Class 11 English Lesson 7: An Astrologer’s Day by RK Narayan

 

Story: Lesson 7: An Astrologer’s Day by RK Narayan

About the Story Writer 

 

R. K. Narayan (1906-2001) was an Indian writer known for his works set in the fictional South Indian town of Malgudi.

Characters of the Story

•      An astrologer, Guru Nayak, a revengeful and angry person,

•      The Astrologer’s Wife

The Theme of the Story

The story’s theme focuses on a single day in the life of an ordinary astrologer who suddenly faces past life in a present-day drastic situation. The story has a twist in the tale. The story also deals with the darker side of human nature with its hypocrisies, shrewdness, revengeful nature, and selfishness.

Finally, all is well that ends well, with the astrologer coming out with flying colours in his examination of befooling his opponent, saving his life, and also seeing to it that he does not face the man again in the future.

Summary of the Story

“An Astrologer’s Day” is a short story by R.K. Narayan, set in the fictional town of Malgudi in South India, during pre-independence times. It tells the story of a day in the life of a fake astrologer who earns a living by tricking people with his clever guesses and sharp understanding of human nature.

The astrologer begins his work at midday, setting up his booth under a tamarind tree near the Town Hall Park, a busy area full of vendors like medicine sellers, magicians, and cloth merchants. He dresses in a typical way—with saffron clothes, vermilion on his forehead, and carries cowrie shells and palm leaves to look convincing. His booth is next to a groundnut seller, whose light helps him work even after sunset.

Though he has no real knowledge of astrology, he is good at reading people’s faces and making smart guesses. He had run away from his village long ago, not wanting to follow his family’s farming tradition. He never planned to return. One evening, as he was about to pack up, a stranger came by and challenged him. He offered one anna for a correct prediction and threatened to take double the money if the astrologer failed. Hesitating at first, the astrologer tried to avoid the man, but the stranger forced him to speak.

The astrologer prayed silently and began speaking. He revealed that the man had once been attacked and left to die, and a passerby had saved him from a well. This shocked the stranger, as it was true. The man, named Guru Nayak, admitted he was searching for the person who had attacked him years ago. The astrologer then told him that his attacker was dead, crushed under a lorry four months ago. Guru Nayak believed him and left satisfied after giving him twelve and a half annas. After returning home late, the astrologer’s wife worried about him. She was happy when he handed her the coins, planning to buy sweets for their child. But the astrologer was upset, not because of fear, but because Guru Nayak had promised a rupee but paid less.

Later that night, the astrologer revealed the truth to his wife: he was the one who had once stabbed Guru Nayak in a drunken fight back in the village. He thought he had killed him and fled the village, fearing punishment. Finding out that Guru Nayak was alive had lifted a heavy burden from his heart. His past life as a reckless youth had turned him into an astrologer, making a living by pretending to predict the future. In the end, the story shows how fate and chance can shape a person’s life in unexpected ways.

 

Video:  https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=OETWaLkZA_U

Understanding the text

Answer the following questions.

a.      How does the astrologer’s appearance help him attract customers? How does he help the customers satisfy their needs?

His eyes are assumed to have a prophetic light by his customers. He wears a saffron turban. He presents himself so perfectly that he is a point of attraction for all the people. He helps the customers satisfy their needs with his work analysis of their troubles, like marriage, money, etc.

b.     How do you characterize the astrologer’s attitude toward the stranger?

The astrologer sees the stranger before him and perceives him to be his possible customer.

c.      What details does the astrologer give the stranger about his past?

The astrologer tells the stranger that he was stabbed by a knife and thrown into a well to die, and some people passing by saw him and saved him from dying.

d.     Why does he advise the stranger to go home immediately?

He advises the stranger to go home immediately to get rid of danger in his life and to avoid the risk to his family.

e.      What is your reaction to the conversation between the astrologer and his wife?

When the astrologer gets home, he tells his wife that in the past, he thought he had killed a man. He was now happy to know that the man he helped today was not dead. It was a clever plot twist to throw in the man he thought he had killed, as a potential scam for him.

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