How does Ruskin Bond make us feel sad for Mehmood in the story "The Kitemaker"?

"The Kitemaker" is a short story written by Ruskin Bond. It is set in India and it follows Mehmood, an old man, who used to be a very successful kitemaker. Prompted by his grandson breaking his kite, Mehmood is reflecting on his life and the changes that have taken place since he was a young man.

The author makes the reader feel sad about Mehmood through his choice of words and grammatical structures. For example, very early on, we read that Mehmood "had in the prime of his life been well known throughout the city." The use of the pluperfect "had ... been well known" clearly implies to the reader that this is now no longer the case: Mehmood is no longer well known for his skills as a kitemaker. By saying "in the prime of his life," the author further adds sentimental value to this statement, as this also indicates that Mehmood is now an old man, who is closer to death than the days of his youth.

Another example you might want to mention is the fact that the reader is made to feel sad for Mehmood when they read that the people "did not have time for the old man and his memories." Having been famous and popular, it must have been a very painful realization for Mehmood that people are no longer interested in him. Mehmood is now a lonely old man who takes most comfort from the company of his grandson. This makes the reader feel sorry for Mehmood, as it creates empathy in the reader.

How does Ruskin Bond evoke sadness for Mehmood in "The Kite Maker"?

Ruskin Bond makes us feel sad for Mehmood by portraying him as an old, sick man who has few friends and is unable to see one of his sons due to the partition of India.

Mehmood is entering his twilight years, which naturally makes his life situation all the more poignant. We’re told that his days are “drawing to a close,” which would be bad enough in itself for a man who feels he still has quite a few kites left in him.

But it’s especially bad for someone like Mehmood, most of whose friends have passed away, and one of whose sons can’t come to see him as a result of the partition, which separated many people from their families.

If this weren't enough to make us feel sad, further heartbreak comes at the end of the story when Mehmood’s grandson can’t wake him up. Although it isn’t explicitly spelled out that Mehmood has passed away, it’s reasonable to assume that he has, adding further to the reader’s sadness concerning this poor old man.