Summary

Chapter one, entitled "Monday morning," begins on Monday morning after a pleasant weekend, 10-year-old Swaminathan, or Swami for short, awakens in his room, which is a corner of a dressing-room he shares with his father. He gets dressed and prepared for school, which he dreads. He has two hours of time to complete work for his English and Math classes before beginning school proper. His teacher is the stern and unyielding Vedanayagam.

Following math, the students have a history lesson with D. Pillai, who is well-regarded for his kindness and sense of humor. He also teaches in a somewhat unorthodox manner, making the boys all the more appreciative of him. Following history, they are taught a Christian scripture lesson from Mr. Ebenezar, who is implied to be the only white teacher at the school. Swami describes him as a “fanatic” (3). Ebenezar criticizes Hinduism...