3. Paragraphs 1 to 8

 

The story opens with the narrator introducing the character Ramayya to the readers. Ramayya was a common man who lived in the town with his wife.

 

 

Though he wasn't wealthy, he earned enough to take care of his family.

 

Soon, the scene shifts to two sparrows living on the roof of Ramayya's house. It was a nice house made of tiled roofs.

 

 

The birds had found a safe and comfortable position in the roof to build a nest, and the mother-bird had laid her eggs in it.

It is interesting to note that the sparrows play a considerably big role in the story. While the story is mostly observed from birds' point of view, they also play a larger role in its plot.

 

The male bird began the conversation by exchanging his observation on the relationship between Ramayya and his wife. He said to his wife, 'my dear, why is it that the lady (Ramayya's wife) always fighting with her husband?' The male-bird was feeling bad for Ramayya, and hence, wanted to help him.

 

However, they are birds, after all. They do not possess enough power to help themselves, let alone a human. Hence, the female bird mocked at her husband and told him that he should focus on what he could or should do. She told him that he shouldn't be bothered about things that did not concern them. Her greatest concern then was to make sure that no cat came near their nest. She wanted to keep her eggs and the young ones safe from predators.

It is quite interesting to note how the readers learn about the quarrel between Ramayya and his wife only through the eyes of the bird. Furthermore, we also see that the relationship between the birds is equally sour, with the male bird calls his wife "self-centred", while the female bird addresses her husband with 'disdain'. It is evident from the way the she-bird responds: she is quite authoritative and doesn't take her husband seriously. On the other hand, the he-bird values his wife's opinion and even calls her 'dear'.

Hence, the male bird may be sympathetic towards Ramayya's situation because he could see himself in the latter's position. Moreover, Ramayya’s situation is expressed only through the eyes of the he-bird. As a result, the credibility of the problem is in question.