Kaki
by Munshi Premchand
Making connections
Quick answers
1. Character traits are words used to describe how characters act during certain situations or what kind of people they are. From the list given on the next page, choose two words to fill in each box to describe Roopa at the beginning, the middle and end of the story.
[furious, thoughtless, ashamed, displeased, apologetic, impolite]
Beginning = thoughtless; displeased;
Middle = furious; impolite;
End = ashamed; apologetic;
Reference to context:
2. "Just as a high shower often makes the heat worse, the few puris had merely whet Kaki's craving, and she said, 'No, my daughter. Go to your mother and bring some more."
a. Who had brought the basket for Kaki? How did she feel about Kaki?
= Budhiram's little daughter Ladli had brought the basket for Kaki.
Ladli felt both sorrow and surprise at her parents' behaviour towards Kaki. She was also thinking that why they had not fed Kaki and why they did not allow her to eat before the guests had been served.
b. Where was Kaki at this point in the story? What time was it?
= Kaki was in her room at this point of the story.
It was eleven in the night.
c. What comparison does the narrator use to describe Kaki's desire at this point in the story?
= The author has used the comparison that we feel more uncomfortable after a light shower in a hot day of summer. In the same way, the few puris had make Kaki's hunger more sharp. She wanted more puris to eat from Ladli.
3. "Just then Roopa woke up. She did not find Ladli by her side. She looked around and saw Ladli standing beside the used leaf plates."
a. When did Roopa wake up?
= Roopa wake up at the time when Ladli took Kaki by the hand and led her to the dining area. Roopa did not find Ladli by her side.
b. What was special about the day?
= It was the engagement day of Budhiram and Roopa's son Sukhram. It was an auspicious day for the family.
c. What was the sight that horrified Roopa when she saw Ladli standing?
= Roopa was horrified when she saw that Kaki picking crumbs from the leftovers and eating them. Ladli was standing beside.
Read, reflect and write:
4. What were the sounds and aromas that filled the house on the day of the engagement?
= On the day Budhiram's son, Sukhram was getting engaged. The house was filled with the sound of the shehnai. Big kadais were placed on open-air fireplaces. Puris, kachoris and spicy curries were being cooked. The aroma of ghee and spices was in the air.
5. What is your opinion of Budhiram? Illustrate your opinion with events from the story.
= Budhiram was gentle by nature as long as his pocket remained untouched. Kaki had no one except her nephew, Budhiram, to depend upon, and had given him all her property. He, in turn, had promised to look after her. Budhiram knew that he was able to wear a cloak of responsibility only because of the property that Kaki had given him. He sometimes regretted his cruel behaviour but the very thought of incurring any additional expense supressed his good intentions. He became red with embarrassment when he found Kaki in the courtyard before the guests. He caught hold of Kaki and pulled her back into her gloomy room.
6. How did Roopa react when she saw Kaki near a large frying pan? What made her react in this manner?
= When Roopa saw Kaki near a large frying pan, she was furious and reprimanded the old woman.
She was very concerned to host the guests of the ceremony of engagement of her son. She thought it would be very embarrassing if the guests see the old lady craving for food in that manner. She was disappointed about the fact that the guests had not eaten yet and no offerings had been made to God and Kaki was being impatient to eat her food.
7. At the end of the story, Roopa prays for forgiveness. Do you think she deserves to be forgiven? Give a reason for your answer.
= If we evaluate Roopa's character from the very beginning to the middle of the story, she does not deserve to be forgiven. She, along with her husband and sons, was rude to Kaki. She was furious and scolded Kaki bitterly when she found her sitting beside the kadai. She treated her as a beggar and eventually she did not remind to feed Kaki. We can found Kaki devouring the leftovers like an animal from the leaf-plates lying scattered all over. This was very much inhuman.
At the ending point of the story, we see that Roopa becomes repentant for her ignorance to feed Kaki. She was asking for mercy from God. This is another shade of her character. Then she lit a lamp and went into her storeroom. She piled a tray with food and took it to Kaki. Good wishes flowed from Kaki and it is clear that she had forgiven Roopa. Here is the point we can say that Roopa deserves to be forgiven.
8. What caused Ladli's bewilderment and sorrow on the day of the engagement?
= The guests had eaten. The family had eaten. The help had had their meal. But no one thought of Kaki. Only little Ladli felt both sorrow and surprise at her parent's behaviour. They had not fed Kaki. They did not allowed her to eat before the guests had been served. Ladli had hidden her share of puris in a basket for Kaki and took them to Kaki once she got the chance at midnight.
9. The theme is the main message of the story that the author wants the readers to learn or know about. A theme is usually not stated directly and the reader must read between the lines and work it out. What do you think is the theme or message of this story?
= Like a tree can not grow much ignoring its roots, we can also not be happy ignoring our elders. We should take good care of them and treat them well. They sacrificed a lot and worked hard to rear us up and they just expect some respect and polite behaviour from us when they reach at their old age. The author has given this important message through the story.
About the Author:
Munshi Premchand (1880-1936), one of the foremost Hindi-Urdu writers, wrote over 300 short stories, 14 novels, numerous essays, letters, plays and translations. Known as 'Upanyas Samrat' (emperor among novelists), he brought to life the challenges facing both rural and urban India. His famous novels include Godan and Nirmala.