Stories from Tagore

by Rabindranath Tagore

Rabindranath Tagore FRAS, and also known by his sobriquets Gurudev, Kabiguru, and Biswakabi, was a polymath, poet, musician, and artist from the Indian subcontinent. He reshaped Bengali literature and music, as well as Indian art with Contextual Modernism in the late 19th and early 20th centuries.

Genres: Fiction, Classics, Short Stories, India, Indian Literature, Literature

126 pages, Kindle Edition

First published January 1, 1983

About the author

Awarded the Nobel Prize in Literature in 1913 "because of his profoundly sensitive, fresh and beautiful verse, by which, with consummate skill, he has made his poetic thought, expressed in his own English words, a part of the literature of the West."

Tagore modernised Bengali art by spurning rigid classical forms and resisting linguistic strictures. His novels, stories, songs, dance-dramas, and essays spoke to topics political and personal. Gitanjali (Song Offerings), Gora (Fair-Faced), and Ghare-Baire (The Home and the World) are his best-known works, and his verse, short stories, and novels were acclaimed—or panned—for their lyricism, colloquialism, naturalism, and unnatural contemplation. His compositions were chosen by two nations as national anthems: India's Jana Gana Mana and Bangladesh's Amar Shonar Bangla.

The complete works of Rabindranath Tagore (রবীন্দ্র রচনাবলী) in the original Bengali are now available at these third-party websites:
http://www.tagoreweb.in/
http://www.rabindra-rachanabali.nltr....

Reviews

[Sam · Rating 3 out of 5]

Out of the total of 10 stories in this book, the first few ones were very simple and charmingly bittersweet, so I settled myself in for some wholesome reading. I soon discovered that Tagore had a pattern of killing off his main characters after showing us their suffering and then abruptly ending the story.

This method worked for the first few stories, but after the sixth story, I anticipated and conjured up the various ways the protagonist was going to die. Thankfully, the last story ended positively, so overall, the book didn't leave such an unpleasant taste in my mouth.

I would say, out of the 10 stories, I enjoyed roughly half of them and would read them multiple times without losing my appreciation for their charm and simplicity. I got some pretty nice quotes too out of them, so all in all, a good bargain.

[Arun · Rating 4 out of 5]

I have the ebook(Kindle) version of this book and it is free to download from kindle store(it is in public domain). This book have collection short stories . All the stories have the sad ending except one -The Babus of Nayanjore. The list of stories in this book are :

1)The cabuliwallah
2)The home-coming
3)Once there was a king
4)The return of the child
5)Master mashai
6)Subha
7)The postmaster
8)The castaway
9)The son of Rashmani
10)The babus of Nayanjore

The stories are really memorable.

[Prakhar Prateek · Rating 5 out of 5]

The stories were simple yet engaging and captivating. The readers can easily connect with the characters and sympathise at their plight.

In most stories there was a tragic component that makes you sorrowful for the pitiable condition of generally the central character. Though these stories are intended for kids, they can be magical to adults as well. Tagore's prose and finesse is clear in his writing and it is obvious why he is perhaps one of the best authors in India.

1)The cabuliwallah - 5/5
2)The home-coming -4.5/5
3)Once there was a king - 3/5
4)The return of the child - 5/5
5)Master mashai - 5/5
6)Subha - 4.5/5
7)The postmaster - 4/5
8)The castaway - 4/5
9)The son of Rashmani - 5/5
10)The babus of Nayanjore - 5/5

I listened to the audiobook from the librivox audiobook which was beautifully read by Shashank Jhakmola in his mellifluous voice.

[Niyatee Narkar · Rating 3 out of 5]

Trust Tagore to charm you with simple stories but complex characters and enough depth to make you sympathize even in short stories. Naturally, as with any collection of short stories I liked some more than others. And some I had already read in one of Tagore's another collection. The Cabuliwallah, The Son of Rashmami and The Babus of Nayanjore were my favourite.

Somehow Babus of Nayanjore also resonated more because I am currently watching Schitts Creek with a similar plotline: Super rich lead to penury but the people around still indulging their stories from richer times and yet never really asking them to verify/actually spend money because they are more cognizant of their situation. The unspoken and collective understanding of new friends is quite endearing.

