Characters

• Amal: The protagonist, a young boy confined to his bed due to illness. He is imaginative and longs for freedom.
• Madhav: Amal’s adopted father, who is devoted to taking care of him.
• Gaffer/Thakurda: A friend of Madhav who, in disguise as a Fakir, brings Amal stories and hope.
• Sudha: The daughter of a flower-seller who befriends Amal and provides him with companionship.
• The Doctor: The physician who tries to manage Amal’s illness.
• The Royal Physician: The doctor sent by the King to attend to Amal in his final moments.
• The Dairyman: A curd seller whom Amal admires and wishes to emulate.
• The Watchman: A character whose bell provides Amal with a sense of rhythm and joy.
• The Headman: A village official who initially treats Amal harshly but later learns to appreciate him.

The play begins in a small, rural setting with a young boy named Amal, who is seriously ill. Amal is an orphan, adopted by a kind man named Madhav. Amal is confined to his bed and cannot leave his room due to his fragile health. The doctor has warned that even a small exposure to the autumn wind could worsen his condition.

Despite his illness, Amal is full of dreams and curiosity. He spends his days looking out of the window and dreaming about the world beyond his confinement. His only connection to the outside world is through the people who pass by his window. He makes friends with a dairyman, a watchman, and a little flower girl named Sudha.

Amal longs to be free and explore the world. He fantasizes about becoming a postman so he can be busy delivering letters and traveling. He is fascinated by the new post office that has been set up nearby by the King to send letters to children. Amal hopes that one day he will receive a letter from the King, which would be a sign of his liberation.

Act 1

In the first act, Amal’s confinement and illness are depicted vividly. Madhav, Amal’s adopted father, is deeply concerned about the boy’s health. The doctor advises Madhav to keep Amal indoors and away from the wind and sun. Madhav is deeply devoted to Amal, and his life now revolves around taking care of him.

Amal, however, is restless. He feels trapped and wishes he could be like the people he sees from his window. He admires the dairyman for his freedom and dreams of becoming a curd seller himself. He also imagines being like the watchman who rings the bell and announces the time. Amal’s imagination takes him far beyond his physical limitations, allowing him to dream of adventures and explore distant lands.

Amal’s condition worsens as he spends more time at the window. Despite Madhav’s warnings, Amal continues to look out and interact with passers-by. He meets the flower girl Sudha, who becomes his friend. Sudha, although busy with her work, makes time to talk to Amal and offers him some comfort. Amal’s desire for freedom grows stronger, and he yearns to experience the outside world.

Act 2

In the second act, Amal’s health deteriorates further. The room becomes darker as the windows are closed to keep the sun out, which Madhav hopes will help Amal rest better. Amal asks to see Fakir, a character who has been telling him stories about far-off lands. Fakir, who is actually Gaffer in disguise, brings Amal tales of magical places like the Parrot’s Isle.

As Amal’s condition worsens, he asks Gaffer whether the King will come to visit him. Gaffer assures him that the King is coming, and Amal clings to this hope as a source of comfort. Amal expresses his wish to become the King’s postman, a job he believes will bring him joy and freedom.

The doctor informs Madhav that Amal’s condition is critical. He advises that the room be kept dark and that no visitors disturb him. Despite this, Amal remains hopeful and excited about the King’s visit. He is eager to ask the King to make him a postman.

As night falls, the King’s Herald arrives to announce that the King will visit Amal soon. The Royal Physician also comes to attend to Amal, and all the lamps are blown out to allow the starlight in. Amal is filled with anticipation and joy, believing that his dream of becoming a postman is about to come true.

The Tragic End

As the starlight fills the room, Amal falls into a peaceful sleep. Sudha arrives, unaware that Amal has passed away. She asks the physician to tell Amal that she has come back as she promised. Amal, however, has already died. The play ends with the realization that Amal’s dream of freedom and his yearning for the King’s visit have come to an end.