Amal lives with mother and father, whom she calls Amma and Abu, respectively, and her younger sisters in a tiny village in the Punjab, Pakistan. Amal wants to be a teacher when she grows up. She admires her teacher, Miss Sadia, and cherishes the time she spends helping Miss Sadia after class because it helps Amal learn about the profession. Amal’s mother is pregnant again and the baby is due soon. Amal’s father tells Amal that she must stay home from school and care for her sisters. Amal reluctantly tells Miss Sadia she can no longer assist her. Miss Sadia understands and encourages Amal to write poems about her life and dreams. Amal scoffs, thinking her life is boring, but looking back, realizes she took her life for granted.

As Amal, her younger sister Seema, and their friend Hafsa walk home from school, Hafsa grumps about being let out late. Amal marvels at her friend’s lack of curiosity about the world: Amal herself wants to learn as much as possible. The girls wonder about a new building in the village. Hafsa declares it is one of Khan Sahib’s new factories, though she wishes it were a clinic, which would benefit the village more.