It concerns Amal, a child confined to his adoptive uncle's home by an incurable disease.
W. Andrew Robinson and Krishna Dutta note that the play "continues to occupy a special place in Tagore's reputation, both within Bengal and in the wider world.
The construction of a new post office nearby prompts the imaginative Amal to fantasize about receiving a letter from the King or being his postman.
The village headman mocks Amal, and pretends the illiterate child has received a letter from the king promising that his royal physician will come to attend him.
The physician really does come, with a herald to announce the imminent arrival of the king; Amal, however, dies as Sudha comes to bring him flowers.