Chapter 18: Haridas
“I’m curious—how did you learn to speak such good
English?”
“Oh, that’s easy to answer. We have an American
teacher who has taught us. All of our children are
learning English.”
Blake and Sutton looked at each other. Again Sutton
began to speak.
“Please pardon our sudden intrusion into your
village. We mean no harm.”
Haridas smiled. “I understand. Do not worry. You are
both welcome—but please tell me why you have
come here? This is a very difficult area for
outsiders to reach. And since we frequently move
from one village to the next, you are fortunate to
have even found us. Did somebody tell you we were
here?”
“Not exactly, but at Angkor Wat,” Blake said. “We asked a
monk if he knew Rama. We told them that he was a
Hindu—that he worshiped Lord Vishnu. He mentioned
Elephant Mountain and said that we should come
here.”
Again Haridas smiled. “Yes, although we do not
associate with the Buddhist, occasionally we
do—mostly trading for incense. But please tell me,
why are you looking for Rama?”
Sutton then took over the conversation. “So you know
who Rama is?”
“Oh yes, but he is in India right now.”
“I see. How long will he be gone?”
“Again you are fortunate, my friends. Although he’s been
gone for over two years, he is expected back at anytime. In fact, when I heard all the commotion I
thought that perhaps he had returned. Why are you
looking for him?”
Sutton shifted his weight again. The chirping sound
of a small bird filled the air. “Is there anyway we
could talk to the American English teacher? Is he
here?”
