Attempt the following long answer type questions in 100-120 words.

‘Only the bearer knows where the shoe pinches’. Elucidate the statement with reference to the story The Letter.

It’s rightly said that a wearer only knows where the shoe pinches. Often, we make fun of people in trouble. On the other hand, when it’s we who are affected by the same trouble, our outlook and attitude undergo a radical change. In the story ‘The Letter’, Ali and the postmaster undergo transformations by missing their dear ones. When Miriam, Ali’s daughter, left him suddenly, he gave up hunting innocent animals. The pain of separation made Ali sensitive towards the pain of the animals. Next, it was the arrogant and rude postmaster who underwent transformation seeing Ali’s pain and remorse. Whenever, Ali enquired about Miriam’s letter, the postmaster replied back rudely, without acknowledging Ali’s distress. It was only when the postmaster received no news of his sick daughter who lived far away, did he understand Ali’s heartache. The postmaster’s transformation, forced him to believe the letters as heart beats of near and dear ones. The letters became synonymous to human worth.