Rakesh is loyal and loving to his family, and through his actions and beliefs, he shows how deeply devoted he is to his culture and traditions. However, even though others value his devotion, he does not always receive it in return.

After Rakesh earns the top spot in the country’s academic ranking, his family throws a party in his honor—or at least it appears to be in his honor. It doesn’t take long for the reader to realize that his father wants to take the glory and often does.

Varma is happy to bathe in the praise that comes from raising a dedicated son, and at first, others are happy to give it to him. But soon people realize that Varma didn’t do anything to earn the attention. This is hinted at during the party near the beginning of the story when the neighbors comment, “Don’t you think old Varma was giving himself airs? He needn’t think we don’t remember that he comes from the vegetable market himself, his father used to sell vegetables, and he has never seen the inside of a school” (Paragraph 5). Varma is not the one who put in the work to earn good grades.