Bala’s boys snickered. Bala scoffed. “I’m not talking about alms money.” “Then what money.” “If you join us, you will have money, a lot of it.” Bala’s eye narrowed at me. “Why not join us and let us teach you the way?” I hesitated. “I don’t know..”
“Just do as Bala says,” one of the boy urged. “You will have all the money you need to learn to read.
It’s true.” I wanted very badly to learn to read. “All right,” I agreed, “I will do as you say.” “Welcome to the club.” The boys patted me on the back.
I had never seen so many vehicles parked in one place before, or so many people milling about. I was dumbstruck. “Don’t leave your mouth open like that,” Bala told me. “A fly might enter. See- there is a fly coming. It’s heading for your mouth. Quick! Shut it!”