i want to go to school too father

i want to go to school too father
you, a girl? why,
you dream too high
what need of school for you?

am i not a child father?
is school not for me?
don't i need my lessons in life

what lessons girl?
isn't the home school enough?
isn't your mother the best teacher?
doesn't the forest you pick firewood from
teach you the lessons you need?
they don't teach cooking
or washing utensils and clothes
or tending the cattle
or working in the fields

and who will look after the younger children
when your mother is working and i'm not home
who will cook and feed?
who do you think will get the fodder
and pick the mahua when season has come

school isn't for you girl
go, see your brother cries.


Footnote: According to census 2001 52.2% of the women are still iliterate in India.