The Serang of Ranaganji

Question 1. What was notable about the appearance of the Indian serang?
Answer: He was a squat and looked very ugly. He was with short legs and a large disproportionate
head.

Question 2. Who were the passengers on the Ranaganji?

Answer: The passengers on the Ranaganji were tourists and pleasure seekers.

Question 3. Who was Miss Jope-Smith? Write a short character sketch.

Answer: Miss Jope-Smith was a passenger on the Ranaganji. She was a thrusting person. She was
over thirty but she dressed herself smartly and in a dashing style to look younger. She was a first class
passenger on the Ranaganji. She was always seen with her male companion Ronnie. She was a snob
and a big bore. Her comment about the serang was “an absurdly comic creature.” When, at the end
of the story, she asks the narrator whether he had kept the serang in a cage, the narrator gave her a
befitting reply. He said that he had kept the serang in a cage but all the animals were outside. He
meant that she was an animal with her rude remark about people and her showing off nature.

Question 4. What was the condition of the seamen who were brought by the serang to Dr Cronin?
Answer: The seamen did not look well. They complained of general illness, strong headache and
severe bone pains. They looked frightened, as the doctor began to examine them. Both had fever.
Their tongues were covered with thick sputum. They had dry skin, which is nature’s gravest warning.
The doctor then discovered hard little nodules under the wrist skin of each man. It was the sure
symptom of smallpox.

Question 5. How did AJ Cronin conclude that the seamen were infected with smallpox?
Answer: AJ Cronin concluded that the seamen were inflected with smallpox because he discovered
hard little nodules under their wrist skin. It was the sure symptom of smallpox.

Question 6. Describe Captain Hamble. What was his reaction when he heard about the breakout of
smallpox on the ship?
Answer: Captain Hamble was a thickset man of fifty five. He was known as a strict disciplinarian.
When the doctor told him that two of the deckhands had small pox, Captain Hamble’s lips drew
tightly together showing his tension. He was also a just and fair-minded officer. When he heard about
the breakout of smallpox on the ship, he asked the doctor to do his best to keep the disease from
spreading. He also wanted others not to know of the disease as passengers would then get panicky.
Question 7. Where and how was the shelter for the infected patients made?
Answer: The shelter for the infected patients was made in the back part of the ship where it wouldn’t
be so visible to others. Hasan was the main person who made the shelter. In an hour he erected a
large canvas shelter. Mattresses and sheets were then brought up and the two patients were placed
there.

Question 8. How did the serang take care of the diseased patients?
Answer: The serang was very sincere and compassionate in caring for the diseased patients. It was a
situation to test the strongest nerves. But the serang was calm and undisturbed. In attending the
patients, he seemed untiring. The doctor had to beg him to be careful and asked him not to go too
close to the patients. But the serang was not afraid and he continued taking care of the patients in all
possible ways.
Question 9. What information did Dr Cronin collect about the serang?
Answer: Dr Cronin gathered some information about the serang’s past history. His name was Hasan.
He was from the Punjab. But his parents had moved into south India. There like many others in the
coastal region he had taken to the sea-faring life. For nearly 40 years, he had been travelling in the
various oceans of the world. In the Ranaganji he had spent 15 years. He had no place on shore; he
had no friends or family. He had never married. He was a Muslim. All his life he had acquired nothing,
neither money nor property. What he had was worth a few rupees and it was in the ship.

Question 10. What was Hasan’s attitude to life, as explained to Cronin?

Answer: Hasan thought money was of no use for someone who had all that he needed. He was quite
happy with the way he was. He needed no extra money for his service. He had no respect for money
and he despised it. He was never worried about tomorrow.

Activity -1 (Think and Respond)

Question 1. Do you agree with A.J. Cronin’s remark that ‘the animals were all outside.’ Why?
Answer: I partly agree with A.J. Cronin’s remark that ‘the . animals were all outside.’ People like Miss
Jope Smith and her companion Ronnie were definitely animals. They could not see a man as a man
but as an animal. I don’t think all the 1500 passengers and the crew outside were as bad as these two
people. That is why I said I partly, and not wholly, agree.

Question 2. Do you think that A.J. Cronin should have reported the selfless efforts of Hasan to the
authorities and recommended him for rewards and promotion?
Answer: In normal circumstances, I would say ‘yes.’ But in the case of Hasan he is already happy with
his life and his position. I don’t think any rewards and promotion would make him happier. He is is a
contented man and contentment can’t be got through rewards and promotion.

Question 3. How is the world view of the passengers in general different from that of Hasan?
Answer: The passengers are mostly tourists and pleasure seekers. They find joy in partying and such
things. They strive all their life for success and earning more wealth, as the doctor himself testifies.
But for Hasan, happiness is service and he is contented. He is neither interested in parties nor in
wealth or success.

Question 4. “Why, naturally it is me.” These words show that Hasan is very ready to shoulder any
responsibility happily. Comment on Hasan’s ability to volunteer at the time of an emergency.
Answer: Smallpox is a deadly disease and it is very contagious. Nobody would like to go near a person
afflicted with smallpox. Hasan is a serang and he is no way obliged to nurse the sick people. He could
have easily said he would not take care of the sick, as it does not form part of his job obligations. But
the moment the doctor asked who would help him the ready reply comes from Hasan. By
volunteering to nurse the sick men, he was risking his life. It is not easy to find such good people in
the world which strives for success and wealth. People like Hasan are very rare and such people will
always come forward in case of any emergency.