[Nitesh Kanthaliya · Rating 3 out of 5]

My rating would be around 3.5

I liked the theme of the stories and description but could not indulge myself with author's writing style. Read "The Cabuliawallah" after a long time and was mesmerized with the memories of school days. "Master Mashai" was very emotional and showed the dedication of a person as a teacher, mentor, friend and portrayed a strong character built on integrity. The babus of Nayanjore was a perfect ending of the book. It was hilarious in its own simple way. All the stories were singular and it takes hardly 15 mins to read any.

[Sanja_Sanjalica · Rating 4 out of 5]

3,5

[Varun Nayak · Rating 4 out of 5]

Perhaps, all of us, irrespective of the state / syllabus we studied in, have at some point or other read one or the other story penned by the Nobel Laureate Rabindranath Tagore.

I fell in love with the genius from Bengal when I first read Kabuliwalla in Standard eight.

This book is a collection of a few short stories of Tagore; I found the first few (post Kabuliwalla) a little boring. However, starting with the fourth story (The Child's Return), the book became more and more interesting with each passing story. The Postmaster though is my favorite in the lot.

[Reshal Suryawanshi · Rating 4 out of 5]

Small, Simple Stories with Deep Meaning and Strong Characters. Give a try you will Enjoy them all!!

[Pakhee Bhatia · Rating 5 out of 5]

Stories from Tagore written by Rabindranath Tagore was really an amazing book. Reading a book of such a prestigious writer was really an amazing experience. However, all the ten stories in the book ended up on sad note which made me gloomy.
While I was reading this book I learned many lessons like-
THE CABULIWALLAH : Friendship have no age restriction. Only a real friend is needed.
THE HOME-COMING:
Children, all they need is care and love from their parents when they are stressed.
ONCE THERE WAS A KING: Trust is the main key to success.
THE CHILD'S RETURN:
Care for those who care for you and do anything to make them happy.
MASTER MASHAI:
When you cheat someone you not only cheat him/ her you cheat yourself also
SUBHA:
Silence is happiness and only way to find yourself.
THE POSTMASTER:
Be happy and satisfied in what you have.
THE CASTAWAY: Misunderstanding Leads to big disasters.
THE BABUS OF NAYANJORE: Find you potential.
One of the common feature in Tagor's stories are the way his elaborate nature that the reader can visualize the scenery in from of his/her eyes. The second feature is the way Tagore ji writes about complex human emotions. I think, at my age I might have missed out some of the essence of these stories but they will stay longer in my memory!
This is a must read book!

[Deepu Shibu · Rating 4 out of 5]

Tagore always captivates you with his poetry and prose. In this collection of short stories he has once again weaved his magic. The stories are dark and do not have a happy ending. But it showcases life in its raw essence. A book like this is sometimes required to kick you out of the fairy land one lives in and see life as it is and its realities.
The writing is crisp and simple and Tagore has played with the emotions very well. The book starts with the famous Cabuliwala and is followed by another 9 beautiful stories.
I read this in kindle format as it was available as a free download. Its definitely worth a read.

[Vaibhav Rai · Rating 5 out of 5]

All the stories were simple and had strong characters. Although most of them had sad endings they were all inspiring. They had deep meanings. I liked the themes of the stories. I think everybody should read it.

[Monica · Rating 4 out of 5]

Rabindra Nath Tagore is the master of the craft. His writings focussed on relationships which were coloured by human shortcomings and idiosyncrasies. Some of the stories are stronger than others. Nevertheless, a very readable collection.

[Rituraj · Rating 4 out of 5]

Even though I have faded memories of reading some of the stories earlier, I realised the true beauty of Tagore this time. As you age, the same tales strike different chords in you. You feel the emotions more strongly. In the same stories, you start relating to a different character this time, which was merely a side character earlier. While most of the stories end on a sad note, the concluding lines often soothe your heart than the stories pain it.

A pouring rain, a cup of coffee and the stories of Tagore, can't think of a better afternoon in the setting of Kolkata. The collection is highly recommended if you're looking for short yet deep stories.

[Dr.J.G. · Rating 4 out of 5]

Well over half a century since one began to become familiar with works of the writer, they remain not only touching , but if anything, more heartbreaking as one is a tad more aware of world and knows a little more of ways of heart.

