Chowk Tales II: Conversations

In the alleys of Chowk lived two young kids, Kamal and Jamal.

Although close friends they were uniquely different. Kamal was from a simple middle class family. He was being taught that success was a reward acquired through hard work and education. And Jamal was from a feudal family that believed success was an inheritance and could be preserved forever by continuing the traditions of their forefathers.

In their growing up years these two friends had many conversations that were interesting. I overheard quite a few of those conversations from my window overlooking the Chowk. Here are some of the conversations that occurred when the two friends were very young and inncocent.

Kamal: My father is very worried

Jamal: Why?

Kamal: He thinks he will lose his job because the seth's son who just returned from the US wants his staff to wear suits and ties and speak in English. My father cannot do either.

Jamal: That is too bad.

Jamal: My father is very worried too

Kamal: Why?

Jamal: My elder brother does not want to marry my cousin and my father feels that this way our family name will be tarnished

Kamal: That is too bad.

Kamal: What is America?

Jamal: This is the country they show on TV all the time. It is a very great country.

Kamal: Why is America great?

Jamal: My father says it is the land of superior people like our family and I will have to go there one day to become sophisticated

Kamal: How much does it cost to get sophistication?

Jamal: I think there is something called a Visa that you need. Even my family cannot get it easily.

Jamal: Do you know why the main Chowk has a map of Pakistan in a glass bowl

Kamal: No

Jamal: The glass bowl is supposed to signify families like mine, who are powerful and can protect their people. While the map is mean to signify people like you and even worse, who cannot protect anyone and need us to surround them.

Kamal: But Jamal that means if someone throws a big stone very hard then you will die.

Jamal: Nobody can throw a stone. Everybody knows better.

Kamal: You and I are equal

Jamal: Come on Kamal, how can that be?

Kamal: All muslims are equal

Jamal: But my family has 100,000 Acres of land and 10,000 haris too…

Kamal: What is education

Jamal: I don’t know

Kamal: Lets find out by asking your father

Jamal: Okay

Kamal: Why do all rich people have a "dish" on their roof?

Jamal: It is to get knowledge about the world

Kamal: So I cannot be knowledgeable if I don’t have a dish?

Jamal: I think so

Jamal: I cannot meet you for 3 months

Kamal: Why?

Jamal: My father says it is getting too hot out here these days and has bought a ranch in America where we will stay during summers.

Kamal: Hmm, if you are going then I will spend the summer reading the newspapers that the Chaathouse uses to wrap the hot pakoras.