A NIGHT OF FROST (POOS KI RAAT)

Introduction

“A Night of Frost” is one of Munshi Premchand’s most realistic and painful stories. It presents the harsh reality of poor farmers and exposes the cruelty of poverty, exploitation, and social injustice. The story shows how hunger and cold can crush human dignity and how survival becomes more important than honor.

The Story

Halku was a poor farmer who lived with his wife, Munni, in a small mud hut on the outskirts of the village. His life was a constant struggle. He worked endlessly in the fields, yet poverty never left his doorstep.

The month of Poos had arrived. Winter nights were unbearably cold. Frost covered the fields like a white sheet, destroying crops silently. For farmers like Halku, winter was not just a season—it was an enemy.

One evening, Halku sat outside his hut, rubbing his hands together to keep warm. Munni was sitting near the hearth, cooking thin gruel.

“Halku,” she said, “the landlord’s man came again today.”

Halku sighed deeply.
“What does he want now?”

“He wants the rent,” Munni replied bitterly. “He says if we don’t pay, we’ll be thrown out.”

Halku laughed weakly.
“Thrown out? As if this hut is a palace.”

Munni looked at her husband with anger and pain.
“You joke, but I can’t sleep at night thinking about it. The cold is killing us. You promised to buy a blanket this year.”

Halku lowered his eyes.
“How can I buy a blanket? The landlord took all the money. If I don’t pay rent, he’ll seize the field.”

Munni’s eyes filled with tears.
“So we will freeze to death?”

That night, Munni cried silently. Halku felt helpless.

The next morning, Halku made a decision. He would pay the rent and forget about the blanket. Survival came before comfort.

The Landlord’s Cruelty

Halku went to the landlord’s house. The landlord sat on a raised platform, chewing betel leaves.

“I need the rent,” the landlord said coldly.

Halku folded his hands.
“Master, the harvest was poor this year. Please give me some time.”

The landlord laughed.
“Time doesn’t grow crops.”

Halku took out the money Munni had saved secretly for the blanket and handed it over.

On the way back, Halku felt as if he had sold his own warmth.

The Freezing Night

That night was the coldest of the season. The sky was clear, and the frost was thick.

Halku had to guard his field from wild animals. He took his dog Jabra with him and went to the fields.

There was no blanket. Halku wrapped himself in a thin cotton sheet. The cold pierced his bones like needles.

He sat near a small fire, shivering uncontrollably. Jabra sat close to him.

“Hunger is one thing,” Halku murmured, “but this cold is worse.”

The fire slowly died out. Halku had no more wood.

His teeth chattered. His body trembled.

He walked around to keep himself warm, but exhaustion took over.

“Jabra,” he said, “why should we suffer like this?”

Jabra wagged his tail, unaware of human suffering.

The Enemy Wins

In the distance, Halku heard animals moving in the field. He knew they were destroying his crops.

For a moment, he thought of chasing them away.

Then he stopped.

“What does it matter?” he thought bitterly.
“Even if the crop survives, the landlord will take it.”

He sat down again, numb and defeated.

The animals continued eating freely.

Halku watched silently, too cold and too broken to care.

Morning After

When dawn arrived, Halku returned home.

Munni looked at him anxiously.
“Did you save the crop?”

Halku smiled weakly.
“No. The animals destroyed it.”

Munni was shocked.
“Why didn’t you stop them?”

Halku replied calmly,
“Let them eat. At least they didn’t make me freeze all night.”

Munni understood.

She said softly,
“Maybe next year we won’t have to guard the field.”

Halku lay down peacefully for the first time in many days.

Conclusion

The story ends without hope, without victory—only reality.

Premchand does not offer comfort. He forces the reader to confront the brutal truth:
poverty steals not only wealth, but courage, responsibility, and dreams.

Moral of the Story

Extreme poverty breaks the human spirit and makes survival more important than duty.
Social injustice turns honest workers into helpless victims.

TWO BULLS (DO BAILON KI KATHA)

Introduction

“Two Bulls” is a beautiful story that highlights love, loyalty, friendship, and humanity through animals. Premchand uses the bulls Heera and Moti to show that emotions are not limited to humans. The story also criticizes cruelty and praises kindness.

Story

Heera and Moti were two strong, healthy bulls owned by a farmer named Jhuri. They were not just animals; they were members of his family. Jhuri loved them deeply and treated them with respect. He spoke to them gently and fed them well.

Heera was calm and thoughtful, while Moti was bold and quick-tempered. Despite their differences, they shared a deep bond.

Jhuri’s wife, however, did not like them. She believed the bulls were expensive to maintain and complained constantly. One day, she forced Jhuri to send them to her brother’s house.

Her brother treated the bulls cruelly. He overworked them, beat them, and starved them. The bulls suffered silently at first, hoping things would improve.

