Christians typically believe that there is a benevolent God. One of the most frequent criticisms of Christian beliefs is called “the problem of pain.” It can be stated quite simply with the question: If there is a good God, why is there so much suffering in the world? How does Venkatraman’s book focus and underscore that question? Viji’s mother and Arul each prayed faithfully to their different understandings of God. Is there any evidence in the story that their prayers are answered?

Was running away a good or a bad thing for the sisters? By running away, the sisters avoided familial abuse but endured endure hunger, squalor, danger, sickness, and more. Were the sisters justified in running away? Should they have stayed? Frame your argument with examples in the story.

Are there young people in our nation who experience the kind of hardship, suffering, abuse, lack of opportunity, and hunger that the children without homes in this novel experience? How can someone discover the full extent of hardship children face in our nation?