The Old Aunt
First published in Hindi with the title ‘Budhi Kaaki’ in Shree Sharda (January 1920), and later collected in Prem Pacheesi (Hindi 1923), and Mansarovar 8 (1950). It was published in Urdu with the same title in Kahkashan (July 1920), and later collected in Prem Batteesi 2 (1920). Now available in Kulliyaat-e Premchand 10 (2001).
The Urdu story is divided into three sections whereas the Hindi story is in five sections, though the content is the same in both. In the Urdu story, the old aunt is said to have seven sons who died. The Hindi story simply says all her sons died young, without specifying the number of sons.
A Father’s Love
First published in Hindi with the title ‘Putra Prem’ in Saraswati (June 1920), and later collected in Gupt Dhan 2 (1963). It was published in Urdu with the title ‘Mehr-e-Pidar’ in Zamana (July 1920), and collected much later in Kulliyaat-e Premchand 10 (2001).
In the Hindi story the protagonist is named Babu Chaitanya Das, whereas in the Urdu story his name is Munshi Ulfat Rai, though the names of other members of their families are the same.
After Death
First published in Urdu with the title ‘Ba’d az Marg’ in Subh-e Ummeed (August–September 1920), but not included in any Urdu collection. Now available in Kulliyaat-e Premchand 10 (2001). It was published in Hindi with the title ‘Mrityu ke Peechey’ in Prem Prasoon (1924), and later collected in Mansarovar 6 (1946). It has been transliterated from Hindi to Urdu for Kulliyaat-e Premchand 10 (2001).
The Blessed Illness
First published in Urdu with the title ‘Marz-i Mubarak’ in Prem Batteesi 1 (1920). Now available in Kulliyaat-e Premchand 10 (2001). It was published in Hindi with the title ‘Mubarak Bimari’ in Gupt Dhan 1 (1962).
Life Force
First published in Urdu with the title ‘Rooh-e Hayat’ in Zamana (January 1921), and not collected in any volume for a long time. Now available in Kulliyaat-e Premchand 10 (2001). It was published in Hindi with the title ‘Rooh-e Hayat/Jeevan ki Pran Shakti’ in Premchand ka Aprapya Sahitya 1 (1988).
The Problem
First published in Hindi with the title ‘Bhisham Samasya’ in Prabha (January 1921), and later collected in Prem Pacheesi (1923) and Mansarovar 8 (1950). It was published in Urdu with the title ‘Muamma’ in Zamana (March 1921), and collected much later in Kulliyaat-e Premchand 10 (2001).
A Special Holi
First published in Hindi with the title ‘Vichitra Holi’ in Swadesh (March 1921), and later collected in Prem Pratima (1926) and Mansarovar 3 (1938). It was published in Urdu with the title ‘Ajeeb Holi’ in Khaak-e Parwana (1928) and collected much later in Kulliyaat-e Premchand 10 (2001).
The English translation was first published in Literature and Nation: Britain and India 1800–1990, ed. Richard Allen and Harish Trivedi, London: Routledge/Open University, 2000, 310–14. It has been extensively revised by the translator for this anthology.
The Hidden Hand
First published in Urdu with the title ‘Dast-e Ghaib’ in Zamana (April 1921) and later collected in Khwab-o Khayal (1928). Now available in Kulliyaat-e Premchand 10 (2001). It was published in Hindi with the title ‘Prarabdha’ in Shree Sharda (April 1921), and later collected in Prem Pacheesi (Hindi edition; 1923), and Mansarovar 7 (1947).
An Audacious Act
First published in Urdu with the title ‘Bazm-e Parishaan’ in Zamana (April 1922), and collected much later in Kulliyaat-e Premchand 10 (2001). It was published in Hindi with the title ‘Dussahas’ in Aaj (June 1921), and later collected in Prem Pacheesi (1923) and Mansarovar 8 (1950).
The Red Ribbon
First published in Urdu with the title ‘Laal Feeta’ in Zamana (July 1921), and later collected in Khwab-o Khayal (1928). It is now available in Kulliyaat-e Premchand 10 (2001). It was published in Hindi with the title ‘Laal Feeta ya Magistrate ka Isteefa’ in Pustak (April 1921), and later collected in Prem Chaturthi (1928). Now available in Premchand: Kahani Rachanavali 2 (2010).
When Rivals Became Friends
First published in Hindi with the title ‘Laag-Dant’ in Prabha (July 1921), and later collected in Prem Prasoon (1924) and Mansarovar 6 (1946). It is not available in the Urdu version and has been transliterated from Hindi to Urdu for Kulliyaat-e Premchand 10 (2001).
A Positive Change
First published in Hindi with the title ‘Vidhwans’ in Aaj (July 1921), and later collected in Prem Pacheesi (1923) and Mansarovar 8 (1950). It was published in Urdu with the title ‘Tahreek-e Khair’ in Humayun (April 1922), and collected much later in Kulliyaat-e Premchand 10 (2001).
This story has two radically different endings in the two versions. This is the alternate ending in the Hindi version:
. . . He looked towards the oven of the old woman and his entire body rankled with an anger that spread like fire. She did not even have an inkling of doubt that she was doing something against the zamindar. She could not even imagine that anger can have such an eternal life. A gifted man can have so much malice against a poor, frail woman; she had no inkling of such a thing. Given her nature, she considered human character much higher than that. But lo! Unfortunate one! You’ve grown grey hair without gaining any wisdom!
At once Thakur shouted at her, ‘Who gave you the order?’
Bhungi was taken aback to see the venerable zamindar standing in front.
Thakur demanded once again, ‘Who gave you the permission for this?’
Scared, Bhungi said, ‘Everybody desired that I should rebuild it.’
‘I will have it dug up again.’ Having said this, he kicked the oven. The wet clay crumbled. The second kick was aimed at the trough but the old woman came in between and it landed on her waist. Now she got angry. Patting her waist, she said,
‘I serve you, where else should I look for food?’
‘Only if you stay in the village can you work for me.’
‘I can only perform my duties when I make the oven. Can’t I do
