For children: Will Kuhu find a way to reconnect with her mother and overcome her struggles?

As grey clouds swooped down on the hills and the sun disappeared, winter clothes made a comeback. By December, butterflies and crickets had gone into hiding and flowers prepared to say goodbye. Only the pines stood tall to brave the wintry air. Papa brought home cans of kerosene and stocked wood behind the blue curtain in the balcony that covered the home junk – broken furniture, old pipes, taps, a plastic drum, and pretty much everything that Ma thought belonged to the junkyard but Papa reasoned could prove useful, one day!

A week later, Kuhu walked up the Wood Bazar with a silver medal around her neck and a bag bouncing against her back. It was “report card day”.

In the morning, Sister Rosa had stepped onto the stage to honour the students.

When Kuhu's name was called out for a prize, she looked around in surprise. What was it for?

“Hundred Per cent Attendance!” Miss Susan announced.

Hundred per cent attendance! Is that why Ma had the no-leave policy for me? Kuhu wondered.

Sister Rosa put a silver medal around Kuhu’s neck, then drew her closer and wrapped an arm around her. She turned to the hall, brimming with girls. “At St Mary’s, we cherish values like discipline; it’s the...

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