Initiative

Courage and
strength to stand
up to ones
principles
Determination
brings success
 Letting go of
family members to
let them become
independent
Parental sacrifice
for family
members
To achieve his dream of studying overseas,
Aloo took the trouble to write to universities in
America to get the necessary information.
Aloo wrote to many universities and his letter-
writing took him the rest of the year meaning it
involved a few months. But he was determined
to know as much as he could. Finally he
succeeded in getting a satisfying reply to his
efforts.
Both Aloo and Mother were strong and
courageous to stand up to what they believe in.
Aloo felt that he should be allowed to accept
the scholarship and study overseas. He pointed
out his willingness to repay her and promised
not let his mother down. His mother also held
to her beliefs that children who leave the
country are not likely to return. As a mother,
she did not want to let go. Both held on at the
risk of upsetting one another.
Mother was initially against letting Aloo go for
overseas study. She was afraid he would not
return after his studies. Anyway, she was not
willing to let him go she had pinned hopes on
him and the narrator. It would be better for her
if she could keep him close forever. But, after
talking with the school officer, she realized that
she could not be selfish. She had to give him a
chance to become independent, like his other
siblings.
Mother was willing to sacrifice for the
children. She moved them to a quitter part of
town which was a lonely and frightening place
and she felt lonely sometimes in the evenings.
In their former place, she had friends and was
not so lonely.