Ayisha is washing bowls in the compound house. She hears the conversation between her father and mother. Mother wants Ayisha to attend school, but Father says "No" because girls in Naduri, their village, don't attend school. Now Ayisha is interested in going to school, but her father says "No." There is another reason: Bukari, the rich cow- dealer, brought four cows to Ayisha's father so that Ayisha would marry in his house when she grows up. Only one of the cows is still alive, and Ayisha's father has no money to replace the cows. Will Ayisha attend school? Who will pay for the cows? And why is Bukari in serious trouble?