Class 11 Two Little Soldiers (Short Story) Summary

   UNIT - 1.6  

TWO LITTLE SOLDIERS 

Guy de Maupassant (1850-1893) was a popular 19th- century French writer. His short stories are characterized by their economy of style and their efficient effortless dénouement. His stories are linked by irony and the frailty of human nature. He was an author of the realist and naturalist schools of writing. He wrote novels, poetry and newspapers articles, but he is best known for his short stories in the field of literature.

The story 'Two Little Soldiers' is about a triangular love with a completely unexpected twist at the end. This story shows the compatibility of friendship and romantic love with change, conflict, betrayal and jealousy.

 🔆 Two Little Soldiers Summary 

Guy de Maupassant (1850-1893) wrote this story. He was a popular 19thcentury French writer. His short stories are characterized by their economy of style and their efficient effortless conclusion. His stories are linked by irony and the weakness of human nature. The story 'Two Little Soldiers' is about 'love' and 'friendship'. This short story is about a triangular love where the dishonesty of a friend has created an unfortunate incident for the next friend. This story shows the compatibility (Anukulta) friendship and romantic love with change, discontent, conflict, betrayal (biswasghat) and jealousy.

Luc and Jean are two soldiers who habitually spend their free time on Sundays away from the barrack out in the countryside. Every Sunday, they bring food for breakfast to the same spot in the forest an lie back to enjoy the food, wine, and sights of an area that reminds them of home.

Similarly, the innocent young village girl who brings her cow out to pasture (Charaunethau) every week at the same time. One Sunday, however, the girl speaks to them, and when she returns on other ter Sundays, she shares the cow's milk with them and leaves them with a promise to meet the following Sunday. 

In next weekend, Jean suggests that they bring something for her. They settle on 'candy' as an appropriate present but when the girl arrives, both are too shy to tell her that they have brought something. Finally, Luc tells the girl about the present, and Jean, who always carries the food, gives the candy to her.

As the weeks pass, the girl becomes the topic of conversation for these soldiers as they spend time at the barracks, and the three become fast friends. The girl begins to share their sunday breakfast meal and appears to devote equal attention to the two people.

Then, in an uncharacteristic move, Luc seeks leave on a Tuesday, and again the following Thursday. He borrows money from Jean on that day but tells nothing for his behavior. Jean gives the money to Luc. The following Sunday, when the girl appears with the cow, she immediately rushes up to Luc and they embrace passionately. Jean is hurt because he is left out and does not understand why the girl has suddenly turned all of her attention to Luc. Luc and the girl go to care for the cow and disappear into the forest for a long time. Jean is confused. When they return, the lovers kiss again. Jean is totally nervous.

Neither soldier speaks of the incident, but as they return to their barracks they stop momentarily on the Bridge over the Seine. Jean leans over toward the water; farther than he should in Luc's judgment, then suddenly tumbles into the flood. Luc can do nothing; he watches in pain as his good friend drowns and died.