While it is worth reading, of course, it is worth getting the whole collection if one can - this is as good a beginning as any to read this great writer.
*****

*****

The Cabuliwallah

This story by Tagore is a prime, classic example of the eternal connections of hearts, between the poor seller from faraway mountains of Northwest to the well off on shores of Ganga, from author whose protagonist is very like his own self to readers across time around the globe. 

One can't help heartfelt tears decades after one has become familiar with the characters of this story, where a wealthy author suddenly realises that the poor seller is a father with a heart, no different from his own. 

"Tears came to my eyes. I forgot that he was a poor Cabuli fruit-seller, while I was—. But no, what was I more than he? He also was a father.

"That impression of the hand of his little Pārbati in her distant mountain home reminded me of my own little Mini."

"I remembered the day when the Cabuliwallah and my Mini had first met, and I felt sad. When she had gone, Rahmun heaved a deep sigh, and sat down on the floor. The idea had suddenly come to him that his daughter too must have grown in this long time, and that he would have to make friends with her anew. Assuredly he would not find her as he used to know her. And besides, what might not have happened to her in these eight years?

"The marriage-pipes sounded, and the mild autumn sun streamed round us. But Rahmun sat in the little Calcutta lane, and saw before him the barren mountains of Afghanistan.

"I took out a bank-note and gave it to him, saying: "Go back to your own daughter, Rahmun, in your own country, and may the happiness of your meeting bring good fortune to my child!"

"Having made this present, I had to curtail some of the festivities. I could not have the electric lights I had intended, nor the military band, and the ladies of the house were despondent at it. But to me the wedding-feast was all the brighter for the thought that in a distant land a long-lost father met again with his only child.""
*****

The Home-Coming

Heartbreaking portrayal of a boy separated from home. 

"In this world of human affairs there is no worse nuisance than a boy at the age of fourteen. He is neither ornamental nor useful. It is impossible to shower affection on him as on a little boy; and he is always getting in the way. If he talks with a childish lisp he is called a baby, and if he answers in a grown-up way he is called impertinent. In fact any talk at all from him is resented. Then he is at the unattractive, growing age. He grows out of his clothes with indecent haste; his voice grows hoarse and breaks and quavers; his face grows suddenly angular and unsightly. It is easy to excuse the shortcomings of early childhood, but it is hard to tolerate even unavoidable lapses in a boy of fourteen. The lad himself becomes painfully self-conscious. When he talks with elderly people he is either unduly forward, or else so unduly shy that he appears ashamed of his very existence.

"Yet it is at this very age when, in his heart of hearts, a young lad most craves for recognition and love; and he becomes the devoted slave of any one who shows him consideration. But none dare openly love him, for that would be regarded as undue indulgence and therefore bad for the boy. So, what with scolding and chiding, he becomes very much like a stray dog that has lost his master.

"For a boy of fourteen his own home is the only Paradise. To live in a strange house with strange people is little short of torture, while the height of bliss is to receive the kind looks of women and never to be slighted by them."
*****

Once there was a King

Who doesn't remember stories told by a loving grandmother!

"When we were young, we understood all sweet things; and we could detect the sweets of a fairy story by an unerring science of our own. We never cared for such useless things as knowledge. We only cared for truth. And our unsophisticated little hearts knew well where the Crystal Palace of Truth lay and how to reach it. But to-day we are expected to write pages of facts, while the truth is simply this:

""There was a king."

"I remember vividly that evening in Calcutta when the fairy story began. The rain and the storm had been incessant. The whole of the city was flooded. The water was knee-deep in our lane. I had a straining hope, which was almost a certainty, that my tutor would be prevented from coming that evening. I sat on the stool in the far corner of the verandah looking down the lane, with a heart beating faster and faster. Every minute I kept my eye on the rain, and when it began to diminish I prayed with all my might: "Please, God, send some more rain till half-past seven is over." For I was quite ready to believe that there was no other need for rain except to protect one helpless boy one evening in one corner of Calcutta from the deadly clutches of his tutor.

"If not in answer to my prayer, at any rate according to some grosser law of nature, the rain did not give up.

"But, alas, nor did my teacher!

"Exactly to the minute, in the bend of the lane, I saw his approaching umbrella. The great bubble of hope burst in my breast, and my heart collapsed. Truly, if there is a punishment to fit the crime after death, then my tutor will be born again as me, and I shall be born as my tutor."

