For, Premchand wrote not only about villains and martyrs, poverty, rigid social order or caste disparities. His world, seemingly black and white though it is, is also lit by flashes of wit and humour, gentle irony and a persistent social commentary. While Premchand's favourite characters - bhang-drinking pandits, miserable sweepers and arrogant Thakurs - do feature in this collection, this is perhaps the first time that the English reader will be introduced to his 'other' world - a world of unbelievably good men, lovesick young girls, and a penniless braggart's self-delusion.

Her first collection of short stories, Sitnron se Aage, published in 1945, established two singular qualities about this rising star on the Urdu firmament: one, her steadfast refusal to write only on 'womanly' subjects; and two, her ability to consistently produce polished, lyrical prose at a time when poetry held sway. Over the years, she produced a formidable array of travelogues, translations, novels, plays novelettes and short story collections.

A collection of inspirational stories.