The Child by Prem Chand (Translated into English by Ruth Vanita)

 The Child by Prem Chand (Translated into English by Ruth Vanita)

About the Author

This story was written by Prem Chand, one of the prominent writers of the early twentieth century, who wrote both in Hindi and Urdu. It was beautifully translated by Ruth Vanita in English.

About the Story

The narrator of this story is an employer, who has a brahmin servant in his house. His name is Gangu. He marries a widow woman, named Gomti. Marrying a widow was not liked in society in those days. But he defied that social evil. Thus the whole story has certain elements that make it very interesting and memorable for the readers.

Explanation and Analysis of the Story:

In the first paragraph of this story, the narrator describes some peculiar characteristics of his servant named Gangu.

The narrator says that his servant ‘Gangu’ considers himself a Brahmin although he is illiterate. The narrator has never seen him performing any religious ritual or going for a sacred bath in the river.

The narrator’s other servants salute him even from a distance, but Gangu does not do so. He never touches a glass that the narrator has drunk. When the narrator is drenched in sweat, Gangu does pick up a fan, but his facial expression shows that he is doing a favour to the narrator.

Gangu is a man of extremes. He does not like the people's chatter and he does not like to socialise with them. He must have very few friends. He does not like to sit with other servants also.

Actually, the narrator is not in the habit of talking too much with servants. He avoids them calling for little chores. He feels much more comfortable by taking drinking water himself, lighting his own lamp, wearing his own shoes and taking out books from the cupboard. He does not call his servants like Lingun or Maiky for such petty jobs. It makes him feel autonomous (independent, self-ruling) and self reliant.

The narrator further says that the servants are familiar with his temperament also. So they do not approach him unnecessarily.

Now the narrator tells the readers about an incident that occurred when Gangu came in front of him early in the morning. Here he makes us acquainted with a very common tendency found in servants. He does not like servants coming to him that way. Whenever they come to him, they either want an advance or they make complaints about another servant.

The narrator does not like the servants to approach him to demand advance because he pays them their wages on the first of the month.

The narrator says: “Who has the time to keep a detailed account of advance given? When someone is paid for the whole month, what right does he or she have to spend all the money in fifteen days, and then seek an advance or a loan? And I hate complaints. I consider complaints a sign of weakness or a bare attempt at flattering the employer.”

As Gangu stood in front of the narrator, he frowned and asked him what it was and said that he had not called him.

Then the narrator says that he was very surprised to see Gangu’s sharp, proud face looking mild. He wanted to say something to the narrator but he was unable to find appropriate words for it.

Then the narrator also changed the tone of his voice asking what the matter was with him and why he was unable to speak. He also told Gangu that it was time for him to go for walk.

Gangu said in a dejected (sad) voice, ‘Well, then you go…I’ll come later.’

In the next paragraph, the narrator describes Gangu’s predicament (dilemma). The author wants that Gangu should utter quickly what he wants to say. The author adds one more particular thing about Gangu in this passage.

Gangu thinks that the narrator is free when the latter is sitting and not writing or reading any book. But at that time, the narrator is in his thought process which is a most difficult aspect of his work. But Gangu thinks that his master is free and not doing anything at that time.

So the author speaks:

‘Have you come to ask for an advance? I don't give advances.’ I said, rudely.

 

‘No, sarkar. I have never asked for an advance.’

 

‘Then, have you come to complain against someone? I don’t like to listen to complaints.’

 

‘No, sarkar. I have never complained against anyone.’

To be continued…