Chapter 1

This chapter starts with Anand a young boy shivering as he takes dishes from Hari's tea stall to a nearby tap to wash them. As he struggles to wash the dishes with only some ash he recalls when he asked for some dish washing soap. As he reminiscences his thoughts turn to his father who went to Dubai for a job as a construction overseer. His father promised to send the money he made back to Kolkata where Anand and his family lived. As promised the money came for a few months and all was well. But after a few months the money stopped coming and the family was forced to move to a small shack and Anand's mother was forced to take a job as a cook in a rich persons house. Suddenly he is jolted back to the present as Hari yells at him to take the morning tea to the cloth merchant. He rushes to get the pakoras and tea to Shaheen the merchant hoping that he might get a tip but when he walks in he is barely noticed as the merchant has a customer. On his way back he sees some kids on their way to school and once again he is lost in his thoughts about the day his mother couldn't afford to send him and his sister to school. The chapter goes on with Anand serving customers when he notices an old man standing in the shop. Hari yells at him and tells Anand to kick him out. Anand quietly leads the old man away and ask Hari if he can take his break early. Hari says yes as long as he is back in ten minutes. Anand then grabs some food and goes outside to find the old man. Strangely the man is right where Anand left him outside. Anand then gives the old man his food and tea and the old man takes them gratefully. The man then thanks him and makes a strange symbol in the air over Anand's head. Warmth suddenly pours through Anand's veins. As he goes back into the shop he thinks "Mother was right, sharing what you have with others really does make you feel good."

I really liked this chapter because it provides a great introduction to this book. Although I usually prefer a little more excitement this chapter was nice too because of the plot development. It tells you about Anand's past and condition without boring you by weaving in the actual story itself.