My Lord, the Baby
A twelve-year-old boy named Raicharan becomes a servant in a household, tasked with caring for his master's son. As the boy grows, Raicharan's bond with him deepens, and he becomes devoted to the child's whims and needs. However, when the boy's mother arrives, Raicharan's influence diminishes, but he finds joy in caring for the new baby born to his master. Raicharan's affection for the child grows as he witnesses the baby's milestones, such as crawling and walking. One day, during a rainy season, Raicharan takes the child out in a go-cart. The child, curious and mischievous, runs off towards the river while Raicharan fetches flowers. In a moment of horror, Raicharan discovers the child is missing, leading to a frantic search. The villagers suspect the river has taken the child, but Raicharan is accused by the mother of having stolen him. Devastated, Raicharan returns to his village, where he later has a son with his wife, who dies shortly after childbirth. Initially resentful of the new child, Raicharan gradually comes to see him as a reincarnation of his lost master. He lavishes attention and care on the boy, named Phailna, and sacrifices his own well-being to provide for him. As Phailna grows, Raicharan's devotion continues, but he remains a servant in demeanor, which creates a distance between them. Raicharan eventually sells his land to send Phailna to school in Calcutta, where the boy thrives but views Raicharan more as a servant than a father. Years pass, and Raicharan's health declines due to his self-neglect. He decides to return to his village, leaving Phailna with some money. He visits his former master, Anukul, who is still grieving for his lost child. Raicharan confesses to having taken the child, claiming it was fate. Anukul, though softened by Raicharan's presence, cannot forgive him for the act. When Raicharan brings Phailna to Anukul, the mother is overjoyed, but Anukul demands proof of Raicharan's claim. Unable to provide any, Raicharan faces rejection. Phailna, realizing his true parentage, feels anger and betrayal but ultimately advocates for Raicharan's forgiveness. Anukul remains resolute, and Raicharan, heartbroken, leaves, disappearing into the world without a trace.
By Rabindranath Tagore · First published 1915 · Genre: Literary Fiction, Drama, Family Saga · 3,559 words
First lines
I.
Raicharan was twelve years old when he came as a servant to his master's house. He belonged to the same caste as his master, and was given his master's little son to nurse. As time went on the boy left Raicharan's arms to go to school. From school he went on to college, and after college he entered the judicial service. Always, until he married, Raicharan was his sole attendant.
What this Textopian page supports
My Lord, the Baby is listed on Textopian as a short story by Rabindranath Tagore, dated 1915 CE.
This source record anchors work identity, reading entry points, and catalog context for checking claims about the work.
- Work type: Short story
- Author: Rabindranath Tagore
- Date: 1915 CE
- Language: English
- Genres: Literary Fiction, Drama, Family Saga, Tragedy, Social Commentary
- Length: 3,559 words
- Structure: 1 section, 63 paragraphs
- Reading fit: Fairly Easy (7th Grade)
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- Work identity for My Lord, the Baby by Rabindranath Tagore
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- Genre and topic classification from the Textopian catalog
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Discussion starters
- What should a reader notice first when entering My Lord, the Baby?
- How does this short story by Rabindranath Tagore fit its genre, period, or classroom use?
- Where does Literary Fiction first become important in the reading?
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- A Womans Kingdom by Anton Chekhov
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Genres
- Literary Fiction — The narrative explores deep emotional themes, character development, and social issues, characteristic of literary fiction.
- Drama — The story contains intense emotional conflicts and character interactions that are central to dramatic literature.
- Family Saga — The plot revolves around familial relationships, particularly the bond between Raicharan and the children he cares for.
- Tragedy — The story includes elements of loss, guilt, and despair, culminating in a tragic resolution.
Tags
Social Commentary · Satire · Feminism · Marriage · Family Dynamics · Societal Expectations · Class Conflict · Poverty · Illiteracy · Childbirth · Motherhood · Fatherhood