“The Portrait of a Lady” is a very beautiful story written by Khushwant Singh. In this story, the author tells us about his grandmother and their strong relationship. The author also tells us many things about his own childhood, life, and thoughts. So, when we read this story, we not only learn about the grandmother, but we also learn a lot about Khushwant Singh, the writer of the story.
1. Loving and Caring
Khushwant Singh was a loving and caring person. He loved his grandmother a lot. He respected her and always remembered the beautiful days he spent with her in the village. He never forgets how she woke him up in the morning, gave him breakfast, and took him to school. Even when he grew up, he remembered those days with love and respect. This shows that he had a kind heart and was thankful to his grandmother.
2. Simple and Honest
The author used very simple language in the story. He told everything in an honest way. He shared his real feelings with the readers. He said that he could not believe his grandmother was ever young and beautiful. This shows that he was an honest person who did not try to hide his thoughts. He also shared how he felt sad and helpless when his grandmother died. His words were simple, but they touched the heart.
3. Emotional and Sensitive
Khushwant Singh was also very emotional and sensitive. He felt sad when he had to leave his grandmother and go to the city for higher studies. He noticed the changes in their relationship. He felt bad when his grandmother stopped talking to him like before. When she died, he was very upset. He felt that her death was something peaceful and beautiful, just like her life. This shows that he had deep emotions and cared for his family.
4. Observant and Thoughtful
The author was very observant. He noticed small things about his grandmother – how she looked, how she prayed, how she fed the dogs and sparrows. He even noticed how she changed after moving to the city. He thought deeply about these things and wrote them in his story. This shows that he was a thoughtful person who gave attention to feelings and changes in life.
5. Respectful to Elders
Khushwant Singh respected his elders. He always talked about his grandmother with great love and respect. Even after she passed away, he remembered her in a beautiful and peaceful way. He showed that we should always love and respect our grandparents, even when they grow old and become weak. This is a great lesson for children.
6. Realistic and Practical
The author was also realistic. He knew that as time changes, people and relationships also change. He told us how he became busy with his studies, and his bond with his grandmother became weak. But still, he never stopped loving her. He accepted this truth of life. This shows that he was practical and accepted life as it is.
7. Good Storyteller
Khushwant Singh was a very good storyteller. The way he told the story of his grandmother made the readers feel like they were watching it with their eyes. He added small details like her silver hair, her wrinkled face, her soft voice, and her prayer beads. He wrote in such a way that the story touched everyone’s heart. This shows that he had the skill of good writing and storytelling.
Conclusion
In the story “The Portrait of a Lady”, Khushwant Singh showed himself as a loving, honest, emotional, thoughtful, and respectful person. His words were simple, but they had deep meaning. He made us remember how beautiful and important the love of grandparents is. Through his story, we learn not just about his grandmother, but also about his kind and gentle heart.
We can say that Khushwant Singh was not just a great writer, but also a great human being. He showed us how to love, respect, and remember our elders.
