A Place at the Table

Sara clarifies that she only wants to be a cooking partner with Elizabeth, not a friend. She is not used to having white friends because all her friends at her old school were Indian and Pakistani, and they knew the struggles associated with being different. Sara observes the students around her as they show apparent interest in her mother’s chicken curry—she believes her mother may be winning the students over. Thinking about the students and the curry reminds her of a neighbor who left and said it was because she could not stand the smell of curry at all hours of the day. Sara notes that harmful comments hurt most when expressed by kind friends and neighbors. The class finishes making the curry, and Sara, who craves chicken curry while it is being cooked, digs in. Elizabeth notices and comments that Sara secretly loves the dish; Sara says not to let her mother hear.

After class ends, Elizabeth helps Sara and Mrs. Hameed clean the classroom. Elizabeth accidentally knocks over Mrs. Hameed’s tote bag while sweeping, and papers tumble everywhere. Elizabeth notices the citizenship test booklet and tells Sara her mom has the same book at home.