The Book of Rules

Can you not eat my head? Just do your homework by yourself," shouted Anika. She had a Biology test coming up and was finding it hard to learn all the parts of plant and animal cells.

- Ashima Kaushik

"A cell is such a tiny thing and it has so many parts and then their names like 'mitochondria'. Could they not have named it Ria, as a short form?" she mumbled.

Her brother, Robin, was not going to go away so easily, "But you are my older sister, so you should help me. It is your duty."

"No! It is your duty to do your homework. Mine is to do my homework," she said angrily.

"But all elder brothers and sisters help their younger siblings, all the time!" Robin persisted.

Anika rolled her eyes, "Yes, they help. But you keep arguing and wasting my time by not listening and then asking me all sorts of questions!"

Robin almost got teary-eyed, "But I don't understand. That's why I'm asking you to explain!"

Finally, Anika closed her book and took a deep breath. "Fine. Quick, what do you want to know?" she asked.

Robin smiled and opened his notes. "So, what is the Constitution Day of India?"

Anika glared at him. "Can't you read the chapter in your textbook?"

Robin scratched his head.

"Fine," said Anika, "Now, India got freedom from the British on August 15, 1947. That day is celebrated as the Independence Day, you know that, right?"

Robin nodded. Anika thought for a moment, then said, "You like playing board games, right?"

Robin jumped, "Yes, do you want to play Ludo?"

"No. What I am trying to say is this when you play Ludo or any other game.

You play by certain rules, don't you?"

Robin nodded.

"There are always instructions and rule books that come with any game that tell you to do this and not do that," she said,

"And everyone follows those rules to play the game fairly."

Robin nodded, again.

"In the same way, after India got freedom, the leaders realised that to rule this newly free nation, they needed to have a set of rules and guidelines to govern a nation properly, successfully and fairly."