Homeless Bird Summary

Homeless Bird was written by Gloria Whelan, a poet, short story writer, and a novelist. The book is about a young girl named Koly who faces many hardships. After meeting Koly’s fiance, Hari, Koly and her family realize that his parents had lied about his age and that he was very, very ill. Hari passed away shortly after he and Koly got married. After Hari died, Koly’s Sassur was so depressed over the death he would lock himself in his room every day after he got home from work. Sassur eventually passed away from fatigue and lack of nutrients because he was skipping meals.
The house that now only Sass and Koly lived in became too expensive so Sass and Koly planned to travel to Sass’ brother’s house where they were promised a place to stay.
Once Koly and Sass got to Vrindavan, Sass abandons Koly and she is forced to live on the streets for a little while. Eventually, Koly was rescued by a rickshaw worker name Raji. After meeting Raji, Koly was taken in by the house of widows where food, water, and work for widows was provided. Once Koly settled down a bit, the founder of the house, Mrs. Devi, showed the quilt Koly made for her dowry to a tailor. Koly got a job embroidering that paid better than the job she had before stringing marigolds onto garlands. Koly’s relationship with Raji strenghtened and Raji told Koly about his plans to return to his farm in the country and that he has saved enough money to start a life there.