But then he has an old story told the child by grandmother and commented on by an embarrassed author to what he assumed was an anglicised readership, losing the grand tragic hue in the process and leaving one irritated, saying, why did he have to do this butchering!

So one understands why Satyajit Ray butchered Tagore's Nashtaneed. It's a virus on brain of Bengali intelligentsia, spreading later to other parts of India, that had them separate from their own souls and look at themselves as West saw them, and be deeply embarrassed, never finding back their own souls and saying - but West is wrong, poor things!
*****

The Child's Return

Once a senior had commented about the feudal loyalty of a servant portrayed in literature and films of Bengal, and this is one that leaves one dumb with grief.

"About this time Anukul was transferred to a district on the banks of the Padma. On his way through Calcutta he bought his son a little go-cart. He bought him also a yellow satin waistcoat, a gold-laced cap, and some gold bracelets and anklets. Raicharan was wont to take these out and put them on his little charge, with ceremonial pride, whenever they went for a walk.

"Then came the rainy season and day after day the rain poured down in torrents. The hungry river, like an enormous serpent, swallowed down terraces, villages, cornfields, and covered with its flood the tall grasses and wild casuarinas on the sandbanks. From time to time there was a deep thud as the river-banks crumbled. The unceasing roar of the main current could be heard from far away. Masses of foam, carried swiftly past, proved to the eye the swiftness of the stream.

"One afternoon the rain cleared. It was cloudy, but cool and bright. Raicharan's little despot did not want to stay in on such a fine afternoon. His lordship climbed into the go-cart. Raicharan, between the shafts, dragged him slowly along till he reached the rice-fields on the banks of the river. There was no one in the fields and no boat on the stream. Across the water, on the farther side, the clouds were rifted in the west. The silent ceremonial of the setting sun was revealed in all its glowing splendour. In the midst of that stillness the child, all of a sudden, pointed with his finger in front of him and cried: "Chan-na! Pitty fow.""

"The moment Raicharan had gone, his little Master's thoughts went off at racing speed to the forbidden water. The baby saw the river rushing by, splashing and gurgling as it went. It seemed as though the disobedient wavelets themselves were running away from some greater Raicharan with the laughter of a thousand children. At the sight of their mischief, the heart of the human child grew excited and restless. He got down stealthily from the go-cart and toddled off towards the river. On his way he picked up a small stick and leant over the bank of the stream pretending to fish. The mischievous fairies of the river with their mysterious voices seemed inviting him into their play-house.

"Raicharan had plucked a handful of flowers from the tree and was carrying them back in the end of his cloth, with his face wreathed in smiles. But when he reached the go-cart there was no one there. He looked on all sides and there was no one there. He looked back at the cart and there was no one there.

"In that first terrible moment his blood froze within him. Before his eyes the whole universe swam round like a dark mist. From the depth of his broken heart he gave one piercing cry: "Master, Master, little Master."

"But no voice answered "Chan-na." No child laughed mischievously back: no scream of baby delight welcomed his return. Only the river ran on with its splashing, gurgling noise as before,—as though it knew nothing at all and had no time to attend to such a tiny human event as the death of a child."

Though every one held the opinion that the Padma had swallowed the child, there was a lurking doubt left in the mind. For a band of gipsies had been noticed outside the village that afternoon, and some suspicion rested on them. The mother went so far in her wild grief as to think it possible that Raicharan himself had stolen the child. She called him aside with piteous entreaty and said: "Raicharan, give me back my baby. Give me back my child. Take from me any money you ask, but give me back my child!"

"Raicharan only beat his forehead in reply. His mistress ordered him out of the house.

"Anukul tried to reason his wife out of this wholly unjust suspicion: "Why on earth," he said, "should he commit such a crime as that?"

"The mother only replied: "The baby had gold ornaments on his body. Who knows?"

"It was impossible to reason with her after that. II Raicharan went back to his own village. Up to this time he had had no son, and there was no hope that any child would now be born to him. But it came about before the end of a year that his wife gave birth to a son and died.

"Then suddenly Raicharan remembered that terrible accusation of the mother. "Ah," he said to himself with amazement, "the mother's heart was right. She knew I had stolen her child.""

Rest is the incredible tale of how he brings him up with love but stature of a master, until, running out of money schooling him appropriately, he brings him to the Master and mistress, returning the boy as their son.

