दुलाल की कहानी

Summary

The story follows a boy named Dulal, who is unfairly called "Dulal Chor" (Dulal the thief) by everyone in his village, causing him great distress. Dulal lives with his blind grandfather and overworked grandmother, as his mother died at his birth and his father remarried and left. Despite being a simple cowherd who does the same mischievous things as other village children—like throwing stones at mango trees or climbing guava trees—only Dulal is branded a thief. This label originated when old Vasna Didi caught him drinking milk directly from a cow's udder as a small child, an act she publicly condemned as theft. Unlike other children whose families would fiercely defend them against such accusations, Dulal's elderly grandparents are not quarrelsome, so the name stuck. The story shifts to a wedding at Mitti's house, where Dulal works. During the festivities, a gold cigarette case belonging to a relative from Kolkata goes missing. Vasna Didi, who was responsible for cleaning the silverware, is immediately accused of theft. Despite her tearful denials, she is dismissed and publicly shamed. Dulal sympathizes with her, knowing the pain of being falsely called a thief. Later, while grazing cows in the field with his friends Gabu and Pintu, Dulal discovers a handkerchief, a matchbox, and the missing gold cigarette case lying in the grass. They realize the city relative must have dropped them while relieving himself in the field. Dulal returns the items to the household. The family realizes their mistake and calls Vasna Didi back. She embraces Dulal, crying, and admits her own wrongdoing in originally labeling him a thief for a childish act. Dulal cries too, but from joy at being vindicated.