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One evening when Chuskit was sitting outside the house with her grandfather, a young
boy came up to her. He carried a letter which he handed over to her grandfather. ‘Julley!
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The bus driver asked me to give
this to you,’ he said.

‘My name is Abdul,’ he said turning

to Chuskit. ‘I study in Class 6 at the
Government School. I have often wondered
why you don’t come to school.’

‘Julley, Abdul,’ said Chuskit. ‘I have never
been to school. The path to the school is too
uneven and pebbly and my wheelchair will

get stuck. Besides, I cannot cross the little
stream in front of the school. It would be
very difficult for my parents to carry me to
school and back every day.’

‘But would you like to come to school?’
asked Abdul.

‘Of course!’ replied Chuskit. ‘I hear my
younger brother talk of all that he does at

school. I want to study like all of you, make
friends, play games, wear a uniform and
even write exams. Sometimes my brother teaches me songs that Can you tell what
he has learnt at school and I love it. You may not believe this, kind of emotions was
but I sometimes dream of carrying a school bag, even eating the grandfather going
Just a Minute!
packed lunch...’ through while saying
these words?
‘Enough! Enough!’ interrupted her grandfather.

‘Stop dreaming, Chuskit. You know you cannot go to school. I have told you this many
times. Learn as much as you can at home.’

‘Meme-ley , please,’ pleaded Chuskit softly with tears in her eyes as her grandfather
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walked away angrily.

‘Meme-ley does not understand how I feel,’ said Chuskit. ‘I remember the day my brother
recited his tables with such pride, even the time he learned to read! My parents were very

happy as they have never been to school. I too want to learn to read and do math. Do you
understand?’

6 term used as a greeting: hello, goodbye
7 ‘Grandfather’ in Ladakhi

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