""But," he added severely, "Raicharan, you must not stay here."

""Where shall I go, Master?" said Raicharan, in a choking voice, folding his hands. "I am old. Who will take in an old man as a servant?"

"The mistress said: "Let him stay. My child will be pleased. I forgive him.""

But the magistrate can't allow it, and when he sends money, the Nan is hone with no address.
*****

Master Mashai

It begins innocuous enough, but captures heart soon with the little boy attached to his tutor, each an only companion to the other, being separated by the rich family.

"This time the post of tutor remained occupied longer than before. From the very beginning of their acquaintance Haralal and his pupil became great friends. Never before did Haralal have such an opportunity of loving any young human creature. His mother had been so poor and dependent, that he had never had the privilege of playing with the children where she was employed at work. He had not hitherto suspected the hidden stores of love which lay all the while accumulating in his own heart.

"Venu, also, was glad to find a companion in Haralal. He was the only boy in the house. His two younger sisters were looked down upon, as unworthy of being his playmates. So his new tutor became his only companion, patiently bearing the undivided weight of the tyranny of his child friend."

"There was a theft in Adhar Babu's house. The police were called in to investigate. Even Haralal's trunks were searched. Ratikanta said with meaning: "The man who steals anything, does not keep his thefts in his own box."

"Adharlal called his son's tutor and said to him: "It will not be convenient for me to keep any of you in my own house. From to-day you will have to take up your quarters outside, only coming in to teach my son at the proper time."

"Ratikanta said sagely, drawing at his hookah: "That is a good proposal,—good for both parties."

"Haralal did not utter a word, but he sent a letter saying that it would be no longer possible for him to remain as tutor to Venu."

"The next day, when Haralal was sitting on his wooden bedstead in the Hostel, debating with himself whether he should attend his college lectures, suddenly he saw Adhar Babu's servant coming into his room followed by Venu. Venu at once ran up to him and threw his arms round his neck asking him to come back to the house.

"Haralal could not explain why it was absolutely impossible for him to go back, but the memory of those clinging arms and that pathetic request used to choke his breath with emotion long after."

But now comes a fear as author mentions Haralal with responsibilities of his employer's money, coupled with angry of the boy's father and ill will of the accountant.

" ... Venu had taken three thousand rupees, in currency notes, and had started for England. The steamer was to sail before day-break that very morning. The letter ended with the words: "I am explaining everything in a letter to my father. He will pay off the debt; and then, again, my mother's ornaments, which I have left in your care, will more than cover the amount I have taken.""

" ... Deliverance was in the infinite sky and there was no end to peace. No king or emperor in the world had the power to keep captive this nonentity, this Haralal. In the sky, surrounding his emancipated heart on every side, he felt the presence of his mother, that one poor woman. She seemed to grow and grow till she filled the infinity of darkness. All the roads and buildings and shops of Calcutta gradually became enveloped by her. In her presence vanished all the aching pains and thoughts and consciousness of Haralal. It burst,—that bubble filled with the hot vapour of pain. And now there was neither darkness nor light, but only one tense fulness."
*****

Subha

So sweet a sketch of a small village by a little river, and a dumb girl who steaks one's heart before one knows!

The hamlet where she lived was Chandipur. Its river, small for a river of Bengal, kept to its narrow bounds like a daughter of the middle class. This busy streak of water never overflowed its banks, but went about its duties as though it were a member of every family in the villages beside it. On either side were houses and banks shaded with trees. So stepping from her queenly throne, the river-goddess became a garden deity of each home, and forgetful of herself performed her task of endless benediction with swift and cheerful foot.

"Banikantha's house looked out upon the stream. Every hut and stack in the place could be seen by the passing boatmen. I know not if amid these signs of worldly wealth any one noticed the little girl who, when her work was done, stole away to the waterside and sat there. But here Nature fulfilled her want of speech and spoke for her. The murmur of the brook, the voice of the village folk, the songs of the boatmen, the crying of the birds and rustle of trees mingled and were one with the trembling of her heart. They became one vast wave of sound which beat upon her restless soul. This murmur and movement of Nature were the dumb girl's language; that speech of the dark eyes, which the long lashes shaded, was the language of the world about her. From the trees, where the cicalas chirped, to the quiet stars there was nothing but signs and gestures, weeping and sighing. And in the deep mid-noon, when the boatmen and fisher-folk had gone to their dinner, when the villagers slept and birds were still, when the ferry-boats were idle, when the great busy world paused in its toil and became suddenly a lonely, awful giant, then beneath the vast impressive heavens there were only dumb Nature and a dumb girl, sitting very silent,—one under the spreading sunlight, the other where a small tree cast its shadow.

