Lesson 3
The Axe
- R. K. Narayan
SUMMARY OF THE STORY
The Axe is a simple tale of a man trying to find his purpose and place in life. It also inspires the themes of courage, belief, optimism and strength of character. Velan, the protagonist, is a man forced to find his own way after his disowned by his father. Undeterred, he embarks on a journey to find his independent footing in the world. He is able to procure a job as a gardener at an old man’s house.
The old man is completely opposite to Velan’s father and he lets Velan enjoy his freedom and commit mistakes. This allows Velan to excel at his work and at the same time, find happiness and satisfaction. Velan develops a beautiful relationship with his plants and flowers. He grows with them and prospers with them. However, this does not mean that life is full of roses and void of any thorns. Velan suffers huge losses all along. He loses his father but finds the strength to continue his life and work. He finds his beloved wife and has beautiful children with her.
However, he loses all of them as he grows old. Velan accepts the tough truths of mortal life. The owners of the garden change over the years, but Velan stays steadfast in his commitment to his garden and its plants. However, we all have our breaking points and weak spots. Velan’s weakest part was his devotion to his plants. The newest owner of the garden decides to get rid of the garden itself. The casualty of this change becomes the plants and trees blossoming in it.
When Velan sees the sight of strange men wielding blade at his tress, he is heartbroken and despondent. He pleads them to stop and halt. He requests them to be generous to his life’s worth of hard work. The men delay the execution of Velan’s garden until he is at a safe distance.
Velan collects his things and trudges toward a new beginning not turning back to see the garden that he gave his life too, mutilated and destroyed. He accepts the verdict of fate but saves his eyes and ears from the agony of seeing his children (plants) murdered in front of his helpless eyes.
GENERAL QUESTION
Rewrite the story ‘The Axe’ by R. K Narayan in your words.
Introduction:
The Axe is a short story written by an Indian writer R. K. Narayan. He is one of the pioneers of Indian English novel. He is well known for the creation of an imaginary town called Malgudi in his novels. His famous novels include Swami and Friends, The English Teacher, The Bachelor of Arts and The Guide. He was awarded with the Sahitya Academy Award for his novel The Guide. He was also awarded with Padma Bhushan and Padma Vibhushan Awards. The story ‘The Axe’ is narrated in the third person by an unnamed narrator. It is taken from Narayan’s collection of short stories Malgudi Days.
The Axe is a compelling story about a person seeking his life’s purpose and place. It explores themes of pride, commitment, control, and acceptance. Velan’s father was a poor man, so nobody could have imagined that Velan would one day reside in a three-story building. However, the astrologer’s prediction came true, and he became the sole resident of Kumar Baugh, a palatial town on the outskirts of Malgudi.
Velan Leaves his home:
When Velan was eighteen he left home. One day, his father spanked him for being late with lunch. Velan was so enraged by this that he decided to leave his home. He left the village and continued walking until he reached the city. Here, he went without food for several days. Then, he arrived in Malgudi. An elderly man hired him as his gardener’s assistant there. Velan accepted the position and sat in the sun day after day to clear the land of unwanted vegetation. The garden gradually took shape. As the house rose, so too did the garden. By the time the margosa tree appeared in Velan’s vision, the house had taken on a mellow appearance. Its original brilliance had vanished.
Velan Becomes the Head Gardener:
Velan was satisfied and content. In the interim, the original gardener who had hired him had passed away. Now, he is the head gardener. In the servants’ quarters he resided. In the interim, the home’s owner grew older. The master eventually died. Sons of the old man were of poor character. They remained for an additional year, fought among themselves, and then moved to
a new residence. The residence was rented. A year later, a second tenant arrived, followed by a third, and so on. Nobody stayed longer than a few months. The house then gained a reputation for being haunted.
Velan Occupies the House:
Over time, the house’s owners ceased visiting the property. Velan became the house’s sole occupant. He was ageing as well. Despite his efforts, grass grew on the paths and weeds and vines sprouted, and the owners leased out the fruit garden for three years.
The Company men Occupies the House:
Countless years passed with no change. It became known as the “Ghost House,” and people began to avoid it. However, Velan never complained about anything. Once every three months, he sent his son to the old family in town to collect his wages. Velan desired that this situation continues indefinitely. However, one day a car approached the house. The old house’s doors and windows were thrown open. The individuals in the car belonged to a company that wished to acquire this home. They informed Velan that they would be cutting down the plants, so they would no longer require his services.
Velan Leaves the House:
There was a great deal of activity in and around the residence. Soon, a cutter arrived to clean the area. Velan was upset that they also planned to cut down the margosa tree. Velan regarded this tree as his own offspring. Therefore, he chose to leave the house. He requested that the cutters wait until he was beyond the sound of their axes before proceeding. He gathered his belongings and left the residence. He requested that the margosa tree not be cut down until he was far away.
Conclusion:
In the present story the themes of independence, pride, theme, prosperity, loss, control, change, and acceptance are prevalent. After reading the story, the reader realises that Narayan may be exploring the theme of independence. After receiving a slap from his father, Velan abandons him and seeks his own employment, eventually becoming a gardener. This may be significant considering Velan’s independence. He is demonstrating to his father that he can succeed independently.
COMPREHENSION
Answer the following questions in 30-40 words.
1. Why did Velan leave home?
Velan left the home because his father slapped his face one day for coming late with the midday-meal. His father slapped him in the presence of others in the field. Therefore, Velan put down the basket, glared at his father and left the place.
2. What work did the old man hire him to do?
The old man hired Velan to assist him in laying out a garden.
3. What happened when the old man fell ill?
When the old man fell ill Velan had to be more than ever on guard against ‘flower-pluckers’ as doctors and visitors were constantly coming and going. One midnight he was awakened and told that the master was dead.
4. How did the tenants treat the garden and Velan?
The tenants had no regard for a garden. They walked on flower beds. Their children climbed the fruit trees and plucked unripe fruits. They dug pits on the garden paths. The tenants also warned Velan that they would sack him if he did not behave himself.
5. How did the sons treat Velan? How long did they stay in the house?
The sons were not good. They treated Velan rudely. They stayed for a year more, quarrelled among themselves and went away to live in another house.
Additional Questions:
1. What was Velan’s main work?
Velan’s main business consisted in destroying all the vegetation he saw.
2. What did an astrologer foretell about Velan?
An astrologer passing through the village foretold that Velan would live in a three-storeyed house surrounded by many acres of garden.
3. What did Velan think when the master died?
One midnight when Velan was awakened and told that the master was dead. He thought about what would happen to the garden and to him because the master’s sons were not good.
4. Why did Velan shift his residence to the front veranda of the house?
shifted his residence to the front veranda of the house because he had grown very old. His hut was leaky and he had no energy to put up new thatch.
5. What request did Velan make to the tree cutters?
Velan requested the tree cutters not to cut margosa tree because he had grown up the tree as his child. He had seen it grow before his eyes.
