In Black and White

"In Black and White" by Rudyard Kipling is a collection of stories likely written in the late 19th century. The volume unfolds various tales that provide insights into life in India, featuring an array of characters such as mendicants, holy men, and the common folk, exploring cultural interactions and the complexities of human existence. The beginning of "In Black and White" introduces readers to Dhunni Bhagat's Chubára, a monastery in Northern India, where the holy man Gobind resides. He engages in discussions with a narrator who aspires to document life through storytelling. Gobind shares his wisdom on tales, emphasizing that there is a shared human experience that transcends cultural differences. The old man expresses his longing for legacy, asking the narrator to include a record of his name in the forthcoming book, thus setting the stage for the interconnected stories to follow. This opening portion establishes themes of storytelling and the quest for understanding, foreshadowing a rich exploration of life, death, and the essence of humanity.