In the poem ‘Dear Mum’, a young son makes a touching plea to his mum. He questions societal attitudes that glorify academic excellence more than human values like love and empathy. In maths, I have not seen a hundred, but good traits I do have, a hundred, he argues. Why does no one count the centuries I do score in love, compassion, or willing sacrifice? he asks. That being so, what does he request his mum for?  Read on/Listen in.