Save Me a Seat

In the morning, Ravi’s mother brings chiles and salt to take away the curse that she thinks is plaguing him at school. The previous day, frustrated by his mother and grandmother’s constant questions, he asked them to leave him alone, which only increased their concern: “Perimma even threatened to email Mrs. Beam if I didn’t tell her what was bothering me […] so I faked a stomachache and went to bed early” (94).

Ravi’s mother throws the chiles on a hot skillet, and when they sizzle, Perimma yells that America is terrible because people are jealous of Ravi’s intelligence. Ravi worries that they will find out that everyone at school thinks he is stupid. Amma gives Ravi medicine for his stomachache and naan khatais—Ravi’s favorite cookie—to win over his teacher. Perimma criticizes Amma’s baking, but Appa tells Ravi to listen to Amma because she has prophetic powers, courtesy of the black birthmark on her tongue. Amma goes to walk Ravi to the bus stop, but Appa stops her, saying that Ravi can walk himself. Amma calls out advice as Ravi leaves.

Ravi rides the bus to school, thinking about whether the cookies and the curse removal will work. Ravi sees the American flag at school and thinks of his own flag with its twenty-four symbolic virtues, remembering Perimma’s advice to be true to his roots.