Activity – II (Letter)
Question 5. You know that A.J. Cronin, the physician of the ship is extremely impressed by the service
of Hasan. Imagine that after the voyage, Cronin writes a letter to the director of the company which
owns the ship Ranaganji, detailing the selfless service Hasan rendered during the voyage. He also
requests the director to reward Hasan with a promotion in return for his service. Draft the letter
which Cronin would write.
Answer:
Government Hospital
Lord Curson Lane
Calcutta
17 July 1940
The Director
Eastern Import Export Company
Strand
London

Dear Sir,
Sub: Hasan, the Serang on Ranaganji
Our last trip to Calcutta was quite eventful. Ranaganji had nearly 1500 passengers – mostly tourists
and pleasure seekers. The voyage to Calcutta began favourably in calm, clear weather and we passed
Aden without any incident. Now we were in the Arabian Sea.
To our dismay and horror we discovered that two of our lascar deck hands had small pox. When I
reported the matter to the Captain, Mr. Hamble, he told me to keep the matter a secret as the news
would spread panic among the passengers. I was quite worried and did not know what to do and how
to cope with the problem. It was then I realized what a good man Hasan, our serang, was. He told me
not to worry. He made a shelter in the stern of the ship into which the infected patients were moved.
He volunteered to nurse them without worrying about his own safety. Later more workers were
diagnosed with smallpox. In all we had 14 cases and Hasan took care of all of them without murmur
and complaint. I was astonished at his selfless service and devotion.
Later two sick men died. Hasan sewed their shrouds and read loud a short passage from the
Ramayana. We should know that he himself was a devout Muslim but he read the Ramayana because
the persons who died were Hindus. It showed his religious tolerance. After that he cast the bodies
overboard at midnight. When we reached Colombo the sick men were taken to the hospital. Hasan
was in the forefront to help them, although some of them were with running sores of smallpox.
Normally no one would dare to do such things. But Hasan did it. He really loved men.
It is difficult to find such unselfish and self-sacrificing people like Hasan. I strongly recommend that
Hasan be given a promotion in recognition of his great services to the company. He should be made
the Chief Petty Officer of Ranaganji.
I will talk to you more about the trip to Calcutta when I return to London.

With regards,

(A.J. Cronin)
Chief Physician of Ranaganji

Activity – III (Speech)

Question 6. The Director of the Company receives a letter from A.J. Cronin. He is pleased with the
service rendered by Hasan throughout the voyage. They arrange a special get-together of all the
officials and crew of the ship. In that get-together, the Managing Director of the company announces
that the company appreciates the service of Hasan and promotes him as the Chief Petty Officer of the
ship. The Director invites Hasan to speak a few words on this occasion.
Imagine that you are Hasan. What would be your reaction and feelings at this moment? Draft a
speech that you would deliver on the occasion.
Answer:
Dear Director, Dr. Cronin, respected officers and crew members, I am so happy to be given this kind
of recognition by the Company and the officers. I don’t think I did anything great in serving the sick
people in the ship.
Wasn’t it my duty to serve the suffering? Allah has given us this life to love and serve others. When
we get a chance we should be able to do service to others.
I am a Muslim. But I believe we all are children of God. That is why I even read from the Ramayana
some relevant part when I sewed the shroud for the dead people and wanted to cast them
overboard. I was not worried about getting the disease because I felt that life is a gift from God. He
will take it away whenever he likes. Whatever precautions you might take, you can’t prevent death
from coming to you.
I don’t value money or position much. But I am happy that I am given promotion because it will help
me to do more service to my brethren. I would like to end my humble words with a quotation from
the Bible. It asks: What is the use of earning so much wealth in this world,’ if you lose your soul? So
my advice to my friends is ‘Help others as much as possible.’
Before I close I want to thank Dr. Cronin and the Chairman for giving me the promotion. I assure
them that I will continue doing my best for the Company. May the Almighty Allah bless you all and
thank you!

Activity – IV (Role-play)
Question 6. Miss Jope-Smith soon hears about the promotion given to Hasan and the reason for the
promotion. She feels sorry for her prejudiced remarks about him. She decides to meet Hasan in
person, and congratulate him for his efforts and the promotion he has received.
Form pairs. Imagine that one of you is Ms Jope- Smith and the other is Hasan. Role-play the whole
conversation between Jope-Smith and Hasan.
Answer:
Jope-Smith: Good evening, Hasan! I’m Jope-Smith, one of the travellers in the Ranaganji, going to
Calcutta.
Hasan: Good evening! Glad to you were on the ship.

JS: Congratulations on your promotion! You really deserve it.

Hasan: Thank you, Ms Jope-Smith. I thank Allah for all this wonderful things happening to me.

JS: I want to say one more thing to you. I want to say ‘sorry’.
Hasan: Say‘sorry’for what?

JS: For thinking ill of you and laughing at you. When I saw you first I talked ill of you for no reason. I
guess I was very proud. I could never imagine that you were such a nice and brave person.
Hasan: I don’t think I am such a nice and brave person. I did what I ought to have done in the
circumstances. When I knew some workers were having smallpox, had to take care of them. Does not
Allah want us to help one another?
JS: You’re right, Hasan! We ought to help one another. I am ashamed of my prejudice. I’m sorry!
Hasan: It’s okay Madam! We all make mistakes. Forget it and be happy.

JS: Thank you, Hasan, I feel quite relieved now. Thank you very much.