The Telegram on the Table

The Telegram on the Table : Parashu Pradhan, Nepal (1943 - )

Summary

Parashu Pradhan is known for his most well-known story, "The Telegram on the Table." Krishna is the story's main character. This tale serves as sarcasm for Nepalese youth who fantasize about emigrating while ignoring and forgetting their own country. This story also focuses on guilt complex.

Krishna was born in a small Nepalese village. He moves to Kathmandu to pursue his colorful desire to be among his parents and the community after completing his formal education. His childhood desire has always been to see America. He studies English and works as a tour guide in Kathmandu. He has been affected by western music and culture as a result of working as a tour guide. Krishna spends several years taking tourists to various locations while teaching them about Nepalese culture, customs, history, religion, and archaeology. Then he completely forgets about his lovely village, his place of birth, his wife, and his parents. He is a diligent man who loses himself in the golden fantasy of America, a strange country.

Krishna chases after money amid Kathmandu's materialistic urban lifestyle. He doesn't write to, speak to, or visit his parents or the place where he was born. One evening as he is getting ready for bed, he notices a telegram on the table. Your wife passed away yesterday, Krishna reads in the telegram. He finishes reading the telegram, places it on the table, and then goes to bed because it is late. For a week, he forgets about it. This indicates that even after learning of his wife's passing, he has no regrets or plans to visit his home.

After a few weeks, he does, however, recall his deceased wife. He struggled to fall asleep at night. He is relieved as he considers his current line of work, however his deceased wife continues to haunt him. He contrasts his current situation (living alone in the city) with his previous one (being together with his parents, wife and society). He begins to despise himself because he is a harsh, selfish guy who forgets and misses his parents, wife, and birthplace. He even laments that his desire to live in America led him to neglect his responsibilities to his family and community. At the conclusion, crying uncontrollably while alone and realizing that life in society is actually full of anguish, pain, isolation, and regret.

Application of Four Levels

• Literal Comprehension
  • Krishna, the story's main character, was born in a far-off village. He moves to Kathmandu after completing his study, leaving behind his wife, parents, and hometown. He tries very hard to adjust as he comes in Kathmandu. He studies English in order to become a tour guide. He becomes preoccupied from morning until night with leading tourists around Nepal, forgetting about his wife and the rest of his family. He starts by working for money before turning selfish. He develops a desire to move to America, and as a result, he imitates American culture and behavior. He does not communicate with or visit his family or place of birth. He learns about his wife's passing one day. His deceased wife does not affect his heart because he is already separated from his wife and family. However, a few days later, he recalls his deceased wife, parents, and birthplace, and he then discovers that his existence is now alone and is full of misery, pain, and regret. Then, he begins sobbing uncontrollably while crying a lot.
• Interpretation
  • Influential author Parashu Pradhan is the author of "The Telegram on the Table," the most well-known and moving short story. The socioeconomic reality of Nepalese culture is shown in this tale. This tale illustrates how modern man has evolved into a mechanical and materialistic being, especially under the influence of western civilization. Similar to that, it imparts to us a moral lesson about the value of our place of origin, love, parents, and culture. Additionally, it illustrates how money has turned people in modern society into selfish, independent, and mechanical beings. Krishna, a young child from a distant Nepalese hamlet, harbors aspirations to live abroad in America. He loses track of everything, even his wife, while living in Kathmandu and daydreaming of America. In a charming dream, Krishna imitates a foreign girl rather than his wife. The author illustrates how new generations in Nepal have developed the ideal of living a materialistic life in a distant city while ignoring their hometown, families, and cultures through the character of Krishna in the novel. Such an idea never makes them happy, but instead causes them to experience remorse later.
• Critical Thinking
  • The majority of common young people in Nepal (both males and females) have the idea that they should leave their hometown or village and move to a foreign country or materialistic city. This is illustrated in the story. They believe that living abroad or in a metropolis is preferable to living in a rural setting. They have a money-focused mindset on the one hand, but they also miss their identities, families, cultures, and places of origin. As a result, this tale serves as satire for Nepalese youth who, while coming from a rural background, dream of living abroad or in a city yet neglect their ties to their families and society. We can interpret some of the story's principles as contentious, though. For instance, how can a village boy develop into a cold-hearted guy in the city? Why doesn't his heart break when his wife passes away? And if so, why does he cry so much in the end? Does having an eye on the future require a guy to ignore his past and place of origin?
• Assimilation
  • This narrative is both remarkable and heartfelt. After reading this narrative, I opened my eyes and began to consider my identity and my origins. It's because I've lived in Kathmandu for almost fifteen years while coming from a small town in Nepal. I didn't communicate with my relatives or visit my birthplace during those years. I now understand the value of family, relationships, birthplace, and love thanks to this narrative. As a result, I now stay in regular contact with my family and friends back home. I've also decided to go back to my hometown as soon as I can.

Referance

(Subedi, K.P. and Bhandari, M.B. (2014). Business English. Kathmandu: Highland Publication P. Ltd.)