A library user keen to have something new to read walks through a monsoon in Georgetown, Renang Island, Malaya to get to the public library. She asks for a collection of short stories and is handed a new collection by J. Winsett titled “The Ayah’s Tale and Other Stories of Old Bengal.” It makes the hairs on her arms prickle but she checks it out.

In the summer of 1923 a young Indian woman was hired to be the ayah for Nigel, six, Julian, five and Sally, four whose father, Mr. Millings, was the Commissioner for Burdwan District. Once hired , Menakshi Dutt’s identity became that of Big Ayah which distinguished her from Baby Ayah who took care of baby Polly. Gradually the children accepted her, except for Nigel, and both their lessons and play time were enlivened by ayah’s stories of make-believe characters that included the culture and folk tales of India as well as further adventures of Pooh, a favourite of Sally’s.

Mrs. Millings was difficult to please but more than happy to turn over the responsibility of her children to their ayah to free her time for other activities. After one and a half years in service Ayah asked for leave for Christmas 1924 to visit her family. To ensure her return Mrs. Millings only allowed her to take some of her belongings. She arrived in Midnapore District to discover her mother very ill in the hospital. Menakshi aided in her recovery by providing blood for a transfusion, a new, radical treatment but became ill herself and missed her return date to her job. This resulted in her being dismissed. All of this comes back to her as she reads Justin Winsett account of her time with his family.

It was very common for British families in India to hire Indian women to act as nannies and governesses for their children. In these situations the children often became much closer to their ayah than to their parents. The ayah was there to meet their every need, provide cuddles, first aid and listen to their private thoughts and dreams as well as to teach, guide and entertain the children. This is well presented in “The Ayah’s Tale” along with the separation problems when the ayah leaves.

I disliked Mrs. Millings for her attitudes and lack of acceptance of the Anglo-Indian situation and the desire for independence from Britain, but it was typical for the time period. On the other hand I admired Ram Holland, the train conductor. who made the best of his situation and took positive steps to gain the heart and hand of Menakshi while still staying within the social limitations placed on him. Massey’s characters are well presented and represent the good and the bad of both British and Indian society.

This is a sad tale of love that is lost and the hurt and guilt that is carried for years. Highly recommended, 5 stars. ( )

I thoroughly enjoyed reading this book -- the chapters alternate between the Bengali narrator (the ayah) and one of the English children (Julian) she cared for. It spans a period from the 1920s when India was colonized by the English to the early 1950s, when by chance the ayah comes across a book written by Julian as an adult. I'd love to read a sequel... I will certainly be reading additional books by this author. ( )