Summary

The short story “The Mother of the Child in Question” by Doris Lessing centers around a social worker’s visit to a Pakistani family.

On arrival, the social worker, Stephen Bentley, notices the house is spotless, and the family greets him with polite smiles, serving him tea and biscuits. However, Mr Khan is not present, despite his earlier promise to Stephen that he would be there. When asked about Mr Khan, the family’s young son Hassan answers that he is at work, despite his promise. 

The purpose of Stephen’s visit is to discuss the family’s youngest daughter, Shireen, who is intellectually disabled. She appears to be a happy child, but she does not notice the visitor, nor does she react to her mother’s questions and commands. Stephen mentions Shireen going to the special school, which the previous social worker had al...