"But Subha was not altogether without friends. In the stall were two cows, Sarbbashi and Panguli. They had never heard their names from her lips, but they knew her footfall. Though she had no words, she murmured lovingly and they understood her gentle murmuring better than all speech. ... "

"Only think, if Subha had been a water nymph, she might have risen slowly from the river, bringing the gem of a snake's crown to the landing-place. Then Pratap, leaving his paltry fishing, might dive into the lower world, and see there, on a golden bed in a palace of silver, whom else but dumb little Su, Banikantha's child? Yes, our Su, the only daughter of the king of that shining city of jewels! But that might not be, it was impossible. Not that anything is really impossible, but Su had been born, not into the royal house of Patalpur, but into Banikantha's family, and she knew no means of astonishing the Gosains' boy."

"Gradually she grew up. Gradually she began to find herself. A new inexpressible consciousness like a tide from the central places of the sea, when the moon is full, swept through her. She saw herself, questioned herself, but no answer came that she could understand."
*****

The Postmaster

About a little village orphan serving a young Postmaster from city, unable to understand her heart.
*****

The Castaway

About a sole survivor of a boat accident, taking refuge with a family and going through emotions unexpected.
*****

The Son of Rashmani

Most heartbreaking amongst all writings of Tagore.
*****

The Babus of Nayanjore

A young man learns about heart.
*****

[Madhumeet Kour · Rating 4 out of 5]

Beautiful stories that keep you hooked till the very end. Amazing read!

[Czarny Pies · Rating 2 out of 5]

Le problème chez "Stories from Tagore" (disponible à http://www.gutenberg.org/ebooks/33525) est qu'il a éte conçu comme un manuel scolaire. Donc, dans ce receuil on évite toute controverse. On ne trouve pas de contes sur les questions théologiques, le mouvement de l'indépendence de l'Inde ou l'amour entre hommes et femmes adultes.

Les histoires dans ce volume portent sur des petits gens qui vivent dans pauvreté ou qui ont des handicaps phsyiques. Les protagonistes sont entourés par des gens qui ne voient pas ces souffrances ou qui ferment les yeux très rapidement une fois qu'ils voient. Les contes sont touchantes. Dans chacune, on voit dans la main d'un grand maître.

"Stories from Tagore" n'est pas mauvais mais il offre juste un seule aspect de Tagore qui a écrit sur une grande variété des sujets. Je conseille le membre de Goodsreads de lire d'abord "The Hungry Stones" (disponsible sur à http://www.gutenberg.org/ebooks/2518) qui en plus de cinq des meilleures contes de "Stories from Tagore" a d'autres sur la religion, la politique et l'amour.

[Tony Sheldon · Rating 4 out of 5]

Beautiful, simple and entertaining stories. No great words but strong characters, no winning tale but a deep story, no big life lesson but a meaning so profound and true that you can't ignore. A must read for anyone.Even more is his ability to take the story forward without breaking the flow and yet not revealing a lot than necessary and then bam!, the story ends with the most eye opening and emotional paragraph a person could ever come up with.And then you shake yourself and bring to your realization that it was just a story though what he said was a lot greater than a normal person's understanding and his circle of observance. Great work indeed!

[Avinash Gupta · Rating 4 out of 5]

Originally written in Bengali, the trademark of his style is narratives reflecting the emotions, underlying the social and economic structure of that era. Each story shows that how we restrict our true emotion due to our mindsets, religion, social beliefs and moral obligations.

Full Review: http://wp.me/p18IHE-hN

[Akash Goel · Rating 3 out of 5]

A somewhat eccentric read, most of the stories are highly emotional. My personal favorites are Cabuliwallah and Rashmani's son. One thing though I disliked was the lack of logical outcomes, with many characters embracing any misfortune that befell them. As a result, some of the stories, which although were supposed to evoke my sympathies, instead drew only snorts of laughter.

