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The story is told from third person, mainly focusing on Boori Ma, an eccentric and nostalgic old woman who works as a durwan in an old, run-down building in Calcutta.

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Boori ma often occupies herself by recounting times of wealth and prosperity. These monologues of Boori Ma are the only hints at her life before her deportation to Calcutta after the Partition in 1947. She always ends her reminiscing with this phrase: "Believe me, don't believe me."

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Later in the story Boori Ma finds out that the Dalals have gotten two sinks for the building. Mr. Dalal had been promoted in his plumbing supply company. One of the sinks is installed on the first-floor landing of the building. This sink causes some arguments between the women living in the building, since many of them have many needs for it.

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After the Dalals depart for a 10-day holiday trip, the residents of the building residents do renovations of their own. The constant renovations leave Boori Ma a little unsettled. One day, during a walk through the neighborhood, Boori Ma's life savings are stolen, along with her keys to the building. When she returns to the building, she finds the basin in the stairwell has been stolen. The residents of the building accuse Boori Ma of informing the robbers of the basin. The story ends with the expulsion of Boori Ma from the building.

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Durwan is a word that is constructed from Urdu, Hindi, and Persian roots. A Durwan is defined as doorkeeper or cleaning person. Durwans can be found all over India. Haing a Durwan to help around the house is not just for the wealthy. More people than not have hired a Durwan in India.

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The taste of ashes is described as disappointing and worthless. The phrase comes from a fruit called the Dead Sea Fruit. This fruit looks sweet and juicy but turns to ashes and is poisonous when eaten. Someone who's mouth is full of ashes was once hopeful and looking up only to be let down and disappointed.

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In this apartment, having a sink is a luxury. Mr. Dalal is fortunate enough to have two sinks, one for himself and one for the rest of the building to share. Because it is such a luxury, the sink itself gets stolen.

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The main theme of the story is prejudgment. Boori Ma was accused of informing robbers about the newly installed basins in the building. The buildings residents point their fingers towards her since she is the poorest and most eccentric person living in the building. The resident's assumptions were based purely on their superficial views of Boori Ma.