Summary of How I Taught My Grandmother to Read

1. Life in the Village

The narrator recalls her childhood when she was about twelve years old and stayed with her grandparents in a village in North Karnataka. During that time, transportation was poor, so newspapers and weekly magazines arrived late. The whole family eagerly waited for the bus that brought letters, newspapers, and magazines. One popular Kannada weekly magazine carried a serial novel called Kashi Yatre, written by the famous Kannada author Triveni. The novel told the emotional story of an elderly woman who longed to visit Kashi (Varanasi) for religious fulfillment.

2. Grandmother’s Interest in the Story

The narrator’s grandmother, Krishtakka (whom she lovingly called Avva), could not read because she had never attended school. Every Wednesday, when the magazine arrived, the narrator would read the latest episode of Kashi Yatre aloud to her grandmother. Avva listened with great interest and concentration. She related deeply to the story because the protagonist was also an elderly woman with strong desires and emotions. After listening, she would discuss the story with her friends in the temple courtyard.

3. The Grandmother’s Realization

One time, the narrator went to a neighboring village for a wedding and stayed away for a week. During her absence, the magazine arrived as usual. When she returned, she saw her grandmother crying. Avva explained that she had opened the magazine and saw the pictures but could not read the text. She felt helpless and dependent on others because she was illiterate. This realization made her feel deeply embarrassed and sad.

4. Determination to Learn

Determined to become independent, Avva decided to learn the Kannada alphabet. She asked her granddaughter to teach her and set a goal: by the time of the Dassara festival and Saraswati Puja, she wanted to read a novel on her own. Despite her age of sixty-two, she worked very hard—reading, writing, and practicing daily. The narrator became her teacher, and Avva proved to be a dedicated student.

5. Success and Respect for the Teacher

By the time Dassara arrived, Avva successfully learned to read. The narrator gifted her the novel Kashi Yatre. In a touching moment, the grandmother bent down and touched her granddaughter’s feet to show respect to her teacher. She explained that a teacher deserves respect regardless of age. The narrator realized that her grandmother had passed her learning test with great success and pride.