The Cabuliwallah

In the short story “The Cabuliwallah,” the Cabuliwallah is one of the primary characters. He is alternately referred to as the peddler or Rahman throughout the story. One day, while the narrator and his daughter Mini are sitting at the upstairs window, Mini spots the Cabuliwallah passing slowly “in the street below” (10). Although the narrator is reluctant to pause his writing, he goes down to greet the Cabuliwallah and engages him in conversation. While visiting with the narrator, the Cabuliwallah becomes enchanted by his daughter Mini. He wins her favor by giving her nuts and seeds and making jokes with her.

Following their initial meeting, the Cabuliwallah starts to visit Mini regularly. He and Mini continue joking and sharing snacks during these visits. Although Mini’s mother is convinced the Cabuliwallah will kidnap her daughter, the narrator acts unfazed. He has a similarly detached response on the...