Shakir, the oldest son of recent immigrant parents, is seven years old. The native language is spoken at home; Shakir seems to experience some difficulty in understanding English conversation with the observer, herself fluent in the child's language. Mrs. Shirani, his mother, reports that Shakir's grades in school since kindergarten have been Cs and Ds; she expects him to do well in school and sits him down after school to do homework. This process takes forever, more than an hour, and is accomplished with much yelling and cajoling. Often, Shakir doesn't complete homework, begging to go play; Mrs. Shirani finally relents