Summary of the tribute by dash benhur?

Answer 1

The story 'Tribute' traces the process of repentance that starts for Babuli when he receives a letter from his elder brother about the partition of his village property amongst the three brothers. This letter removes the strands of complacency, which have gathered around him in his pursuit to become a 'city babu'. Preoccupied with his wife and job, he had forgotten his mother, brothers and their families.

Discussing the partition with his wife only reveals her greed for money and total indifference to Babuli's feelings.

When he goes back to his village, the sight of his brother brings back a flood of childhood memories. His elder brother is an epitome of sacrifice and selfless love. Babuli remembers how his elder brother would carry his school bag for him, serve him his favourite fish curry prepared exclusively for him and cover Babuli with his own blanket as an extra protection on a cold winter night.

His elder brother had mortgaged his watch to raise money to send Babuli for an interview to Delhi. Everything was done so ungrudgingly and with so much love! Nothing had changed him - his seven children, cattle, fields, and household responsibilities. The second brother, pressurised by his wife, had sold his soul to greed and had become adamant about the partition.

Babuli compares the partition to the act of a butcher, slicing out the flesh of the domestic body which bad been nourished with years of love and care. When the partition actually takes place, the elder brother watches on stoically and dispassionately giving into the second brother's demands in everything. When the elder brother shows Babuli his share of the paddy fields, Babuli's repentance is complete. He sees the fruits of his elder brother's hard work in every crop. He realises that his only true wealth is his brother from whom he has harvested everything in life. Finally overcome with acute guilt and shame, he goes back to Bhubaneswar, leaving his share of land to his elder brother as a tribute to his brothers concern and exemplary love for him.