Welcome Back!

What you will be reading is a journal adaptation of the short story “The Postmaster” written by Rabindranath Tagore. This text is a piece of literature that I learned about during middle school and this article was a project I had submitted on the same.

{…}

MAR 15, 1916:
I just got a transfer from Calcutta to the village of Ullalumpur, I wonder how it will be around here. Let’s see how things go, Today I don’t have work since I have the day off. I’ll be starting a little later.

MAR 16, 1916:
I have settled in my office, it’s quite alright. I came from the city, so I don’t know what I expected. Maybe something more modern, perhaps? It’s in a dark, thatched shed and not so far from a slimy green pond. The pond is surrounded by dense growth. It’s not the best sight to be seen early in the morning, but it’s something, alright.

MAR 17, 1916:
I am extremely uncomfortable with the way people perceive me as a pushover. It’s about time to take action and change that. I need to work on my social skills and become more confident in my interactions with people. It won’t be easy, but I am determined to make a change. The stereotypes here are drilled into everyone’s head, its hard for them to see me in any other sort of light.

MAR 18, 1916:
I tried to learn a bit of the language and the slang here. I hope it’s working. I have tried to strike up basic conversations with people so I believe it’s going well. The sterotypes still exist but for now i am doing well. I might be able to successfully intergrate myself into this community.

MAR 19, 1916:
My language skills and my communication skills are improving. This is going better than I expected. I hope I can continue like this and finally get used to this place. I honestly feel bad for my successor since the people here are so close-minded. I already can hear people talking about me when i pass by. I have to try really hard if i am going to continue to live here and do my job. I cannot be on my own and suffer through isolation when my job revolves around meeting people to deliver letters.

MAR 20, 1916:
Things have been going well at work, some people still think I am a pushover, though. However, some people think I am embarrassed. For god’s sake, I am working as a postmaster! I should have a little more confidence. I am not going to blame the people, since even when new people would move in back in the city, the neighbours would bad-mouth them. Finding one fault or the other. I really want to change this type of thing. Maybe if i can intergrate myself here i can get rid of atleast some stereotypes.

MAR 25, 1916:
Things are going well for now. I am currently living with an orphan girl named Ratan. She’s really nice and she’s around 12 or 13 years old. She does most of the odd jobs around the house for me. A really kind soul she is. I hope I can make her feel company.

MAR 31, 1916:
Oh, it’s the last day of the month. That means it’s been about 2 weeks since I have come here. That’s an impressive feat alright. I have been feeling like a fish out of water since I moved here. sigh I suppose I must keep this going. Honestly, i want to point out something. The people here seem to live in the past. They are really used to their customary ways. I suppose thats why there are so closeminded and stingy when it comes to knowing people. They seem to already be used to a certain crowd of people since all of them and the children of the people who were already settled here.

APR 4, 1916:
Ratan has been an amazing company ever since I met her. I seem to be finding myself recounting the events that take place back at home to her. She also talks to me about what she remembers about her parents and her younger brother when they were alive. Poor Ratan, how it must be to live alone like that in this world. Even though I place my parents in high regard, I cant imagine a world without them. Considering how much I have talked about my family to Ratan, she probably would have started referring to them as what I call them due to the many times she has heard me say so.

MAY 7, 1916:
I was thinking of teaching Ratan how to read. I feel like it will help her a lot since she does not have a formal education. Honestly, I will be more than happy to help her do so. I trust my abilities in teaching so I must at least try. Since I met Ratan, things have been fairly nice here. I always have someone to talk to when i am not at work. I am pretty much-recounting everything about my previous life to her.

MAY 28, 1916:
This is going better than expected. Work has been going brilliantly and Ratan can already read double consonants. I hope things continue to go like this. That way, I’ll grow more accustomed here.

JULY 12, 1916:
I don’t think I have been feeling very well for the past few days. I have been feeling lightheaded and I occasionally feel like I have a fever. I hope it goes away soon.

JULY 15, 1916:
My illness has only gotten worse. I wish my family is here with me right now. However, Ratan has been taking care of me. She reminds me so much of home. She had called the village doctor for me and i have been on medication since. Ratan has been giving me my medicines and my making my meals.

SEP 12, 1916:
Finally, its been around 2 months since i fell sick. I must have overworked Ratan, poor girl. I must request for a transfer immediately. I dont think i can continue working here without the medical care. I wish to be close to my family at a time like this as well. I must also thank Ratan for everything she has done for me. I’ll send the request for the transfer on the basis of health issues.

SEP 19, 1916:
My request for the transfer declined. I am planning to resign and move back home to Calcutta. I must tell Ratan of my departure tommorow. I wonder how she will react with the news.

SEP 20, 1916:
Poor Ratan, i told the girl that i would be leaving and not coming back. Even though she did not say anything, i could feel the sadness coming off of her. I feel horrible for having to leave her like this. She has been with me for so long. The poor girl even asked me to take her home with me, i laughed it off but i couldnt help but feel a strange clutching in my chest, like i actually wanted to take her with me. I must not let my emotions sway me.

SEP 28, 1916:
I am leaving for Calcutta today. I had told Ratan not to be anxious and that my succesor would look after her, but she burst into tears. I did not know what to do. She said that she did not want to stay on. It really broke me to hear those words from her. I tried to give her most of the money i had becuase i really wanted her to continue with her life, she is still young and can do many great things. However, she denied it and ran from me… i have never seen her since.

People come and people go, thats life, after all.