This is a short story by Subhadra Kumari Chauhan about the friendship between Afghan traders and the local buyers. This reminds us of ‘Kabuliwala’, a story by Rabindranath Tagore.
In an era gone by individual traders from Afghanistan would come to India to sell their goods from house to house. In this case, it is heeng. These traders or hawkers miss their home and children, whom they had left behind. They become friendly with the locals, find some solace in their company. A comradery exists between them.
The Heengwala insists that the lady of the house Savitri buy the heeng. He believes that it was auspicious for him if she is the first buyer in the morning. Savitri knowing his sentiments buys heeng and gives him thirty-five paise.