The Telegram on the Table

The Telegram on the Table

                                                Parashu Pradhan

Literal Comprehension:

"The Telegram on the Table" shows the desire of many Nepalese youths who dream of the European countries and forgets the reality of the life. Krishna is the main character of the story. He is a village youth. He has a very beautiful dream from his childhood. He wants come to Kathmandu, learns English, works as a tourist guides and follow tourist girl and goes to America. He is a married man; he leaves his wife and parents in the village, come to Kathmandu, learns English, works as a tourist guide but can't follow a tourist girl. However he falls in love with local girl, Miss Pandey. Krishna forgets his home, parents and wife. He doesn't go home for many years. He takes his wife as a burden. He wants to get rid of her. He takes the tourist different cultural, religious and historical places of Kathmandu valley. He wishes for his wife's death. One day, he receives the telegram from his village. The telegram says "your wife died yesterday". Krishna becomes happy with the ewes. The telegram is on the table for many days. One day a friend consoled him. Krishna thanks him for formality. But one day he returns to his room being depressed. Perhaps, Miss Pandey insults him. He reads the telegram for long time. His stone hearts melt and he weeps bitterly. He weeps over and over and falls asleep weeping. He doesn't know how much he weeps.

Interpretation:

This story may be trying to show the desire of many Nepalese youths. They dream of America and other European countries forgetting their own birthplace. Living in the city, they became selfish. They take even their family members as burden. They forget parents, wives, culture, tradition, etc. but they regret when they get their desire unfulfilled.

Critical thinking:

This story presents the realistic mentality of many Nepalese village youth. However some ideas are doubtful. Does Krishna really become so cruel and selfish? Does he have known human feeling? If so, why does he weep at last? So. I don't agree with the writer totally.

Assimilation:

This story reminds my own life story. I am also a village youth. When I passed the SLC, I came to Kathmandu to learn English and to go to America. I even worked as a tourist guide to follow an American girl. But I became unsuccessful. I didn't return to my village for many years. I became very selfish. Now, I regret for what I have done.