The Price of Flowers – Detailed Content
Prabhat Kumar Mukhopadhyay
Detailed Summary
The Price of Flowers is a moving short story that highlights love, sacrifice, poverty, and the emotional strength of a young girl named Maggie Clifford. The story is narrated by Mr Gupta, an Indian gentleman working in London. It explores how a chance encounter between strangers from different parts of the world can create a lasting emotional connection.
While dining at a vegetarian restaurant in London, Mr Gupta meets a 13-year-old girl named Maggie. Curious and somewhat shy, she approaches him because he is Indian. She asks him whether he knows the Punjab, which he does. She explains that her brother, Frank Clifford, a soldier in the British army, is posted there. Maggie and her widowed mother have not received any letters from Frank for a long time and are worried for his safety.
Maggie invites Mr Gupta to her home in Lambeth, a poor area in London. There, he meets Mrs Clifford, her mother, who is kind and gentle but very sick. Despite their poor living conditions, both mother and daughter maintain their dignity, politeness, and warmth. Maggie works as a typist and is proud of earning her own money. She dreams of becoming a secretary and doing “brain work.”
Mr Gupta becomes emotionally connected to the two women. He starts visiting regularly and offers them comfort and support. The story takes a more emotional turn when Maggie’s mother falls seriously ill. Maggie sends Mr Gupta a letter asking him to come. He visits them again and tries to comfort Maggie.
Before Mr Gupta leaves for India, Maggie gives him a shilling, which she had earned through hard work. She requests him to buy flowers and place them on her brother’s grave, assuming Frank is dead. Mr Gupta is deeply moved by this gesture. He realizes that for Maggie, the shilling is not just money, but a symbol of love and faith. Though he is unsure whether Frank is alive or not, he accepts the coin to honour her emotions.
The story ends with Mr Gupta preparing to leave for India, touched by the unseen emotional price attached to the small coin — the price of the flowers.
Themes
- Love and Family Bond – The strong sibling relationship between Maggie and Frank.
- Compassion Across Cultures – Mr Gupta, an Indian, connects emotionally with a British family.
- Poverty and Dignity – Despite hardship, the Clifford family remains dignified and hopeful.
- Faith and Sacrifice – Maggie’s belief in her brother and her gift of the shilling show selflessness.
Character Sketch: Maggie
| Traits | Evidence from Story |
| Poor but dignified | “Her clothes betrayed her poverty.” |
| Deeply loving | Sacrifices a shilling for her brother’s grave |
| Emotionally strong | Controls her tears, keeps working despite hardship |
| Mature and polite | Speaks respectfully to Mr Gupta and works to support her family |
| Intelligent and aspirational | “I want brain work… like that of a secretary.” |