Summary

In “The Home-Coming,” Phatik “was the ringleader among the boys of the village” (35). While playing one day, he goaded the boys to roll away the neighbor’s log. Everyone but Phatik’s brother Makhan “supported the proposal” (35). He sat on the log to stop their game. Phatik told the boys to move the log with Makhan on it. Furious with Phatik, Makhan attacked him and “went crying home” (36).

A stranger appeared on the bank asking where Phatik’s family lived. Phatik answered vaguely. A servant appeared, insisting Phatik return home to see his mother. His mother was furious he had hurt Makhan. Phatik insisted Makhan was a liar. Then the stranger appeared. The mother recognized him at once as her brother Bishambar.

The mother told Bishambar about her troubles with Phatik. As a widow, she struggled to know how to handle his mischief...