Munshi Premchand's Captivating Tale: A Blend of Worldly Love and Patriotism
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Presented here is a captivating tale by Munshi Premchand, titled:
* Worldly Love and Patriotism
In a dilapidated London hotel, shrouded in twilight and shunned by fashionable society, a haven for gambling, drinking, and vice, sits the renowned Italian patriot, Mazzini. His handsome face is pale, his eyes filled with anguish, his lips parched, and his beard unkempt, likely weeks old. His clothes are soiled and worn. Anyone unfamiliar with Mazzini would be forgiven for thinking he belonged to the same unfortunate class of men, enslaved by their vices and engaging in deplorable activities.
Mazzini is lost in thought. Woe to my nation! O suffering Italy! Will your destiny never improve? Will the blood of your countless sons never bring about any change? Will the cries of thousands of exiles from your land not be heard? Will you remain perpetually ensnared in the shackles of injustice, oppression, and slavery? Perhaps you are not yet ready for betterment, for freedom. Perhaps your fate dictates further suffering and ruin. Oh, freedom! For your sake, how many dear friends, how many beloved companions have I sacrificed? How many promising young men, whose mothers and wives now weep at their graves, burdened by grief and despair, cursed Mazzini, consumed by their pain. How many brave hearts who refused to turn their backs on their enemies, are these sacrifices not enough? Freedom, if it is such a precious thing, then why should I live? To watch my beloved homeland, my dear country, trampled beneath the feet of treacherous enemies? To watch my brothers and countrymen become victims of oppression? No, I cannot bear to witness it!
Lost in these thoughts, Mazzini was startled by the entrance of his friend, Ruffeti, another exile, who had entered the room, carrying a piece of biscuit. Ruffeti was a few years younger than Mazzini, his bearing exuding gentility. He gently touched Mazzini's shoulder, saying, "Joseph, here, eat something."
Mazzini, startled, raised his head, looking at the biscuit, and asked, "Where did you get this? Where did you get the money?"
Ruffeti replied, "Eat it first, then ask questions. You haven't eaten anything since last evening."
Mazzini said, "First, tell me where you got it. I see a tobacco pouch in your pocket. Where did you get all this wealth?"
Ruffeti said, "What will you gain by asking? First, eat. Then we can talk. I pawned my new coat, the one my mother sent, to get this."
Mazzini took a deep breath, and tears welled up in his eyes. He sobbed, "What have you done? Christmas is coming soon. What will you wear? Will Italy's once wealthy merchant's son spend Christmas Day in such worn-out clothes?"
Ruffeti said, "Why worry now about Christmas? We'll both have new outfits, and celebrate the coming freedom of our beloved country."
Mazzini said, "I see no means of income. The articles I wrote for the magazines have not been paid. The little money from home is gone. What other recourse do we have?"
Ruffeti said, "There's still a week until Christmas. Why worry now? If we don't get new coats, then what? Didn't you sell Magdalene's ring to pay for the doctor when I was ill? I will write to her soon. You'll see how she reacts."
( ... and so on, continuing the story in a similar format)
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