The Cabuliwallah
Study Guide

Comprehension
1. What is Mini’s relationship with her mother?

2. Why is Mini afraid of the Cabuliwallah at first?

3. What are the two meanings of “the father-in-law’s house?

4. What is Mini’s father’s final act of kindness and justice to Rahmun the Cabuliwallah?

Interpret

5. Why do Mini and the Cabuliwallah develop such a close relationship? What does each gain from the other?

6. In what ways do you think Mini has changed in the eight years of the Cabuliwallah’s absence?

7. Why do you think Mini acts so reserved with the Cabuliwallah when she sees him again?

Literary Focus
Relationships

8. Why does Mini’s father feel such a close relationship to the Cabuliwallah at the end of the story?

Self-Test
"The Cabuliwallah," Rabindranath Tagore

1. What is Mini's relationship with her parents?
She is not close to her mother or her father.
She is more relaxed with her father than with her mother.
She is friendly with both her mother and her father.

2. Why is Mini afraid of the Cabuliwallah at first?
She is afraid because of the frightening stories she hears about him.
She is afraid because of his unusual appearance.
She is afraid because her father has told her to stay away from him.

3. Why do Mini and the Cabuliwallah develop such a close relationship?
They enjoy laughing and talking together.
They enjoy eating together.
They enjoy reading together.

4. In what ways do you think Mini has changed during the Cabuliwallah's absence?
She has become less beautiful.
She has become more cheerful.
She has become more reserved.

5. Why is Mini reserved with the Cabuliwallah when she sees him again?
She feels uncomfortable because he is so strange.
She cannot interact with the Cabuliwallah on the level that she used to do.
She is at an awkward age.
Extra Credit
\
The author of "The Cabuliwallah," Rabindranath Tagore, used his gifts as a writer to fight for India's independence. Thanks to his efforts and the efforts of many like him, India achieved its independence from Great Britain in 1947.
Create a time line that shows the significant events that led to India's independence. Include images of influential leaders who helped bring about independence. The following sites provide information about Indian history and politics:
The Revolutionary Upheaval of 1857
Learn about early political unrest in India.
Timeline of India
Find a time line that traces India's history from its origins to today. You may want to look at it before you design your own time line.
Brief History of Indian Independence
Read a narrative of events leading to Indian independence.
Based on what you have learned at these sites, try to include as many events prior to 1947 that you believe helped India to gain its independence. Your time line should begin in 1847 and end in 1947. The dates in the center of your time line should be set at ten-year intervals. Make sure that your time line lists events in chronological order and that events on your time line always include the dates on which they occurred.

Text