Story Overview:

“Andha Kunwan” (“Blind Well”) tells the story of an old man abandoned by his children and left to dwell in a house that feels as empty and lifeless as a dry well. Isolated from friends and society, he is haunted by shadows, unsettling dreams, and the ominous presence of crows and ravens—symbols of death and despair. The narrative follows his internal struggle as he grapples with loneliness, existential questions, and the painful realisation that even those closest to him have left in pursuit of their own lives.

The story’s central symbol, the dry well, powerfully captures the protagonist’s emotional and spiritual emptiness. Through surreal imagery and introspective dialogue, the tale explores themes of abandonment, the search for meaning, and the suffocating effects of isolation. In the end, the relentless cawing of the ravens and the sense of dissolution reinforce the tragic consequences of a life devoid of connection, leaving the protagonist—and the reader—confronting the universal fear of being forgotten and alone.

(For a detailed story overview with themes and symbolism, click here.)

Read the English translation of the story.