In this episode, Hori’s quiet longing finally finds a direction. As he walks through the village paths, he encounters Bhola, a widower known for his mild nature and modest means. Their conversation turns toward cows — and suddenly, Hori sees a small window of hope opening. Bhola hints that he might be willing to part with one of his cows, and Hori’s heart quickens. This is the dream he has nurtured for years — a cow that could bring milk, stability and a sense of honour back into his home.

Hori’s path leads him to the Sahab, the local authority figure whose presence reminds Hori of his place in the social order. The Sahab’s tone is curt, his questions sharp. In front of him, Hori shrinks — conscious of debts, obligations, and the delicate thread on which a poor man’s dignity hangs.

These two meetings — one hopeful, one humbling — shape the emotional arc of today’s reading. Bhola shows Hori what is possible, while the Sahab reminds him of everything that stands in his way.

Munshi Premchand gently unfolds the world of Hori- a humble farmer whose life revolves around his land, his family, and one simple dream: owning a cow. The story begins with the everyday rhythm of Hori and his wife dhaniya, tending to their fields and managing the household. But beneath this simplicity, Premchand shows conflict between need and morality, between social hierarchy and human goodness.