Neela Sen is a twelve year old girl living in Bengal, India in 1939. She is independent-minded, and doesn't believe in her society's view of women and marriage. She is always in trouble for being a free spirit and wanting to make her own choices in life. She loves music and has a pretty voice. She also likes to sit and talk with the Baoul dadu who is a wandering minstrel. Neela is very much a "tomboy" who prefers climbing trees and fishing to dressing up in a fancy sari. Neela is not considered very domestic, but she shows true responsibility when it comes to caring for her cow, Budhi. She also loves her father and worries about him when he doesn't return from helping the freedom fighters in India. Neela is just as fascinated with her country's Independence as her father, which spurs her a