Letters (Summary)

Letter 1:

Mr. A.M. Qureshi a Pakistani citizen of P.E.C.H society Karachi intends to visit London. It this connection he writes a letter to the Manager of Hotel Montrose London for reservation of single room from the evening of Monday 3rd February to the morning of Sunday 9th February 1922. He also wants information about the most convenient way to travel from airport to hotel.

Letter 2:

In response to the letter of Mr. A.M Qureshi the Manager of Montrose Hotel London writes that the room has been reserved and charges for a single room with breakfast are 20 pounds a day.

About the convenient way from airport to hotel he tells him that he could take a taxi directly but it would be cheaper to travel to the south air terminal by bus and then take a taxi to the hotel.

Letter 3:

In this extract from his letter Mr. Qureshi tells his family about his stay with Browns during the weekend. His friend’s son wants to know about life in Pakistan and offer’s to exchange letters with Mr. Qureshi’s son Saleem. Mr. Qureshi asks his son to take advantage of the offer and improve his English.

Letter 4:

In reply to David’s letter Saleem tells him that he is replying little bit late because he had been busy in Eid celebration. He tells his how he had been celebrating Eid-ul-Fiter Festival. He explains that Eid-ul-Fiter comes at the ends of month of fasting and would be followed by another Eid a few weeks later.

He tells David about his engagements of Eid day. Getting up early he would take a bath and put on his best clothes, every one wears new clothes on this occasion. He would have traditional vermicelli dish for breakfast and would go to the polo ground for congregational prayers. After prayers the participants would embrace one another and return home where family would have delicious dishes. Then presents would be exchanged and he would go to the near relatives with his brother.

The letter of Saleem ends with a request that David might write him about the festival of Christmas and Easter.

Letter 5:

In this letter David congratulates Saleem on his English of good quality. He tells him that Christmas is their most important festivals. It is religious festival and falls on December 25th. He says that they go to Church on Christmas morning and also take part in carol service. Carols are traditional Christmas hymn. Children’s parties go from door to door singing Christmas carols in the hope to get penny or two for their own pockets. Local Church choirs also sing like that to collect donations for charitable purpose.

Shops are profusely decorated at Christmas and presents are exchanged on the occasion. The postal department engage special staff to cope with extra pressure.

Living rooms of all houses are decorated with the Christmas tree which is a small fir tree. It is decorated with bells and lights. Christmas present are collected from this tree on Christmas morning. Little children hang up empty stockings at the foot of bed when they go to bed and find them filled up with Christmas presents when they wake up in the morning.

They have dinner with turkey and other dishes. The afternoon is spent quietly at home. After tea children play games and grown up enjoy themselves no less.

The other important festival is Easter it is also of religious nature. It falls in spring its dates undergo a change with the change of moon. It starts on a Friday which is called Good Friday and lasts till following Monday which is called Easter Monday. Customary hot cross buns are eaten on Good Friday and Easter Eggs on Easter Sunday. Unlike Christmas Easter is not for merry making. Still as Easter Monday is public holiday, people like to go to the seaside or in the country for outing. Some time journey proves trouble some due to traffic jams so people prefer to stay at home.