[Saranga · Rating 3 out of 5]

10 poignant stories from Tagore with innocent yet strong characters and fatalistic ends. Fate and forces beyond control waylay their plans, hopes and sometimes happiness.

[Steve R · Rating 5 out of 5]

This 1918 collection of short stories was the first Tagore that I’ve read. I found his writing to provide very insightful, almost painfully searing examinations of human feelings. Situations of class, of economic prosperity and poverty, and of familial stresses also are quite well presented. Finally, and most importantly, there were fundamental moral lessons provided.

Fathers must realize that the ebullient enthusiasm and affection of their daughters which they manifest when very young will not last, and that they will eventually leave. (The ‘Cubiliwallah’)

Young sons who are fourteen years of age are too old to be looked on as charming and too young to be accorded any real responsibilities: they are thus largely ignored while at the same time they find themselves most yearning for affection and some emotional support from those around them. (‘The Homecoming’)

A seven year old boy can be unlimited in his selfishness, his impetuosity and, above all, his credulity (‘There Once Was a King’)

The abject submission and near-total lack of self-confidence of the lower orders means they are prone to give themselves no option but to submit to undeserved and harsh treatment by their social superiors. (‘The Child’s Return’)

In one of the most moving stories in the collection, the venal self-centeredness, total lack of any empathy for others and paucity of any moral center of the rich or those of higher status is contrasted with the patient devotion, earnest labour and fundamental moral equilibrium of the poor. The final scene of the story’s protagonist travelling the streets of Calcutta is poignantly drawn. (‘Master Mashai’)

A dumb girl who cannot speak is finally gotten rid of by her put-upon parents who are thus relieved since their ‘caste in this world and safety in the next’ are thus assured; meanwhile, the girl is torn from her natural surroundings and loses the only, albeit miniscule, surety she had ever had. (‘Subha’)

When one feels isolated, abandoned and put down by life due to one’s impoverished position, one can still be incapable of recognizing that there are those below, not just in position, but also in their fundamental social solitude. (’The Postmaster’)

Those fortunate enough to benefit from unforeseen turns of fortune should realize that such propitious changes can work in reverse. (‘The Castaway’)

In a story worthy of Balzac, an inharmonious family involving stepchildren, a stolen will, a lost inheritance, abject poverty, mindless dissipation, a needless death and unspeakable suffering are the result of a fundamental lack of maturity in one character. (‘The Son of Reshani’)

Absurd personal vanity cannot obviate the sincerity of real affection which will allow one to realize that empathetic respect rather than sarcastic humour is much more capable of giving one personal satisfaction. (‘The Babus of Nayanjore’)

A very moving, well written collection.

Highly recommended.

[Tanushri Indoria · Rating 4 out of 5]

Bonds- they don't develop only because of blood. And most of the times they don't exist when it comes to lineage even if we minutely observe it with a magnifying glass.

Confidants, critics, people whom we confide in, people whose backs we have and vice versa are mostly out of the box of kinship.
No same blood runs in their bodies and ours. And yet, we are ready to die for them.

Such bonds are created with utmost sense of love that doesn't flow with conditions, care which isn't obsession, authority that isn't captivating. It's a selfless flow with no maintenance of scores and no prioritising of wants over needs.

This tiny collection of "Stories From Tagore" by Rabindranath Tagore is a collection of such stories. That in one way or the other focuses on bonds out of families. And a heart-wrenching common hidden message behind all these stories that people lurk outside for such bonds because they crave for it in their own house. When the blood fails to provide, that's when you run and find solace outside.

Even though you might be with them physically all the time, but the threads which once kept you intact with them don't exist anymore. People who have seen your mere existence and fell in love with it without any apprehensions bound to do things for you which you never could have thought, that you deserve!

Go on, read it and warm your heart! These stories will tell you that good humans still exist.

[Aishu · Rating 3 out of 5]

The short stories written by Rabindranath Tagore highlight the foibles of human nature and depict how helpless a person becomes under the burden of emotional attachments. The metaphorical descriptions in some of the passages have been beautifully composed. While the themes are sublime, most of the tales build up high anticipation in the reader with their engrossing beginnings, but get concluded abruptly. So I did not enjoy half of the stories in this book as much as I thought I would. My favourites are The Cabuliwallah, The Home-Coming, The Postmaster, The Son of Rashmani, and The Babus of Nayanjore. All of the ten stories are set in Bengal, Tagore's native state, so there is a kind of homely warmth rendered by the narratives. Overall, I have mixed feelings about this book because at times, in the process of relaying the message, the plot has been lost. But the tales that I liked have kept both the plot intact and delivered the message successfully. Since most are translated versions, I can't help but wonder if the stories would seem more enticing in the original Bengali. After this, I am now curious to explore the Nobel prize winner's poetic works.

