Engaging with the opening of 'The Firework Maker's Daughter'

'The Firework Maker's Daughter' is a quest narrative and the protagonist is named Lila. The story is influenced by South-East Asian culture and there are clues that imply it is set in Indonesia. The author provides lots of hints in his writing to give the reader clues and help them form predictions about the plot. Lila wants to be a firework-maker and discover the secret to it but her father Lalchand wants her to find a husband. Lila's friend Chulak speaks to Lalchand and finds out the secret ingredient for firework-making and where to find it.