I did, Bala! You must have dropped it!” Bala stared at me, and then said, “Ah, I remember now. I had it when we were coming here. I must have dropped it as we climbed. Or maybe I dropped it somewhere in the park.” “Bala, you’ve lost my precious book!” I screamed. “That book is my life!” I scooted towards the mouth of the cave. “I must find it!” Bala chuckled. “Look— it’s here.”
I turned back, and there in Bala’s hand, was the book. He had slipped it into the waistband of his knickers. Abdu frowned. “I thought we came here to plan our work.”
“Okay,” said Bala, “let’s get to work.” He peered through the grass curtain. After a few moments, he pointed. “See that woman over there by those three big cases? Can you see her big and costly looking handbag? Look at her clothes. See the currency note she is handing to that kilishi seller.
Do you think she is a poor woman?”
“She must be rich!”the boy shouted. Bala laughed. “She has plenty of money for sure.” “So we should go for her?” Abdu asked. Bala nodded. “You and Haman will attack her.”
He pointed in another direction. “That man over there in a black suit - the watch on his wrist is gold. He has money. Taku and jima- he is yours.
Now four of you - go! Attack!” Abdu haman, Taku and jima slipped out of the cave. I blinked. Bala was running a gang of robbers!
Bala turned to me. He studied my face, trying to find out if he could count on me. If I showed disgust or fear. Then I couldn’t be part of the gang. And then I would be in trouble.