A postmaster arrives in a remote village, feeling isolated and disconnected from his life in Calcutta. His office is in a thatched shed near a pond, and he struggles with loneliness, finding little companionship among the factory workers. He shares his meager meals with Ratan, an orphan girl who helps him with chores. Their relationship deepens as they share memories and stories, with Ratan often recalling her family and childhood. As the rains pour incessantly, the postmaster falls ill, and Ratan steps into a nurturing role, caring for him like a mother. This experience brings them closer, and he begins to teach her to read. However, he soon decides to request a transfer back to Calcutta due to the unhealthy conditions of the village. When he informs Ratan of his departure, she is devastated and asks to accompany him, but he dismisses her request lightly. On the day of his departure, Ratan prepares for him, but her heart is heavy with sorrow. The postmaster, while leaving, offers her his salary, but she refuses, feeling abandoned. As he departs in a boat, he feels a pang of regret for leaving her behind, recognizing her grief as a reflection of the broader human experience of loss. Ratan, left in the village, is consumed by her tears, clinging to the hope that he might return, embodying the pain of unfulfilled longing and separation.
By Rabindranath Tagore · First published 1914 · Genre: Literary Fiction, Drama, Social Commentary