Sold (The Price of a Loan - Nightfall)

I think that it is so unfair what Ama and Lakshmi have to give up for her father. All he does is gamble away everything they work hard for! If Ama had had even the slightest chance of keeping the family alive without selling her earrings, she would have. Those earrings were important to her. They represented a sense of pride, a richness that she would not have normally been able to afford. They were to go to Lakshmi's dowry to pass on the pride she felt in them. I just cannot believe the father doesn't feel any guilt about what he does to the family. He is out for himself, and only himself. The family barely has enough money to pay off their debts, and because of the debts they have very little food. They are not in a good condition to be living in. When Lakshmi's stepfather returns, he is wearing clothes from the city, rich clothing articles. I just don't understand how he can waste all of the family's money on such trivial things. I don't think it is just that they are women, because he has a son as well. If son's are so important, why is he not being sure to provide for his own?

I loved when you learn about how Lakshmi go her name from the goddess who blesses the pure and humble. I think this is so symbolic, because Lakshmi really is a pure and humble girl. She is living a life that she does not deserve, and I think that the festival must bring much hope into her heart and her mother's heart. The festival really did give them some blessings. Lakshmi got to be a child for a night, to enjoy not being stressed. And Lakshmi's stepfather won a motorcycle. Finally, the family was finding light in a difficult situation, then the stepfather gambled away the motorcycle. That was truly their last resort. I don't really know what they are going to do.