Poni learns many lessons from her mother about self-respect, education and more. She also learns how a woman is supposed to act in her culture. Have each student compile a list of the lessons Poni’s mother taught her. Come together as a class to discuss. How does Poni feel about her mother as a person? How does she feel about her as a parent? Now, working as a class, read the pages describing the phone call Poni has with her mother near the end of the story. What does Poni do? How does her mother react? What is the significance of the exchange?
