recollection”?
* He conveys a desire for enduring human connection and remembrance, beyond a mere transactional relationship. He wants to be remembered for the pure, fatherly affection he feels, rather than just as a pedlar selling goods. C. Think and answer.
How do the physical descriptions of the Cabuliwallah change from his first appearance to his return after imprisonment? What do these changes suggest about his experience? In his first appearance, the Cabuliwallah is described as wearing loose, soiled clothing, a tall turban, carrying a bag on his back, and having “vigor.” He appears sturdy and imposing but friendly. Upon his return after imprisonment, he is described as having “no bag, nor the long hair, nor the same vigour that he used to have.” These changes suggest that his imprisonment was harsh, draining him of his physical strength and vibrancy, and likely stripping him of his personal belongings and freedom of expression (like long hair). The loss of his vigor indicates the toll the years in prison took on him. Discuss the significance of the two “father-in-law’s house” exchanges between Mini and Rahmun. How do they highlight Mini’s growth and the passage of time? The first “father-in-law’s house” exchange highlights Mini’s childhood innocence and literal interpretation of the world. She asks if Rahmun is going there too, showing no understanding of its euphemistic meaning for jail. This exchange forms a playful, quaint bond between them. The second exchange, on her wedding day, significantly highlights Mini’s growth and loss of innocence. Now a young bride, she understands the real meaning of “father-in-law’s house” (her future marital home) and blushes, unable to engage in the old joke. This contrast profoundly marks the passage of time, showing that Mini has matured, and the simple, innocent connection she shared with Rahmun is no longer possible in the same way. It also makes Rahmun realize that his own daughter must have similarly grown and changed. In what ways does the story emphasize the idea that appearances can be deceiving, both for Mini and for her father regarding Rahmun? For Mini, appearances are deceiving when she first sees the Cabuliwallah. She is terrified, believing the “big man” with a bag might carry other children inside, an innocent but fearful misinterpretation based on his size and foreign appearance. However, his gentle nature and gifts quickly reveal a kind, friendly man beneath the intimidating exterior. For her father, appearances are deceiving in a more societal sense. Initially, he sees Rahmun as a “poor Cabuli fruit-seller” or later, as someone who “wounded his fellow” (a criminal). He is initially hesitant to interact with Rahmun upon his return, viewing him through a lens of societal judgment. However, when Rahmun reveals his daughter’s handprint and expresses his deep, universal fatherly love, the narrator realizes that Rahmun is “no different” from him in the most profound sense, shattering his initial prejudiced perceptions and revealing the true, empathetic heart beneath Rahmun’s rough exterior. The story constantly pushes readers to look beyond superficial characteristics and societal labels to find shared humanity. 
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