Oru Manushyan

Plot summary

The protagonist of the story is a man who finds himself stranded in a big city 1,500 miles away from home. He is unfamiliar with the area and does not speak the native language. The crime rate is high because individuals are ruthless and willing to do everything for money. They serve in banks, mills, and commercial institutions as soldiers, money lenders, and watchmen. They want to learn English so they can write addresses in English at the post office. The protagonist, who lives in a small room, earns his living by teaching English to them in the evening, and he sleeps all day to save on costs.

One day, the protagonist goes to a bustling restaurant to have a meal. When he tries to pay the bill, he realises that his purse, containing his life's savings of fourteen rupees, is missing. The restaurant owner accuses him of trying to trick him and threatens to gouge his eyes out if he does not pay. The protagonist is left stranded and hopeless in front of a group of people who appear to be wolves. The speaker begs the owner to keep his coat as collateral. The owner, however, chortles and demands that the speaker take off his coat, shirt, and shoes. None of the other customers are willing to help, and the protagonist is forced to strip naked by the owner and the other patrons.

As the situation escalates, a blue-eyed man with a red turban appears from the crowd and pays the bill. The protagonist is grateful and tries to express his gratitude, but the stranger just laughs it off. The protagonist asks the man his name, but he says he does not have one. The protagonist suggests calling him 'Mercy', but the stranger does not respond to that. The stranger takes the protagonist to a deserted spot and pulls out five wallets from his pocket, asking the protagonist to identify his. The stranger warns the protagonist not to tell anyone about the incident and leaves, wishing him God's protection. The protagonist is grateful for the stranger's help and prays that God will bless him.

Translation