Girls' rights and changing attitudes

Unequal treatment. In Bholi's home, sons go to city schools; a plain, stammering daughter is ignored and called a 'dumb cow'. She is valued only for whether she can be married off.

Equal rights. Girls and boys have the same rights, duties and privileges. Human rights make no difference between them.

Beti Bachao Beti Padhao. The government's scheme to save the girl child and educate the girl child. In groups of four, read about it and design a poster for the school notice board.

What can we do? Treat everyone with respect, whatever their looks. Never tease someone for a stammer or a scar. Speak up against dowry. Support girls' education. Bholi's teacher shows how much one kind adult can change.

What language? The story is told in English, but words like Pitaji, izzat, Tehsildar and Numberdar show the characters would really speak Hindi.