Rathy: “No, I am not, but why are you asking me this question?” Student: “Because you are dark, ma’am.” This was a question Rathy was asked when she was visiting a school in Erode for a storytelling session. This exchange resulted in gasps from her colleagues and other teachers but Rathy wasn’t upset. She was intrigued. Wanting to know what made the student say that, she told him to stretch out his hand. Then, she put her hand next to his and asked him to compare their skin colours. Rathy: “Now tell me, who is darker?” Student: “I am ma’am.”