Hungry Stones by Rabindranath Tagore

Hungry Stones

Overview

• "Hungry Stones" is a short story by Rabindranath Tagore, a Bengali poet and writer
• First published in 1895 in Bengali as "Kshudhita Pashan"
• Translated into English by Tagore himself in 1916

Plot

• The story revolves around a mythical stone that has the power to satisfy human desires
• The stone is said to have been created by a saint who was dissatisfied with the greed of humans
• A traveler, who is the protagonist, stumbles upon the stone in a ruined temple
• The stone begins to exert a strange influence on the traveler, making him feel an intense sense of hunger and desire
• The traveler becomes obsessed with the stone, and his desires start to manifest in reality

Themes

• The story explores the theme of human desire and its consequences
• It highlights the dangers of unchecked ambition and the corrupting influence of power
• The story also touches upon the idea of the supernatural and the mystical

Symbolism

• The hungry stone is a symbol of the human desire for material wealth and power
• The ruined temple represents the decay of morality and the abandonment of spiritual values
• The traveler's obsession with the stone represents the way in which desires can consume and destroy individuals

Literary Significance

• "Hungry Stones" is considered a classic of Bengali literature and a significant work of Tagore's
• The story showcases Tagore's use of symbolism and his ability to craft a compelling narrative
• The story has been widely translated and has influenced many other writers and authors

Hungry Stones

Author and Publication

• Written by Rabindranath Tagore, a Bengali poet and writer
• First published in 1895 in Bengali as "Kshudhita Pashan"
• Translated into English by Tagore himself in 1916

Story Background

• The story revolves around a mythical stone with the power to satisfy human desires
• The stone was created by a saint dissatisfied with human greed
• A traveler, the protagonist, finds the stone in a ruined temple

The Traveler's Experience

• The stone exerts a strange influence on the traveler, making him feel an intense sense of hunger and desire
• The traveler becomes obsessed with the stone, and his desires start to manifest in reality

Themes and Symbolism

Human Desire and Consequences

• Explores the theme of human desire and its consequences
• Highlights the dangers of unchecked ambition and the corrupting influence of power

Supernatural and Mystical

• Touches upon the idea of the supernatural and the mystical

Symbolism

• The hungry stone represents human desire for material wealth and power
• The ruined temple represents the decay of morality and the abandonment of spiritual values
• The traveler's obsession with the stone represents the way desires can consume and destroy individuals

Literary Significance

• Considered a classic of Bengali literature and a significant work of Tagore's
• Showcases Tagore's use of symbolism and his ability to craft a compelling narrative
• Widely translated and influential to many other writers and authors

A short story by Rabindranath Tagore about a mythical stone that satisfies human desires. Explore the plot and themes of this Bengali literary classic.