Summary

As the story opens, Koly’s mother remarks that Koly is now thirteen and that it’s time for her to marry. Koly knows that having her gone will mean there’s more food for her parents and brothers. The family is so poor that her mother often takes only a small amount of food for herself so there will be more for the others. Koly’s mother, whom she calls Maa, and her father, whom she calls Baap, are also parents to two sons. The boys attend school, but the girls do not. This was the usual custom. Koly often looks at her brothers’ school books, wishing she could figure out how to unlock the mystery of the written word. Baap works as a scribe, writing letters for those who do not know how to read and write. He makes little money. Most...