But cruelty broke their patience. One night, they broke their ropes and escaped.

They wandered through forests, fields, and villages, facing hunger and danger. Despite hardships, they stayed together.

Finally, exhausted and wounded, they reached Jhuri’s village. Seeing them, Jhuri cried with joy. He cleaned their wounds and fed them lovingly.

Jhuri’s wife realized her mistake and accepted them back.

Moral of the Story

Love creates loyalty.
Cruelty destroys relationships.
True friendship survives all hardships.

THE SHROUD (KAFAN)

Introduction

“The Shroud” is one of Munshi Premchand’s most powerful and controversial stories. It presents a harsh picture of extreme poverty and how it slowly destroys human emotions, responsibility, and morality. Through the characters of Ghisu and Madhav, Premchand exposes not just laziness, but a social system that pushes the poor into hopelessness.

Full Story

Ghisu and Madhav were a father and son living in a small village. Their hut stood on the edge of the village, half broken, with mud walls full of cracks and a roof that leaked during the rains. Poverty had been their companion for generations. Hunger, cold, and humiliation were so common in their lives that they no longer shocked them.

Ghisu was old and weak, but clever in excuses. Madhav was young and physically strong, yet he had inherited his father’s habit of avoiding work. Both believed that working hard made no difference because fate would never change their condition. Whenever they found work, they avoided it. Whenever food was available without effort, they accepted it happily.

Madhav’s wife, Budhiya, was the only person in the family who worked sincerely. She labored in fields, cleaned houses, and begged when necessary. Whatever little food came to the hut was because of her hard work. Ghisu and Madhav depended completely on her, yet never respected her.

One winter night, Budhiya was lying inside the hut, screaming in pain. She was in labor. Her cries echoed in the darkness, but no neighbor came forward. Everyone knew that Ghisu and Madhav were useless people. They were sitting outside the hut near a small fire, warming their hands.

“She has been crying since morning,” said Madhav nervously.

“She will be fine,” Ghisu replied casually. “Women are made to suffer.”

“But what if something happens?” Madhav asked.

Ghisu shrugged his shoulders. “If she lives, she lives. If she dies, she dies. What can we do?”

Inside the hut, Budhiya screamed louder. Her voice was filled with pain, fear, and helplessness. But the men outside continued talking about food.

“Do you remember the feast at the landlord’s wedding?” Ghisu said suddenly. “I ate so much puri and kheer that I couldn’t walk.”

Madhav smiled. “Yes, those were good days.”

They laughed quietly, forgetting the woman fighting for her life only a few steps away.

As the night grew colder, Budhiya’s cries slowly weakened. By dawn, there was complete silence. Madhav went inside the hut and came out after a few minutes, his face blank.

“She is dead,” he said.

Ghisu sighed deeply—not in sorrow, but in relief. “At least she is free from suffering now.”

They sat silently for some time. There was no crying, no tears, no regret. Instead, a new problem worried them.

“She will need a shroud,” Madhav said.

“Yes,” Ghisu replied. “Without a shroud, her soul won’t find peace.”

They both knew they had no money. So they decided to go to the village and collect donations. They washed their faces, practiced sad expressions, and walked into the village.

At each house, they told the same story—how Budhiya had been a hardworking woman, how her death had left them helpless, and how they needed money for her funeral. Villagers felt pity. Some gave coins, some gave food, and some cursed their fate.

By evening, Ghisu and Madhav had collected enough money to buy a shroud.

They sat near a market shop. In front of them were hot puris, curry, and a bottle of liquor. Hunger spoke louder than conscience.

“What is the use of a shroud?” Ghisu said thoughtfully. “It will burn with her body anyway.”

“Yes,” Madhav agreed. “The soul doesn’t need clothes.”

They ate greedily, drank liquor, and laughed loudly. When the money was finished, they staggered back to the hut.

Budhiya lay inside, without a shroud, without dignity.

That night, Ghisu looked at the sky and said, “She is surely happy now. God will give her a place in heaven.”

Madhav nodded and slept.

Moral of the Story

Extreme poverty destroys human values and emotions.
A society that allows such poverty is equally guilty.

Panch Parmeshwar

Jumman Sheikh and Algu Chaudhary were well known in the village for their deep friendship. They trusted each other completely. Whether it was farming, money matters, or family responsibilities, both relied on one another without hesitation. When Jumman went on a pilgrimage, he left his house in Algu’s care, and Algu did the same when he traveled. They did not meet every day or eat together, but their thinking was alike—and that was the true foundation of their friendship.

Their bond had begun in childhood when both studied under Jumman’s father, Sheikh Jumerati. Algu served his teacher with great dedication, believing that a teacher’s blessings were more valuable than book knowledge. Jumman’s father was strict and believed more in discipline than affection, which helped shape Jumman into a respected and influential man in the village.

