10 Questions
Where can the narrator hear the sound of cricket being played?
In the alley behind their home
What does the narrator's father ask her when he says 'How was the school running today?'
How her day at school was
What does the narrator miss from their old room?
The school trophies on their bookcase
What is the meaning of the nickname 'Jani'?
Dear one
Why might the narrator not be able to return to their home in Pakistan?
It's too dangerous
What is the significance of the forty-five golden cups and medals to the narrator?
They are reminders of the life she loved and the girl she was before she left home.
What is a notable difference between the narrator's new home in Birmingham and her old home?
The availability of running water in Birmingham.
Why does the narrator's father have a note of worry in his voice when he asks about her day?
Because he fears she might not be there to reply due to a past threat to her life.
What was the narrator doing on the morning of the day she was nearly killed?
Studying for an exam on Pakistani studies.
What is the language spoken by the Pashtun people, according to the narrator?
Pashto
Study Notes
Childhood Memories
- The narrator reminisces about her childhood home in Pakistan, where she could hear kids playing cricket, the hum of the bazaar, and her friend Safina tapping on the wall to share secrets.
- She associates the smell of rice cooking with her mother's presence in the kitchen.
- She recalls her brothers fighting over the TV remote and her father calling her "Jani" (meaning "dear one" in Persian).
Life in Pakistan
- The narrator attended the Khushal School for Girls, which her father founded.
- She would often joke with her father about the "school running" when he asked about her day.
- She has a collection of school trophies and medals for being first in her class in exams, debates, and competitions, which hold sentimental value.
Moving to England
- The narrator is now living in a brick house in Birmingham, England, with her family.
- She finds the calm and quiet of her new home to be a significant contrast to her bustling childhood home in Pakistan.
- She misses the sounds of children laughing, women gossiping, and men debating politics.
Fear of Losing Identity
- The narrator worries about losing her identity and the life she left behind in Pakistan.
- She is haunted by the memory of being nearly killed for speaking out about her right to education.
The Day of the Attack
- The narrator recounts the ordinary day she was attacked, staying up late to study for an exam.
- She had a normal morning routine, with her mother waking her up and her brother Atal teasing her about receiving attention for speaking out about girls' education.
- Her father teased her brother, saying that when the narrator becomes prime minister, he (Atal) can be her minister.
A descriptive passage about the sounds and smells of a child's home life, including playing cricket, cooking, and family interactions.
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