Summarize novel *-* (1 - 47)

Homeless Bird

by Gloria Whelan

This was talking about Koly, who is 13 years old. She's Indian. With her parents's conception, this was time for her to have a husband as many girls in India. On the other hand, her family was so poor, so her father wanted to get dowry when she gets married. She has two brothers: Gopal - older brother and Ram - younger brother. Her two brothers was allowed to go to school, yet she wasn't permitted to do that because her mother thought school was a waste for girls althought she really liked to go to school as boys, so she couldn't read books. The women in her family embroidered. Her parents found Koly a husband and prepared wedding for her. Her mother did with a length of red muslin for her. Relatives and friends began to search for a bridegroom. Mehta's family would be her second family. Her husband's family was richer than her family. Suddenly, Koly hasn't met new husband. Her husband was Hari, who was sixteen years old. He wasn't strong as many another boys. He was ill with flu, and his illness was very serious, but Koly's family didn't know that. Koly's life was very diffcult. She lived shyly with all members in husband's family. After the celebration, Koly slept in Chandra's room - her sister-in-law's room because Hari was sick to have to stay with his parents so that his mother could take care of him. From the celebration until now, Koly has never met her husband. Her life in husband's house was very strict. In her mind, there were many questions, such as: why did Hari's parents want him to get married with Koly when he was sixteen??? Was he 16??? why did they want him to marry when he was ill??? etc... Until one day, she heard that Hari died. Every her worriness were answered. Hari was exactly 16. They wanted him to get marry with her that he got better, but it didn't happen. Hari's bury would be done in Varanasi, so Koly became a young widow......
(wait for next week)

Opinion:
Although I just read this novel 47 pages, I enjoyed this story about Koly's life. Why did I like it? I think this is new chance for me to understand culture from India. A culture is very strict and hard for many girls - who is 13+. A life is ups and downs. Why do Indian's culture discriminate between girls and boys??? It is no fair. Girl can't go to school, can't use books, etc... why??? Koly's life is example. When I read in page 1 and 2, I thought Koly was very stupid why she decided to get married with stranger and why she didn't oppose with her parents's acerbic idea, but now I saw she determined that because of her family, her parent, and her family's poverty. Moreover, she got married with the man she didn't like, didn't love, and even didn't know how her husband's face was. Unbelievable!!! I don't know how Koly's life will be. Will her difficulty disappear??? Hopefully, she will be better. Wait and see.