Pather Panchali Page #2

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The proverbial nine jewels!

Apu, what are you smiling about?

Is this a theater?

My grandson will end up

behind a plow too.

You were saying, sir?

Seen any good

traveling troupes lately?

I did see

the Trailokyatarini company.

Gupe, what are you doing?

The next village over

booked a very good company.

I'll thrash you!

They thought

they could score one on us,

but they didn't reckon

with Badyi Majumdar!

I've booked

the finest troupe ever seen.

Mr. Chakravarti!

Let me have a little oil.

Just a bit.

I haven't put you down

for a contribution yet,

but in times of need

one can expect a favor, right?

Of course.

Don't forget your friend

Badyi Majumdar.

Mr. Chakravarti, wait!

Here.

When this troupe's

drummer plays,

it sounds like thunder.

You don't say.

Mr. Chakravarti, about

your subscription for the festival...

Sote!

Show me your slate!

Bring me his slate!

Bring it here!

What's this?

This is what you do

during dictation?

Come here,

you little scoundrel!

Hold out your hand!

What are you doing?

What did you take?

What were you doing in the kitchen?

- Nothing.

Nothing? I saw you take

something from the shelf.

I'm out of chilies.

I just thought I'd take a few.

Show me.

You should have asked.

I've told you I don't like anyone

puttering in my kitchen.

When you're free, come here.

I need you

to chop the greens.

Sit down.

At your age, other girls

are helping around the house,

cooking, chopping vegetables,

scrubbing pots.

They even help

with the religious rites.

You think it's right

to be running around all day?

If you admire Ranu so much,

why not learn from her?

Have you got

a fever again today?

Let me see.

Remember to drink

your basil tea.

Run and tell your mother

we were at Puti's house.

You're back?

Don't touch!

Now you've done it.

Mommy, I'm hungry.

Didn't you have some rice?

- Yes.

- Well, then?

Apu! Come here!

There's rice in the big bowl.

Ask Durga for some.

Hari!

Help me up.

What's wrong?

My back's gotten so stiff.

How are you these days?

Oh, no one cares

about an old woman.

- What's happened now?

- Just look at this.

What's that?

My shawl.

I wear it in the evenings.

I'll buy you a new one

for the puja festival.

- Really?

- Yes.

Can I have some live coals?

How can I supply you

with coals all the time?

Did you bring in some firewood?

Did you ask for your pay today?

How long will you keep quiet?

- Mr. Ray has problems with his land.

- So what?

I could lose my job

if I ask now.

So be it. I'm sure there are

other jobs in town.

Eight rupees,

and no pay in three months.

Some job!

- This has never happened before.

So you sit and do nothing?

Have you seen the house

and what the children

are eating and wearing?

Durga has had a fever for days.

There's no medicine

or even proper food.

The boy goes to school in rags.

Is that right?

Here.

We can set aside repairs,

but debts must be repaid.

I borrowed five rupees from

Mrs. Mukherjee six months ago,

and she's quick

with the cutting remarks.

Do something,

for goodness' sake!

Sit down.

You won't tell Mother?

Idiot! She'll hear you!

The sweets seller.

Do you want anything?

Delicious fried cream,

sweet lentil balls,

coconut candies,

chandrapuli,

sweet cheese balls.

- Go ask Father for money.

- You go.

Go on!

I suppose

he's asking for money.

Don't give him any.

It's a bad habit.

Nothing?

He's headed for Tunu's house.

Chinibas is here!

What's going on?

Off with you.

What do you have today?

Mother wants two annas' worth.

Durga, come and play.

Durga's on our team!

- Apu, come play!

Want to come play?

Then go home.

I'll be there soon.

Apu's left out...

Durga, would you like

some sweets?

I said not to offer them any.

They can buy their own!

I can't stand

such shameless greed!

Show me.

Tunu, you coming to play?

Tunu?

What are you doing?

How pretty.

Who gave them to you?

- My father.

Let me help you.

Come on.

Open up.

Come get your candy, Sunil.

Come, Khuku.

How many times

have I asked for a new shawl?

I need it for the evenings.

Durga, come here.

What about your hair?

Sit down.

Mother, can you braid it

in four strands?

Keep your head still.

Ranu knows how.

Look at your hair.

Not a drop of oil,

and you want four strands!

Mother, did you know

that a prospective match

is coming to visit Ranu?

Who's coming?

Didi, have you ever seen a train?

- Sure.

- Don't lie.

You know where the tracks are?

Where?

Past the big meadow

and beyond the rice fields.

- Shall we go one day?

- Let's see what you wrote.

Very good!

Now write...

"Yikes! A ghost!"

Here.

Did you do well

at school today?

You're so young.

Don't the other boys tease you?

Apu, come here.

Be a good boy and eat.

You mustn't waste it.

Apu, come here.

Don't you want it?

Fine, then. Don't eat.

Nothing sweet to go with it.

Just plain rice.

No wonder he runs off.

How will he survive?

Was he even born to survive?

Go rinse your mouth.

Where's Durga?

- Shall I go get her toy box?

- Yes.

A fine way

to bring up your daughter!

What's happened?

Thievery, that's what!

Your daughter stole

Tunu's bead necklace.

She stole it?

Don't look so surprised.

She's a thief through and through.

Her father brought it

for her from town.

Tunu showed it to your daughter.

Then this morning it vanished

in broad daylight!

She's had her eye on it all along,

asking to see it every day.

You won't find it in there,

and Durga isn't home.

How do you know

she took it anyway?

- Durga said -

- Quiet!

Are you suggesting

we hid it somewhere?

- No, but it might have fallen off -

- It didn't.

We searched high and low.

I wouldn't be here otherwise.

Did you take Tunu's necklace?

Didn't you?

Take your hands off her!

- She's a liar.

- Let me see.

I suppose that fruit

is from your own orchard?

What's going on?

What's going on here? Huh?

What's the matter?

What's going on?

Sarbajaya, what is it?

You know we have no orchard,

and I know it's wrong

to take other people's fruit.

But how can you accuse her

of stealing something of value?

Fruit has no name on it.

If a child happens to -

Well! The rupees I lent you

had no name on them either,

and you took them

eagerly enough!

You've had them long enough.

I'd like them back.

Come along.

Should you find that necklace,

kindly return it.

What's going on?

Our fruit vanishes

the moment it hits the ground.

When I complain,

the mother is insolent to me!

"Fruit has no name on it.

So what if a child takes some?"

Like mother, like daughter!

A pair of thieves!

Come here.

I said come here.

You won't come?

Get out!

"...and that measure

is called a maund.

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