In the snowy Gurez Valley, a little girl named Amiya dreams of a library. But there are no storybooks in its proximity. So, how will she build a library? Then, she remembers that she lives with a storyteller —Deidi, ‘grandmother’ in Shina, a Dardic language spoken in Gurez. The plan is to get her to narrate tales, which Amiya will write down and her sister will illustrate. And if every girl in Amiya’s school does the same with a family member, they will be able to build an extensive library. Deidi proceeds with the narration over noon chai, a salty, pink-ish tea made in samavaars. This heartwarming tale of love and separation set around the Line of Control in 1947 is the crux of Noon Chai and a Story (Tulika Books) that was released this month.

Noon chai is characterised by its pink colour. Pics courtesy/Tulika Books