Jumman had an old widowed aunt who owned a small piece of land. Having no children, she trusted Jumman and transferred the land to him after he promised to take care of her for life. Until the legal papers were completed, she was treated kindly. But once the land became Jumman’s property, his behavior changed. His wife neglected the old woman, reduced her food, and treated her with disrespect.

Unable to bear the humiliation, the aunt demanded a separate allowance. Jumman refused and insulted her instead. Left with no option, she decided to seek justice through a village council (panchayat). Jumman was confident that the decision would favor him because of his influence.

The old woman went from door to door seeking support, but most villagers avoided her. Finally, she approached Algu Chaudhary and requested him to be a judge in the panchayat. Algu was hesitant, torn between friendship and duty, but his conscience did not allow him to refuse.

The panchayat was held under a tree, and Algu was chosen as the head judge. Algu made it clear that friendship would not influence his judgment. After carefully listening to both sides, he announced that Jumman must either provide a proper monthly allowance to his aunt or return her land.

Jumman was deeply hurt by this decision and broke all ties with Algu. He waited for a chance to take revenge.

Some time later, Algu sold his bullocks to Samjhu Sah, who worked them excessively until one died. When Algu demanded payment, Samjhu refused. The matter again reached the panchayat. This time, Jumman Sheikh was chosen as the head judge.

Sitting on the judge’s seat, Jumman reflected deeply. He realized that a judge must rise above personal feelings. Delivering a fair verdict, he ordered Samjhu Sah to pay the full price of the bullocks to Algu.

Algu was overwhelmed with gratitude. After the decision, Jumman embraced Algu and admitted that the judge’s seat had taught him the true meaning of justice.

Their friendship was restored—this time based not on personal interest, but on truth, fairness, and justice.

Moral of the Story

Justice must be above friendship and enmity.
When a person sits in a position of responsibility, they must speak the truth without fear or favor—because true justice is divine.

The Long Road Home

Ravi left his village dreaming of success in the city. He believed money would bring respect. Years passed. He earned well but felt empty.

When his father fell ill, Ravi returned home. The village roads felt smaller. People remembered him as the boy who left.

His father said, “Success is not distance from home, but peace within.”

Ravi stayed longer than planned. He helped farmers use better techniques. He taught children in the evenings. Slowly, he found joy.

Ravi realized he wasn’t running toward success—he was running away from himself.

He never returned to the city.

Moral:

True success is alignment, not escape.

The Girl Who Spoke to Silence

Meera was quiet. Too quiet. In school, teachers thought she lacked confidence. Students ignored her. She had ideas but feared speaking.

During debates, her hands shook. Her voice disappeared.

One day, her teacher assigned her a speech. Panic filled her chest. She considered skipping school.

At home, her grandmother said gently, “Fear is loud only when you listen to it.”

Meera practiced in front of a mirror every night. Her voice cracked. She cried. She continued.

On the day of the speech, her legs trembled. She forgot lines. The room felt heavy. Then she remembered her grandmother’s words.

She paused. Took a breath. Spoke slowly.

The class listened.

Applause followed—not because she was perfect, but because she was brave.

Years later, Meera became a counselor, helping others find their voice.

Moral:

Courage begins the moment you speak despite fear.

The Man Who Started at Zero

Arjun was thirty-five years old when he realized he had nothing to show for his life. No savings. No stable job. No recognition. Every morning, he boarded a crowded bus to a small office where he worked as a temporary clerk. People younger than him were already managers, business owners, or living abroad.

At night, Arjun lay awake, replaying his failures. He had failed exams. Failed businesses. Failed relationships. The world seemed to move forward while he remained stuck.

One rainy evening, the bus broke down midway. Forced to walk, Arjun noticed an old man repairing shoes under a broken streetlight. Despite the rain, the man worked calmly. Curious, Arjun asked, “Why are you still working at this age?”

The old man smiled. “Because my hands still listen to me.”

That line stayed with Arjun.

The next day, instead of complaining, Arjun began learning. He stayed late at the office, learning accounting software. At home, he studied finance through free videos. Progress was slow. Some days, it felt useless.

Months turned into years.

One day, the company needed someone to manage accounts temporarily. Arjun volunteered. He made mistakes but learned fast. His confidence grew. Eventually, the temporary role became permanent.

Five years later, Arjun ran the finance department.

When asked about his success, he said, “I didn’t change my past. I changed my effort.”

Moral:

It’s never too late to rebuild your life from zero.

The Lesson of Patience

In a small village, there lived a wise sage who was well known for his knowledge and wisdom. Children from faraway places came to study under his guidance. The sage believed that true education was not only about books, but also about understanding life.

