Today I noticed how delicate the colors are at dawn. My little sister, Sita, woke me just as the sky was turning from gray to white. As we walked down to the river with our copper water jugs, the sun was a pale pink. Early morning is my favorite part of the day.
Sita and I filled our water jugs. We waded into the stream, still chilly from the morning air. Our saris got soaked as we splashed each other. We washed our hair with oil made from nuts. After a playful hour or so, the sun came out. While resting on the grassy river bank, we tossed the long parts of our wet clothes up and over the low branches to dry.
I cannot say how much time passed while we waited for our clothes to dry. But all of a sudden, Sita shouted, “We must get home—the sweeping!” Sweeping the family's house is our job. It must be done before we may eat breakfast. We ran home, swifter than the wind. I've never seen Sita sweep faster than today—we were both so hungry after our morning break down by the river!
Afterwards, we collected cow-dung patties to fuel the little clay fire-pot. Hide-and-seek is perfect to play at the same time—there is a hollow tree trunk to hide in, and a Sita-sized space inside the shed! I always know where to find her.
Sita is very interested in the new school being built in the village. There are going to be two rooms, so girls can go to school, too. Our parents want us to go. And why not? We can both read, but school will teach us even more. No doubt Sita and I will still marry. And we'll probably live in the same village. But to learn to be a nurse as well—or a teacher for other girls—that would be fascinating, too!
