A young man, after the death of his wife, immerses himself in hunting, accompanied by a group of followers. While out shooting near a swamp, he encounters a beautiful village maiden caring for ducklings. Captivated by her beauty, he follows her to her home, where he finds her tending to a wounded dove. The girl, named Sudha, is the daughter of a Brahmin who expresses concern over finding a suitable husband for her. The young man, charmed by Sudha, proposes to her father, who is astonished by the unexpected offer. The father agrees, and the wedding is arranged for the upcoming season. During the ceremony, as the couple is covered by a screen for the ritual known as the Auspicious Vision, the young man is shocked to discover that the bride is not the same girl he had seen earlier. Confusion and anger arise within him, leading him to question the integrity of the arrangement. As he grapples with his feelings, a leveret enters the room, prompting the appearance of the village maiden he had first encountered. She is revealed to be deaf and dumb, a companion to animals, and her presence brings clarity to the young man's turmoil. Realizing that he has escaped a potential mistake, he looks at his bride anew, seeing her true beauty and feeling a sense of relief. The story concludes with the young man experiencing the genuine Auspicious Vision, embracing the blessing of his marriage.
By Rabindranath Tagore · First published 1933 · Genre: Literary Fiction, Romance, Social Commentary