[Kasturi Sanap · Rating 3 out of 5]

This is a collection of 10 short stories. The writing is simple. Most stories don't have a climax. The beauty of the book is that the stories resemble the life of common man and are more closer to reality than fiction.

Good things about the book-
1. Beginner friendly. A very easy book which can be understood and read by non bibliophile crowd
2. Very good portrayal of emotions
3. Can easily correlate with the characters in the story
4. Vocabulary at the end of the chapter for difficult words (not useful for me as I was reading on kindle)
5. Very short read

Might have been better-
1. Few stories are lost in translation from the original Bengali book
2. Very deep emotions in some stories. Can make you cry. Too heavy at times.
3. Few stories have characters who have no role in the plot

It's a free book on kindle so the novice readers can download it and give it a read!

[Surabhi Yadav · Rating 3 out of 5]

A great storyteller is the one who knows how to observe emotions, their different manifestations and know how to communicate them in words to make you feel the same. Tagore's short stories do a great job of circling around one particular emotion in the lives of his characters who live an ordinary life, mostly in rural Bengal. The stories are very simple and mostly straightforward. For me, the anchor of attention was not as much as the plot as the actions and the reactions of the characters. Out of 12 stories I read, death seemed to be a prominent ending in at least 8. Most stories have a sad ending, which is usually build up by Tagore's perspective on meaning and diving within to help a character grapple with his/her emotional self.

I recently got to know about Netflix's series on Tagore's work - it is a beautiful series to complement your experience of living and experiencing Tagore's world of stories.

[Deepthi Narasimhaiah · Rating 5 out of 5]

Out of the 10 short stories, nine of them have sad endings. Difficult to say which is the best one, but I would go for Cabuliwallah, Subha, The Postmaster, Master Mashai and The Son of Rashmani.

The story of Subha reveals how parents were desperate to get their daughters married off. This holds good today also in Indian society were parents still feel daughters are a burden. The postmaster is another story with an ending much tearful than Subha. Master Mashai is a sorrowful story of how an ex-student betrays his master, resulting in the ruining of his master’s life. The Son of Rashmani is interesting and conveys the importance of education and responsibility in life.
The only story with a happy ending is the Babus of Nayajore but is a boring one.

[Anupama Sarkar · Rating 4 out of 5]

Read a short story The Riddle Solved.. plot was interesting and narrative engrossing.. though found it quite similar to another short story I have read eons ago 😊

I would recommend you to read both The Riddle Solved by Tagore and The Accursed House by Gabriou, in quick succession, as both of them are almost similar in setting and plot, and yet vastly different from each other, may say, different shades of same color.

[An amateur reader · Rating 4 out of 5]

I feel this book can be a good start for people who are getting accustomed to reading books.

Good : Every story ends with the meaning of certain words used in the story and also specifies where it originated from.

Bad : Almost all the stories in this book have a sad ending which is a little disturbing for me because I prefer happy endings but this is merely a personal preference not everyone would find it to be a bad thing.

Overall, it is a pleasant read.

[Arzoo Khan · Rating 5 out of 5]

HeartWarming!! He knows how to give emotions the most lyrical form, everystory expresses some sort of emotions like friendship, kindness, compassion, grief, consciousness etc. Each and every emotion is just so beautifully put into words. A totally enthralling, captivating emotional rollercoaster. Got me into tears than the last story(The Babus Of Nayanjore) feels like cool breeze in the scratching heat. Can't recommend it enough!! Favorite Writer. Legend for a reason!!!

[Ufaque · Rating 5 out of 5]

Brilliant and captivating storytelling.

This book is a collection of ten short stories written by Rabindranath Tagore. Most of them has sad endings, but are very realistic. The first story, 'The Cabuliwallah' brought back school days nostalgia to me. I read it after a long time.

With only 143 pages, this is a very quick read. But, these few pages are filled with many deep meanings and lessons. A must read for everyone.