Write a summary of An Astrologer's Day written by R.K. Narayan for class xi.

Summary of An Astrologer's Day:

An Astrologer’s Day by R.K. Narayan is a short story that captures a day in the life of a street astrologer in a small South Indian town. The astrologer, though lacking genuine astrological knowledge, uses his sharp observational skills and intuition to earn a living by giving seemingly accurate predictions to his clients.

One evening, as he is about to pack up for the day, a stranger approaches him for a consultation. The astrologer becomes uneasy when he recognizes the man as someone from his past. The stranger, unaware of the astrologer's identity, demands an accurate reading and threatens him when dissatisfied. In a dramatic twist, the astrologer reveals shocking details about the stranger's life, including a failed murder attempt that left him for dead.

The stranger, astonished by the accuracy of the reading, is convinced of the astrologer’s abilities. He is also relieved to learn that his "attacker" is dead, a lie the astrologer tells to pacify him. After the stranger leaves, it is revealed that the astrologer himself was the attacker, who believed he had killed the man in a past altercation. The incident had forced the astrologer to flee his village and adopt his current life.

Relieved that his secret is safe and that the stranger does not suspect him, the astrologer goes home to his wife with a lighter heart, reflecting on how fate has shaped his life. The story highlights themes of fate, guilt, and the unexpected ways in which life unfolds.