One day, the sage decided to test his students—not their intelligence, but their patience and perseverance. He called all the children and said,
“Children, I am very thirsty today. I will give each of you a basket. Go to the nearby river and bring drinking water for me.”

The children were confused. They wondered how water could be carried in a basket full of holes. Still, respecting their teacher, they went to the river.

At the river, they tried filling the baskets with water, but the water kept flowing out through the holes. After trying for some time, most of the children became disappointed and returned to the sage with empty baskets.

However, one student did not give up. He kept dipping the basket into the river again and again. At first, the water kept leaking out, but slowly small stones, sand, and leaves got stuck in the holes. After some time, the water stopped leaking, and the basket began to hold water.

The student carried the filled basket back to the sage and offered him water to drink.

The next day, the sage gathered all the students and said,
“Only one among you has passed this test.”
He then asked that student to explain how he succeeded.

The student humbly replied,
“Guruji, I did nothing special. I only stayed patient. With time, the problem solved itself.”

The sage smiled and said,
“This is the true lesson of life. Those who remain patient and persistent can turn the impossible into possible.”

Moral of the Story:

“Patience and perseverance are the keys to achieving any goal.”

The Sun Goddess and the Arrogant Peacock

Long ago, in the hills of Northeast India, there was a time when animals spoke, sang, and danced freely. In one such forest lived a peacock known not for his kindness, but for his pride. Though he was lazy and avoided work, he admired his long, shimmering tail endlessly. Believing himself superior, he refused to mingle with ordinary birds and only visited grand homes and wealthy surroundings.

His arrogance slowly pushed his neighbors away. The other birds mocked him quietly and grew tired of his vanity. One day, they decided to teach him a lesson. They announced that a prestigious bird council had been formed and that the peacock had been chosen as its leader. As leader, they said, he would be honored with a journey to Ka-Sangi, the radiant Sun Goddess, and would soar beside her across the endless blue sky.

Blinded by pride, the peacock believed every word. Without a moment’s doubt, he spread his feathers and flew toward the heavens. Once he was gone, the birds burst into laughter, amazed at how easily his arrogance had carried him away.

Ka-Sangi lived alone in her glowing palace and welcomed the peacock warmly. She enjoyed his company, and the peacock, surrounded by luxury and admiration, became even more self-absorbed. Days turned into weeks, and Ka-Sangi spent so much time with him that she forgot her duty to the Earth.

Without the sun’s warmth, the land grew cold. Endless rain fell, crops failed, and animals fell ill. Joy vanished from the forests and villages alike. Realizing something was terribly wrong, the animals sought the help of humans. Together, they understood that the peacock’s presence had distracted the Sun Goddess, and the only way to save the Earth was to bring him back.

With the wisdom of an old woman, they devised a clever plan and successfully drew the peacock back down to Earth. As he departed, Ka-Sangi wept in sorrow. Her tears fell upon his feathers, leaving behind bright, shining spots that remain on peacock feathers to this day.

Thus, the peacock returned—wiser, humbled, and forever marked by the consequences of his pride.

Moral: Pride and arrogance lead to downfall; humility keeps harmony in the world.

Greedy Farmer

Long ago, in a quiet South Indian village, there lived a humble farmer and his wife. They survived on a small patch of land where they grew vegetables and sold them in the nearby market. Though their life was simple, they were content.

At the edge of the village stood an ancient temple beside a peaceful lake. The villagers believed the lake was protected by a goddess. As an offering, they dedicated the fish in the lake and the mango trees growing nearby to her. Out of respect and fear, no one dared to use the lake or pluck the fruits for personal gain.

One afternoon, while returning from his fields, the farmer passed near the temple. His eyes fell upon a mango tree heavy with ripe, golden fruit. Temptation crept into his heart. He glanced around—no one was in sight. Ignoring the village rules, he plucked a mango and walked toward the lake to rinse it.

As he stepped into the water, he noticed fish darting swiftly around his feet. Greed overtook his caution. Without thinking twice, he caught several fish and hurried home, pleased with his secret harvest.

At home, he handed the fish to his wife and asked her to cook them. Soon, the meal was ready. But the moment his wife tasted the fish, she collapsed to the floor, unconscious.

Suddenly, a powerful voice echoed through the house. It declared that the farmer’s greed had angered the goddess of the lake. Terrified and filled with regret, the farmer fell to his knees and begged for forgiveness, pleading for his wife’s life.

The voice instructed him to return every utensil used in cooking the fish to the lake. The farmer obeyed immediately. As soon as the last vessel touched the water, his wife opened her eyes and regained her senses.

The farmer learned a painful lesson that day—greed leads to suffering, and righteousness must never be abandoned.

Moral: We should never steal and must always walk the path of honesty and righteousness.