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manage homes and look after the men in the household Shankar accepted all thisunquestioningly and grew up to have similar notions. One day, when Ayesha askedShankar why he couldn’t help his mummy in the kitchen he said to her haughtily, “Oh!that’s girl’s work. I don’t go to the kitchen. I am going to be a pilot and fly in the air.Look at my mini-aeroplane”.This troubled Ayesha and she wondered whether boys were meant to have all theadventure and fun that an outdoor life offered them and girls had only to stay home andcook. She asked her mother why Shankar’s parents were different and whether girls weremeant to restrict themselves to the home. Her mother pointed out that, on the contrary,there were so many new professions that were now open to girls. They were becomingarchitects, engineers, air hostesses, nurses, tourist-guides, researchers, receptionists,telephone-operators and so on, apart from being doctors and teachers. Girls were alsotaking part in international sports, and in mountaineering and hiking. Likewise, she said,many men now help in the home because servants are not available or are too expensiveto hire. “Times are changing”, she pointed out, “and no longer is home-making the onlything a woman need do, although it is very important and a mother must not neglect herhome.’’ She said her father was a wonderful man and she wished there were more likehim.Now what are your own views? Do you think girls must be confined to the kitchen andboys should keep out of it, like Shankar had grown to believe, because his parents set thatexample? Perhaps you could have a discussion on this.Also consider what made Ayesha such a helpful girl. Was it her home or was she bornwith that trait? What part does the atmosphere in a home play in developing your innernature? What part do the beliefs of teachers play in helping you form opinions? Are youinfluenced by them?Have you been influenced by your friends outside school?Think upon these things.3. Keeping a PromiseSruti was studying for her B.A. exam which she was going to answer privately afterhaving absented herself from the last one on account of illness. She was a diligent studentand had planned her studies very methodically. She awaited her brother Vinay’s arrivalfrom school that evening, because he had promised to bring her on the way home animportant book, History of India by Ishwari Prasad. Her cousin was also studying for thesame exam and they often shared books. Vinay, as he entered the house, looked shabbyand full of dust after the games at school, and her first question was, “Have you broughtthe book?” Vinay faltered, remembered, felt ashamed, mumbled something and movedaway quickly, feeling very guilty. He had not kept his promise. He was feeling very badbecause he was fond of his sister and especially after her recent illness, he had tried to bekind and considerate to her. Sruti noted that he had not kept his word and as she had beenlooking forward to the book all day long she lost her temper. She also recalled thatearlier, one day, he had forgotten to bring her some medicine that she had neededurgently. A scene followed between brother and sister and their mother had to interveneto bring peace to the household. Mother was worried about Vinay. He was becoming