Mamata, a gentle and wise soul, is an assistant librarian. She is also an engineer, and studied in India. She was the only girl in a class of 42 boys and most of them didn't talk to her. Excluded from study groups, she describes a moment when one of them took the time to offer her some very useful information. The experience taught her the importance of compassion, and of choosing not to perceive other people as a threat. It also taught her the importance of cherishing friendship.