IQBAL and his friends stepped out of their school and into the rain Not a light mist or even a steady downpour but gusts of rain that whip across your face and make you squint your eyes Monsoon rain Hurry Iqbal called his sister Sadia stood clutching her umbrella as she waited at their after school meeting spot
At home Iqbal and Sadia's mother stirred a pot of rice a baby swaddled against her Sadia said Amma over the baby's raspy cough please take Rupa to the veranda The smoke is bothering her Iqbal sat down beside his mother Amma my teacher told us the theme for this year's district science fair It's sustainability We have a month to come up with a project that's good for the environment There are cash prizes for the winner and the runner up From the veranda Sadia overheard her brother and yelled out Iqbal let me be your assistant Then you'll win
