The Telegram on the Table by Parshu Pradhan
Author's Introduction: Nepalese
author of short stories Parashu Pradhan is the author of numerous books and
short tales. He was born on February 12, 1944, to parents Ram Bahadur Pradhan
and Indira Pradhan in Nepal's Bhojpur district. InSLC-level 1958, he completed his SLC
level schooling in Bhojpur and obtained a private education for his bachelor's
degree. He received an MA in political science and Nepali and has published a
number of works, including Uttarardha, Dalle Khola, Tokiyoma Sano Buddha,
Chesta, Chesta, Chesta, Ma Tero Logne Hu Nirmala, The Telegram on the Table,
and others.
Literal Comprehension: The
story "The Telegram on the Table" was written by Nepalese novelist
Parshu Pradhan, which is about a typical
person who wants to travel abroad in order to have a successful and meaningful
life. Krishna travels to Kathmandu from his little town to start his English
language education. Due to his English proficiency, he begins working as a tour
guide. He first travels to his village during the festival of Dashain. But as
time goes on, he completely forgets everything, including his wife, parents,
and his homeland.
It's because he longs to visit a distant
nation and desires to wed a foreign woman who will support his travels
overseas. Such thoughts lead him to believe that his wife might present a barrier
to his second marriage. He asks god for the passing of his wife in the
hopes that it will release him from the constraint. Sadly,
he learns through a telegram that his wife has also passed away. He is overcome
with joy and dreams of achievement. Eventually, he was also unable to travel
overseas, and all of a sudden, he remembered his past and his difficult
upbringing. Despite the fact that his wife is deceased, he still feels her love
and affection. He finally understands the awful error he made. He tears the
telegram into bits after reading it again and begins sobbing hysterically.
Interpretation: The
audience is informed by this story that the majority of people forget their
genuine living circumstances when they move to an urban location. Some of them
even forget about their relatives. Money and the artificiality of city life
cause them to start becoming egotistical and cold-hearted, therefore this
narrative shows that we must never lose sight of who we are, where we come
from, and what our status is all about.
Critical Thinking: I
don't quite concur with the author because it seems impossible that Mr. Krishna
could forget his better half so simply. Is it feasible for the husband to feel
joy upon learning of his wife's passing? How can we assert that life in cities
or abroad is always better?
Assimilation: I
now realize the value of family after reading this narrative. We should value
our parents, relatives, and community even though we gain fame and wealth by
traveling to other places since the past is far more powerful than the present.