An Education

9 yr old boy (looks more like 3 due to malnutrition) runs into the bamboo-tin hut, Imran and I are surveying, clutching a handful of Class 2 school text books. His father owns a teashop but business is bad and ever since the silk factories laid-off half a village, his customers can’t afford a cup of tea and a ripe banana every day. His mother brings us tea and refuses our money. We are guests in their home, their basha. Mother shouts and laughs at her son’s mischief. Father takes a break from answering our questions about his healthcare needs and his dwindling income and his dying youngest daughter. The times are bad.  

Mother- He’s at it again. He’s trying to sell his school books.

Boy- I’ll sell them. I’ll sell everyone of them.

Father- You rascal! Have some respect for our guests.

Boy- I’ll sell them.

Imran- You should never sell your books. Why are you trying to sell them?

Boy- They have stopped teaching these lessons. They have closed down the school.

Imran and I flip through the books. Instead of a price tag they have the UNICEF logo at the back. Donor funded books, which are of little use where the schools disappear like rain puddles in the sun.

Me- Don’t sell them. Don’t be foolish. You can use them later. You can give them to somebody who needs them.

Mother- They are in good condition. He can earn some money if he sells them.

Imran- He can earn much much more money if he studies them.

Mother- That will take many years and many more books. At the end of which he may not earn more than a fisherman.

Imran (getting very angry)- Knowledge should be respected. Knowledge is powerful Inshallah. Rajshahi is the city of universities and knowledge. Some of the best universities in the world are in Rajshahi and you have no respect for that.  

Boy- But I can get 8 taka per textbook and 5 taka per note book.

Imran- What will you do with that money?

Boy- I’ll eat.

Imran- What will you eat? What will you eat?

Mother- He likes to eat grapefruit at the Padma ghat and lots of other junk.

Father- Leave that rascal. He will not learn anything anyway, even if the school reopens. Have another banana.

Boy- Forget about 8 taka. I’ll sell these for 10 taka. Not less than 10 taka.

Imran- Don’t be stupid. You should eat the knowledge contained in these books and many many other books over many years. Only then will you be somebody.

Boy- I don’t want to eat knowledge. I don't want to be anybody. I want to eat real food. Right Now.