Lesson 4: The story of Lipi

In the next class Ms Choudhury tells her students the story of Lipi. In brief the story
is like this:
The year before last, Lipi, a 14-year old girl, had been in class 9 in a rural school in
Rangpur. Lipi is the eldest of five children---three daughters and two sons. Their
father is a day labourer working on other people’s land and mother is a homemaker
and a part-time worker at other people’s houses. The parents, particularly the mother,
found it real difficult to raise five children on the small income the father could earn.
Perhaps that is why Lipi’s father wanted to marry her off. But Lipi was not ready to
accept what her parents wanted to impose on her. She wanted to pursue her
education. So long her mother stood by her, though secretly. But when her father
arranged her marriage with Tara Mia, the only son of a farmer in the same village,
she became a little upset. Tara Mia was a widower—illiterate, but well off. His father
had a few acres of arable land and was influential in the village. The marriage
seemed to be inevitable.
Question 1Lipi first talked with her classmates and then with the Headteacher, who was very
sympathetic to her. He called a meeting of the teachers and students of the school.
Also the school managing committee members, some respectable persons of the
village, Lipi’s and Tara Mia’s fathers attended the meeting. The Headteacher
explained in detail the serious consequences that would follow Lipi’s marriage. She
would be having children from her very early age --- 15 or 16. It would create
constant health hazards to her. Her education would stop. And on top of all, her
marriage against her will might shatter her future dream.
60 English For Today

At one stage, Tara Mia’s father stood up and tried to argue, “You are all making
mistakes. Lipi would be very happy if she got married with Tara Mia. She would
have everything---money, clothes, home and status in the society. Why are you trying
to deprive her of this opportunity?”
But no, the big majority, who attended the meeting, supported the Headteacher.
Lipi’s marriage was called off. She is now studying at Carmichael College, Rangpur.