Page 70 - English_Spark_5

What about those
lovely bellies you saw Why did you say
last week, Mitali. ‘no’ to everything?

Mother, I don’t want
to go to wedding.
I don’t want these either
Thank you, mother.

Mitali’s mother was upset, but she said nothing. They went back home, had

lunch. After lunch, mother came and sat near Mitali. ‘‘What is it, child?’’ she
asked. ‘‘Why are you sad?’’

Mitali said nothing, instead, two big tears rolled down her cheeks. Mother put

her arms around Mitali. ‘‘Don’t cry, my dear,’’ she said. ‘‘Why don’t you tell me

what’s bothering you?’’

More tears rolled down Mitali’s cheeks. ‘‘Mother,’’ she said, ‘‘there’s a sparrow’s
nest on the bookshelf in my room, and there are two baby sparrows in the nest.’’

‘‘I see...,’’ said mother.

‘‘They’re just beginning to get their feathers. And growing up makes them so

hungry. All day long they cry ‘cheep-cheep’, asking for food.’’

‘‘I see!’’ said mother.

‘‘If we go, the whole place will be locked. And how will papa and mama sparrows

feed their babies?’’

upset — unhappy, worried; feathers — wings

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