Act I
Madhav is feeling anxious and worried because a child has come into his house and he is concerned about the child’s health. The physician advises Madhav to keep the child indoors and away from the autumn wind and sun. Madhav is hesitant to keep the child indoors all the time and is looking for alternative methods to take care of him.
Gaffer, a friend of Madhav, enters and offers to help take care of the child. Amal, Madhav’s nephew, wants to go outside and explore but is told by Madhav and the doctor that it is not good for his health. Amal expresses a desire to be like the man he saw who was seeking work and going on adventures.
Madhav encourages Amal to focus on getting well before thinking about what he wants to do in the future. Madhav leaves for work, reminding Amal to stay inside and not talk to strangers.
The dairyman and Amal have a conversation about curds. Amal is unable to buy curds because he has no money. Amal is sitting outside all day because the doctor has advised him not to go out. Amal expresses a desire to go to the dairyman’s village.
The dairyman agrees to take Amal to his village when the doctor allows it. Amal wants to learn how to sell curds and imitate the dairyman’s cry. The watchman and Amal have a conversation about time and the post office. The watchman tells Amal that one day the doctor may take him away.
Amal expresses a desire to receive a letter from the king. The headman and Amal have a conversation about the postman and the king. The headman promises to help Amal receive a letter from the king. Amal tries to get the attention of someone walking by.
A girl named Sudha enters and interacts with a boy named Amal. Sudha is the daughter of a flower-seller and gathers flowers in her basket. Amal expresses a desire to be outside and pick flowers for Sudha.
Sudha mentions that she has to weave garlands and cannot stay long. Amal asks Sudha to come back and talk to him when she has her flowers. Sudha agrees to come back and promises not to forget Amal.
A troop of boys enter and Amal interacts with them. The boys are going to play as ploughmen and invite Amal to join them. Amal cannot go out due to the doctor’s orders.
Amal offers his toys to the boys to play with. The boys accept the toys and agree to play in front of Amal’s door every morning.Amal mentions the King’s postmen and asks the boys to bring one of them to meet him. The boys agree to bring a postman if Amal wants.
Act II
Amal wants to go near the window, but Madhav thinks it’s making him sick. Amal talks about a fakir who visits him and tells him about his travels. Madhav is skeptical about the fakir’s existence. Amal asks Madhav to invite the fakir in, and Gaffer enters disguised as the fakir.
Gaffer tells Amal about the Isle of Parrots and its wonders. Amal expresses his desire to go to the Isle of Parrots with the fakir. Madhav is frustrated with the conversation and leaves. Amal asks Gaffer about a letter from the King at the Post Office. Gaffer confirms that the letter is on its way. Amal describes the journey of the King’s postman in detail.
Amal expresses his desire to receive alms from the King when he gets well. Madhav returns and expresses his concern about the rumors of the King’s office. Gaffer dismisses the concern and assures Amal that the King won’t be angry. Amal starts feeling unwell and longs for quietness. Gaffer reassures Amal that the King’s letter will come today.
The doctor enters and asks Amal how he is feeling. Amal responds that he feels well and that his pain has gone away. The doctor, aside to Madhav, expresses concern about Amal feeling well, considering it a bad sign. Madhav asks the doctor what will happen, and the doctor warns that they can’t hold Amal in much longer and that it looks like a fresh exposure.
Madhav insists that he has taken utmost care and kept Amal indoors with the windows shut. The doctor mentions a peculiar quality in the air and advises Madhav to lock the front door and shut the window to keep out the sunset rays. Madhav worries about losing Amal, whom he loves as his own child. The doctor leaves, and the headman enters.
The headman teases Madhav about hobnobbing with bigwigs and mentions that Amal is expecting a letter from the king. Madhav dismisses the headman’s jests, but the headman insists that there is a letter for Amal from the king. Amal, excited, asks if it’s true, and the headman shows him a blank slip of paper, pretending it’s the letter. Amal asks the fakir if it’s true, and the fakir confirms it. Amal wonders why he can’t see anything in the letter, and the headman jokes about what the king supposedly wrote.
Madhav pleads with the headman not to joke about such things, but the headman continues. Amal asks the fakir to play his trumpet, but the headman doubts Amal will hear it until he’s more out of his head. Amal expresses gratitude to the headman for bringing him the king’s letter and offers to wipe the dust off his feet. The headman acknowledges Amal’s reverence and good heart.
Amal asks about the time and the evening star, unable to see due to the closed windows. The headman opens the windows, and there’s a knocking at the door. Madhav wonders who it is, and the headman jokes about robbers. The king’s herald enters and announces that the sovereign king is coming tonight. Amal asks at what hour, and the herald says on the second watch when the city gate watchman strikes his gong.
The herald mentions that the king is sending his greatest physician to attend to Amal. The state physician enters and comments on the close air, instructing to open all the doors and windows. The physician asks Amal how he feels, and Amal says he feels very well and can see the stars twinkling. The physician asks if Amal will be well enough to leave his bed when the king comes, and Amal eagerly agrees, mentioning wanting to see the polar star.
The physician instructs Madhav to arrange flowers for the king’s visit and suggests that the headman shouldn’t be in the room, but Amal insists that he can stay. Madhav whispers to Amal to ask the king for a gift, and Amal decides to ask to become one of the king’s postmen. The herald mentions that the king has requested puffed rice as an offering.
Amal realizes that the headman was right about the letter and thanks him. The physician tells everyone to be quiet as Amal falls asleep. Sudha enters with flowers and asks when Amal will wake up. The physician says he will wake up when the king comes and calls him. Sudha asks the physician to whisper a word for her in Amal’s ear, and he agrees.
Rabindranath Tagore Autumn Festival Play Summary
