A willing slave to cook and care for the three children, keep a stern eye on the other servants and to generally keep the house in running order – all for a pittance of a sari and a few rupees a month. The only sign of any family of her own were two hefty, sullen men in their early 40s who would come to collect a part of her meagre salary which she gave willingly.
This story features ‘The Ayah’ and Little Radha (the youngest of the children) – their unique relationship where each indulges the other’s fantasy till one day when the Ayah leaves to become a willing slave for someone else. Everyone from eight to eighty will identify with this bitter sweet tale. For the ‘Ayah’ forms an important figure in the Indian household.
