Kabuliwala Questions

After you read the story, try to answer the following questions to see if you stand what you've just read.

1. What does Mini, the author's daughter, have the tendency to often do? How do her parents feel about this?

2. Why is Mini frightened of the Cabuliwallah fruit seller?

3. What does the author do when he sees Mini with the Cabuliwallah's gifts? What does the Cabuliwallah do in return?

4. How does the Cabuliwallah overcome Mini's fears of him?

5. What is the double meaning which the author conveys in "father-in-law's house"?

6. Why is Rahmun arrested?

7. How does the situation change the joke the Cabuliwallah and Mini had shared?

8. Who appears on the night of Mini's wedding? How has he changed?

9. What has Rahmun carried with him for many years? How does this change Mini's father's feelings?

10. What new meaning does Mini and Rahmun's old joke have?

11. What happens when Mini's father gives money to Rahmun? How does he think this will affect the festivities?

Analyzing the Text

Now that you understand the story quite well, it's time for you to put your noggin to good use. Consider these questions and answer them using your critical thinking skills. Look for examples in the text to back up your argument or opinion.

1. Analyze the relationship between Mini and Rahmun. What do they do with each other? How do they feel towards one another? Explain your answer with examples.

2. Predict what Rahmun and Mini's relationship would have been like if Rahmun had never gone to jail. How would both of their lives be different if they never separated?

3. Why does Rahmun develop a special friendship with young Mini? Do you think this is a good reason? Why or why not?

4. What underlying themes are in the story? What theme is highlighted by the change in Mini, according to Rahmun, by the end of the story?

5. What techniques does Tagore use to characterize Rahmun? Which of Rahmun's behaviors show that he loves his only daughter very...