Maharashtra HSC – Std. 12 English
Lesson 1: An Astrologer’s Day
Complete Exam-Oriented Notes | Author: R. K. Narayan
1. Quick Facts
Author R. K. Narayan
Genre Short story
Main character The astrologer
Important customer Guru Nayak
Major themes Fate, guilt, deception, intelligence, coincidence
Core idea A clever use of observation and presence of mind changes the astrologer’s life.
2. Complete Summary
The story presents an astrologer who sits under a tamarind tree in a busy marketplace and earns his
living by telling people about their past and future. He is not a trained astrologer. Instead, he depends on
observation, general knowledge, clever questions and his ability to understand people. His appearance
and the objects around him help create an impression of a professional astrologer. One evening, a
stranger named Guru Nayak approaches him. Guru Nayak wants to find the man who attacked him many
years earlier. When the astrologer sees him closely, he recognizes Guru Nayak. The stranger is the
same person whom the astrologer had attacked in his younger days. During that old fight, the astrologer
believed that he had killed him and had run away from his village. The astrologer remains calm and uses
his knowledge of the past to answer Guru Nayak. He tells him that the man who attacked him is no longer
a danger and advises him to go back home and avoid travelling south again. Guru Nayak accepts the
astrologer’s words and pays him. The encounter is important because it removes the astrologer’s
long-standing fear that he had killed a man. When the astrologer returns home, he tells his wife that the
person he once thought was dead is actually alive. He feels greatly relieved. The story therefore ends
with an unexpected twist and shows how a chance meeting can bring peace to a troubled person.
3. Character Sketch – The Astrologer
• Clever and intelligent: He uses observation and practical intelligence rather than real astrological
knowledge.
• Observant: He notices people’s appearance, behaviour and reactions and uses these clues while
speaking.
• Good at reading people: He understands what customers are likely to believe and frames his
statements accordingly.
• Fearful because of his past: His old fight with Guru Nayak has remained a source of worry.
• Quick-minded: When Guru Nayak appears, he immediately understands the danger and controls the
situation.
• Relieved at the end: Learning that Guru Nayak survived removes his guilt and fear.
Lesson 1: An Astrologer’s Day
Complete Exam-Oriented Notes | Author: R. K. Narayan
1. Quick Facts
Author R. K. Narayan
Genre Short story
Main character The astrologer
Important customer Guru Nayak
Major themes Fate, guilt, deception, intelligence, coincidence
Core idea A clever use of observation and presence of mind changes the astrologer’s life.
2. Complete Summary
The story presents an astrologer who sits under a tamarind tree in a busy marketplace and earns his
living by telling people about their past and future. He is not a trained astrologer. Instead, he depends on
observation, general knowledge, clever questions and his ability to understand people. His appearance
and the objects around him help create an impression of a professional astrologer. One evening, a
stranger named Guru Nayak approaches him. Guru Nayak wants to find the man who attacked him many
years earlier. When the astrologer sees him closely, he recognizes Guru Nayak. The stranger is the
same person whom the astrologer had attacked in his younger days. During that old fight, the astrologer
believed that he had killed him and had run away from his village. The astrologer remains calm and uses
his knowledge of the past to answer Guru Nayak. He tells him that the man who attacked him is no longer
a danger and advises him to go back home and avoid travelling south again. Guru Nayak accepts the
astrologer’s words and pays him. The encounter is important because it removes the astrologer’s
long-standing fear that he had killed a man. When the astrologer returns home, he tells his wife that the
person he once thought was dead is actually alive. He feels greatly relieved. The story therefore ends
with an unexpected twist and shows how a chance meeting can bring peace to a troubled person.
3. Character Sketch – The Astrologer
• Clever and intelligent: He uses observation and practical intelligence rather than real astrological
knowledge.
• Observant: He notices people’s appearance, behaviour and reactions and uses these clues while
speaking.
• Good at reading people: He understands what customers are likely to believe and frames his
statements accordingly.
• Fearful because of his past: His old fight with Guru Nayak has remained a source of worry.
• Quick-minded: When Guru Nayak appears, he immediately understands the danger and controls the
situation.
• Relieved at the end: Learning that Guru Nayak survived removes his guilt and fear.
