Summary
The story Bepin Choudhury’s Lapse of Memory, written by Satyajit Ray, is a humorous tale that revolves around Bepin Choudhury, an elderly man, and the peculiar events that make him question his own memory. Divided into four parts, the story explores themes of memory, guilt, and the consequences of ignoring those in need.
Bepin’s Encounter with a Stranger
Bepin Choudhury was a man who enjoyed reading and frequently visited bookstores to buy books. During one such visit, a stranger named Parimal Ghose approached him, claiming to be an old acquaintance from a trip to Ranchi. Parimal began recounting personal details of the trip, such as how Bepin injured his knee and spent time at Hudroo Falls. He also mentioned that Mr. Dinesh Mukerji, another mutual acquaintance, had been on the trip.
Initially, Bepin dismissed the man, believing he was confusing him with someone else. This was because Bepin had no recollection of ever visiting Ranchi. However, Parimal’s confidence and the specific details he provided left Bepin feeling unsettled and doubtful.
Verifying the Truth
The encounter with Parimal kept bothering Bepin, and he decided to verify the story with Dinesh Mukerji. To his surprise, Dinesh confirmed that they had indeed gone on the Ranchi trip together. This revelation left Bepin even more perplexed, as he could not remember any such trip. The idea that he might be suffering from memory loss began to trouble him deeply.
During this time, Bepin’s old school friend, Chunilal, continued to visit him seeking help in finding a job. However, Bepin, preoccupied with his own thoughts, ignored Chunilal’s requests for assistance.
Seeking Medical Advice
Disturbed by the possibility of losing his memory, Bepin consulted Dr. Paresh Chanda, a physician. Dr. Chanda, intrigued by the unique case, examined Bepin and found no physical cause for his memory lapse. The doctor suggested that revisiting Ranchi might help trigger his lost memories, and Bepin decided to follow this advice.
Hoping to resolve the mystery, Bepin traveled to Ranchi. He visited familiar places that Parimal had mentioned, such as Hudroo Falls, but nothing felt familiar or rekindled any memories. The trip left him more confused and distressed. He returned to Calcutta, convinced that he was suffering from some kind of amnesia.
The Revelation
Upon returning home, Bepin’s anxiety worsened. As he awaited Dr. Chanda’s visit for a follow-up, his servant brought him an urgent letter. The letter, marked “Confidential,” was from his old friend Chunilal.
In the letter, Chunilal revealed that the entire story about the Ranchi trip was a prank orchestrated by him. Chunilal had fabricated the events as an act of revenge for Bepin’s indifference toward him in his time of need. He expressed his disappointment in Bepin, who could have easily helped him but chose not to. Chunilal’s prank was a way to teach Bepin a lesson about empathy and helping others.
After reading the letter, Bepin felt a wave of guilt and remorse for avoiding Chunilal when he needed support. He realized that his lack of compassion had led to this embarrassing situation.
Bepin’s Reaction
When Dr. Chanda arrived, Bepin lied, claiming that his memories of the Ranchi trip had returned. Instead of admitting the truth, he asked the doctor for a painkiller to ease a supposed pain in his hip. The story ends humorously, with Bepin trying to hide his embarrassment and guilt.
Conclusion of Bepin Choudhury’s Lapse of Memory
The story teaches an important moral lesson: one should always help others in their time of need. Bepin’s negligence toward Chunilal resulted in an elaborate and embarrassing prank, illustrating the saying, “As you sow, so shall you reap.” It reminds readers to be kind, compassionate, and supportive, as our actions can have lasting consequences.