A Day in the Life

What's it like to grow up in a small village in India? We asked 11-year-old Asan Kumar Thakur of Galand village. He lives in the northern state of Uttar (Oo-thar) Pradesh (Pruh-desh). Here's how Asan described a typical day in his life:

5 A.M. When it is hot, I sleep out in our courtyard to stay cool. I am always awake early because the birds make a lot of noise.

6 A.M. I'm already dressed and ready for school. I have to nag my little sister to hurry up. She drinks a glass of milk before school. I hate milk!

7 A.M. After walking my sister to her school, I wait for my school bus. I get good grades, so my father pays for me to go to a private school for boys. It is far but nicer than the public school I went to before. The boys got into fights all the time, and many skipped classes. At my new school, the teachers are very strict.

7:30 A.M. We line up for our daily assembly. The principal makes announcements, then we sing a prayer song. Kids lead the prayers. I would like to lead them, but my teacher says I don't sing very well.

7:45 A.M. Classes. Now that I'm in middle school, I have to work hard. We study Hindi, English, science, geography, history, math and art.

10:15 A.M. Recess. Most kids bring packed food from home, but my father gives me pocket money and I buy fruit and chana-bhatura [spicy chick peas and fried bread] from a man outside our school gates. The other boys play during the break, but I don't like rough games. I prefer to sit and talk.

10:45 A.M. More classes. We often have drawing classes in the afternoon. Those are great fun. We are learning to use watercolors. Our school doesn't have any computer lessons. I've never seen a computer, but I'll take private computer lessons when I am older. I know, these days everything is done on a computer.

2 P.M. Back home. After we eat a big lunch, my mother packs food for my father. I take it to his shop. My father owns a small shop where he sells snacks, cigarettes and cold drinks like Coke and Pepsi. It is close to the bus stop, so we get lots of thirsty customers.

3 P.M. I mind the shop while my father takes a break. I am good at it! Even when there are many people asking for things, I help them quickly.

5 P.M. I go back home. If there's a lot of homework, I start working as soon as I get back. If not, I play for a bit with the other kids. My mother does not like me to stay out of the house after dark. When I finish my homework, I do chores, and then we watch television.

9 P.M. Dinnertime. We all eat together.

10 P.M. Bedtime.

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