Summary

The short story “The Free Radio” by Salman Rushdie tells of Ramani, a young rickshaw driver, who falls in love with a thief’s widow who is older than him. The narrator believes that the widow is vicious, and he does not approve of Ramani’s relationship with her. The narrator remembers Ramani’s first meeting with the widow and her five children, who wanted a ride in Ramani’s rickshaw. He suggests that the woman makes a living through prostitution. 

After Ramani meets the thief’s widow, his behavior changes and he spends his time with questionable friends involved in the Youth Movement. The narrator warns Ramani about his dangerous friends, but Ramani ignores him. 

The narrator blames the widow for entertaining Ramani’s dreams of fame, and asks her to leave Ramani alone. The widow accuses the narrator of spreading false accusations about her and revea...