"The Holiday"
Fatik Chakraborty was the leader of the village boys. He was always the first in mischief and wild adventures. One day, he saw a huge log of wood lying by the riverbank, and a brilliant idea came to his mind—to roll it away together with everyone. His friends happily agreed.
But just then, Fatik's younger brother Makhan went and sat seriously on top of the log. Even when they asked him to get down, he did not move. Finally, the boys began pushing the log together. As soon as it turned slightly, Makhan was thrown off. Hurt and humiliated, he ran home crying and complained about Fatik.
Their mother scolded and beat Fatik. No one believed his side of the story. Filled with anger and hurt, Fatik became even more stubborn.
A few days later, Fatik's uncle Bishambhar Babu came to the village. He suggested taking Fatik to Calcutta for his education. His mother agreed. Fatik was overjoyed—he felt as if he were finally being set free.
But his happiness did not last long in Calcutta. To his aunt, Fatik was nothing but an extra burden. He fell far behind in school. The teacher beat him, and his classmates laughed at him. Everywhere he faced only neglect and irritation.
Fatik's mind was always lost in memories of the village—the river, the fields, flying kites, and most of all, his mother. One day he lost his schoolbooks, which made his aunt even more annoyed. That very night, Fatik fell ill with fever.
Thinking of his mother, he decided to return home. But on the way, he was caught in a sick condition. The police brought him back to his uncle's house.
His fever kept rising. In his delirium, he kept repeating only one thing,
"Mother, I have done nothing wrong."
At last, his mother arrived after hearing the news. Seeing her son, she broke down in uncontrollable tears.
Fatik opened his eyes, saw his mother, and said softly,
"Mother, I have got my holidays now. I am going home."
With those words, he fell into an eternal sleep.