Mali’s desire to start a story writing machine factory by the know — how from America and asking his father to invest on this venture throws the entire gear of “Malgudi Thinking” and this friction splits the family and Jagan starts living in seclusion in his own house. Ultimately Jagan wants to retire from active working at which time he is informed that his son Mali is caught by the police for drunkenness and has deserted his American wife also. Jagan refuses to assist Mali to get out of the police clutches and advises Narasimha, his friend and philosopher to take care of Mali’s wife and to provide her the passage money so that she can return back home. The conflict between the old and young generation, the ideas and ideals and the generation gap makes ‘Vendor of Sweets’ a story to be remembered for all times to come.