Village by the Sea

This story takes place in Thul, a small village which is 14 kilometers from Bombay. It is about the story of a poor family. Lila, the eldest child among four siblings and her brother Hari, is one year younger than Lila. Their mother is ill and needs constant care and nursing. She is anaemic due to malnourishment and she grows weaker and weaker. Their father is a drunkard and only wastes money on toddy. He spends most of his time sleeping at home and he did not care of his family.

Lila, the eldest daughter has to do the chores for the family. She also needs to take care of her two little sisters. They are Bela and Kamal. They will help Lila to do some household after they come back from the school. Hari is the only son in the house. He has to take up the role as the father and earn money for the family. Hari feels that the burden of taking care to the family is on his shoulder. He has several choices to release the burden: he can work in Biju who owns a big boat with diesel engine, to work in the factory that will be built in the village in near time, or to go to Bombay to find job in the big city.

One day, he gets the opportunity to go to Bombay when he follows a group of protestor in a procession to submit petition to the Chief Minister, to stop the building of the factory in Hari's village. At Bombay, he works at a restaurant, Sri Krishna Eating House. Mr Panwallah, is the owner of the watch repair shop. Hari has a good friendship with him. Hari learns also how to mend watches in the repairer shop is just beside the restaurant. He saves some money before coming back to meet with his family in the village.

With Hari gone, Lila has to take care of the family alone and thus has to bear a greater responsibility. With the help of Mr De Silva from Bombay, Lila is able to send her mother to a nearby hospital to receive treatment. Their father feels angry and roars at Lila by asking why Lila sends his wife to the hospital without asking him.

Lila vists her...