Edith and Her Ayah, and Other Stories

In the sweltering heat of an Indian bungalow, young Edith watches the world around her with wide, earnest eyes. When she asks her mother why her ayah, Motee, does not join their prayers, the gentle Mrs. Tuller vows to share the Christian faith with the devoted native nurse. Their attempts unfold against a backdrop of bustling colonial life, where the clatter of a punkah fan and the distant sounds of temple chants remind listeners of the cultural divide that frames their daily routine.

Through tender dialogue and quiet observation, the story explores how compassion and curiosity can bridge distant traditions. Edith’s simple prayers for Motee’s salvation reveal a child's pure hope, while Mrs. Tuller grapples with the limits of language and belief. As the season shifts and the family prepares to leave the bungalow for a new setting, the listeners are left pondering whether gentle kindness can truly touch a heart bound by ancient customs.