Scolding resumes as Hari finds Arjun playing hooky by the low caste water pipes. Knobby- kneed spinning as Arjun runs past Hari's shop, hoop wobbling down the road bouncing off thejutting stones. Hari cannot write. “There are big changes at the pond. They are building a motor road up the hill.” “Tell Hari we have donuts like his jellabies,” I respond. “Ask him if he has made cake.” “It is the hot season,” again, Keshab. “Soon the rains will start. The pond has been stocked with fish. The government made a fish farm.” “Tell Hari I am fine in America. Tell him I have an office job. Tell him I made a cake and wrote his name on top. In chocolate. “The hot season is ending. People are sick. Soon the rains will start,” Keshab writes. “There are many fish. Yesterday one was caught weighing three kilos. The police chief bought it.” “Tell Hari I hiked in the mountains. Tell him I went to the top and looked for him on the other peaks. Tell him I saw a bird. It might have been a hawk.” “We have many fish. There was one that weighed 4 1/ 2 kilos. The police chief bought it. People are sick. I will be transferred to a school in the valley. Hari died. The rains are hard. There have been two mudslides on the road by the school. The school was closed for three days. But soon the rains will stop.” small comfort: he will come again, and I graced if I meet him and recognize him. Misty terror dissipated now as Arjun rolls his hoop down the road. Scolding resumes as Hari finds Arjun playing hooky by the low caste water pipes. Knobby-kneed spinning as Arjun runs past Hari’s shop, hoop wobbling down the road bouncing off the jutting stones. And once again the taking of tea. “Tell me about when you were in India,” I ask Hari. “In India I worked in a big hotel,” Hari says. “Americans, Germans. I was just a boy.” He pulls out that imaginary tray. “Whiskey, brandy. I had to put the money like this,” His hand lays flat on the tray. “The paper under the coin,” he explains. “Not the other way around. Like this.” / make my fist a globe, show Hari where I’m going. “You live here,” I point to my pinky. “My home is here,” somewhere on my thumb. I wonder where I live in Hari’s world, where the sun is a god who circles the earth, night and day. And I wonder, boarding the plane in Kathmandu, if I will return to that spot on my thumb, ordered 48°N 123°W. Nepal is east of America. Nepal is west of America. I would write many times to Hari, through Keshab. “Please share this letter with Hari Bahadur at the teashop.” Hari cannot read. “Please send my love to Hari. Tell him I am fine in America. Ask him how he is.” “Everyone is fine,” Keshab answers. t Barbara Kerley is a writer living in Seattle. She was a Peace Corps Volunteer in Nepal. This story appeared in a recent King County Art Commission newsletter. Enjoy a Taste Treat! Nancy’s Lowfat Yogurt 1/2 Pints Our Fruit-in-the-Bottom Yogurt is lightly sweetened with honey. Chose from: Blueberry Strawberry Peach Raspberry, or select from Nancy’s naturally flavored Lowfat Yogurts: Essence of Lemon Vanilla Maple. Nancy’s Lowfat Yogurt is always a taste treat. Snack time or mealtime, serve Nancy’s Lowfat Yogurt for your good health! Margaret Chodos-lrvine is an artist living in Seattle. Her linocuts illustrate Ursula K. Le Guin’s novel, Always Coming Home. Springfield Creamery Eugene, Oregon Downtown I "iM-Wll 222 S.W. Washington 11-9 Mon-Th, 11-TO Fri, 12-9 Sat, Closed Sun Always Fresh! The Original Northwest Style Pizza Turntable Mary' "The 12"Record Store" 12" Domestic 12“ Imports PSD Campus I 224-0311 1909 S.W. Sixth 10:30-9 Mon-Th. 10:30-10 Fri, 11:30-9 Sat. 2-8 Sun Raleigh Hills 1 297-8424 Fred Meyer Shopping Ctr. 11-9 Mon-Th, 11-10 Fri. 11-9 Sat, 2-8 Sun By the Slice or Whole Pies — Here or To Go! PORTLAND'S MOST PROGRESSIVE DANCE MUSIC STORE 120 SW Stark PDX 227-3933 s BOOKS 3129 SE HAWTHORNE BROADWAY IMPORT AUTO SERVICE SPECIALIZING IN: DATSUN • HONDA • TOYOTA • VOLVO • Tune-Up • Brake Work • Engine Repair • D.E.Q. • Shocks • Front End Repair • Electrical • Struts • Steering • Transmissions • Turbo’s • Lubrication Robert Downey, Owner Hours M-F 7am-6pm 282-0817 3001 NE BROADWAY 42 Clinton St. Quarterly—Spring, 1988
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