(i) Kalam's father, Jainulabdeen neither had much formal education nor much wealth. Despite these disadvantages, he possessed great innate wisdom and a true generosity of spirit. He avoided all inessential comforts and luxuries.
(ii) Kalam's mother, Ashiamma was an ideal helpmate to her husband. She fed many people every day. The author was quite certain that far more outsiders ate with them than all the members of their own family put together.
(iii) The author describes himself as one of many children. He was a short boy with rather undistinguished looks, born to tall and handsome parents. He had a very secure childhood, both materially and emotionally.
2. The author inherited honesty and self-discipline from his father and faith in goodness and deep kindness from his mother.